#Acrobatics classes nyc

[allstarstudios]

Acrobatics Classes NYC and Hip Hop Dance Classes for Beginners: A Path to Movement and Confidence

Learning new movement skills can be exciting and fulfilling. Whether you are curious about graceful acrobatics or energetic hip-hop, exploring these art forms offers more than just physical activity—it builds confidence and expression. 

This guide will help you understand what to expect and how to begin your journey in two popular styles.

What to Expect from Acrobatics Classes NYC

Acrobatics classes in NYC provide an engaging environment for people of all ages and abilities to develop balance, strength, and flexibility. These sessions often combine elements of gymnastics, dance, and tumbling, making the experience both fun and challenging.

Classes typically begin with basic warm-ups that focus on flexibility and coordination, helping students prepare their bodies safely. As you progress, you will learn controlled movements such as rolls, handstands, and jumps. The supportive atmosphere encourages steady improvement while promoting body awareness.

This style of training helps build endurance and teaches valuable techniques for safe movement, which can benefit other physical activities. Whether you have previous experience or are trying it for the first time, these classes welcome beginners with guidance tailored to individual pace.

Benefits of Joining Hip Hop Dance Classes for Beginners

Hip-hop dance classes for beginners create an upbeat space to explore rhythm, creativity, and personal style. The choreography emphasizes sharp, rhythmic movements that sync with dynamic beats, offering an energizing way to stay active.

Classes often emphasize foundational techniques, including basic footwork, arm movements, and grooves. The welcoming environment invites participants to learn at a comfortable pace, with instructors guiding each step.

Beyond physical skills, hip-hop dance helps develop musicality and self-expression. It encourages participants to connect with the music and with others, fostering a sense of community and enjoyment. The engaging nature of these classes makes them suitable for anyone looking to explore dance in a lively setting.

How to Choose the Right Class for You

Choosing between acrobatics and hip-hop dance depends on your interests and goals. Acrobatics focuses on strength and flexibility, making it ideal for those interested in gymnastics-style movements. On the other hand, hip-hop dance emphasizes rhythm and style, which is perfect for those drawn to expressive dance.

Many studios offer trial classes or introductory sessions, allowing you to experience both styles before committing. Consider your fitness level and what excites you about movement to find the best fit for you.

Tips for Success in Your Dance Journey

Consistency and patience are key when starting any new physical skill. Attending classes regularly and practicing outside of class can enhance your progress. Listening to your body and communicating with instructors will help prevent injuries and ensure a positive experience.

It’s important to approach classes with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Enjoying the process rather than focusing solely on outcomes can make the journey more rewarding.

Take the Next Step in Your Movement Experience

Ready to explore acrobatics classes in NYC or try hip-hop dance classes for beginners? Signing up for a class offers a welcoming space to develop your skills and meet others who share your interest in the movement. Whether looking to improve fitness, gain confidence, or simply enjoy dance, these classes provide an inviting place to start.

Contact the studio today to find a class that fits your schedule and goals. Movement awaits—take that first step and discover what you can achieve.

[foolsocracy]

Ok I think him having a foundation in dance when he was a kid just from learning late 19th cen stuff already gives him a bit of dexterity to start with. You gotta be coordinated and (assuming he's the lead) you gotta be thinking. Social dance is all improv so you need to be able to judge your own self, your partner, and convey the next move you're trying to do on the fly.

While other spiders are really acrobatics based, Pete gets in there and brawls. I think being able to judge another persons movements from up close would benefit him here pretty well. And the thing about brawling is that you've got your knees bent, you're a bit lower to the ground, your bouncing on your toes and well.. thats actually the proper lindy hop stance as well! While ballroom dances are more European with straight posture and higher held hands, lindy is derived more from African dances which have a totally different stance

cant believe i havent gone more into depth w dancing for the noirverse before. my 2 joys r colliding so fast and powerfully that im vibrating out of my skin

[darthkvznblogs]

Honestly, the mha characters in the kverse would probably be very different considering the plight of mutants, the world being new to heroes in general, and the can-of-worms that is Japan's anti-vigilante laws.

Definitely would be some changes in store, that's for sure.

Just to clarify, it's not so much that the world is new to heroes - people with superpowers have existed for ages - it's just that, before Captain America, they used to be much more of a...local phenomenon, if that makes sense. Not just in terms of mass media not being a thing, so most people wouldn't hear about the vigilantes operating a state over, but also the fact that most heroes operated from the shadows, under cover of night, that sort of thing. Vigilantism has been illegal or at the very least frowned upon in most places, regardless of superpowers being a thing.

In that sense, you could say NYC's vigilante scene is more "traditional"; people knew about Daredevil, no doubt, but the farther away from NY you get, the less likely you'd be to think much of the lunatic acrobat in the red leather getup and his rather hard to believe exploits. The Avengers are changing the paradigm by being extensively public figures with world-class PR (courtesy of Stark Industries) who teamed up to fight off an actual alien invasion. Superhero teams just weren't a thing beforehand.

[ashleywool]

gratitude post to remind myself...

The show closed in February, but I'm still an artist. I'm still an actress and singer and dancer and storyteller.

I got to do TWO shows at 54 Below. One of them had me singing alongside a fabulously talented acrobat duo. The other one had me singing repertoire by up-and-coming composers, and I got to do it in my pajamas. (Oh yeah, and Conor, Imani, and Dez were also in it, and slayed.)

I got to participate in a reading of a very clever and hilarious new musical written by my dear friend Seth, who's one of the first people I met when I started auditioning in NYC and is responsible for introducing me to MANY of my other dear friends.

I've been called in to audition for ALL kinds of amazing stuff, I have finally gotten into a good routine with my self-tapes, and I've been taking a great on-camera acting class that's made me much more confident submitting for film/TV stuff.

Today I'm doing a reading of a new play at the studio where I took my Meisner class last year.

Tomorrow I'm singing in the choir at the most wonderful church home with the most supportive faith community that I still can't quite believe I was lucky enough to find.

On Monday we have the HTDIO reunion concert.

And next month? GAAAAAHHHH NEXT MONTH I'M DOING BROADWAY BARES and I'm going to be ONSTAGE for the first time and I can't wait to be challenged as a DANCER by some of the best in the business.

The show may have closed, but it's still making so many more of my dreams come true. It still solidified me as a true, legitimate, and uniquely beautiful part of the Broadway community.

I am the absolute freaking luckiest.

After I posted my depression-rant yesterday, I went straight to yoga, where I cried the entire time. It was a hot yin class, which I sorely needed (emphasis on the "sore") since I took a Bikram and hot pilates class on Thursday, and then had my acting class on Friday morning, and then went directly to the concert rehearsal where the floodgates opened. So of course the slow, sustained heart and hip openers in a 90-something-degree room inevitably opened those floodgates even wider and left me totally drained.

But then I called my dad and talked to him about it, and told him all of my frustrations about managing my energy, and I wasn't sure what else to do, and he asked, "well, your work is exhausting...do you think maybe you want to pivot away from performing as a career?"

And the one thing I was sure about, the one thing I'm still sure about, is that the answer is a resounding, immediate ABSOLUTELY THE HECK NOT.

Because, yeah. Life IS exhausting. But the most energized I feel, the most alive and purposeful I feel, is being an artist in spaces with other artists.

I get to do that all the time now. And I never want to NOT be doing it ever again.

I am. The absolute. Freaking. LUCKIEST.

