He Lei No Manoalani

He Lei No Manoalani 

 

Hey there everybody! I have not talked to you guys in a while. Anyway, this particular blog is going to be a bit different than the others. Usually, I discuss a particular dance of a country. Today, I actually decided to change things up a bit and discuss a particular song. It is a song that I not too long ago discovered. I first heard it during the traditional Hawaiian Hula dance of BYU's Living Legends show. The song is called "He Lei Manoalani" by Justin Young.

 

I believe this song reveals the true beauty of the Hawaiian culture. The tenderness of it displays the geniality and the gentleness of the people. As a result of the loveliness of the song, many natives choose this song to dance their traditional Hula to. The song accompanies the serenity of the dance perfectly.

 

This song is a Hawaiian song, but that certainly does not mean you have to be Hawaiian to listen to it! Take me for example, I have absolutely no Polynesian heritage, but the moment the beautiful compilation of notes oozed their way into my ears, my whole body reached a state of tranquility. That is one thing I love about music. It can bring together different nationalities. No matter what your ethnicity is or who your ancestors were, a heart-warming song can be enjoyed and appreciated by anyone. 

All in all, I hope you all check out this song! I absolutely love listening to it! Even though I cannot understand the lyrics, tenderness of the song can calm me down, cheer me, and put a genuine smile on my face.

Beautiful Ballet Folklorico

There are many things in my life that I tire of. For example, I can enjoy a certain snack for only so long before getting sick of it. Yet, there is one hobby that never bores me: dancing Ballet Folklorico. 

 

I have been dancing Ballet Folklorico ever since I can remember. My mom tells me, "When you were in my tummy, you were already dancing." She and my grandmother have taught Ballet Folklorico for years. That must be where I get my knack from. As soon as I stepped onto the dance floor, all the intricate footwork and movements came naturally. I still have had to practice of course, but it has always come much easier to me than it has for others.

 

When I put my dance shoes on (they are the shoes in the picture) I enter a whole other world. This world sets me free of all the worries that consume my mind. It takes my hardships away and fills in the gaps with joy and ecstasy. When I perform on stage and present my culture through music and dance, a sense of pride swells within my soul. I can feel my ancestors vibrantly smiling down at me from the heavens. All of these delightful emotions cause me to have a deep, ardent passion for dancing.        

 

To take my dancing to the next level, I hope to join the Living Legends cultural dance group at Brigham Young University. I had a previous post discussing this college dance group. Joining Living Legends would not only allow me to continue performing Ballet Folklorico dances, but it would also teach me how to do dances from Latin, Polynesian, and Native American countries. What a great experience that would be.  

 

BYU Living Legends Dance

Living Legends

Watch this Youtube video made by a member of the Living Legends dance group: Living Legends: Traditions of the Past

An additional video made by the Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah): Living Legends 2012

I cannot even begin to explain how much I love this dance group! My parents, some of my sisters, uncles, aunts, and cousins have all participated in this group at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. I have seen this show live several times to see my sisters perform. Yet, even though I have seen the show more than once, I never get tired of it. 

 

Every time I see the show or listen to the music (I have the dance group's songs on my IPod), I feel a sense of pride build up in me. The group performs Latin, Polynesian, and Native American dances. The show itself tells the story of their ancestors through music and dance. Being of Latin heritage, watching this group perform always reminds me of who I am and where I come from. I receive a deep appreciation and respect for not only my culture but for the other cultures as well.

 

Many emotions are incorporated in this dance group's show. Some dances are lively and exciting, while others are calm and spiritual. In the end, Living Legends always puts on a great show. As the group travels around the world to perform, if they ever make a stop near your town, I invite you to purchase a ticket and see the show!

Music Reviews of 2013

List of Top Ten Songs:

 

#1.) Blurred Lines -by Robin Thicke feat. Pharrel T.I. 

Robin Thicke smooth talks the ladies with this smashing hit. The song has been inescapable since the day of its release, thanks to the funky, disco beat, saucy lyrics, and Thicke's unbelievable voice.

#2.) Royals- by Lorde

Newcomer Lorde stormed the charts with 'Royals', her first single. In this song, she reminds us that there's more to life than an expensive timepiece. She was able to send this message through a catchy beat.

#3.) Roar- by Katy Perry

Katy Perry is fierce and ferocious on 'Roar,' the empowering track from her brand-new album 'Prism.

Read More: Top Songs of 2013 | http://popcrush.com/top-songs-2013/?trackback=tsmclip

Katy Perry is fierce and ferocious on 'Roar,' the empowering track from her brand-new album 'Prism.' Combining Perry's catchy pop style with a healthy dose of lyrical aggression is a magical formula. It's no wonder the song shot up the charts so quickly.

#4.) Stay- by Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko

'Stay' is a vulnerable ballad using little more than piano and vocals to describe a tortured relationship. The song introduces the world to the voice of Mikky Ekko, who co-wrote the track, and features on of Rihanna's most impressive vocal performances as she reveals a more personal  and intimate side.

#5.) Mirrors- by Justin Timberlake

In this song, the artist sings that he's found his soul-mate. The eight-minute track ends with three minutes of falsetto cooing, reminding listeners that Justin is still the king of modern soul-pop.

#6.) Get Lucky- by Draft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams 

This is Draft Punk's first hit single since 2007. Draft Punk recruited   Pharrel Williams to croon on this disco-esque, lighthearted jam, an easily digestible and danceable tune not just for electro fans, but music lovers in general.

#7.) 22- by Taylor Swift 

For the fourth single from her 'Red' album, Taylor Swift chose to release one of the best songs of her career, '22,' a joyous anthem about being carefree while she's young.

#8.) When I Was Your Man- by Bruno Mars 

Bruno Mars has a lot of regrets in 'When I Was Your Man,' when he thinks back to a special girl who moved on to another guy. Mars sings that he didn't mistreat her, but he didn't go out of his way to make her feel special.

#9.) Wrecking Ball- by Miley Cyrus

This power ballad is Miley at her best, belting heartfelt lyrics with layers of emotion. The singer has been trying to convince us of her new, mature image and with 'Wrecking Ball,' she wins many people over.

#10.) Thrift Shop- by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis scored the surprise hip-hop smash of early 2013 with their ode to finding discarded treasure in the second-hand store. The Seattle rapper made an international decision to contradict the typical hip-hop themes of living large and spending millions, and it worked out as fans everywhere embraced the tribute to budget living.

Image Credit: 

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