Koncocoo

Best Modern Dance

Dancing with Cats: From the Creators of the International Best Seller Why Cats Paint
Perpetually ahead of its time, Dancing with Cats presents scores of delightful and inspiring photographs of people and cats engaging in their favorite dance routines as well as moving testimonies of the personal transformations brought about through this uniquely joyous form of human-animal connection. And suffice it to say that in Burton Silver and Heather Busch's hands, Kipling's cat that walked by himself has turned into a deeply codependent dervish. In one photo, the recumbent gray and peach cat raises his left paw to the sky as his ecstatic human does the same. It's difficult to say which is funnier, the photos or the text, as Silver catches pseudo-therapy's mixture of self-affirmation and non sequitur: "Dancing with Zoot helps Sue reenact and come to terms with the joy and sorrow of a brief but painful relationship: when she fell in love with her daughter's father while he was photographing bridges in the neighborhood." While researching their last tongue-in-cheek tome, Why Cats Paint, Burton Silver and Heather Busch came across pet owners with a curious predilection: two-stepping with their tabbies. by Michael Neill People who hate cats—ailurophobes is the ten-dollar word—dismiss our purring friends as cold-blooded, self-centered manipulators with no redeeming social value beyond their all-too-occasional oppression of small rodents. As Silver and Busch know—and cleverly showed in Why Cats Paint, their previous book—kitties are actually multitalented Renaissance critters capable of, heck, just about anything.
Reviews
"My cat was never a dancer."
"5 starts simply because it is ridiculously absurd."
"As a book, "Dancing With Cats" is very professional, with strong writing, an excellent selection of testimonials and great photographs."
"Best white elephant gift ever."
"Bizarre bizarre book."
"Had this book some time ago."
"GREAT coffee table book."
"This was recommended by Amazon because I bought Why Cats Paint."
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My Life (Revised and Updated)
From her early enchantment with classical music and poetry to her great successes abroad, to her sensational love affairs and headline-grabbing personal tragedies, Duncan’s story is a dramatic one. “Fascinating, even sensational reading.”. - New York Times “Isadora was a wild voluptuary, a true revolutionary. “For dance aficionados, Isadora Duncan's memoir My Life , with an introduction by Joan Acocella, completes the portrait of one of the twentieth century's most unforgettably Dionysian figures by restoring the bits originally deemed too spicy for print.”. - Megan O’Grady, Vogue.com.
Reviews
"Great reading and especially for writer's, dancers, creative artists, and anyone who can appreciate an original thinker."
"Great book about a great lady."
"I love Isadora's work, she was a true genius, but it's really sad to read about her life like that."
"Isadora Duncan is easily one THE iconic figure sof the 20th century."
"It's always rewarding to read about the story of a free woman...the book is NOT a masterpiece but it's ok."
"A fantastic woman and artist."
"Loved the autobiography, was disappointed it stopped just as she was about to open the school in Moscow though."
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The Intimate Act Of Choreography
A comprehensive book that covers all aspects of choreography from the most fundamental techniques to highly sophisticated artistic concerns. It is not merely what is presented, but the delightful way the authors stimulate the imagination along the way that sets this book apart from others of its kind.” --Dance Teacher Now.
Reviews
"If you're a dance student and you're going to read only one book about dance this year, make it this one (even if you don't think of yourself as a choreographer!)."
"Used for a college student class."
"I just broke into this book, and I'm not disappointed, what other people have commented on is accurate."
"Although there may be some topics that may seem basic, I still learn more in depth about it."
"I feel like the authors really get this, and have written this book from the bottom of their hearts..you can feel the passion within the pages!"
"This is a great book if you are ready to do the work involved."
"Ordered for my Choreography Class and I love it."
"This is a book that every dancer must have in their library."
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Best Dance Notation

