Live music, getting drunk in fields, mud diving, interesting characters, over flowing portaloos, oh yes festival season is in full swing and for most it’s the highlight of their whole year. There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere at a festival, when the sun sets, the band you’ve waited to see starts up and the crowd roars. For a few short days you can forget it all and become engulfed by this magical festival feeling before getting back to reality.

Festivals are now more popular then ever with new smaller sites setting up in local places, and with the new festivals come new festival goers. Daunted by the whole camping, not showering, drunken lifestyle – panicked people turn to the internet for guidance on what to expect and what to bring.

With this year’s most sort after festival steadily approaching (that’s Reading Festival just incase you didn’t know), I thought I’d share my festival hints and tips with any first time festival goers. Preparing for an occasion like this is like a military operation, come prepared and you’ll have an amazing time, come unprepared and the whole thing will fall apart. With these few tricks and some essential packing I believe that you’ll have a weekend to remember.

Purchase a trolly – trust me you will end with massive red welts on your hands from carrying things. Usually the car park/bus depo is quite walk away from the campsite and if you are just relying on your hands to get your belongings from A to B then you should think again. If you are clever you will also be bringing a travellers backpack – on which you can hang many an object from its straps and zips like a human bucking bronco. Carrying your belongings can really dampen the start of your festival and put you in a foul mood.

Wellies – rain or shine these are your best friends. Walking over uneven terrain in shoes or (god forbid) heels will cause serious damage. I find if you are wearing wellies 24/7 then you get the right amount of grip and stability in any condition.

Baby wipes – this will be your daily shower. Not the most luxurious wash you’ve ever had but it gets you clean nonetheless. Trust me you feel ten times better after using these.

Toilet roll – it’s actually amazing how many people don’t bring toilet roll, yes it is supplied in the portaloos, but it runs out so quickly. People go into survival mode and instantly snatch whole rolls of paper if they are left in the loo. It’s festival gold-dust.

A little point for the ladies – if you are going to use a sheepee/whiz then please do it in the toilet. I can understand it’s easier than hovering over a cess pit of a portaloo, but nobody wants to see you lined up with the rest of the male population against a fence – it makes you look weird.

Airbed – a bit of a luxury yes, but totally worth it. You can pick one up in Asda for a tenner. If you’ve ever slept on a roll mat or ground sheet then you’ll know what I’m talking about, it’s hard, cold and will give you aching joints. You want to be at your festival best and not yawning – so invest because it’s well worth it. For the ultimate nights sleep get some earplugs as well.

A good sleeping bag – bringing a duvet is just a big no-no. It gets wet, they are hard to carry and to be honest you look like you’ve never been to a festival in your life. You can pick up festival sleeping bags from Millets which are specially designed for festival season, I brought one this year and they are spot on. For those who feel the cold I recommend bringing a jumper to wear to bed just incase.

A good tent – the best way to ruin your festival experience is to buy a poor tent. Two skin tents are a must, single skin tents will let in water and if you touch the sides when you stand prepare to get soaked. If you can afford a tent with a porch then buy one – it provides a nice shelter for your party when it pours. If you have a flag of some sort then attach it to the top of you tent so you can locate it within the hundreds.

A picnic blanket or ground sheet. There is nothing better than getting your friends to form a circle of tents around a central party point in which you can lay a ground sheet/blanket. A small patch in which you can all sit together is also a festival must, it forms the pre-party before you head off to enjoy the entertainment and a breakfast spot to laugh about the previous nights activities. Some people like to pop a gazebo up in this space – this is a brilliant idea however some campsites don’t allow them. Be warned, if you are leaving a gathering space then make it small enough so someone can’t put a tent up in it – lengthen guy ropes into the area.

Torch – walking, going to the loo, rummaging in the tent, sitting in a gathering spot outside the tent. A torch is a festival essential.

Basic clothes. It’s not a fashion parade, although you can still look good. If you pack your best clothes prepare to say good-bye to them. You will get laughed out of the festival if you are dressed up to the nines, it’s just common sense to be comfortable in that environment. Besides you will stick out like a sore thumb and possibly be mocked. Fancy dress is always fun, so if you want to dress up then let it be costume.