[cleverhottubmiracle]

 Last spring, I went on my first birding holiday. That is not a sentence I thought I would ever write ­– but as the author of a book on the Victorian women who founded the RSPB (who knew?), birders have plucked me up as one of their own.I am not a birder. I’m a writer. But since I’ve spent time hanging out with naturalists, a tourist in their world, birds have flitted into my life sideways. I’ve discovered that birding is good for the soul.During lockdown, one of the most Googled questions was ‘Are birds singing louder?’ They weren’t – it was just that, for the first time, we stopped to listen. Birds became a lifeline to those shut up inside, their song bringing therapeutic benefit as well as joy. People in towns and cities took to gardening, and noticed they had more garden birds than they’d imagined. The year 2020 was a significant moment for our relationship with birds. Then the world cranked up to speed again.But many women clung on to their new interest, discovering that you don’t need specialist gear, or the advice of twitchers, to enjoy simply watching birds.Why women? Perhaps lockdown played to our strengths. A survey by the American Birding Association found that their male members focussed more on listing species, and travelled further to see rare birds. Women, on the other hand, birded closer to home and reported higher personal enrichment.All-female birding groups are on the rise: Birds & The Belles in Yorkshire, the Feminist Bird Club in the US and now the UK, The Phoebes in South Florida, the Uganda Women Birders’ Club…Personally, I’m happy to do it alone. For me, birding is a way of being still and present in the landscape. I’ve discovered that sitting in a hide at Rye Harbour, watching avocets and little egrets, calms my busy mind far more than a meditation class. Peregrines photo courtesy of Urban Birder There have been magical highs (nightingales at Knepp) – and more challenging highs (a nine-hour twitch with the Brooklyn Bird Club). But the moment I finally stopped being a tourist and started participating happened in 2021 at Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk, in the RSPB optics shop. I bought a pair of seriously expensive, pocket-sized Swarovski binoculars. And this was the game changer.I am never without those binoculars. I pick them up every morning as I head out with the dog, and it has transformed the outdoors – whether in the park, on the seafront, in town or countryside. Every few paces I find myself stopping, listening, scanning, and seeing things that before I was blind to. Today, the first bird I spotted on the High Weald floodplains was a lapwing. Very rare: it’s on Britain’s Red List of threatened species. This lapwing was protecting its nest from a raven, rising and falling with elaborate acrobatics and a surreal, piping cry like a squeaky toy. That, I now know, is what lapwings do.Once you’ve spotted a bird, you want to know more. There are identification apps galore, such as Merlin Bird ID. But using your phone wrenches you out of the moment and stops you from looking and listening. I prefer to go the analogue route: commit what I can to memory – eye markings, belly colour, stripes, song – then go home and leaf through my bird field guide.The whole deliberate process has forced me into a rare place of mindfulness. It’s a gentle hobby, not an obsession, which is where I’d like to keep it – but birding has given a new edge to city breaks and work trips. I’ve watched peregrines nesting on cathedral spires from Lincoln to Salisbury. I’ve spotted scarlet tanagers in NYC’s Central Park. I’ve been mesmerised by fork-tailed red kites wheeling over the Chilterns. Iberian Magpie in Extremadura, Spain. Photo courtesy of Urban Birder So when my friend David Lindo, the ‘Urban Birder’, invited me on a short birding trip to Extremadura in central Spain, I thought I was ready to take my modest hobby to the next level. What to pack? The men take it all very seriously. High-tech Gore-Tex, khaki cargo pants, camo headgear. Women who bird do things more casually. Jeans, trainers, a sunhat, a raincoat. This is all you need. But don’t expect any energetic walking.‘I’m an ambler, not a rambler’ said David, as we stopped for the millionth time in frankly awe-inspiring scenery. ‘Look up!’ he urged. ‘That’s all you need to do. Look up.’ I raised my little Swarovski bins while the boys fiddled about with their tripods. Twitchers like telescopes, the more expensive the better. I was amused to discover that male birders aren’t necessarily that fit: there is a lot of standing around.In amongst the competitive banter, David holds up a finger. ‘Listen. Iberian Chiffchaff’. And this is how you learn. ‘Azure winged magpie. They land with their feet forward, like a plane,’ he says. And points. I look through his scope and, magically, the bird’s face swims into life. The magnification is so intense I can see right into its coal black eye. I can even see its eyelashes.We were looking for Great Bustards. The rain came and went. Colours and clouds shifted over the great rolling, empty plains of Extremadura. Wildflowers rippled. There were no Bustards, but plenty of Griffon vultures, awe-inspiring birds drifting in circles on thermals above. Failing to spot a coveted species is all part of the process. Whatever happens, happens.Serious twitchers keep a Life List, which too often leads to feather preening and one-upmanship at day’s end. I prefer to carry mine around in my head: a series of intimate, brief encounters, mostly with tits and finches.I’m just a girl who birds a bit. But I might just have found the best antidote to modern life. Tessa Boase goes birding Get closer to birds: Birding books for non-birdersBirds, Art, Life, Death: The Art of Noticing the Small and Significant by Kyo MaclearThe Running Sky: A Birdwatching Life by Tim DeeBird School: A Beginner in the Wood by Adam NicholsonLearn to identify birdsong with Shriek of the WeekBirdsong ‘walkshops’ with Charlie PeverettNightingale Safaris at Knepp Wildland, Sussex Tessa Boase is author of Etta Lemon: The Woman Who Saved the Birds SUPPORT THAT’S NOT MY AGEIf you’ve enjoyed reading this feature, please consider becoming a That’s Not My Age subscriber. Becoming a paid subscriber helps to support That’s Not My Age and keep this website going. Every subscription is valuable for the future of this site and goes towards creating engaging content to inspire and empower women of all ages. Each feature is carefully researched and written by a professional journalist, I use professional photography and pay all my contributors. More details of why a subscription is important, together with all the membership benefits, including exclusive style features, HERE.Thank you so much. Your contribution is crucial. Source link

[norajworld]

