This is quite possibly the awesomest video I've seen on the internet in a long time. Check out this dancing walrus, who turns in a perfectly-timed routine to Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal."

This is the third in a series about tap amplification issues.  We've covered microphone selections in general, as well as mic selections for solo tapping in a jazz club.  Now we're going to get the insights of Ira Bernstein - an extraordinarily versatile percussive dancer and repository of a wealth of information on sound amplification for dance - regarding tapping in a concert dance environment.

In a continuation from my previous blog "Survival Guide for......" (http://blog.danceruniverse.com/blog/story/2008/3/4/194256/7780) I am going to talk about more ways to promote yourself.

The evolution of technology has opened the possibilities of advertising for dance studios, dancers and choreographers. Years ago everything was on VHS tapes. We had to find that dumb wire and hook two VCR's together to kinda patch together clips of work onto one tape. The process was dangerous because you never knew if you had hooked the VCR's correctly. There was always the possibility of erasing your master tape. Some people actually paid editing professionals to create their reels.Advanced programs for your computer make editing a reel onto DVD seem like a piece of cake. (MMMM  white chocolate raspberry cheesecake)

What's a reel? What should a reel contain? How much is too much?

Here at Bunheads, we know all about
tireless dedication, rigorous training and
unwavering passion for performance. Founded
by a former soloist with New York City Ballet and
staffed by dancers of all kinds, Bunheads is dedicated to creating innovative, quality accessories for the serious dancer.

The United Dance Merchants of America, an organization dedicated to dance manufacturers and retailers, has launched a new website just in time for National Dance Week (April 25-May 4).

Created by Northstar Marketing, the site boasts pages for UDMA event locations, membership information and registration, the annual dance resource and fashion show, and an alphabetical membership directory.

A password-protected members-only section will be updated shortly. In the meantime, check out the site at http://www.udma.org.    

The Power of Shine!  This is a charity that all your dancers at your studio can participate in.  Wear sequins for a cause.  Elizabeth Barry of Elizabeth Barry and Associates has teamed up with Sequins Direct, a division of the sequin manufacturer that we have worked with for over twenty five years-Sequins International, to promote this project.

If you have missed my April Newsletter at satinstitches.com, I feature this partnership.  The Power of Shine is helping to reach dancers from around the world. Two big charities that can help dancers such as yourself, are Dancers Responding to Aids or DRA, and Dancers Care Foundation or DCF, which helps to fight cancer.p>

In our shaky economy of today, let us not forget about our less fortunate friends in the dance world that can benefit from these two fine charity causes.

How can you help?  Check out sequinsdirect.com and click on The Power of Shine.

Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, an NYC-based company, has been sending me newsletters and performance notices since I first found found out about them a couple years back. In the last few installments, however, the company has stepped up its efforts with its innovative and interactive marketing techniques.

Teachers, studio owners, competition directors, and artist directors take note: Technological advances in dance not only catch the attention of the media, but also make dance a much more relatable medium. As dance makers struggle to find ways to reach out to wider audiences, they may find comfort in the new accessibility of the digital dance realm.