My "So You Think You Can Dance" Hub Challenge

Are you thinking of taking the 30 Day Challenge? Have you considered writing around a theme?

I decided to write my Challenge on "So You Think You Can Dance". Like SYTYCD, I chose different genres of dance. At various times in my life, I've been a ballet and jazz dancer, flamenca, bellydancer and ballroom/latin dancer - so those were my choices.

So You Think You Can Dance Around the World

So You Think You Can Dance has spread around the globe, but is it really So You Think You Can Dance, or So You Know You Can Dance? Could the format ever allow a Susan Boyle of dancing to emerge?

It's no surprise last year's Australian So You Think You Can Dance winner was a ballet dancer. The technique, honed over more than three centuries, produces the ultimate dancer's body.

Ballet on HubPages

There's a wealth of information on all kinds of subjects on HubPages. This Hub gathers together a range of articles on many aspects of ballet.

Pointe Shoe Brands

A look at the major pointe shoe makers around the world, their history and the stars who wear them.

Pointe Shoe Fitting: Foot Shape

To buy pointe shoes is a far more complex operation than buying a pair of street shoes. The first step is to identify the type of foot you have, so that you know what to look for in a pointe shoe.

Ballet Floor Barre

The Ballet Floor Barre was invented by Boris Kniaseff many years ago, but it's only recently I became aware that some dedicated teachers were continuing to teach this type of barre work, which is invaluable for adult beginners as well as dancers who are travelling or are recovering from injury.

Ballet Stretching

It's a popular image - ballet dancers stretching religiously before class or before a performance. But in fact, they're doing precisely the wrong thing - because stretching before exercise ensures you don't perform at your best!

Ballet Turns - How to Pirouette

One of the most-asked questions by ballet students - how to do a pirouette! Ballet turns require a strong centre and good technique but apart from that, it's all in the mind...

Men's Dancewear - Balletwear for Men

Men's dancewear for ballet is limited - for many items, you may have to resort to unisex dancewear. But there are some genuine men's dancewear items out there!

Belly dance as we know it today is more of a Western invention than we realize - we even imported the costume back into Egypt! It's a "minority" dance style but my current favourite, which is why it's made it into this challenge.

Belly Dancing on HubPages

A look at different aspects of belly dance through the eyes of belly dancing Hubbers on HubPages

Tribal Belly Dance Hair and Make-Up

Tribal belly dancers' hair and makeup is as rich and elaborate as their costumes, with lots of hair ornaments, striking eye make-up and bejewelled faces.

Tribal Belly Dance Costumes

Tribal belly dance costumes are rich and exotic, the result of a gathering of tribal influences from all over the world.

Tribal Belly Dance Hands: Floreos and Lotus Hands

Tribal belly dance borrows hand movements from other dance styles, including flamenco (floreos or filigranas) and Indian (lotus hands).

How Do You Tie a Belly Dance Hip Scarf?

Tying a scarf sound simple, but it's important to tie a delicate chiffon belly dance hip scarf with care, if you want to enjoy wearing it for a reasonable time.

How to Make a Belly Dance Costume

Buying a belly dance costume, even buying a costume online, can be expensive - so making your own belly dance outfit is tempting. However, before you embark on making your own bedlah, there are a few things you should know.

Am I Too Fat? Belly Dancing for Plus Size Women

You're never too fat to belly dance! Belly dance is one of the few dance genres where carrying some extra weight is no big deal. In fact, it makes a great plus size workout.

Another minority interest dance style, but as I used to perform flamenco, I have a particular affection for it.

Flamenco on HubPages

This Hub gathers together interesting and informative articles on flamenco guitar and flamenco dancing written by a range of authors.

What is Flamenco?

When I was performing, I constantly encountered misconceptions about what flamenco was. It's not a big pink bird, and it's not related to the tango, or the salsa.

Flamenco Palmas - Two Hands Clapping

The complex interplay of many hands clapping complex rhythms is one of the distinctive sounds of flamenco. It's called palmas and it's an essential skill for any flamenco dancer to master - as well as being an excellent way to learn flamenco rhythms.

Sevillanas Paso a Paso

Sevillanas is a traditional Andalusian folk dance that frequently forms part of a flamenco performance. It's the easiest flamenco dance to learn because the four coplas (verses) are all choreographed with set steps.

Flamenco Rhythms - The Compas Clock

Even though I was an experienced dancer before taking up flamenco, I struggled with flamenco rhythms - until I discovered Sal Bonavita and his compas clock.

All partner dances started life as social dancing - a form of courtship, especially in the days when there was no other way to get your arms around a woman before marriage! Partner dances are still danced socially, but many have also become "dancesport" - ballroom, Latin, salsa and swing all have strong competition scenes.

Ballroom Dancing and Dancesport - dance or sport?

Coming to ballroom dancing after studying several other dance genres, I notice a surprising number of differences. It's taken me a while to realise that dancesport is not the same as other dance styles.

Men's Dancewear - Ballroom Dancing Wear for Men

Beginners may think they don't need specialist men's dancewear for ballroom dancing, but the right dance pants and shirt can make all the difference to your comfort and appearance when on the dance floor.

Ballet photos by treivilo.

"Painted bird" belly dancer by Foxtongue.

Flamenco couple by Morbuto

Tap dancers by parksy.

Salsa couple by multipassport