curves.

'Tis a witching week my friends. Come dance with me! 

Tuesday - Dangerous Curves at Vancouver Burlesque Centre (7PM) 

Wednesday - Jazz Tech (5:30PM) and Jazz Choreography (6:30PM) at iDance Vancouver 

Thursday - Sass Class (North Vancouver) at Perform Arts Dance Studio (8:15PM) 

For more information or to find out about other classes + shows, take a peek at my website. 

lalaland.

Hello from the other side!

Since April 1, I've been out of town and travelling for work, dance and pleasure approximately 28 days. Holy smokes.

It hit me the other day that last year I was writing out goals as part of new year's circle and I found myself continually writing down and vocalizing that I wanted to teach, dance and travel more.

Well, here we are. I got home from Los Angeles this past Monday and went straight into work all week. This included teaching and choreographing my feet off, as well as assisting to produce both my Army of Sass and The Lovers Cabaret shows this June and July.

This coming Tuesday, I'm packing my bags again and heading home(ish) to Kelowna to teach at my old high school, a couple masterclasses and connect with my friends out there.

Hard work pays off. Finally, so many things are coming together. They aren't perfect, by any means. I'm learning to deal with things on a totally different level as a producer and leader, not just a dancer.

I feel strong in my decisions. I feel valid. This work is good and I'm stoked to be doing it.

Also...Los Angeles rocked my world.

I'm still processing a lot of what I learned, saw and attempted. But to say the least, Galen Hooks gave me that extra push to conquer some major habits and break them. (See more about that on my Instagram).

This entire year has been a big one for me. I've learned how much I can rely on myself and my skill set to make anything happen.

I know it sounds cheesy, but it's true.

Have a wonderful weekend. A glass of rose wine is calling my name!

amy.

Yesterday afternoon was fairly ordinary. I'd finished work and soaking in the sun, ready for the weekend.

My friend called me and asked if I wanted to head to see a matinee movie. Without second thought, I suggested seeing "Amy", the documentary about Amy Winehouse.

I've always been a big fan of her music, and if it's possible, I'm even more engulfed by Winehouse's sound, lyrics and story after the film. I loved the documentary truly focused on her artistry and wasn't afraid to go into the dark side of her life.

From working on documentaries and other news stories, it's always an interesting moment when you get into those interviews with profound characters in your story. More often than not, you'll have fairly average experience chatting with them.

But every once in awhile, you'll find a nugget that changes the entire direction of what you thought you were making.

Something else interesting that came up for me...Amy's look.

I remember my mother purchasing her first album, "Frank" and also "Back to Black" - we used to listen to them both on our drives to school, dance class, etc. My father also got Rolling Stone magazine, and I remember those couple of covers Amy graced.

As I look back at the timeline of my personal style, and why I'm drawn to a retro look, I think it started with her. I can see in photos that I started playing with flowers in my hair, experimenting with cat eyes, pin-up clothing and what not. I abandoned it for a couple years when I went to university, but now and back with full vengeance.

I used to think Bettie Page was my biggest influence, but I'm realizing this runs much deeper. The things were are drawn to early in life are certainly a calling - I always loved old jazz music and a vintage look/vibe. I think Amy really modernized and brought that to the forefront for my generation.

I'll likely never have enough hair for a beehive like hers, but you never know.

Just a thought. Have a good weekend.

lee.

Spending this Sunday with some genuine time with Lee Fields. 

Have a great rest of the weekend friends. 

throwback.

It's never too late for a Throwback Thursday memory.

The hashtag #throwbackthursday (or #tbt) has emerged as a huge trend on social media, especially through the photo-sharing network, Instagram.

As a journalist, my natural tendency is to observe from both a distance and in the thick of it all. Like most trends, I thought Throwback Thursday would phase itself out over a few weeks. However, I think time is proving that it will be here to stay for awhile.

Slowly but surely, I have started to post my own photosr aging from a couple months to a couple years prior. As like-minded friends and I have shared funny, old and classic photos of each other, Throwback Thursday has become something I look forward to.

A few weeks ago, I had a major reality check/throwback. When I first moved to Toronto, I was still trying to get my feet on the ground and figure out where I wanted to work, dance, study, eat, et cetera. In the dance department, I tried out more studios and classes than I could shake a stick at.

I remember being in an open jazz class in 2009, watching an absolutely stunning dancer with beautiful technical training perform a combination across the floor. I had this moment (and I kick myself now for thinking this) where I said to myself, "Portia, you'll just never be that good. Let this dream go."

Over the next few years, I dabbled in the dance community, but put all my energy into school. When the dance bug bit me during my fourth year of university, I started taking more classes, choreographing and performing. Slowly, I found my self confidence and technique rising even more than I thought possible.

Now that I'm teaching, dancing and choreographing professionally, I try to take a moment and see how far I've come.

However, sometimes you can't choose those moments, I think they find their way to you. Mine happened in March while I was on stage performing in a sold out show. As I came up to my partner, she put her arm around me, looked me in the eye, and we continued along with the choreography. Front and centre in the piece, I realized my partner was that girl I had compared myself to in the studio only a few years before.

Of course I knew it was the same dancer long before this, but that was my "aha" moment, realizing how much has changed on my end.

