Jacob Bloom
Dance,
Stories, and more
Barn Dance
Square
dance, Contra Dance, Barn Dance - whichever of these names you use to
describe it, it means dancing easy figures, in interesting
combinations, to delightful music. The terms Square Dance
and Contra Dance refer to certain dance formations, but I use lots of
different formations to provide variety. The term Barn Dance
refers to a particular kind of location. I've called dances everywhere
from company offices to restaurants (and, yes, barns).
These
dances can be done by a group of people who have known each other for a
while (for, say, an office party), or for people who have just met and
want to have fun as they get to know each other.
I love teaching
beginners, who can learn together about how easy and fun dancing can
and should be - for themselves, their kids and grandkids, their
friends, their elders. Traditional dance, as opposed to dances
done for a performance (say, as in ballet) are to be done by groups of
people to strengthen social ties.
I specialize in leading dance
events that get everyone moving and enjoying the music, whether they
think they can dance or not. The dances I call are meant to get people
moving together, let them enjoy being together, and to leave everyone
smiling at the end.
"We want
to thank you for a wonderful evening! Everyone ... thoroughly enjoyed
themselves. Your skill at intermixing different types of dances
which answered the needs of your audience, combined with your ability
to build a relationship with the audience made the evening a huge
success."
I will work with
you to create an event that fits your needs, budget, and time
requirements. I can provide a live band of experienced dance
musicians for your event, or use recorded music if you prefer.
Weddings
Your
wedding will bring together people from both of your families as well
as your friends. Having traditional community-style dancing will
give all these people a chance to meet each other and have fun.
These are dances that anyone can do without previous experience,
and that will give you a chance to dance with everyone else in the room.
For a weddding, I would keep the dances extremely simple and fun.
I realize that people are not there to learn dancing, but to enjoy
spending time with each other, and with you!
"Thank you so much for sharing our wedding day with us. We had a
great time with the square dancing and have received many comments
about how much fun it was."
At
my own wedding, my wife and I had a Grand March instead of a receiving
line. It was an expression of our joy through dance, and
allowed us to greet everyone there. I have led Grand Marches for
that purpose at many weddings since then.
"I
want to thank you, Jacob, for doing such a fine job with arranging the
band and calling the dances. The music during the ceremony was
beautiful. But most important, almost everyone did dance for the
Grand March. We have received many compliments about the dancing
and music. Everyone had a fun, festive time, and you were largely
responsible for that."
Dancing provides a
community spirit, so that everyone can enjoy the other guests there,
not just the ones seated at their table. Whether they are dancing or just enjoying the music, traditional
music and dance will help your guests relax and have a grand time!
Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
Your
child's Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a day for you to celebrate. Why not
celebrate with dancing for both the kids and adults?
For dancing
to be successful at a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, it is essential that the
guest of honor wants to dance at the celebration. If he or she
gets up to dance, then the other young people will get up to join
them. I wouldn't recommend having organized dancing for them
without the guest of honor's approval of the idea.
If
your child is interested, I could lead New England dances, Yiddish
dances, classic Israeli dances, or a combination of all three. I
can also lead age-appropriate games as part of the party.
Office Parties
For
your office party, you want an event that will break down tensions
between people, let them laugh together, and leave them better able to
work together tomorrow. Since dance is built on cooperation, it
serves the purpose perfectly! Office parties are occasions when
people who work together can get to know each other on a different
level, so that they can really enjoy these new-found friends, as well
as the co-workers and colleagues they already know well.
Dancers
of every ability level come together to enjoy the movement, the moment,
the motion. They smile together, dance together, tap their heels
and clap their hands together. Whether dancing or watching, everyone is
involved in this very special experience, smiling and joking, laughing
with each other. I provide the means for people to connect to
something that they can all enjoy, young or old, total novices or
experienced dancers.
School Programs
I
lead participatory dance for students of all ages. I work with
one or two classes at a time, teaching the dances to the students for
one session, or over a series of weeks. Dance forms I can teach
to students include:
New England barn dance
French dance
Clogging & percussive dance
Storytelling through dance
Colonial Dance
Community dance for ELL learners
English Morris dance
Social dance
Dances from students' countries of origin
Knowing where your body is in space
Rhythms and Patterns
Senior programs
I
can teach programs for older adults, with and without mobility
issues. I have taught dance at senior living residences, and have
found that some residents are happy to 'dance' while sitting and
listening to music. Dancing is about moving to music - there is no
rule stating that anyone has to be on their feet! This sit-and-dance
program works well for nursing home populations.
Storytelling
I tell Jewish stories, from the Old Country. I would be happy to discuss presenting a program of stories for you.
But
I realize that it's not enough to say that. I should have here a
list of programs I can present, with sound clips you can listen
too. I'll do that! (Having a website is a constant
project.) In the meantime, send me a message, and I'll be happy
to discuss my storytelling with you.