 Last spring, I went on my first birding holiday. That is not a sentence I thought I would ever write ­– but as the author of a book on the Victorian women who founded the RSPB (who knew?), birders have plucked me up as one of their own.I am not a birder. I’m a writer. But since I’ve spent time hanging out with naturalists, a tourist in their world, birds have flitted into my life sideways. I’ve discovered that birding is good for the soul.During lockdown, one of the most Googled questions was ‘Are birds singing louder?’ They weren’t – it was just that, for the first time, we stopped to listen. Birds became a lifeline to those shut up inside, their song bringing therapeutic benefit as well as joy. People in towns and cities took to gardening, and noticed they had more garden birds than they’d imagined. The year 2020 was a significant moment for our relationship with birds. Then the world cranked up to speed again.But many women clung on to their new interest, discovering that you don’t need specialist gear, or the advice of twitchers, to enjoy simply watching birds.Why women? Perhaps lockdown played to our strengths. A survey by the American Birding Association found that their male members focussed more on listing species, and travelled further to see rare birds. Women, on the other hand, birded closer to home and reported higher personal enrichment.All-female birding groups are on the rise: Birds & The Belles in Yorkshire, the Feminist Bird Club in the US and now the UK, The Phoebes in South Florida, the Uganda Women Birders’ Club…Personally, I’m happy to do it alone. For me, birding is a way of being still and present in the landscape. I’ve discovered that sitting in a hide at Rye Harbour, watching avocets and little egrets, calms my busy mind far more than a meditation class. Peregrines photo courtesy of Urban Birder There have been magical highs (nightingales at Knepp) – and more challenging highs (a nine-hour twitch with the Brooklyn Bird Club). But the moment I finally stopped being a tourist and started participating happened in 2021 at Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk, in the RSPB optics shop. I bought a pair of seriously expensive, pocket-sized Swarovski binoculars. And this was the game changer.I am never without those binoculars. I pick them up every morning as I head out with the dog, and it has transformed the outdoors – whether in the park, on the seafront, in town or countryside. Every few paces I find myself stopping, listening, scanning, and seeing things that before I was blind to. Today, the first bird I spotted on the High Weald floodplains was a lapwing. Very rare: it’s on Britain’s Red List of threatened species. This lapwing was protecting its nest from a raven, rising and falling with elaborate acrobatics and a surreal, piping cry like a squeaky toy. That, I now know, is what lapwings do.Once you’ve spotted a bird, you want to know more. There are identification apps galore, such as Merlin Bird ID. But using your phone wrenches you out of the moment and stops you from looking and listening. I prefer to go the analogue route: commit what I can to memory – eye markings, belly colour, stripes, song – then go home and leaf through my bird field guide.The whole deliberate process has forced me into a rare place of mindfulness. It’s a gentle hobby, not an obsession, which is where I’d like to keep it – but birding has given a new edge to city breaks and work trips. I’ve watched peregrines nesting on cathedral spires from Lincoln to Salisbury. I’ve spotted scarlet tanagers in NYC’s Central Park. I’ve been mesmerised by fork-tailed red kites wheeling over the Chilterns. Iberian Magpie in Extremadura, Spain. Photo courtesy of Urban Birder So when my friend David Lindo, the ‘Urban Birder’, invited me on a short birding trip to Extremadura in central Spain, I thought I was ready to take my modest hobby to the next level. What to pack? The men take it all very seriously. High-tech Gore-Tex, khaki cargo pants, camo headgear. Women who bird do things more casually. Jeans, trainers, a sunhat, a raincoat. This is all you need. But don’t expect any energetic walking.‘I’m an ambler, not a rambler’ said David, as we stopped for the millionth time in frankly awe-inspiring scenery. ‘Look up!’ he urged. ‘That’s all you need to do. Look up.’ I raised my little Swarovski bins while the boys fiddled about with their tripods. Twitchers like telescopes, the more expensive the better. I was amused to discover that male birders aren’t necessarily that fit: there is a lot of standing around.In amongst the competitive banter, David holds up a finger. ‘Listen. Iberian Chiffchaff’. And this is how you learn. ‘Azure winged magpie. They land with their feet forward, like a plane,’ he says. And points. I look through his scope and, magically, the bird’s face swims into life. The magnification is so intense I can see right into its coal black eye. I can even see its eyelashes.We were looking for Great Bustards. The rain came and went. Colours and clouds shifted over the great rolling, empty plains of Extremadura. Wildflowers rippled. There were no Bustards, but plenty of Griffon vultures, awe-inspiring birds drifting in circles on thermals above. Failing to spot a coveted species is all part of the process. Whatever happens, happens.Serious twitchers keep a Life List, which too often leads to feather preening and one-upmanship at day’s end. I prefer to carry mine around in my head: a series of intimate, brief encounters, mostly with tits and finches.I’m just a girl who birds a bit. But I might just have found the best antidote to modern life. Tessa Boase goes birding Get closer to birds: Birding books for non-birdersBirds, Art, Life, Death: The Art of Noticing the Small and Significant by Kyo MaclearThe Running Sky: A Birdwatching Life by Tim DeeBird School: A Beginner in the Wood by Adam NicholsonLearn to identify birdsong with Shriek of the WeekBirdsong ‘walkshops’ with Charlie PeverettNightingale Safaris at Knepp Wildland, Sussex Tessa Boase is author of Etta Lemon: The Woman Who Saved the Birds SUPPORT THAT’S NOT MY AGEIf you’ve enjoyed reading this feature, please consider becoming a That’s Not My Age subscriber. Becoming a paid subscriber helps to support That’s Not My Age and keep this website going. Every subscription is valuable for the future of this site and goes towards creating engaging content to inspire and empower women of all ages. Each feature is carefully researched and written by a professional journalist, I use professional photography and pay all my contributors. More details of why a subscription is important, together with all the membership benefits, including exclusive style features, HERE.Thank you so much. Your contribution is crucial. Source link

[allstarstudiosnyc]

Graceful Acrobatics: Unleashing The Beauty Of Movement In Forest Hills

In the enchanting world of dance, where artistry meets athleticism, lies the mesmerizing realm of acrobatics. At All Star Studios NYC, we invite you to explore the captivating grace and strength of acrobatic dance classes. Join us as we venture into Forest Hills, where art and movement intertwine to create a magical experience like no other. Discover the transformative power of acrobatics, the expert guidance of our instructors, and the beauty that awaits you at All Star Studios NYC.

A Symphony of Movement: In Forest Hills, amidst the lush greenery and whispering trees, acrobatics comes alive in a symphony of movement. Like a soaring bird in flight, acrobatic dancers defy gravity, blending strength, agility, and grace in perfect harmony. Through daring flips, breathtaking balances, and seamless transitions, they captivate our hearts and transport us to a realm where the impossible becomes possible.

Acrobatics the Art of Fearlessness: Acrobatics is an art form that embraces fearlessness, pushing boundaries, and challenging the limits of the human body. At All Star Studios NYC, we believe in nurturing the spirit of adventure within our dancers, fostering an environment where they can explore their potential and embrace the thrill of acrobatic movement.

From beginners to advanced practitioners, our acrobatic dance classes in Forest Hills cater to all skill levels. Under the guidance of our skilled instructors, you will embark on a journey of self-discovery, discovering newfound strength, flexibility, and coordination.

Forest Hills: Where Dreams Take Flight: Nestled within the vibrant community of Forest Hills, All-Star Studios NYC provides a haven for aspiring acrobats to spread their wings and soar. Our state-of-the-art facilities and spacious studios serve as the backdrop for your artistic journey, where dreams are nurtured, and talents are honed.

With every twist, turn, and flip, the beauty of acrobatics unfolds, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of fluidity and precision. Our experienced instructors will guide you through each movement, encouraging you to embrace the power within and express yourself with confidence.

Join us at All Star Studios NYC in Forest Hills and unlock the extraordinary beauty of acrobatics. Explore the fusion of strength and elegance, embark on an adventure of self-discovery, and witness your dreams take flight.

All Star Studios NYC in Forest Hills beckons you to experience the poetic artistry of acrobatics. Discover the ethereal grace and daring athleticism that acrobatic dance offers. Our expert instructors will guide you on a transformative journey, where you will unlock your inner strength and captivate audiences with your movements. Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of acrobatics and join us at All Star Studios NYC to embark on a dance odyssey like no other.

[allstarstudios]

Fun & Safe Acrobatics Classes NYC – Enroll Today!

Join top-rated acrobatics classes in NYC for kids and teens. Boost flexibility, balance, and strength in a fun, supportive environment. Free trial available!

[steamishot]

equinox x2/4th of july

this past weekend, we went on our second staycation to equinox for three nights. amex had a $200 off $1000 offer so we couldn’t resist. we checked in on 6/30, which i could not take off from work. unfortunately, i had to work until 8pm that day but it worked out fine. we knew what to expect this time around so the adjustment period was very short. the hotel offers such serenity and tranquility; it’s extremely quiet and the air is super purified and fresh. the quietness is so therapeutic, especially for matt who is often in a high stress and chaotic environment. he had just finished a 10 day working streak, 7 days on and 3 days of moonlighting. our lives are always a little insane:

friday:

neighborhood walk to white noise/coffee

checked out la bicyclette for the most expensive ham and cheese croissant ($9) 

matt had a 30 min virtual interview with LA USC, followed by a therapy session with gabbie

we do last minute packing, throw out the trash/cleaned, and head to equinox hotels around 3pm 

we settle in, i continue to work

ordered sushi on 35 delivery for our dinner 

restorative yoga at 8pm with babette godefrey: she was giving a whole ted talk during this session, stressing the importance of rest (in addition to exercise and nutrition). she said that we see more in a week in NYC than people did in their entire lifetimes 100 years ago. 

saturday: 

started off our day with an intense but fun workout by michael j. clark for kickboxing. this guy was literally on crack, performing acrobatics at 10am in the morning lol. he is by far the most memorable fitness instructor i’ve had. left me feeling sore for at least 3 days after

went for lunch at a nearby australian cafe and ate healthy food (salad & avocado toast)

picked up a matcha latte and vegan donuts from the nearby wholefoods

did a wind down/restorative yoga class at 4pm

checked out market 57 for food, starbucks reserve, and the google store

sunday:

did a vinyasa flow class with robert nguyen that was quite intense. equinox instructors are all a little intense/arrogant lol, they really do not baby you in class

had an early dinner at jeju where we had a crazy dinner: the meal consisted of uni, caviar, wagyu, tartare, truffle, scallops, and lobster

walked back to market 57 and tried a signature latte (with blackberries and thyme), picked up xin fu tang boba and banana pudding from magnolia bakery

went back to the equinox gym where matt ran 30 minutes while i did an inclined walk 

my stomach felt like crap that night, with mixing of all the above foods - on top of drinking tea, and eating blueberries lol 

monday: 

we had scheduled a hot yoga class for that morning but i wasn’t feeling well so i slept in. matt went for a 30 minute run and picked up some starbucks oatmeal for me. i called off half day from work.

