"Dress Code Appreciation Week"

Being a dancer means a lot of things:

We share a common and beautiful language, learn discipline and confidence, make friends, and stay healthy.But being a dancer also means carrying around a huge, heavy bag all day full of stinky shoes, washing leotards late at night and hoping they are dry for class tomorrow, and sticking sharp bobby pins into the crown of your head every day.

At Menomonee Club, we are not notorious for strict enforcement of a formal dress code. Next week, however, we are all going to take a refresher course on what our policies are and why they are important. As easy as it is to think that dress codes for dance are antiquated and arbitrary, it's important to understand the reasons that dance schools and programs have them:

1. The teacher needs to see your body. Dance is a technical art form and doing certain movements the wrong way can lead to injury. Sometimes the difference between doing something right and doing something wrong is slight, and can't be seen under baggy clothing. This is especially important in ballet, where the teacher needs to be able to see your torso, legs, and the hips and leg line.

2. Hair is a distraction. To you, to your teacher, and to your fellow students. While dancers might wear their hair down for performances, in order to correctly learn how to spot and turn, you have to have your hair secure on your head. Plus, wearing your hair down (or even in a ponytail) means you will be flipping it out of your face every once in awhile to get it out of the way. This is a REALLY hard habit to break and you don't want to be smoothing your hair back in the middle of a performance...

3. Rules and ritual are important to dance. Dance is a sport, an art, and a discipline. To reap the benefits, you've got to follow the rules. For hundreds of years dancers have been up late at night making sure they have clean leotards and tights, hair supplies in their bags, and sewn shoes. It's important that we show respect to the traditions of dance by being on time, courteous to instructors, and properly dressed. Additionally, dancers will feel more prepared and comfortable for the recital if they practice with the same attire, shoes, and hair that they will be performing in.

We always have extra shoes, leotards, and hair supplies in the office, so if you forget anything, just ask! Can't wait to see you all next week!