The Creative Formula: Compose, Choreograph, and Capture Your Masterpiece
Holly Shaw, who has mentored hundreds of artists, from composers, to choreographers and directors, shares the fruits of her creative research and examples from her 30 plus years in film, television, and theatre to help you streamline your process and clarify your work so it pops with "you-ness"! Holly Shaw is a leading expert in creativity and performance owing to her thirty year career performing on TV, in film, and on stages all over the world, combined with her experience as a hypno and somatic therapist, creativity researcher and coach.
Reviews
"As a success coach, I know the true gem of The Creative Formula to be the mindset shifts that will occur from using this book for your creative work."
"Holly's story is inspiring and the book an enjoyable guide to connecting with your creative mind, handling the inner critic and removing obstacles to getting your creative self in action."
"I found myself smiling, nodding my head in agreement and thinking about where I could apply Holly's insights in my setting. Her setting is dance, art, and theater, however, in my experience her instruction transcends these areas into all aspects of our lives."
"I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Creative Formula."
"As a gold-level competitive International Latin dancer I found this book to be the perfect solution to improving the quality of me "owning the dance floor" when I compete."
"I worked with her directly through this process in weekly coaching sessions, leading toward a culminating performance."
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Best Folk Dance

Grandmother's Secrets: The Ancient Rituals and Healing Power of Belly Dancing
Al-Rawi has written a strikingly graceful and original book that blends personal memoir with the history and theory of the dance known in the West as "belly dancing." Al-Rawi conveys in this book not only the history and technique of grieving and mourning dances, pregnancy and birth dances, but the spirit of these age-old rituals, and their possibilities for healing and empowering women today. An interesting glimpse into a culture, an art form, and a means for women's healing and self-expression; suitable for most circulating collections, especially those whose readers are interested in Arab culture, dance, and women's studies.ACarolyn M. Mulac, Chicago P.L.
Reviews
"Reading this Book helped me to make the decision that Belly Dancing is NOT right for me ....I had no idea that Belly Dancing was associated with so many Gods and Rituals !!!!"
"I just love this book."
"As a grandmother myself, I love the passing on of the things we love."
"One of the most thoughtful, beautiful, and informative books on the ancient art of belly dance and the mysteries of being a woman."
"I enjoyed this book but felt that at times it ventured away from dancing and focused a but more on the culture and ritual history (as noted by the title)."
"I love this book."
"Fantastic book about dance AND culture."
"very pleased from the product."
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Best Tap Dance

Productivity: Become a Master in Getting Things Done (Managing, Time, Energy, Procrastination, Procrastinator, Management)
Here is the ultimate guide to boost your PRODUCTIVITY , so you can finally achieve everything you want in life! Get up and get ready to achieve everything you ever wanted to, and learn to get more done in less time! The Art of Realizing Your Goals in Life How to Use Your Time Wisely & Effectively Proven Lifestyle Habits of Productive People Unproductive Habits to AVOID How to Get More Done in Less Time How to Speed Yourself Up. Grab this amazing guide to productivity, and learn how to master the art of achieving anything and everything you want out of life in lesser time! DOWNLOAD PRODUCTIVITY: BECOME A MASTER IN GETTING THINGS DONE TODAY, AND LEARN THE ART OF GETTING MORE DONE IN A SINGLE DAY! I'm 100% convinced that we as humans can not only overcome adversities, but also grow exponentially just by having the right tools and triggering our true potential.
Reviews
"If you don't produce in this life then when will you?"
"This book covers several reasons why some people do not achieve what they want in life, and what to do about it."
"Incredible reading for everyone that is committed to mastery in getting things done in their lives and beat procrastination."
"This book provides very good tips on how to become significantly more productive and effective."
"If you are looking to improve your productivity , Check this book out."
"The book is straight to the point."
"I am trying to be more productive with my busy schedule, and the tips such as breaking down work into smaller tasks is paying off."
"A well written, excellent book that examines the multi-dimensional aspects of productivity."
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Best Popular Dance

