Columbia Community Arts Centre

Recently I have been attending dance productions all over the Midlands and I am witnessing a disturbing trend; where is the African American presence? I feel like I am in a time warp. 35 years ago I experienced this same situation and I never thought that it would be EXACTLY the same in 2011.

What is the cause of this conditon? Why is the field of dance only sprinkled with African Americans in Columbia South Carolina? Why are there only a handful a dancers even on an advanced level? If they are here, where are they? Not in the Nutcrackers and other holiday performances.

Why do we have to have special "theme" ballets in order to have a significant number of African American dancers hired? Even then they are not culled from the local dancers, but imported to fill the need temporarily.

Why should a mother have to insist that her child be treated and trained equally as her counterparts or that they be given equal opportunities to perform? Clearly, although we have an African American as president, the idea that we cannot dance classical ballet because of our body types, ethnic features, and other misconceptions, are still perpetuated in the community. Clearly, although we have companies like the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Philladelphia dance company and Alvin Ailey - we have no clue to the capabilities of African Americans.

Or, is it that the African Americans have not sought out the opportunities to study the Arts? We have so fervently established and joined the dance team at church, but we have neglected to follow the rules associated with dancing before God - STUDY TO SHOW YOURSELVES APPROVED. This has created a significant void in the abilities of youth today to perform at an experienced, trained level of excellence. Even in the worship setting, we are satisfied with the untrained dancers because we are just glad that our child is dancing for free. Well we should all know by now that free COST.

Free is costing us the knowledge of who we are and who we can develope into as artist. Free is costing us a future generation of culturally aware, professionally trained and expereinced dancers, singers, painters, and actors. Free is creating a society devoid of supporters who understand the impact that the Arts have on the individual. Free is costing us the ability to find and pursue our PASSIONS. Free is costing us our innate desire to express ourlselves through artistic endeavors that effect and affect our personal lives, our community and ultimately the WORLD.

So, what is the solution. Dare I say that we must put aside our current beliefs about what it does and doesn't take to be an artist? Whether you believe you can or they can't, what matters is who WILL...

Who will take the time to nuture an artist's spirit? Who will take the time to encourge the soul that wants to lose themselves in creativity. Who will dig deep an give FINANCIAL SUPPORT to students who don't have a means to pursue their dream.

I have a dream..... I dream that what I see onstages around the midlands truly reflects the growth that our capital stives to display no matter what the event or the performance. I dream to see me reflected on the stages and other venues so that I can beleive that I can achieve the higher heights. I dream that when the Nutcraker takes off the mask that he takes my breathe away because he is the ultimate cavalier- no matter what color he is. I dream that current state of the arts is all a dream. Barring that, I will be asking you what have you done lately to nurture and culitvate the dream of an artist.

Come on Clara - it's time to wake up!

Many believe that liturgical dance should only come from the moving of the Holy Spirit. While dancing for the Lord with untrained but natural talent, edifies the dancer and some people who have the gift of interpretation, the majority of the people will not understand unclear movements and will not be edified. The dancer who has received training and increased their knowledge of movement, dances with a clear message. (1Cor.14:1-2) A sacred dancer must be able to clearly deliver the word. “Zeal without knowledge is a sin.” (Pro. 19:2)

Dance is a means of communication. The greater your vocabulary the more specific the Lord can be when using you to deliver His word. The more you learn the more varied and descriptive your choreography will be. The freer you will be and feel to worship Him through movement. (2 Tim. 2:15)

 Elements of Dance

There are four elements that define movement: Body, Space, Force and Time.Each element has sub elements that that assist in the completion of movements and are essential in the movement of a dancer.

Basic Body elements include

            1. Body parts – outer parts, such as head, shoulders, ribcage, hips, back, arms, hands, legs and feet; and inner parts such as heart, lungs, muscles, bones and joints.

            2. Body moves such as – stretching and bending, twisting and circling, rising and falling. Suspending, collapsing, swinging, swaying and shaking, considered qualities of movement are also included.