checked out, got back to our apartment around 1pm and decided to go to hot yoga at our usual studio at 4pm with our favorite instructor matty

we were both so tired and knocked out by 10pm last night 

the price is hefty, but i told matt that it’s worth it because of how rejuvenating the experience is and it is a very healthy treat for himself. i believe it’s better to spend on wellness than to spend on something material. the gym is his element. it’s also always interesting to people watch at places like this. 

instead of keeping my bike in the bike rack down in the basement, it’s now stored in the apartment so that i can more easily go out for bike rides. i don’t have to rely on matt to help me carry my bike up two flights of stairs from the basement. it’s still quite a drag to get my bike from the room into the elevator and then down/up a few stairs, but i went for 3 solo bike rides last week and really enjoyed it! the first ride was about 5 miles, the second and third were about a 10 miles roundtrip. it’s a great way to start my day and to force myself to leave the apartment and get in some cardio. i decked out my bike - it now has a basket and phone mount. i realized my recent anxiety was breeding from boredom, and the best way to combat that is by doing more. 

there’s always some anxiety when i haven’t done something for a while or if i’m doing something for the first time (i.e. socialize, bike ride, drive, go to a new area etc) but i cannot be avoidant. the anxiety i have comes from having too much down time, where i have time to worry about things i normally wouldn’t think about if i had a busier schedule. i would just go do it. 

i’m spending 4th of july mostly alone, or matt may come home earlier. again, i always have fomo and wish i had family around during the holidays. it’s something i want to bring up in therapy.

interviews/applications have been really busy for matt. it seems he had about 10 (one in person, the other calls/virtual) in the past month or so. arrowhead is flying him out for an in-person interview on 7/11, and i am tagging along. they are paying for his flight, 3 day rental car and 2 nights at a hotel. i’m excited to be on this journey with him. it’s starting to feel like he’s “VIP”. as his partner, i am also defaulted to being in the advisor role. like in spiderman, “with great power comes great responsibility”. whew, it ain’t easy. 

another thing i want to bring up in therapy is this transition in class/wealth. for me, it’s the guilt that i get to experience such nice and luxurious things, that i feel undeserving. that i fear i will come off as “showing off” to my family if i share my experiences, or make them feel bad. at the same time, i realize feeling guilty is also negating all our hard efforts and sacrifices. 

[tiffanybluesclues]

I'm gonna stick to my fave and mainly just talk about Dick Grayson. You have the core basics of his background correct! (Circus, acrobat, first Robin.) You also have some fanon down pretty well – this kinda makes me scream internally because it confirms THAT is the perception people have of my boy when they don't have references to his canon. 😭 Those particular fanon tropes must be pretty popular.

As far as his day job goes...that's where I'd say he can't be tied down.

Dick did work as a cop in Blüdhaven for about 4 years until early 2003. To me, this always seemed like as much of an "undercover" gig as the 2 years or so he spent as a spy in 2014-16, but it was a relatively long-running job that he was determined about, so arguably it was as real to him as his time in the circus. (Arguably...) Also, in the live action Titans he was a cop in Detroit in the 1st season. Maybe that helped make it seem like being a cop was a regular job for him?

He worked as a bartender for the 2 years before the cop storyline (1997-1999).

He worked as a bartender again for a few months in 2014 before getting briefly killed and then going to be a spy.

I think that while he was a spy he also had the role of gym teacher at the superspy's girl school. 🤔 Can't remember for sure, but it's noteworthy because gym/trainer work is a job he's had a few times.

For three years in 2006-2009 he was located in NYC. There he got a random job modeling for a few issues, drove a taxi for about a day, actively thought there was no way he'd want his day job to be a cop again, and eventually started working at a gym.

He helped with teaching at the gym for one year, then switched to just teaching an acrobatics class on weekends because he was taking a full time museum curator job.

He worked that museum curator job and taught his weekend acrobatics for about a year as well, before going back to Gotham and saying no more day jobs. By then it was 2009.

I know he was a personal trainer for a while in 2018, which also calls back to his gym work, although the gym stuff was much more linked to his circus training than just general fitness.

To be honest, I think his most frequent job is more often "unemployed" or business-owner-whose-circus-gets-attacked.

Not confirmed bi, but we don't let that stop us.

There's some support for the idea that when he was younger he had a mini-Bruce persona, but it's really not a frequent thing. (People do remark on his similarity to Bruce on occasions, in both positive and negative ways, so in some ways "like father, like son" does apply.)

Hot? Yes indeed. Dick Grayson is one of the prettiest people the fictional world has ever seen, but regardless of how many people want him, he's all about monogamy. He doesn't do casual flings, and he's uncomfortable with being sexualized, so it makes sense that he doesn't force himself into a "Brucie Wayne" type persona that needs to keep up appearances of being a playboy either. When he's in a potential relationship he's all in.

Shipping him with KF/Wally West is very popular, particularly since the Young Justice cartoon (and some recent canon has arguably leaned into the idea that Wally has a crush), but it's not a canon romantic relationship. Wally is happily married to Linda Park – I think he once described her as "the model God used when he created woman" 😍 and I'm sorry but even my beloved Dick Grayson isn't coming between that. It's all fun and fair in fan creations though.

As far as everyone else...idk, I think a lot of that is made up from thin air and given life through the sheer fanon willpower! All I can say there is:

Tim - I think all of the personality traits are fanon, but you described how I see him in fanfics perfectly so you picked up on that fanon very well! (He is also the only one with a canon boyfriend, but that boyfriend and relationship seem boring to me so more power to people who ignore them and continue to ship TimKon.)

Damian - idk how the world "feral" started getting passed around because there is nothing feral about that child. He is a trained assassin and his acts of violence were not wild or animalistic. At his worst he was lethal, ruthless, and arrogant, but he was never feral. He's like the opposite of feral. He's formal.

Duke - he's not listed but if you ever decide to read canon, I hope you start with Batman and the Signal just because I think bat-fandom deserves to have some fanon views skewed by people entering fandom through that book. 😁 & then next Batman and the Outsiders so maybe you'll end up all about Duke and Cass.

& Dick of course. 💘

The Batfam, by someone who hasn’t read/watched any DC canon

Brucie Wayne - compulsive adopter or dark haired, blue eyed children, has a persona of a ditzy playboy; also is The Batman, vigilante and guardian of Gotham, No Metas In Gotham, Batman persona isn’t totally him either, the real Bruce is somewhere in between

Dick Grayson - former circus kid/acrobat; the first robin, named batarangs, bat cave, bat mobile, etc. B’s first kid, like 27, now Nightwing, is a cop at bludhaven (spelling?), Gotham sister city or something. Definitely bi, best ass in Gotham, HOT, his public persona is “like father, like son, playboy extraordinaire, can’t be tied down, always out with someone new” either dating or married to KF/Wally West

Jason Todd - dead. And Alive? Killed by the joker, something something Lazarus pit. ~edgy~ maybe was a crime lord at some point? He kills, which is a no no for Batman so he’s running around as the red hood being morally grey. Also gay, and dating dick’s ex I think. (Who is Roy?) was the second robin

Tim Drake - sleep deprived, caffeine addicted tech genius child ceo, third robin, but also Red Robin? Takes over the company as ceo from Bruce before he’s even 18. Dating Kon/Conner? (Who I think is Superman’s kid????) very smart, very caffeine addicted

(And here is where my knowledge starts to decline)

Cass - the only daughter maybe? Maybe Black Bat? I don’t know who this is, I think I read somewhere in some fic that she is also gay and smart

Damian - current Robin, swords???? Stabby??? Child still, like 13, super angry, maybe Bruce’s actual blood child I do not know what is going on, a little feral

Oracle - I have no clue who this is besides that she’s the guy in the chair, super smart, and maybe used to be bat girl. Is this Barbara? I’ve seen that name come up too, and I think maybe Barbara is Oracle but I don’t know. And maybe she’s training another bat kid/family friend who will eventually become Augur. I don’t know who that is.