Bin bags – a clean camp is a happy camp so just bring some bags to pop your rubbish in (recycling and black sacks if possible!). They also double up as seats protecting your derriere from the damp ground, keep your clothes nice and dry, and in the case of wet wellies – stick your foot in a bin bag before popping it in the wellie.

Hat and Rain Mack – your hair will get greasy (unless you have dry shampoo) so a hat helps to hide the embarrassment. Unless you want to get seriously ill then I suggest getting a rain mack. I’ve been caught in a down pour with no rain mack and stayed soaked for many hours. Rain macks and festivals go hand in hand.

For those who can’t live without their phones – get a portable charger. There are usually charging tents at festivals but they are damn expensive and who wants to waste time in a tent charging their phone!

It goes without saying really but never leave anything in your tent that you don’t mind losing. There will always be those sorts of people who steal things from tents, they will be in and out before you know it. Bumbag, handbag, backpack, pockets – keep your valuables on you.

Food and drink – festival food is notoriously expensive so bring your own. I know everyone will turn their noses up but pot noodles are excellent festival food – quick easy and warm. You don’t even need a camping cooker – bring a flask, walk to the nearest tea/coffee stall and sweet talk them into giving you some hot water. Festival drinks are also expensive so take your own water and alcohol.

Last but no means least – music. It would seem odd to many that if you are going to a music festival that you would need to bring music of your own. But, after the main acts have finshed and you’re not quite ready for bed – the music comes in handy and provides a great end to a fantastic night.

So there you have it, all the hints and tips for a perfect summer festival. Enjoy.

Watch the video related to Festival

The amazingly realistic female android, named Actroid DER 2, was demonstrated at the AKIBA Robot Festival here in the Akihabara district of Tokyo. For more information visit Robots Dreams at www.robots-dreams.com.

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About Author

Patrick is an expert Research and Travel consultant. His current interests are in Edinburgh Airport Parking, Edinburgh Airport Hotels.

There’s usually a lot you can learn from a really good dance teacher. You can learn by copying their technique, you can learn a lot about how to make a dance style look good, you can learn about a certain style of movement.

In fact if your dance teacher is any good at all, you’ll learn a lot of things from them, much more than just choreography. However in some instances the dance teacher may not explicitly teach you how to do the dance moves, they’ll just teach the choreography. And it will be up to you to watch them and copy them so you can do it like them.

Different dance teachers have different dance styles and if you can learn to dance like your different dance teachers you will learn a lot of different dance styles which of course makes you a better and more versatile dancer.

It can be very tempting to just learn dance routines, after all it does take concentration and routines are a lot of fun. But if you’re not spending enough time watching the teacher close enough and working out what they’re doing to make their moves look so good, you’re only getting half the benefit of the dance lesson.

When you’re not sure how the dance teacher is doing a certain dance move, ask! Nearly all dance teachers will be more than happy to answer and help you out. Sometimes they don’t explain certain moves as they may assume that the dance class already knows how to do them. This is especially true for dance classes above beginners level.

Look out for all the details of the dance choreography. Things such as levels (how high or low they are), shapes of the moves, if the move is an extension or meant to be small, speed of the different moves, technique being used, lines, where the accents are, if the moves are fluid or staccato, etc. There are so many different aspects to look out for and the more you are able to copy, the more you’ll look like the teacher.

It can also be beneficial to speak to the dance teacher at the end of the dance class and ask them directly what they think you should work on and what needs to be improved. Their answer will be the most important things that need to be worked on and the most important things that you’ll need to focus on to improve and get better.

Not all dance teachers correct the mistakes their students make so sometimes the only thing you can do is ask the teacher directly. If you have a dance teacher that likes to call out mistakes then it will probably be obvious to you what you need to work on.

Also if you’re able to record yourself and watch yourself back you’ll be able to come up with lots of things you can do to improve your dancing. Video gives you a much better and accurate representation of your dancing than even the mirrors in the dance studio. Sometimes it can be a major shock as you may think you’re doing something right, and only when you watch yourself back on video do you realise that it can be much better!