            3. Steps – Because people have two feet, they can use them rhythmically and spatially to form eight basic steps. They are called locomotor steps because they are used to carry the body from one place to another. They are-jump, leap, glide, walk, run, hop, skip, gallop.

 Basic Space elements: Direction, size, focus, a place and a pathway

Basic Force Elements - Attack, sharp or smooth, Weight (heavy or light) Strength, tight or loose, and flow (free flowing, bound or in balance)

Basic Time elements -  Beat, accent, speed, duration

All of the elements above are used to increase and enhance your movement as a dancer, therefore giving a clearer message to the people.

The three elements of classical ballet also serve to extend and increase the movement of a dancer. They are:

1. Rotation of the hips (turn out)    2. Pointed  feet                                                                                       3.Round arms                                                                                               

Learning the basic ballet curriculum helps to insure proper stance, execution of steps and landing.

Dance Techniques - When I am asked which form of dance that I would recommend, I always suggest classical ballet first.

Classical ballet establishes correct body alignment, which allows a dancer to control body movements that they would otherwise have difficulty executing.

 Modern teaches the dancer how to release the technique that they have acquired in Ballet and create a distinct form of movement. Modern teaches the dancer to be more creative, daring and individual in their choreography. Ballet has a vast amount of steps to draw upon, but Modern has an unlimited vocabulary, because you create as you dance.

 Jazz, Tap, African Dance and all other forms of dance can only aid in your dance vocabulary, therefore allowing you to utilize the unlimited resources within your acquired knowledge of steps, thus giving skillful execution in your praise and worship to God through dance.

Consequently, the training of your instrument - the body, is vital. Your spiritual understanding and submission, combined with correct training, prepares the sacred dancer to serve the Lord through dance and be blessed with His anointing!  

Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait on it; it will surely come, it will not delay. Habakkuk. 2:2

Choreography is the art of arranging dances to convey a thought, ideas, belief, feeling or to tell a story.  The word is derived from the Greek word “Choros” meaning a circle of dancers. Many question the use of choreographed movements in the worship of God, but clearly the Bible tells us that the Musicians {and dancers} were skilled. David was a skilled musician and only used those musicians and dancers that were skilled. (1Samuel).  The Word particularly says to, “Study to show yourself approved, in order that you will not be ashamed when you deliver the Word. (2Tim. 2:15) I realize that we are not all called to choreograph, but make sure that you are creating dances that are for you! We should not copy another ministries dances, that's stealing! What God has for you is for you. If the choreography seems to “tarry” wait, go to something else, pray, listen to the music more, pray again! Choreography must also consider the garments, music, space you will be using, patterns and instruments you will use in order to convey the Word simply and clearly.

Collecting ideas for Choreography

Where do I get the ideas for dance ministry choreography? Many great ideas come out of the exercises above, but we must remember to pray first. As you study and your choreographic language increases, you will become more varied in your dance choreography because God has a larger vocabulary to work with through you! You can also:

            1. Look at nature

            2. Take a dance class

            3. Watch children play

            4. Watch your pastor preach

            5. Do one of your dances backwards

            6. Turn on the music and just move! ( Prophetic/Improvisation)

            7. Go to an art museum

            8. Watch nature

The list goes on and on. Remember that we are his eyes to see, ears to hear, hands to praise, torso and feet to war. If you will surrender your creativity to the Lord, he will impart in you dances from heaven.

In my book "Order my Steps" I go into detail about organizing and establishing a Dance Ministry. As I call it - the meat and potatoes of it all. But, what I am addressing in this blog is another issue - Many jump into dance ministry with both eyes SHUT. Not realizing the magnitude of this responsibility, nor taking the time to study (seek earnestly and deligently) to show themselves approved. Many aren't called by God, to lead dance ministries (but probably by their Pastor) and fewer are chosen. But, if that is the case, it's OK! Just make sure that your heart is in the right place of servant leader. If you A. S. K. you will get the answer!