Stephanie - did she date on of the bat kids at some point? I think she’s not officially adopted but stays with the Wayne’s or something, but also maybe is the second bat girl? She seems bubbly. I think she’s bi

Terrence - baby. Maybe also Bruce’s bio kid as well

Cullen - this is a name I have read. Possibly that augur kid. Also a family friend

Fr, let me know how accurate this is if you know Batman stuff, thanks byyyyyye

[fratboykate]

So how does it go in the Frat AU when the parents meet? All I have come up with so far is that Kate's Dad is Creepy on Main over Alexei in the way that Rich Upper Class dudes can be about men who perform their idea of masculinity (like Romans with gladiators).

Well, I mean...Kate's parents basically shut her out after her dad's wedding. They don't kick her out of the wedding for aPpEaRaNcEs but it went exactly how Kate knew it would.

Her little sister has a phone now so it's hard for them to cut her out from her entirely like they did when she was younger but it's pretty much silent treatment from them. They stop paying her cards so Kate has to tap into her trust fund to live until she can graduate and get a real job.

Yelena feels fucking awful because she basically twisted Kate's arm into this but Kate is like "nah it was kinda time that they faced reality. Won't say it doesn't suck cuz it's hard to have to do acrobatics to see my sister but like...I'm not really missing out much with my parents."

Kate's brother ODs a few months later and they don't let her go to the hospital which is ROUGH and fucked up and she'll never forgive them for it. But that's the kind of petty shit the Bishop family does and why she's thankful to be away from them.

Fast forward a literal two years. They have built a life together. Kate has a real job and she's good at it. She graduated from her elite circle at Columbia so her prospects were amazing to begin with and she grew up in this one percenter group with top notch connections she could leverage anyway so she had no real issue finding a job without her father. She's a management analyst at a huge firm and is making a comfy six figures. BUT...PLOT TWIST they've been doing long distance for hot second now. Kate found this job is New York and Yelena always had a verrryyyy clear path for her life.

Yelena knew she wanted MIT then Harvard. It's a four hour drive between New York and Boston. They can do that. No problem. EASY. Except they braved the masters at MIT and Yelena just got accepted into her PhD at Harvard and she's starting to waver. Long distance is taking a toll on her and she doesn't know that she can keep doing the whole "seeing Kate one or two weekends a month...if their schedules line up" thing. It sucks too much whenever one of them has to go back.

Kate can sense shit is going wrong and "taking a break" has left Yelena's mouth more than once which is...uh...the opposite of what Kate wants to do since Kate just bought a fucking ring and has it stashed in her office desk. So while Kate's got most of her dumbassery out of her system in college there's some that lingers in her DNA and she's like "MASTER PLAN: if I get my hyper homophobic Republican parents, your ultra liberal parents, and us in the same room and I propose there's no way you can say no and this will all be great. We will be OKAY!" Flawless plan Kate. Not a damn thing can go wrong when you plan on ambushing four different sets of people at the same time.

Like.......her mom and dad can't stand each other so she rings up each of them individually and is like "mother/father...long time no speak...dinner on (x date)? :)" It's a hard pitch with her parents and particularly to get them both to be available on the same date but she makes it work. Then she rings up Melina and Alexei. Piece of cake. Then...Yelena. Yelena is like "I can't come to NYC. I have a guest lecturer in town that weekend and I need to go to. It's like 40% of my grade. Can't miss it. If you're free come here." And Kate is like SWEATING at this point. No way she's going to get her parents to move this date. Genius Kate idea? She's going to kidnap her girlfriend. She's done it before. She's not above doing it again. She recruits Franny and Greer. They walk into Yelena's apartment and she's like:

"Babe...what are you..."

*hood over her head and Kate ties her hands together then her feet*

"Kate...WHAT THE FUCK?!"

"Sorry, but I NEED you in New York today."

Mind you, it's a fucking four hour drive between New York and Boston and Yelena is LIVID in the back seat while tied up so you can imagine how that went for Kate.

They get to Kate's apartment and Kate is like...

"I'm going to untie you now but only if you promise not to kill me."

"Killing you is the least of your fucking worries, Kate."

"Okay, so I'm explaining first then untying. Got it."

"You had FOUR HOURS to explain."

"I thought it was better to explain when we were here already. That way you couldn't jump out of the window of a moving car or something if you hated the idea."

"WHAT?! TALK!"

"Your parents and my parents are meeting in...an hour."

"Huh?!"

"None of them have a clue. Your parents just think they're having dinner with us. My parents certainly have no idea they're about to be in the same room together. That hasn't happened since..........their divorce probably. It took a lot to make it happen and I couldn't have you not be here so I'm sorry that it took committing a federal crime but I didn't really have a choice."

"Jesus fuck Kate. You could've told me this five hours ago or like...a week ago and saved ourselves the theatrics."

"But it was supposed to be a surprise."

"I could strangle you."

"I guess the restraints stay on then."

"CUT.THESE.OFF."

"I was kidding. I was kidding."

Kate sets her free and the first thing Yelena does is smack her SO HARD over the head.

"You're a fucking idiot."

Then she pulls her in for a kiss.

"But it's kind of sweet that you orchestrated a whole thing for our parents to finally meet."

"I know right..."

Kate tries to smile...

"And if you EVER kidnap me again I *will* kill you. You've done it twice too many times."

...the smile wipes off her face.

"Noted. There's a dress on my bed for you. But we gotta hurry. We need to leave like...now if we want to get there before them."

These are their fits.

Kate managed to mix the Frat essence with "Katherine" so that no one would be too freaked out lol

---

Kate had rented out the entire back room of one of her father's favorite restaurants. She wanted to put them in Bishop territory to put them at ease. They're also away from prying eyes.

Luckily Melina and Alexei are the first to arrive. Kate expected as much. After drinks arrive they break the news that some other people will be joining them. And that it's...Kate's parents. Melina and Alexei know the story there so they're like "???? Oh????" but before they can ask too many questions in walks Eleanor.

"Kate, what is this?"

"Will you sit down? I can explain."

"I'd rather not. I'd prefer to stand."

"That sounds inconvenient but, sure. Uhm, this is Yelena my girlfriend. We've been together for almost four years. These are her parents Melina and Alexei and I thought it was time you all met. I really wanted you to meet so can you please sit and I can order you a drink...or twenty. As many as you like."

"Good night, Katherine."

Eleanor turns to leave.

"For fuck's sake, mom. Who's looking at you now? None of your friends is going to find out you had dinner with your "queer liberal brainwashed" daughter so will you sit down? I'm not tarnishing your precious reputation I'm just asking you to have one meal with me and the most important people in my life."

Eleanor turns back around and takes the empty seat next to Yelena. Kate had made sure the two remaining empty seats weren't contiguous. She at least had the sense to not make her parents sit next to each other so one of them would end up sitting next to her and Yelena and the other would sit on the other end of the table next to Melina and Alexei.

"Hi." Yelena greets Eleanor warmly. "I've heard so much about you."

"Can't say the same."

"Well, if you talked to her maybe you would."

"If she lived a normal life maybe I would."

Oh...this is not going to go well. At all.

"SOOOOO...drinks? What do you want mom? I'll go get a waiter."

"I'll have..."

Right at that moment Derek walks in and the room falls silent.

"You should be ashamed of yourself, Katherine."

Is the only thing he says before he walks out. Kate has to deadass chase after him.

"Hey hey hey. You're not even going to hear me out?"

"I don't like being tricked."

Now Eleanor is walking out too.

