Frame Dance Productions’ Beginner Adult Workshop According to a Non-Dancing Framer

Education

 

Still not sure about attending the Beginner Adult Workshop?

 

I understand how intimidating it can be to go to a dance class and feel completely overwhelmed. You feel awkward and even slow at times, but this isn’t your typical dance class-it’s better. We weren’t just learning simplified dance moves. This class allows us to forget the mundane calculating world and just lets us enjoy being creative for a day. One of the best things about this workshop is the fact we are not only getting in shape through dance and yoga but we also get the opportunity to expand our creative minds. That’s not something most dance classes teach. That’s why I say this workshop is better. It offers a variety of things that people normally don’t find in typical dance classes.

I’m not a professional dancer so I was very thankful our first session wasn’t dancing at all. We simply walked about the room to loosen up. I could do that! We then learned about the various parts of our feet and I honestly had no idea how complex the human foot was! I found out we have outer, middle and inner parts to our heels, arches, pads and even toes. It felt great stretching each part of my foot. I felt each individual toe move as we walked and it really relieved stress in our backs as well. I enjoyed the first session. It was a great break ice breaker to get me ready for Jackie’s intro to modern dance class.

It was nice having one of the Framers teaching us about basic modern dance steps and exercises instead of having a third party teaching it. It made me feel more connected to the Frame Dance team by seeing how they dance/train and use simple body movements to create beautiful dance routines for different shows. I especially liked the fact we spent so much time lying on the floor doing stretching exercises. Who wouldn’t love that if they went to a dance class?

I loved learning new easy ways to stay in shape that didn’t involve spending a lot of money on equipment. That’s one of the other great things about this workshop! We can learn new skills that require no experience and no special gear. Jackie taught us very basic, what felt like ballet moves. Now don’t worry you’re not expected to perform Swan Lake by the end of the class. They were very simple and we did them several times. It wasn’t like other classes where they show a move and they see if you can get it by the second example. Jackie would put on fun music and we would travel across the room. The moves were kind of a mixer of ballet and basic waltzing moves. I know it sounds intimidating when putting them together but they were very easy to pick up.

After Jackie’s intro to modern dance session, it was time to move onto yoga! Yoga mats out and ready to go! The yoga portion of the workshop was very rewarding physically and mentally. As much as I enjoy doing yoga at home, I wasn’t the most coordinated person in the class, but I had fun. I felt skinnier the more we did it! Definitely worth it! I liked the idea of having a session that everyone was used to. I looked forward to that particular session because it was something I already knew and felt comfortable doing. Plus, everyone got to take a short “nap” in the dark dance studio as a part of yoga. Now that should definitely make you want to go to the workshop. Great idea Frame Dance!

After a great lunch at the Vietnamese restaurant across street, we teamed up with another Framer-Alex, who taught us fun creative exercises that expanded our imaginations during the creative writing portion of the workshop. As I stated before, these workshops aren’t typical. I thought we would just sit around, write in our journals and that was it. Nope! Alex had us walk around the room in any direction we desired and would play word association games. We were still being physically active while being mentally tested.

But my favorite part about the creative writing tutorial was plastering colorful sticky notes all over the dance studio with words or phrases of inspiration. But he took it a step further and made us add onto each others’ work and in the end producing a very original short stanza or poem. That was just amazing to see different people with different levels of written creativity come together and create this beautiful and coherent piece of art. It was amazing to see!

The final part was just fun. I don’t know how to describe it in any other way. Lydia Hance, one of the co-founders of Frame Dance, taught us how to take the words/ phrases we produced from the creative writing class and portray them through dance moves. We basically just built on what we learned from Alex but instead of writing, we used our bodies to convey a story.

We had four people in the final session and we each came up with a different dance move. It was incredible how many stories we could tell just by using four dance moves. Sometimes the story would be about controlling one another like puppets on strings or opening someone’s eyes to the beauty of life. All from four dance moves. Amazing. The best part was it was all from our own creativity. No one was telling us how our part should be or how our part fits into the story. We simply told stories.

All in all, this adult workshop is a wonderful idea for anyone looking to get into shape but not wanting to spend the money on a gym. It’s educational, productive and yet relaxing. This class offers the chance to expand creative minds and stay in shape in fun ways. Tap into your artistic side for a day before heading back to the black, white and gray world of responsibility and math. The Framers did a great job in coordinating a friendly and unique workshop. And it’s only $60 for the whole day! Cheap and easy! What more could you ask for? I hope to see all of you on October 25th at the MET Dance Studio. Until then, keep dancing.

 

Click on the picture and register today!

Frame Dance - Multi-Gen Class - Discovery Green Water Promo -  Photographer Lynn Lane-65.jpg

What Do You See?

Frame Dance Events

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#Houseeit

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Do You Have TunnMysterious tunnel to the lightel Vision?

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Find out every Monday and Wednesday at Noon

in the Downtown Tunnels of Houston

beginning October 5th

 

jercho

 

 

 

Wellness Wednesday: The Holidays!

Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

Here are some fun recipes to help you get ready for the holidays!