How Ugly Awkward Dancing Changes Everything: Live Life with Freedom. Screw How it Looks.
•feel overworked and under-appreciated. •sacrifice who they really are so that they look good to the outside world. •hate their bodies. •stifle their emotions. •are in pain: physical or emotional. •are crazy busy but feel that they don’t accomplish anything important or worthwhile. •are terrified of losing control. As a recovering perfectionist and a devoted student of personal transformation, Christina has helped thousands of people get out of their heads (where the misery lives) and into their bodies (where there is only truth) using the most surprising tool: Ugly Awkward Dancing . When you read “How Ugly Awkward Dancing Changes Everything”, you will: •discover the best version of yourself. •find out how to make decisions you can trust every single time. •create a better relationship with your body by learning about body wisdom. •uncover new ways to deepen your spiritual growth. •learn how to lighten up and have more fun. •become more kind and gentle towards yourself. •learn how to manifest your desires in a whole new way. •understand how to be more creative. Follow the advice in this book and immediately shift from ‘running on empty’ to ‘overflowing with love’ . Plus, she can say that without a doubt, she truly loves and values herself thanks to her deep personal work.Although she earned degrees in Kinesiology and Education and taught for several years, Christina left the security of teaching to pursue her passion for freedom, creativity and mindful movement . As a recovering perfectionist and someone who used to think that life was serious business , Christina has learned to lighten up and have way more fun , thanks to the practice she created, called Ugly Awkward Dancing . In her spare time, she loves to create mixed media art, eat brownies and drink Yogi Tea.
Reviews
"I admit, the cover and title hooked me in, and I had no idea what to expect. A lot of examples in the book resonated with me. And finally, I really appreciate the part about locking up emotions unless they're "good emotions." I think they're all firmly placed as knots in my shoulders :-) Which leads to why this book was such a joy."
"Christina Marlett's book, How Ugly Awkward Dancing Changes Everything is an important book for women (and men) to read. Ms. Marlett brilliantly explains the school sitting phenomenon, and it's exactly why as a middle school literacy teacher I had my kids up and moving, and even dancing more often than sitting. And the best part, every single middle school kid was eventually off the wall and on the dance floor moving and dancing their own way with me. I hope middle and high school teachers and administrators read this book and start incorporating dance and movement back into the school day (and I don't mean more gym and recess)."
"Finally, a book to help people let go of trying to be perfect."
"I had NO IDEA how powerful it could be.. until I did a purposeful dance to release tension in my own body. I love the candidness she details in coming to the conclusion that her Dancing Ugly and Awkward is healthy and freedom validating."
"What an enjoyable and informative book."
"This is an incredibly inspiring read about being and becoming authentically who you are."
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Best Jazz Dance

Seven Guitars
August Wilson's Seven Guitars is the sixth chapter in his continuing theatrical saga that explores the hope, heartbreak, and heritage of the African-American experience in the twentieth century. The story follows a small group of friends who gather following the untimely death of Floyd "Schoolboy" Barton, a local blues guitarist on the edge of stardom. "The seven guitars of the title are the seven characters whose straightforward story lines Wilson turns into beautiful, complex music—a funky wailing, irresistible Chicago blues." "A gritty, lyrical polyphony of voices that evokes the character and destiny of men and women who can't help singing the blues even when they're just talking. Bristles with symbolism, with rituals of word and action that explode into anguished eloquence and finally into violence." August Wilson is the most influential and successful African American playwright writing today. He is the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Fences, The Piano Lesson, King Hedley II, Ma Rainy's Black Bottom, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Seven Guitars, Two Trains Running, Jitney and Radio Golf. ; as well as adaptations of Corneille's The Illusion, Ansky's The Dybbuk, Brecht's The Good Person of Szecguan and Goethe's Stella. His collaboration with Maurice Sendak on an American version of the children's opera, Brundibar, appeared in book form Fall 2003.
Reviews
"Each of August Wilson's plays is rich, memerable, and wholly poetic in its scope of the African American experience."
"I am two plays short of owning the entire cycle."
"Got this for kindle."
"i don't read much much as i cant find a book to interest me enough , but this was an amazing play ."
"I was especially rewarded by seeing a superb professional production of this play the other night!"
"A masterpiece: despite its specific location in time and black community, it strikes timeless and universal chords in us."
"Yet, while reading August Wilson's play, Seven Guitars, you want what Louise said to be just talk as Wilson uses other male characters in the sets explore the disenfranchisement many black men felt during the period in which the story occurs."
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Best Ballroom Dance