"Get back in there mom. Fuck, you're like children. I'm supposed to be the kid here. I haven't asked anything from you in years. All I'm asking for is tonight. One night. All you have to do is act like fucking grown ups for two hours. You sit through one dinner and then everyone can go on their way if you really hate it."

"You don't dictate terms to me."

Derek turns and keeps on walking.

"Dad, you always said I was the best business investment you ever made. Aren't you even slightly curious to see how that investment is turning out?" Derek walks and Eleanor hovers by the door. "You guys don't even have to look at each other. All you have to do is stay."

Eleanor is the first one to walk back into the dining space.

"Are you really going to let mom upstage you and be able to claim she's the bigger person? That'd be a first."

Derek huffs, doubles back, walks past Kate and into the private room. Kate smiles. Her parents are nothing if not predictable.

She got them all around the table.....now fucking what?

"This is nice."

"Yeah." Yelena tries to back her up. "I haven't seen you since your wedding Mr. Bishop."

"Since you came as an unwelcomed guest, you mean?"

"I had a plus one and she was my plus one, dad. She was just a regular guest."

"Since then we've started specifying parameters for who is and isn't allowed as guest at our events so I have you to thank for that."

"Wow."

Melina whispers right next to Derek.

"Is there anything you want to add, ma'am?"

"I was wondering how one writes homophobia on invitations."

Kate coughs and tries to steer the conversation away from that.

"The tataki here is amazing if anyone wants to try that for the starters."

"In this country everyone has the freedom to decide who they want and don't want at their parties. That is not 'homophobia'. That is called freedom of speech."

"That is not what freedom of speech means. Not even close."

Yelena interjects from the other side of the table.

"The Risotto! To die for! Someone should definitely try the Risotto. Highly recommend."

"Of course liberals wouldn't understand what freedom of speech means."

Eleanor chimes in.

"No, I actually don't think it has anything to do with being a liberal or not. The definition is quite simple and it has no connection to segregation and discrimination."

Yelena doubles down.

"THE SCALLOPS FOR THE MAIN COURSE! DIVINE!"

"I don't know that anyone wants to hear a lesbian's opinion on discrimination when you and your kind are the ones driving the hatred against Christians in this country."

Derek barks at Yelena.

"Do not speak to my daughter in such way!"

Alexei jumps to his feet and gets in Derek's face. He's more than a whole foot taller than Derek, probably 75 pounds heavier, and...a world class boxer so this would be over before it even started if it came to it.

"THE WAGYU IS A FOOLPROOF OPTION TOO!"

"It's funny how you liberals accuse us of violence but look at you...look. Always projecting."

In that moment everyone started speaking over each other. Derek and Alexei were going at it. Melina and Eleanor were exchanging harsh words and Yelena was floating back and forth between arguments. Kate was running down the menu giving her "expert" commentary trying to deflect as best she could but when she hit the bottom of the menu and that did absolutely no good she only had one choice left: SHOCK AND AWE.

Derek and Alexei are truly two seconds away from exchanging blows so Kate quickly pushes her chair back reaches into her pocket, hastily pulls out a ring, and gets down on one knee.

"Yelena Belova, will you marry me?"

Everyone FREEZES immediately and the room goes dead silent.

"Kate Bishop......................why is your timing always just the absolute worst?"

"I'm really trying to stop your dad from murdering mine. This is also my bad knee so I can't stay like this for long and I'm totally not trying to rush you but......and I can definitely tell you the whole sappy thing I had prepared once you say yes and I can get up. It's a whole thing I wasn't just planning on like...asking the basic question for the record. Just so everyone knows. I planned it better than this. I kinda had to improvise. But there was a...thing. You guys sort of...ruined it. But it's fine. It's not like it's a once in a lifetime thing. It's totally good. Anyway...back to the knee I fucked up during a game and has never been the same since...an answer would be great so I can not be on it anymore...BUT TOTALLY NO RUSH...I will stay on it for as long as you need to. Because you're worth all the pain in the world...although it would be great NOT to have to feel it and..."

"Will you shut up so I can give you an answer?"

"Oh...yeah yeah...shutting up. Zip. Silence. No more words out of my mouth. Quiet time and..."

Yelena places her hand over Kate's mouth because it was clear she wasn't going to shut up.

"Yes. Of course I'll marry you. You're the only person in the world I'd let put a hood over my head, tie me up, and take me across state lines without immediately calling the FBI. You're the biggest idiot I've ever met but I'd marry you any day."

Yelena helps Kate to her feet and Kate rubs her knee with one hand while she puts the ring on Yelena's finger with the other. They kiss and the deal is sealed. They're officially en-gay-ged.

Derek and Eleanor bolt out of there immediately.

---

Later, when they're in bed, all sweaty and sticky post engagement celebration sex and theyre wrapped in each other's arms.

"I'm sorry about your parents."

"It's fine. At least I tried."

"I see where you get your bad manners from tho..."

"That's it. You're done. Give me my ring back."

"Never."

[pulsdmedia]

The Week Ahead 6/16-6/22

June gloom, get outta here! We're looking forward, and forward is looking summery, bright, and full of opportunities to make your New York City days superb...

$35 Tickets To The NYC Margarita Festival

Here we go! The New York City Margarita Festival is on its way, and to mark the official start of summer, they're going big, rounding up some of the city's top bars and restaurants to shake, stir, and pour their most delicious tequila-tastic libations for you and your Sunday Funday squad to savor. Live DJs will play sun-soaked jams, street food vendors will serve up deliciousness (for purchase), and the summer feels will keep the good vibes flowing. One lucky attendee will even win a dream trip to Mexico. And the best part? A portion of proceeds supports children’s charities...

Domino Park Free Sunrise Yoga

Every Wednesday morning at Domino Park, join for an invigorating and centering outdoor yoga session. With the sound of the East River in the background and the Manhattan skyline in view, this free class offers a serene start to the day.

25% Off Tickets To A 3 Course Dinner, Cocktails, Burlesque Show

Let yourself be transported to a night of seduction and wonder with Tease, presented by Airotic Soirée! This modern cabaret blends thrilling circus acts with provocative burlesque, creating a one-of-a-kind Broadway experience. From powerful acrobatics to emotionally charged performances, each act is designed to captivate and arouse your senses. Add in a three-course dinner of drool-worthy gourmet fare and a few tipples like cocktails, wine, and beers - you deserve an experience that goes above & beyond! Tease isn’t just another night out - it’s a seductive, high-energy escape designed to make you feel alive...

Anemos New York Sample Sale

Score huge discounts on Anemos pieces at their sample sale! Anemos is a Los Angeles based clothing and swimwear brand founded in 2019 by California natives Lauren Arapage and Joshua Shaub.

$29 Summer Spritz Series: A Rooftop 3 Hour Open Bar With Food

Bask in la dolce vita – rooftop style! Step into Simona, Manhattan’s most coveted rooftop hideaway for their Summer Spritz Series. Think a 3 Hour Spritz Open Bar, as well as 1 Fritto Misto, and 1 Dessert. This summer, don’t just go out. Go all the way up. Ciao, amore...

Can I Kick It? Stoop Party & Free Bites!

Ami Colé is teaming up with @nycxclothes for an afternoon full of good vibes, beauty, music, and community. Come hang with them, grab some complimentary bites from the Taco Rapido food truck, listen to the beats of a surprise DJ, play in their custom claw machine, and receive Ami Colé product giveaways.

[nycdancearts]

NYC Dance Arts is proud to announce its two location expansion, now offering youth & adult classes in NJ in addition to NYC!! Visit www.nycdancearts.com for more info 🤗 . . @nycdancearts #nycdancearts #nyc #nj #newyork #newjersey #dance #dancers #hiphopdance #hiphopdancers #streetjazz #danceteam #breakdance #breakdancers #contemporarydance #contemporarydancers #ballet #balletdancer #lyrical #contemporary #dancefitness #zumba #parkour #tumbling #acro #acrobatics #acrodancer #bhangra #bollyfunk #danceclass #dancestudio

[maugustyniuk]

How Dance Helped Propel 4 "Drag Race" Favorites to Stardom

Dance is famous for its ability to instill valuable life skills. But it can also be a conduit to so many other forms of artistic expression. And if you've ever watched the phenomenon that is "RuPaul's Drag Race," you've seen how interdisciplinary art can be—and how dance and the art of drag often work in harmony.

