Teaming up with the Bollywood Queen

April 20, 2012 / 0 Comments

Dance: the Universal Language

As IDD 2012 quickly approaches, Joanna aka the BQ (Bollywood Queen), and myself, Becky aka the BBQ (the Better Bollywood Queen…just kidding!) have decided to put aside our competition-fueled “differences” and co-write a blog for the Sharing Dance world to enjoy.

Although Joanna and I both work at NBS, we work in different departments and until flashmob rehearsals began, we really only got to exchange the occasional “hello”. Only through attending these rehearsals twice a week did we get the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company and get to know each other. This got us thinking about a larger idea…

Joanna and I are very different (although we enjoy a similar sense of humour). She’s petite; I’m very tall…she represents the “voice of experience”; I’m but a “newbie” in the work world…but neither of these differences or anything else you could add to that list matter when it comes to DANCE. Dance acts as a universal language that everyone- no matter what differences in gender, age or culture- can understand. We may interpret it differently than the person next to us, but dance affords everyone the same opportunity to enjoy its beautiful expression. As the International Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute explains, “the intention of IDD is to bring all Dance together on this occasion, to celebrate this art form and revel in its universality, to cross all political, cultural and ethnic barriers and bring people together in peace and friendship with a common language – dance.”

Advice from the “newbie”: Take every opportunity you are offered to try new things (and while you’re at it, take your friends and family along with you for the ride!) Comfortable playing sports like ball hockey and baseball but freaked at the idea of trying to be graceful in a studio, I almost didn’t participate in IDD 2012. I’m very glad I changed my mind. Joining the Flash mob has given me exercise (much needed after sitting at a desk all day), new friends (the infamous BQ herself, along with many others), and the realization that no matter what walk of life you come from, dance will accept you just as you are.

Advice from the “voice of experience”: Every time I’ve rehearsed for a flashmob, (this is now my 4th) I’ve been determined to learn the whole routine yet this is the first time I actually have managed to do so and what a great feeling of accomplishment it is to be able to check this box off (finally). Trying to succeed at something that doesn’t come naturally takes patience, humour, support from colleagues and optimism – and I think one of the thrills about working on the routine with newbies like Becky is that everyone is “bringing it” in spades – so the collective effort is really what it’s all about, rather than just the individual achievement. So while I’m proud to have the whole routine under my belt, I’m even more pleased that so many of us have come together regularly to create what will be a totally awesome experience.