Taking the Lead: Lessons from a Life in Motion
Derek Hough, the dashing Emmy Award-winning fan favorite, and only five-time champion of the hit ABC reality show Dancing With the Stars , tells the inspiring story of his life and career, and shares insider tips of how he transforms his celebrity dance partners into confident, charismatic champions. Whether he's dancing with an Olympic gold medalist, an internationally renowned recording star, or a celebrated actress, Derek has an undeniable talent for bringing out the best in his partners. Emmy Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Derek Hough is the only five-time champion in the franchise history of the ABC show Dancing with the Stars .
Reviews
"I enjoyed his references to his metaphysical approach to life and his mom's great adages."
"This book contains passages where I held my hands to my mouth in horror, not realizing how much Derek went through to reach where he is; in my opinion, it makes even more sense that he is such a fantastic person because of all those lows in his life that motivated him to be a better person."
"I have told her it should be illegal for a family to be so good looking and talented, so it was cool to read him describe himself as a scrawny kid with acne."
"DWTS fans who have enjoyed watching Derek Hough mature as a choreographer and dance instructor will love learning more about his background and escapades with Mark Ballas."
"His storytelling is engaging from childhood bullying to his life with the Ballus’s."
"He encourages all of us to set goals, reach for the stars and never stop dancing!!"
"He is very fortunate that his parents were about to afford to send him to live in England and live with Shirley Ballas."
"With insights from significant players in his life, including past partners it was a good read."
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Best Dance Reference

The Ballet Companion: A Dancer's Guide to the Technique, Traditions, and Joys of Ballet
With 150 stunning photographs of ballet stars Maria Riccetto and Benjamin Millepied demonstrating perfect execution of positions and steps, this elegant volume brims with everything today's dance student needs, including: Practical advice for getting started, such as selecting a school, making the most of class, and studio etiquette Explanations of ballet fundamentals and major training systems An illustrated guide through ballet class -- warm-up, barre, and center floor Guidelines for safe, healthy dancing through a sensible diet, injury prevention, and cross-training with yoga and Pilates Descriptions of must-see ballets and glossaries of dance, music, and theater terms. Gaynor Minden, a former dancer who now heads a dancewear company, has been immersed in the world of ballet for much of her life, and in this book shares dancer-to-dancer advice, much of which is aimed at beginning-to-intermediate level dancers, or adults who are either starting or returning to a childhood passion; dancers who have been committed to the art for a couple of years will already know on the finer points of finding a school, how to behave in class and the basic positions and movements, though the crisp photographs of professionals demonstrating steps are quite useful.
Reviews
"The dancers' testimonials on the back of the book (a pretty impressive list, by the way) are something I agree 100% on."
"I've just taken up ballet as an adult student and have found this book to be a fantastic companion for my journey into the ballet world for the first time."
"I bought this book for my 10 year old granddaughter, who started dancing at age 3, but only recently began taking classes at a more serious ballet school."
"I am very impressed with the content and quality of this book."
"I purchased this book as a new dancer, looking to have tips and pointers that many of the students had learned after years of practice and, mainly, just a glossary of the ballet terms and their meaning."
"Loving it so far!"
"I recently started ballet for adults classes and the ballet companion gave me valuable insights about technique, history and ettiquete."
"Some of these omitted pictures are not missed but some are important to see positions and movements and they are referred to in the text."
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Best Classical Dance

Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina
With an insider’s passion, Misty opens a window into the life of an artist who lives life center stage, from behind the scenes at her first classes to her triumphant roles in some of the world’s most iconic ballets. An unexpected page-turner...Her story is an inspiration to anyone—man or woman, black or white—who has ever chased a dream against the odds, and the grace with which she triumphs is an example for us all. (Booklist (starred review)). Engaging... [Copeland is] a poised, intelligent writer whose temperament—disciplined, determined, driven—gives the book a special spark… In LIFE IN MOTION, she looks back on the past without bitterness or anger, only gratitude. Hers is an out-of-the-ordinary story about defying stereotypes, and she shares it in an inspiring narrative that’s enlivened by her own grace and generous spirit. Instead of rags to riches, Copeland goes from baggy shorts to leotards as she navigates the whitewashed world of ballet. An unexpected page-turner...Her story is an inspiration to anyone—man or woman, black or white—who has ever chased a dream against the odds, and the grace with which she triumphs is an example for us all. Engaging... [Copeland is] a poised, intelligent writer whose temperament—disciplined, determined, driven—gives the book a special spark… In LIFE IN MOTION, she looks back on the past without bitterness or anger, only gratitude. Hers is an out-of-the-ordinary story about defying stereotypes, and she shares it in an inspiring narrative that’s enlivened by her own grace and generous spirit. Misty Copeland, a ballerina of extraordinary talent and charisma, offers an autobiography as mesmeric as her dancing. She overcame adversity in the studio, in her home life, and in ballet's own traditionalism to become one of its brightest stars — her passion and perseverance will inspire dancers and non-dancers alike. [Misty Copeland's] book is a breezy read for such deep subject matter, but her beautiful and prevailing spirit shines through on every page. Instead of rags to riches, Copeland goes from baggy shorts to leotards as she navigates the whitewashed world of ballet. Reading her memoir...it becomes even more apparent how this 31-year-old woman has parlayed her natural talent along with an uber intense discipline, passion and focus, into a stellar career. She is the Jackie Robinson of the ballet world, and a true role model for an entire generation of new ballerinas. Written naturally, modestly, and conversationally...[readers will] feel her triumphs and tragedies, wincing whenever she falls and cheering her on every time she gets back up….Brava, Misty. Told in graceful prose...[Copeland's] achievements will encourage all those attempting to beat the odds in competitive fields. But when a teacher encouraged 13-year-old Misty to take ballet at the Boys and Girls Club of Los Angeles, she discovered a hidden talent. Her natural flexibility and grace had her on pointe within two months, something other ballerinas work years to achieve. She speaks with candor about having to lose her luscious curves and cover herself with white makeup to look more acceptable on stage, but she never places blame on those who asked her to do so. Her story is an inspiration to anyone—man or woman, black or white—who has ever chased a dream against the odds, and the grace with which she triumphs is an example for us all.
Reviews
"I, like many other "brown girls and women" can relate to the complexities of what it means to be an impoverished African American child trying to reach your goals. I think many of the themes found in this book is universal "working hard to accomplish your goals," "finding your voice," "the art of perseverance," "tools in relinquishing fears," "forgiveness." Misty repeats often that her goal going forward is to reintroduce the world to the art of ballet."
"Her story of starting late in ballet, attracting people who believed in her enough to house, clothe, feed, and give her free ballet lessons so she could move out of the motel she shared with her mother and 4 siblings (where they slept on the floor) is an amazing lesson of fortitude, talent, work, determination and rising above all obstacles put in her path."
"Reading Misty's story makes you feel like you're not alone, and that no matter how many times you get knocked down, you must stand up, brush the dirt off yourself, and keep moving forward."
"A wonderful story of the life, struggles, and great accomplishments of Misty Copeland."
"The fact that she told her story unapologetically was a large part of the book's charm and I am unsure that she could continue to thrive in dance (or the public eye) if she couldn't speak with such a confident and proud tone."
"It made me imagine this life was given to her as a gift because of a previous incarnation that denied her the chance to dance."
"I read this book because my godchild developed an interest in Misty after we watched her documentary on Netflix."
"I think with a more accomplished biographer, though, she could drill down more into the complex emotions surrounding the pull of her mother and her own ambition."
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Best Ballet

A Queer History of the Ballet
the perverse sororities of the Romantic ballet the fairy in folklore, literature, and ballet Tchaikovsky and the making of Swan Lake Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes and the emergence of queer modernity the formation of ballet in America the queer uses of the prima ballerina Genet’s writings for and about ballet. 'An interesting and thought provoking read for anyone interested in an alternative version of ballet history.'.
Reviews
"The book negotiates a range of issues which might allow queerness to be read specifically in the light of ballet, and vice-versa, including ideas about vision, the body, performance, biography, and community."
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