The show has made huge stars of its contestants, and among the most famous are those who trained in dance before they started drag. We spoke with four sickening "Drag Race" stars about how dance helped boost their careers in the direction of drag—and to eventual stardom.

Brooke Lynn Hytes

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You might know drag artist Brooke Lynn Hytes from watching her compete—and dance on pointe—on season 11 of "RPDR." Or perhaps you know her as the main judge on the spinoff series, "Canada's Drag Race." But did you know Hytes had a full-fledged dance performance career before entering the world of drag?

"I found dance a little bit later in life," Hytes says, who took her first dance class in the eighth grade. "I noticed very quickly that I had a good facility for it." A year later, while attending a high school arts program, a friend asked Hytes to audition with her for a summer session at Canada's National Ballet School. "She didn't even show up to audition," Hytes remembers. But Hytes showed up—and made the cut.

She trained at the school from grades 10 through 12, and an additional two years after that, before moving to Germany to study at the School of the Hamburg Ballet. Just two weeks in, Hytes got a call from dance pioneer Rudi van Dantzig, who'd taken notice of her while teaching at Canada's National Ballet School. He was looking to see if she'd play a lead role in a ballet he was mounting in South Africa, and, later, Dantzig helped Hytes secure a full-time contract with Cape Town City Ballet. But after two years with the company, Hytes found the job wasn't fulfilling. "I just had no interest in doing a double cabriolet or all the male stuff," she says. "I wanted to be the tall, pretty girl."

Hytes moved to New York City to dance with Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, the all-male-presenting ballet troupe that performs on pointe, and in drag. "It was very freeing," she says. But having to be slapstick funny—a hallmark of the company—wasn't exactly her "thing." And at that point in her career, her passion for dance was withering.

So, after four seasons, she left the company to focus full-time on drag. But her dance past continued to play a role: "My dance career has taught me important life lessons and life skills, like the importance of working as a group and being professional, and being able to take criticism," Hytes says. "And those are all things that have served me very well in my drag career."

Rosé

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On the most recent season of "RPDR", contestant—and queen of throwing shade (#IFYKYK)—Rosé made a real name for herself. In fact, she clawed her way to the top four in the "Grand Finale" episode.

Rosé attributes her success on the show (and beyond) to her background in dance and musical theater. "In college, I started really forming better technique," Rosé says. "I was a part of several modern dance companies that toured the world through my university."

The theater training, in particular, boxed Rosé within traditional conceptions of gender. "I was going through a theatre program that, for the sake of working in the industry, was trying to shape my ability and form to be more masculine." But the dance classes she took allowed for the opposite: expression. "When I was a kid, dance was definitely a form of gender expression when I was confused about all of that," she says.

Years later, those experiences continue to show up in Rosé's high-octane, fully embodied drag. "Little things from ballet inform my posture—like how I walk and hold myself," the NYC-based entertainer says. "Dance has also given me an awareness of my body. And because drag is so physical in its nature, dance has contributed not just to the performance aspect of my drag, but to how I look and how I move in a drag."

Denali

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Chicago-based drag artist Denali, who served as a cast member on the most recent season of "RPDR," says her drag is based "solely around my ability to move, perform, and dance." She developed her craft performing in nightlife scenes throughout the Windy City. "I was booked a lot as the 'high-energy performance girl,' and filled that spot in most shows, since Chicago has a lot of artsy, conceptual performers, but not a lot of stunt queens." (Stunt queens are known for their jaw-dropping, often acrobatic, tricks.)

Her time as a figure skater inspired her to take up dance. "As cross-training, we did a lot of ballet, jazz, and hip hop," she says. "But I gravitated more towards hip hop, and blended different styles on the ice." Being a figure skater also helped Denali understand that she didn't have to stick to traditional gender expressions. Dance, she says, reinforced that.

When asked which choreographers she dreams of working with, Denali names Parris Goebel (and The Royal Family). "She's leading the mainstream dance movement in all facets and truly creates some of the most intricate shapes and movement in her work," she says. "I would also love to work with Yanis Marshall, Spella, and Kiel Tutin."

These sources of inspiration—and the years of dance training that came before—have established a deep appreciation for what the art has given her. "I wouldn't be the drag artist I am now if it weren't for dance," she says.

Milan

For Season 4 queen Milan, their interest in dance began early—really early. "My mom says when she was pregnant with me that she'd go dancing, and I would kick in the womb," Milan says. But they fell in love with the art form watching the dance-heavy Emerald City sequence in The Wiz. Then, during their senior year of high school, Milan says, "I participated in show choir. A member offered to pick me up and take me to her ballet class at the Florence Ballet Academy."

While in college, Milan would be accepted to a summer intensive program at The Ailey School. "I loved studying at The Ailey School, but I also really wanted to showcase my acting and singing ability as well," they say. "So, I returned to college and completed my BA in Theater at the University of South Carolina." Such diversified training would not only propel Milan to the biggest platform for drag, but would also lead them to Broadway stages. Billed as Dwayne Cooper, they've been part of the Broadway casts of Motown The Musical and Hairspray.

Still, dance—above other art forms—is Milan's "happy place," they say. "It's where my freedom lives. And if you are thinking about parlaying your dance training into a drag career, do it! Don't limit your expression or abilities by staying in one lane. Drag can open doors you never thought of—and free you from the trappings of conforming to what others want you to be as a dancer."

from Dance Spirit https://ift.tt/3hlMp5C

[shallahraekwon062488]

I decided to post a little application thread about one of the most fearless, unsung, righteous, honorable and courageous heroes in history. Matthew Murdock AKA Daredevil The Man Without Fear, The Guardian Devil ,The Scarlet Avenger and The First Defender. Know throughout Hell’s Kitchen as the Man Without Fear, Daredevil patrols dark corners, alleys and rooftops to rid the city of criminals forgotten by the law. His not-so-secet double-life as Matt Murdock, Attorney at Law provides him with the perfect cover, however also jeopardizes ever case he has ever tried. Though blind Daredevil’s heightened senses and radar vision allow him to do what must be done even if it destroys him in the process.

Personality Daredevil is a morally righteous hero with a strong sense of law and justice. This has also influenced him into becoming a lawyer. Daredevil objects to total violence and prefers to keep his enemies alive and defeating them rather then slay them. However, Daredevil does have a dark side, and will not hesitate to badly hurt foes in certain circumstances, often when he is under a period of stress. Matt Murdock suffers from depression.

Powers

Superhuman Sensory System: Originally coming from his exposure to a radioactive isotope, it was later discovered that many of Murdock’s “powers” come from his natural aptitude and intense training at the hands of Stick. His powers have been so honed by years of training that when he fought Psylocke during the war between the Avengers and the X-Men, she was overwhelmed when she tried to read his mind and found herself experiencing all the information he received through his enhanced senses, demonstrating the scale of psychological training required for Murdock to operate on a normal human level. Nick Fury’s intel classified him as power level 7