Featured Dance Shoe Sale Items

Currently, we are offering several clearance items at $9.99. We have many ballet shoes, tap shoes, jazz shoes, character shoes, ballroom shoes, gym shoes, and Lyrical Sandals. Toe shoe ribbons are as low as $1.50 and tap shoe ties are only $2.49. From leg warmers to tutus to tiaras to toe savers to double action taps and more, we have the dance shoe and accessories you need at the prices you want.
You can also find the perfect dance bags to tote your dance shoes and accessories items around in style. We know it’s important to look good before, during, and after the performance. It’s also important to look good going back and forth to practice. Plus we don’t want you scuffing your shoes before your big performance.

Compliment Your Dance Shoes with the Perfect Dancewear

As you search for the dance shoes you need, be sure to visit our complete line up of specialized dancewear items, such as leotards to cheerleading separates and more, Dance 4 Less offers a complete dancewear line for women, children, and men, all at discount prices. It’s your mission to dance or cheer and it’s our mission to provide you with the dance shoes, accessories and dancewear you need to do just that.

Whatever your style of dance is, we have the dance shoes to fit your needs, style, and size. Be sure to also check out our online photo gallery of our entire dance shoe line that allows you to see exactly what you will get. We take the worry out of ordering online.

If you are a school looking to place a bulk order, we will pick up the tab for the sales tax. You can just fax us the information and we’ll take care of the rest. We also offer refunds and exchanges on all purchases so there is never any risk to you.

Creative Dancing Camps

High schools, middle schools, youth teams, colleges, universities, and other school organizations organize dance camps for development of their student’s dance skills. Especially for dance and cheerleading teams dance camps are arranged before dance and cheerleading seasons and competitions. The motive of these dance camps is to equip their dancers and cheerleaders in creative dance choreography, technique training, team building activities and discussions.

Benefits of Creative Dance

The scope of creative dance is not limited to dancing and cheerleading only. There are multiple advantages of creative dance training. Creative dance training helps people in developing confidence, self-esteem, and time management. It also enhances decision-making skills and makes people more extrovert and confident in front of masses. Several health benefits are also associated with creative dance training as it closely involves almost every part of human’s body.

Role of Dance Instructors

Role of instructors in any kind of learning is very important. Whether you are learning dance as your personal hobby or to serve your professional ambitions as a dancer or cheerleader, your dance instructor plays a very active and important role. To perform according to the competitive requirements dancers and cheerleaders need formal dance training from expert dance instructors.

A professional dance instructor not only teaches you dance skills and techniques. They also make you ready for dance competitions by choreographing your routines. Under supervision of experienced dance instructors you can extract the real dancer hidden deep inside you.

Nowadays, visual training through real videos is a popular aspect of dance training. It gives you opportunity to learn choreography through videos. With the help of instructional dance videos you can rehearse and practice in the privacy of your home without any instructor and enhance your dance skills.

Some creative dance training agencies also organize dance camps for school and college going students as well as for common people. The purpose of these dance camps is to provide basic to advanced dance training to interested people.

Well, it does not mean that creative dance only prepares cheerleaders and professional dancers. People learn creative dancing for their self-development also. Such forms of dance are always associated with a group’s performances rather than solo performances.

Confidence

This is the first and one of the most important traits to look for in a dance partner.

As a female dancer, one must have confidence in herself to be led on the dance floor. Dancing is one of the few instances a lady requires the ability to guess which step the man is going to take before he actually takes it. It is the female’s duty to step with confidence and follow the partner with in each progressive step and in some cases like twists, turns, spins and lifts, be able to have enough faith to know that he would direct you properly and adequately and not let you down.

As a male dancer, confidence comes in the sense of being able to lead the lady on the dance floor, to convey to her (only with your body movement) what she needs to do. It is the male that decides what happens on the dance floor, where on the floor it happens and which figures and steps to dance, so having a confident male partner who has the capability to make on the spot dance decisions and maneuver the lady around other couples on the dance floor, is detrimental.