I'm an avid believer in the throwback - they show us just how far we've come, and I can't imagine how much further we can go.

I can't wait to post a photo from that performance in a future Throwback Thursday.

Just a thought.

manhattan.

"Chapter one, he adored New York City..."

The first few notes are some of the most iconic sounds we will ever know as humans. On this cold, rainy evening, this piece of music captures everything about the weather, the city, the news all in mere moments.

Tied in the opening sequence of Woody Allen's infamous film, Manhattan, (one of my favourite movies) the rain doesn't look so bad after all.

"Rhapsody in Blue" by George Greshwin. Enjoy.

playlist33.

As we change seasons, not only are our clothing and food choices transitioning, but so are our ears. For me, some of those light, acoustic songs of the summer only have a few places in the autumn soundtrack.

This month, I'm turning to some music with more meat to it - jazz, electronic and more indie rock.

Never fear, I've thrown some covers and unreleased tracks I've found from some favourite artists to keep things lighthearted and the sounds interesting. Especially, Lee Fields and the Expressionists.

Last week a few friends and I went to see him live here in Toronto. Needless to say, I've been humming "Ladies" nonstop since. When something stays in your head, must mean it was good.

Here's my latest fall playlist. Enjoy!

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stretch.

It's not how many flips or spins you can do, it's how far you can stretch your soul.

TO PEOPLE WHO LOVE TO DANCE.

Also, I'm hoping...


Want do you want from this month?

Iced coffee. Circus arts classes. Wine. Rompers. Outdoor yoga. Patios. Walks at dusk. Sunglasses. Live music. Spontaneity. BBQ. Crafts. Long dresses. Short shorts. Beach reads. Braids. Day trips. Olympics. Old movies. A whole day of doing things we have never done before.

playlist25.

In all my excitement of hearing frontman of band Outkast, Andre 3000, will be portraying icon Jimi Hendrix in a new biopic about the late singer, my original intention was to make a classic, 1960's rock playlist.

However, the magic of these online streaming music websites is they lead you to artists and sounds you've never of heard before.

A few hours and a lot of music later, I now have a playlist which was inspired by Hendrix, yet features none of his foxey tunes.

Can't wait for the outdoor festivals and music performances this summer in the city and beyond...keeping my fingers crossed I have the funds and time to fit it all in.

PS check back tomorrow for my second "Dances of the Week" vlog. Got some good ones!

top5.

My parents always used to ask me, "do you want to live to work, or work to live?"

I'm taking the former stance, and say I'm working for the weekend.

I'm totally soaking up every moment of this one. I love being able to skip out of my downtown apartment and run over for a cup of coffee with no commute.

So with a little more time in my afternoon I have the time to present I have my top five picks for this month.

The 10 Spot.

Even if you never have enough time to get ready and look perfect each morning,

you can still look clean and polished when you have a fresh manicure.

With my student budget, I can't afford one every month, but the next time I get my paws done it will be at The 10 Spot, a fabulous salon on Queen West.

Coloured skinny jeans.

I was out last night with a couple of girls, and two of us were wearing coloured jeans.

There's something very spring-y and fun about them, especially because you don't usually expect a pop of colour via your pants!

Check out Gap and Joe Fresh for good cuts (and good prices)

Nina Simone.

My playlists have been super heavy with Nina Simone lately.

Here's my favourite track, which sounds still sounds contemporary with its electric beat.

Wooden boards.

I love wooden boards to both prepare food on and also to serve appies on.

Anything that serves double duty is good in my books.

Toronto Batman.

Enough said.

Please marry me.

Know about someplace/something interesting in your area?

Leave a note below or Tweet/Facebook me, and I'll go check it out.

You never know, you or it could be featured in next month's Top 5!

playlist8.

There's something really fun about listening to other people's iPods. You never know exactly what they're into until a few songs in, and something totally hits you that you didn't expect at all. So this time, instead of my personal preferences for a playlist, I'm trying to put myself in someone else's shoes (and ears) in what they might play.

If you know me, I'm obsessed with Audrey Hepburn. I can quote Breakfast at Tiffany's by heart, have an affection for too-big sunglasses and could love to have her super-cropped coiffure. She's the picture of clas, and such a beautiful role model for her acting and philanthropy work. She believed in living life simply, surrounded by the ones you love and taking each day as a gift.

So if Audrey had an iPod, what would have been on it?

I read somewhere that she loved jazz music, and always had it playing throughout her home. It totally reminds me of red wine - smooth, velvety and sophsicated without trying too hard. I've put together a collection of songs that she might have on her playlist if she was hosting a wine night in 2011.

The Playlist: Audrey Style.

"All Blues" - Miles Davis
"Lovers in Japan" - Coldplay
"Rolling in the Deep" - Adele
"After Midnight" - Danny Elfman
"Waiting on the World to Change" - John Mayer
"Stormy Blues" - Billy Holiday
"Samson"- Regina Spektor
"For Emma" - Bon Iver
"I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" - Ella Fitzgerald
"Restoration (Four Tet Remix) - The Acorn
"New Soul" - Yael Naïm

This was surprisingly fun challenge - totally out of my box in what I normally turn to for music, but I really enjoyed mixing these pieces into my daily soundtrack. Let me know what you think!