Superhuman Touch: Murdock’s sense of touch is so acute that his finger can feel the faint impressions of ink on a printed page allowing him to read by touch, though laminated pages prevent him from touching and thus reading the ink impressions at a much faster pace than a normal person would be able to read. The rest of his skin is equally sensitive, enabling him by concentration to feel minute temperature and pressure changes in the atmosphere around him. Even with his senses of smell and hearing blocked, he can feel the presence of a person standing five feet away from him simply by his or her body heat and disturbance of air. A side effect of his sense of touch is Murdock’s ability to manipulate his muscles and internal organs. The sense of touch is not just external, but internal too (central nervous system), thereby giving him the ability to have total body control, increasing his strength and reflexes to peak human levels, increasing his agility to enhanced human levels and also giving him the ability to numb himself to pain. Superhuman Smell: Murdock’s sense of smell is so acute that he can distinguish between identical twins at twenty feet by minute differences in smell. He can detect odors of an atmospheric concentration of thirty parts per million. Further, his ability to remember smells enables him to identify any person he has spent at least five minutes with by smell alone, no matter how he or she might try to camouflage his or her natural odor. His powers of concentration are such that he can focus upon a single person’s smell and follow it through a crowd of people at a distance of fifty feet. Superhuman Hearing: Murdock’s sense of hearing enables him to detect an acoustic pressure change of one decibel at a pressure level of seven decibels (whereas the lowest threshold for average human hearing is twenty decibels.) He can hear a person’s heartbeat at a distance of over twenty feet, or people whispering on the other side of a standard soundproofed wall. Through practice, Murdock is able to control his hearing acuity, mentally blocking out specific sounds like his own breathing and heartbeat, all ambient sounds to a normal human level of perception, or all sounds but a particular sound he is concentrating upon. Lie Detection: By listening, feeling and/or smelling, Murdock can tell whether a person is lying by sweat, changes in body temperature and heartbeats (though he can be fooled by a pacemaker and those able to keep calm under pressure.) Superhuman Taste: Murdock’s sense of taste enables him to detect the number of grains of salt on a pretzel. His ability to remember tastes enables him to determine every ingredient of a food or drink he tastes, as long as there are at least twenty milligrams of that substance present. Superhuman Balance: It is a common misconception that balance isn’t a sense, but Murdock’s balance centers give him equilibrium at least on par with Spider-Man’s. Telepathy: Due to Stick’s training, Murdock has displayed minor telepathic abilities. Radar Sense: A form of Human Echolocation via low wave projection, according to one theory, a energy within certain portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The signal emanates from sending regions of his brain, after which it travels outward, bounces off objects around him, and returns to receiving regions of his brain. In any event, with this ability, Murdock synthesizes a very close analogue of three-dimensional 360% human sight. Radar Substitute: An offshoot to Radar Sense this ability is the combination of all other sense (Excluding Radar Sense) and can allows to increase the stability of it as well as to be used as a sub-par replacement. Person Identification: All of Murdock’s senses help identify people by the specific patterns of their heartbeat, smell, touch, sound, and even Radar appearance as it allows to “see” through objects, specifically clothes (Though albeit obscure)

Abilities Professional Attorney: Murdock is a skilled lawyer, specializing in criminal justice. His law practice is considered one of the sources to his emotional strength and success in crime-fighting.

Devout Catholic: As a devout Roman Catholic, Murdock has the mixed benefits and access to certain resources and contacts/allies through the Catholic parishes of Hell’s Kitchen (modern day Clinton). As a lawyer, Murdock can also access additional assets in the form of safe-houses and sanctuary of the Church for his clients should local law enforcement resources become either compromised and or cannot be relied upon in witness protection cases. Murdock can also make use of contacts in the form of the Catholic Clergy giving him vital information regarding the movements of street gangs, the various mafia of the NYC area, pimps, and other elements of the criminal underworld in order to allow Matt to be more successful in battling the criminals of Hell’s Kitchen.

Interrogation Expert: Murdock uses many different interrogation methods to extract information from criminals. His knowledge of criminology and torture is unerring and often overwhelming.

Gifted Intellect: Murdock’s intelligence and brain functions have always been apparent, long before he was affected by radiation, his midnight training, A+ morning schooling and little need of sleep is an testament to that.

Expert Detective: He has shown to be an expert detective using his intellect to figure out complex problems and hyper-senses to find clues and evidence to crime scenes.

Expert Tracker: With the aid of his hyper-senses, Murdock is able to track objects and people from miles away with ease.

Master Acrobat: He is classed as a superb-Olympic athlete, gymnast, acrobat, and aerialist due to constant training and exercise since his preteens.

Weapons Proficiency: Murdock is proficient in wielding various weapons through his Ninjutsu training.

Expert Marksman: He is a skilled marksman capable of throwing his sticks with great accuracy. Murdock is also skilled with most projectile-like weaponry, archery and has been shown utilizing military-grade weaponry in extreme situations.

Expert Stick Fighter: He is an expert in wielding all types of stick weapons which include staffs, batons, nunchaku, and paired short sticks.

Master Martial Artist: Murdock is a skilled, self-taught boxer due to watching his father compete and has been heavily trained in the ninja arts by Stick, a senior master and member of the secret order The Chaste. Nick Fury, former director of S.H.I.E.L.D, commented that there are only a handful of individuals that know what Matt Murdock knows, referring to the Chaste. Stick helped him control his powers and taught him valuable fighting techniques with stealth, vanishing, to even life-energy(chi/ki)control. Murdock is well educated in the functioning of the human body as well as martial arts techniques that target pressure points enabling him to paralyze limbs of an individual’s body or the entire body altogether. He’s disabled eye sight, speech, induced pain, and even has knowledge of pressure points inducing death. Murdock’s fighting style blends Boxing with Ninjutsu, Judo, Aikijujutsu and other disciplines such as Jujutsu, Capoeira, Eskrima, Aikido, Wrestling, and Kung Fu to varying degrees. His skills have proven so exceptional so as to enable him to easily defeat or stalemate some of the greatest fighters on Earth. He has fought opponents such as the Black Panther, Taskmaster, Iron Fist, Captain America, Sabretooth and Wolverine to standstills, even impaling Wolverine with a sword while the mutant was in a feral state due to brainwashing by the terrorists known as Hydra.

Strength level For a “normal” human, Matt has demonstrated remarkable physical strength. Daredevil is an Olympic-level weightlifter and possesses the normal human strength of a man of his age, height, and build that exercises intensively and regularly. Matt has demonstrated that he can lift and handle a 400 lbs. barbell as though it were fifty pounds, has overturned a limo full of people, and has picked up and used a mail drop-box as a blunt instrument. At his peak, Daredevil possesses sufficient strength to press lift approximately 450 lbs.

Weaknesses Blindness : Daredevil is blind. While his Senses help him overcome this, it becomes a problem for him to navigate and fight when his heightened senses are scrambled or can’t detect anyth

Sense Precision: Daredevil’s extent to discern pictures or video images are limited, and he can only guess at colors based on the amount of heat they are absorbing or reflecting. If nothing is being emitted (By a person or thing) that would trigger his heightened senses Daredevil wouldn’t be able to detect it, like when a sniper bullet fired outside the range of his sense of hearing was able to badly injure h Sound and/or Smell Peak: Daredevil’s superhuman senses render him extraordinarily vulnerable to odors and/or excessive noise, which can temporarily weaken his Radar Sense. Under extreme circumstances he can be easily immobilized, suffer great pain and/or left disorientated. Once the disruptive effects wear off, Daredevil’s Radar Sense is able to return to its normal calibration. Radar Sense Disruption: Though uncommon– in unique situations (where multiple objects, sounds, temperatures, and smells, are in close proximity) Daredevil’s Radar has been known to fail leaving him to rely on his other senses.

Non-Superhuman Physical Conditioning: As Daredevil’s powers do not give him any kind of superhuman physical ability, Daredevil is as susceptible to physical injury and disease as any other normal human, often having to rely more on strategy than strength when up against a superhuman opponent

Weapons Matt currently wields a multi-purpose cane that has many different modes. Its initial form is two short sticks held together by an extendable cable. It can be configured into a nunchaku- like weapon to a manrikigusari (a long rope/chain weapon with two weights on its ends), dual short sticks which can be wielded in a pair, staff, or a cable with a grappling hook. The weapon can also be adjusted to combine both sticks into a larger stick. The weapon is held by a holster on the side of Matt’s left leg.

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The art of acrobatics demonstrates flexibility and complexity. In addition to developing courage, strength, and stamina, acrobatics also develops balance. Your bones will be in good health if you practice acrobatics. You can also start acrobatics as a hobby in All-star studios by taking acrobatics classes.