If you are a gentleman who had confidence to ask a lady to the dance floor for the first time, then you possess the prerequisite to be a great dancer!

Physical Attraction

Just as with regular couples, physical attraction is important with dance couples to build and maintain chemistry on the dance floor. Whether your a man or a woman, having an attractive partner will put some “fizz” in to your dancing. As a ballroom dancer, if there is no connection with your partner on the dance floor, you are as good as if you were to dance alone and the spectators would be the first to conclude that you are a “mismatch”.

Compatibility

Compatibility goes in par with the second tip and I am using the term in a much broader sense that includes (but not limited to) physical compatibility (height, weight, built), age and interests. It is much easier to dance with and relate to a partner who is of the same age and share common interests as you. Physical compatibility is important to couples who dance standard/smooth and Latin/rhythm styles to maintain form and posture, for easy leading/following and to look smooth on the dance floor. It is also important to make sure that the partner you choose has the same interest and goals for dancing as you in order to avoid any miscommunication and misinterpretation of intentions later on.

Comfortable to dance with

In a great dance performance, there is no holding back. When you dance, one must be able to express and feel free to “let go”, disconnect from the every day life and connect with a different realm. To achieve this, you need a partner whom you will be comfortable dancing in close proximity with and a partner who will make you want to shed away every bit of shyness and hesitation you may have.

You may not be able to address the issue of “comfort level” when dancing with a brand new partner initially, but with time, you may either be able to make a judgment on how “close” you can be without creating any awkward situations and moments or you will be able to get past whatever the discomfort you felt at the very beginning. Every thing new takes time getting used/adjusted to, so don’t give up without at least a try.

Patience

This is especially applicable to individuals whose prospective partners are above/below your standard and knowledge of dancing. One must ensure that the partner has enough patience to teach you and/or practice with you (without the fighting and the disagreements) until both of you are have caught up to the same level and have mastered the techniques of each step and variation. No one is perfect and no one can get it right every time, therefore having a supportive partner with steady perseverance and diligence can make your dancing experience that much more pleasant and enjoyable.

Dedication & Commitment

To some, dancing is second in nature to walking, while others find it quite challenging to listen to and feel the music and to dance in sync to a beat, let alone a beat and a partner at the same time. In my years of dancing with many different partners (from beginners who have never taken a dance step in their life to people who feel the music in their body and have the spring in their feet) I have come to realize that no matter what your level and knowledge of dancing is, just like with every new venture in life, a little bit of dedication and hard work will make you look like you have been dancing for years. Dancing is a very competitive and challenging sport and comes with a lot of practice, sweat, falls, bruises and aching feet. But if you can find a partner who is as dedicated as you are to becoming a good dancer, you will most definitely be able to see past the pain and enjoy every moment you are on the dance floor.

Creativity and Imagination

Just like any other form of art and expression, dancing requires a great deal of imagination and creativity. Performing a few basic routines and steps that you and your partner have learned in class is one thing, but choreography that keeps an audience and yourself (as the dancer) entertained and interested is a challenge. This is especially felt by beginners whose dancing is limited to a very few basic steps. In such instances, dancing can get quite boring and monotonous but if you had a creative partner who can build upon the basic steps and routines and come up with a new variation or two, I guarantee you will want to stay on the dance floor for the next dance.

Passion for Dancing

This, in my book of dancing is the most important aspect to look for in a dance partner. Some people dance for exercise/fitness purposes, to some it’s a place to make new friends from the opposite sex while to a very handful, dancing is a hobby and a passion. It does not matter what age, color and knowledge your prospective partner has, how attractive he/she is, what physical capabilities and compatibilities your partner possess to dance or how good they may be at keeping to rhythm, the utmost important trait to look for in a dance partner should be his/her passion for dancing. Because without the passion, there is no desire to express, to let go and to let your body, feet, arms and facial expressions tell a story.

Choose a partner who can bring out the best in you, someone who can constantly motivate you to be better than you are, someone who gives you confidence to take the next step. Don’t let your (bad) choice of a partner prevent or limit you from dancing to the best of your ability.