Frankie Martinez

Why Afro-Latin Body Movement & Isolations? Join us this weekend and find out!

Exploring Afro-Latin Body Movement & Isolations
📆 Sunday, Dec 17
⏱️ 1-3pm
💵 $45 (after 12/14)
📍 37 W 26th St, 2nd FL, NYC

And for those outside New York or unable to attend in person, check out the online version at www.afrolatinfunk.dance!

As Miss Lia Robertson so accurately shared in our master class last weekend, there is music theory for musicians and there is music theory for dancers.

The two studies overlap in many ways, however, because dance and music are two distinct disciplines, there are also differences in what information is relevant to each.

The study of traditional music theory can and does make us all more sensitive and skilled listeners and appreciators of music, but it does not necessarily make us better dancers. Understanding where music and dance concepts/theories overlap, as well as where they diverge, is one major key to connecting the two.

One concept shared by musicians and dancers, although not commonly recognized or applied in our genre, is musical *phrasing.*

Just like musicians and vocalists shape their notes and rhythms to express themselves, we can learn to do so in our dancing.

As demonstrated in the video above, by understanding the 4-bar phrasing that Latin music in 4/4 (generally) follows, our dance pattern fits perfectly as a physical and musical “phrase” with every song. It also allows us to vary our expression of sentiment to the unique mood of each song.

As I always say, the possibilities inherent in this dance truly are endless. And there is SO much more to “musicality” than simply learning to mimic music.

It’s just a matter of acquiring the tools and knowledge that allow us to do so in a sound way like our artistic relatives in music have done.

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Side note: applying a pattern of footwork to a song is one thing, composing a piece of choreography to a specific song is another. Although this phrase was designed specifically for “Welcome to The Party,” it also shows the value of understanding musical phrases (in this case 4-bar) when creating patterns for classes or compositions for the stage.

I’m very glad to see us having more conversations about utilizing Afro-Latin specific techniques for Afro-Latin dance.

After branching out and starting my career as a choreographer and educator, I dedicated my life to creating a formal system of training that helped facilitate the goals of this ETHNIC dance, rather than borrow from genres rooted in different, and often times contradictory, principles.

I saw how artists such as Katherine Dunham and my dear teacher, Mr. Eddie Torres, had started doing this, and my goal was to further expand on it for the diverse genres that are Mambo and Afro-Latin dance.

This was how the Method was born.

Two of the many practices I’ve created that have transformed myself and the dancers I’ve trained are: Afro-Caribbean Body Movement & Isolations and Spinning. And this Saturday they’re both back!

Join us tomorrow as we break down the skills and techniques that allow us to:

-Develop balance

-Learn tools for generating momentum

-Explore the principles that work in harmony with our own natural posture & locomotion

-Discover how to achieve the same rotational esthetics found in other genres, but created through Afro-Latin specific techniques

We hope to see you then! 🌪️🙆🏻‍♂️👣

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Saturdays with Frankie - APRIL 1, 15, & 22
12:30pm Skills & Technique: Spinning (Apr 1)
1:30pm Afro-Latin Body Movement & Isolations

💃🏼 Lia Robertson
📍 Salsa con Todo Studio

https://www.frankiemartinez.org/

Another from Frank’s Almanac on expressing authentic emotion in performance.

Before it was a trend to share videos of insightful and inspiring talks to students, we were having these conversations.

During classes, after workshops, in hallways and coffee shops on days off, and in between festivities at congresses and festivals.

But I’m not talking for my own benefit. Sharing like this doesn’t bring fame, fortune, or guaranteed future work - believe me!

Every lecture, conversation, and debate I’ve had has always been about engaging in meaningful exchange. The exchange of experiences and philosophies for others to consider, and hopefully, help them along their dance journeys.

I hope this topic speaks to you in some way. 🙏🏽

https://www.frankiemartinez.org/