 

8 Hanukkah Recipes For A Happy, Healthy Celebration

http://www.blisstree.com/2012/12/08/food/happy-healthy-hanukkah-recipes-celebrations-food/

Traditional Hanukkah recipes - dessert doughnuts

 

Looking for fun and quick dishes to make for that upcoming Christmas party or family gathering?

Check out this amazing site full of appetizers, cocktails, desserts and more!

 

http://www.freefunchristmas.com/christmas-recipes/

 


 

 

 

Free Events Thursdays

Free Events Thursday

Don’t have any plans for Halloween? Now you do!

 

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Houston Presents Friday Night Fright

October 31, 2014 at 7:00 pm

114 Vintage Park Blvd, Houston, TX 77070

BEWARE: Halloween is near and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Houston has a ghoulishly good surprise!

Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas Houston is showing Halloween horror classics at both its Houston-area theaters this Friday as part of its Friday Night Fright! Both Vintage Point and Mason Park theaters are inviting Houstonians to show up in their scariest ensembles.

While its encouraged everyone dresses up as characters from the frightening flicks being shown, any costume earns participants a FREE ticket to the Friday Night Fright movie! So start your costume shopping early and get ready to have a frightfully fun Friday night with Alamo Drafthouse Cinema!

Price: FREE!!!

 

Attack of the Bloodsuckers

September 20, 2014 – January 04, 2015 (Recurring daily) from  9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

1515 Hermann Drive, Houston, TX 77008

It’s the science of what’s eating you! Discover the biological wonders of creatures that eat blood through encounters with live species and interactive stations.

Price: $8

 

Boo on the Boardwalk

October 31, 2014

701 4th Street, Kemah, TX 77565

 

For the entire month of October, Kemah is hosting Boo on the Boardwalk where families can enjoy an array of Halloween themed activities. For the braver souls, face the dungeon of doom while the kids enjoy the Little Boo Haunted Fun house. Other attractions include pumpkin decorating, live entertainment and costume contests.

Price: Go to their website for more details. In other words, I don’t know. 

 

8th Annual Montrose Crawl

October 31, 2014 from 7pm to 2am

Houston’s biggest & best Halloween event returns for its 8th year! First get your costume on, then get your drink on as the Crawl hits 12 restaurants & bars between Dunlavy & Montrose on Westheimer, including Brasil, Poison Girl, Pistolero’s, Boondocks, Stone’s Throw, Etro Lounge, Catbirds, Royal Oak, Doc’s Motorworks, Slick Willie’s, El Real Tex-Mex, and Hay Merchant, with special appearances by Koagie Hots and The Golden Grill.

As always, there’ll be no covers & no tickets, plus drink specials all night long. And prizes will be awarded for the best outfits at each stop, with a grand costume prize awarded by this year’s honorary Grand Crawler.

Price: FREE!!!

 

8th Annual Bayou City Outdoors Haunted Hike & Pizza Party

October 31, 2014 from  6:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Memorial Park near the rugby/soccer field parking lot

Get your spooky with BCO as we hike and slither our way through Memorial Park with our closest pals on Halloween! We will nourish ourselves afterwards with pizza and beverages, for those who make it out of the forest. Tap into your inner wolf or go all vampy on us, or come as a traditional ghoul (or, hey, wear your office attire– that could be scary enough!) Leave the bars to the zombies and join us in the woods for some quality and creepy exercise and socializing at Memorial Park.

We meet at 6:30 and depart at 7 PM sharp from the rugby/soccer field parking lot (click for map) (For you chickens out there – just come to the after-party starting around 8 PM in the rugby/soccer field parking lot).

What to Bring: 

Don’t get left in the dark and don’t forget to wear walking shoes (it is a hike no matter how dead you are), a flashlight, bug spray, and a little money just in case. Open to members, guests and the public (we love fresh meat) – bring a friend or come alone, if you dare. You’ll be sure to find a devil or two to talk to. (Please no dogs at this hike).

RSVP at http://www.BayouCityOutdoors.com Additional info call 713-524-3567 or e-mail to Kelly@bayoucityoutdoors.com

Price: FREE!!!

 

Wellness Wednesdays

Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

If You Only Do 10 Yoga Poses, Do These

 http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11941/if-you-only-do-10-yoga-poses-do-these.html

 

Broken Lady Finger Cookies

Broken Finger Cookies

 

Ingredients

¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

½ cup white sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

pinch salt

1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

2 Tbsp milk

2 Tbsp red cake-decorating sugar

20 whole blanched almonds OR 20 pieces banana chips

 

Directions 

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.

2. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. In bowl, using electric mixer, beat butter until fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar. Beat until mixture is no longer “scratchy” sounding against bowl.

4. Beat in egg, vanilla and salt.

5. In separate bowl, mix together flour and baking powder (tip for measuring flour: stir flour, spoon into measuring cup, then level).

6. Gradually beat flour mixture into butter mixture.

7. Switch to working in flour mixture with hands when dough gets too stiff to beat.

8. Knead into smooth dough. Roll into 3/4-inch thick “ropes”. Break ropes into 3-inch sections. Pat one end smooth. Dip tip of other end of each piece into milk then red sugar.