1. first position is At the CROSS! Ask God what He wants you to do with His ministry. Find out His agenda. Inquire of our Heavenly Daddy, who will be a part of the ministry. Your relationship with Him will give you the yea and nea of it all. What is your relationship with the Father? Seek ye first the kingdom of God. Are you saved? Funny question, but if you don't know who He is - His character, His being, what He has done for you - how then can you deliver His word? How can you spread the GOOD NEWS, when you don't know the GOOD NEWS? His sheep hear His voice! What are you hearing when you listen?

2. second position is seeking knowledge! In all things seek wisdom and understanding. You wouldn't want a surgeon operating on you without them having trained extensively. How much more do we want to honor God with our gifts. I realize that most do not have the revelation of technique, but we should desire to present ourselves holy, without blemish before the lord, striving from glory to glory! Why give God the pieces that we can pull together at the last minute, when we could simply invest in a course of study (simply put, take a dance class) that would allow us to build our dance vocabulary? So that we can dance the dances from heaven. Many come to me and say - I can see it in my head, I just don't know how to do those steps! It's called training! Ask yourself why you are resistant to training? What is the problem? I have never understood why so many resist dance classes and workshops like the plague.... They are there to increase your technical knowledge so that when God calls you to execute a tour jete', grand jete' or simply plie', you will have the knowledge to do what he says and someone will be blessed.

third position is knocking at the door of submission! We must humble ourselves, not fake modesty, but true sub- (under) mission (one goal) to the Lord. Our humaness wants our ministry to do this and that, but you need to answer these questions;                      

1. What is my Pastor's belief, vision and goals for the dance ministry? This is important for you to understand, so that you will not be working against your leadership.

2. What is the vision of the Church? This will keep you in prayer. If your church is currently in praise mode, you won't  hear a song on the radio and use it, not even considering what your church needs- contradicting what the need is of the church and the community you serve.

3. How do I lead and still have a heart for hearing God's word, even in "MY" ministry.

Well, Ask, Seek and Knock will keep you on your knees if you apply it to leading this wonderful ministry, that hopefully you have been CALLED to lead!

Yea, that's a good place to start a dance ministry.

Hello My  beloved!

 I am so excited to enter the world of blogging! I hardly know where to begin there is so much that I want to share with and say to you, my friends.

First, I want to Thank all of you who have supported Ly-Ben for 21 years! In this time of reflection (not recession) I receive encouraging words on a daily basis! I will continue to PRESS because I know that this is what GOD has ordained for my life. To provide quality dance education and training in this ministry of dance. I will continue to LOVE you all and spread the Gospel of my Lord and Savior, my daddy, JESUS, though the giftings that he has given me. Sometimes I wonder, as I am sure you all do, why I have to go through the tough times, but Father God says," Lean not to your own understanding, but in all things acknowledge him and He will direct your paths!" (Proverbs 3:5) So, I am leaming on the evelasting arms of my heavenly DADDY. 

So, in being obedient to Him, the Columbia Community Arts Centre is being birthed as we speak! Go to the CCAC page and check out what we will be offering to the community! Finally the Arts will be available to all who have a desire to learn. I feel blessed that slowly, but definately in the Lords time, that this vision is coming to fruition! (with the help of a few seed planters in my life, you know who you are!)

While you are on the website, check out a few things;

1. "Order my Steps" my handbook for dance ministry ." It will give you the meat and potatoes of starting and running a dance ministry, plus so much more!

2. Upcoming Events will keep you informed. If you have events that you want me to post send them to my email address, lyben1@bellsouth.net

3. Dance Resources will also help you to navigate through the world of dance ministry.

Remember to check out the "Completely Comsumed" Dance ministry workshop, the fundraiser- Miss SC Jewel Pageant and a few pictures of our current students on the photo's page.

Well, thanks for stopping by! I look forward to talking with you soon and pray the PEACE that surpasses ALL understanding encompasses your life!

For the ONE who is faithfull will do this!

Min. Gail