Toe padding for pointe shoes is a controversial subject. Every dancer has an opinion. Lauren has tried nearly everything and wants to help you form your own.
The Procrastinator’s Dance Gift Guide
December 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Never fear, the digital age is here! These online or downloadable gifts are a procrastinator’s dream. Give these gifts to the dancers or dance teachers in your life.
Tap Shoe Review: The Capezio K360 (Brazilian)
October 4, 2011 By 4 Comments
The first in a series of tap shoe reviews, Tristan begins with the “Cadillac” of tap shoes, Capezio’s Brazilian K360. He covers their construction, features, and compares them to the American-made Kays. Don’t miss his consumer video for the opinions of tappers of all ages.
Celebrating Successes With A Dance Journal
July 26, 2011 By 3 Comments
Dance teacher, Nants Foley created a special 70-page book for her students. Called A Dancer’s Steps it includes space for recording class work and progress as well as content like checklists, quotes, ballet vocabulary, foot care, and more. She has published the journal and workbook, making them available beyond her own dance school so we talk with Nants about the book and how she encourages journal-writing in her own ballet classes.
Have Your Barre and Eat It Too!
July 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
With an aim to raise the barre on nutrition and encourage healthy eating habits in the dance world and beyond, ballet dancers, Julia Erickson and Aaron Ingley created Barre, a real food bar made with natural ingredients. In this interview, Julia and Aaron share their story, their mission, and their own tips and ideas for eating healthfully on a dancer’s schedule with Dance Advantage readers.
Customizing Your Tap Shoes: The Taps
July 5, 2011 By 35 Comments
Without the taps, a tap shoe is just a shoe. In this Great Tap Shoeganza installment, Tristan thoroughly covers the most interesting part of the tap shoe, sharing a bit of history, some tips for fixing loose screws, a look at the variety of metal taps available, and more. Fellow dedicated “tap geeks” and casual enthusiasts alike will walk away with deeper understanding of a critical part of the tap shoe – something rarely offered on websites or elsewhere.
Customizing Your Tap Shoes: Fashion and Functionality
June 23, 2011 By 2 Comments
Tristan, our TAPography columnist covers the many ways tap dancers can make their shoes unique and individual. From brogueing and stitching, to colors and patterns, to the vegan tap shoe, and even electronics, customizing your shoes is a fun and fashionable way to express yourself!
Customizing Your Tap Shoes: Health and Comfort
June 7, 2011 By 2 Comments
Whether your foot concerns are as serious as suffering sesamoids, or as mundane as bothersome blisters, feet are happiest when they are comfortable and healthy. Continuing his Tap Shoeganza series, Tristan provides you with ways to modify tap shoes to make tap dancing much more enjoyable for those with new and/or congenital foot disorders.
When To Buy New Tap Shoes
May 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Tristan learned the hard way that it was time for a new pair of tap shoes even though he had grown very fond of a certain pair. Know that a new pair of tap shoes are not only important for correcting current problems, but are necessary in preventing a smorgasbord of potentially painful ailments. Here are telltale signs of deterioration, some tips for care and maintenance to prolong the use of your shoes, and a note on refurbishing.
Introducing The Great Tap Shoeganza!
May 3, 2011 By 6 Comments
In this series Tristan (our TAPography columnist) helps you find the ideal tap shoes, let you know when it’s time to buy a new pair, and give hands on reviews of the top shoes in the industry.Bloch, SoDanca, Capezio, Leo’s…whose shoe will come out on top? STAY TUNED!
How To Reuse Your Old Dance Tights (and Other Upcycling Ideas)
April 22, 2011 By 1 Comment
I’ll bet you’re crafty. And some projects are just too cute to pass up! You’ll find some fabulous ways to upcycle old tights, reuse dead pointe shoes, and repurpose t-shirts, sweaters, and even CDs in this Earth Day article. Be sure to add your projects and ideas to the comments, too!