9. Place on lined baking sheet. Pressing in sides of rope to prevent flattening, insert almond or piece of banana chip into rounded end. Repeat process to make 20 fingers.

10. Bake on middle rack of oven 17 minutes, or until dough is lightly golden.

Free Events Thursday

Free Events Thursday

Glass Blowing Houston: Make your own Pumpkin

September 14, 2014 – October 26, 2014 (Every Sunday) from 12:00-4:00 pm

Three Dimensional Visions
17442 FM 2920 Rd, Tomball, TX 77377

Every Sunday from September 14th to October 26th we will be teaching how to make glass pumpkins (<3-4 inches in diameter). Each person gets to choose their colors, apply the color and help blow the piece. It takes about 30-45 minutes per person and your pumpkin is available for pick up starting the next business day. There is limited space so everyone must make a reservation, cost is $29 per pumpkin. You can select the time and date on our Calendar and pay for your ticket. There is one ticket per time slot so spots are limited, sign up early. If you don’t want to make your own Pumpkin you can come select one from our Pumpkin Patch. Visit our Calendar to find out the dates and times for the Pumpkin Patch events!

Price: FREE!!! Pre-made Pumpkin prices start at $25.

 

Farmers Market at MainStreet

August 24, 2014 (Recurring monthly on the 4th Sunday) from 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM

18750 Interstate 45, Spring, TX 77373

The Market runs every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the Month •The Market features local, organic, and sustainable produce, honey, oils, and dairy •Grant Wilson, Owner of Gramen Dairy Farms, will be offering a free seminar of the benefits of raw milk, in the Conference Center at 11:00am •All MainStreet America members will receive a 10% discount on all purchases •Don’t forget to bring your coolers and reusable bags •Free parking and public restrooms available •Market will run rain or shine

Price: $15 (Check their website for more details at http://www.mainstreetamerica.com/)

 

Fall Festival & Market

September 26, 2014 – September 27, 2014 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

CT Church
9701 Almeda Genoa Rd., Pasadena, TX 77075

Fall Festival & Market (Sponsored by CT Church, 9701 Almeda Genoa Rd., Houston, TX 77075) Friday & Saturday, September 26th & 27th (Friday 12pm-8pm, Saturday 9am-3pm) Outdoor Kid Zone with inflatables & fun games for the kids Food booths Live entertainment Silent auction Shopping booths Lil Tikes Parade.

Price: FREE!!!

 

CraftTexas 2014

September 26, 2014 – December 24, 2014 (Recurring daily)

Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday, 12:00 – 5:00 PM

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

This fall, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft presents “CraftTexas 2014,” the eighth in a series of biennial juried exhibitions showcasing the best in Texas-made contemporary craft. Featuring 49 works by 44 Texas artists, the exhibition includes everything from sculpture, jewelry, textiles, installations, and furniture to concepts that include vernacular architecture, formal elements of design, and man’s relationship to nature. The “CraftTexas” series, which is hugely popular with visitors, provides artists the unique opportunity to have their work seen by three established jurors and included in an exhibition that seeks to broaden the understanding of contemporary craft. The show features exceptional work in clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood and mixed media.

Price: FREE!!!

 

A.I. Lack Series Guest Recital

September 28, 2014 at 2:30pm

Dudley Recital Hall
University of Houston 120 Fine Arts Building, Houston, TX 77004

Gayle Martin, piano Works by Schumann/Liszt, Shatin, Prokofiev, Schubert.

Price: FREE!!!

 

AURA Contemporary Ensemble

September 29, 2014 at 7:30pm

Moores Opera House
120 School of Music, Houston, TX 77004

Rob Smith, director Michelle Perrin Blair, assistant director Dan Gelok, alto saxophone Michael Horvit, composer Phillip Elder, composer Synthesis: Works by Elder, Horvit, Joyce, Lash.

Price: $12

 

Wellness Wednesday

Eat Well Wednesday Uncategorized

Hey Framers,

It’s finally Fall and what better way to celebrate than making fun and healthy foods!

Stay tuned each week to see what new recipes we have in store for the Fall season.

 

 

A moist and delicious quick bread that is full of nutrients and perfect for fall.

Makes one standard loaf

 

Ingredients:

2 cups white whole wheat flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon all spice

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 cup blackstrap molasses

1/2 cup sucanat

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted, or your favorite oil to bake with

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup pumpkin puree (plain canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling)

2 tablespoons unsweetened apple juice (or orange juice)

1/2 cup chocolate chips (or make it even more wholesome and use raisins or dried cranberries)

 

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan and set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and ground cloves. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, combine molasses, sucanat, applesauce, oil, eggs, pumpkin, and apple juice with an electric mixer. Add the dry ingredients and then fold in the chocolate chips.

Spoon your mixture into the prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, approximately 45-60 minutes. (Mine was perfect after 50 minutes)

Let bread sit for 10 minutes, then turn the bread out of the pan onto a wire rack to cool completely. Don’t be afraid to have a slice while it’s still warm, though.

Nothing beats warm bread fresh out of the oven!