Emperor Christian Victor I

Emperor Christian Victor I
Showing posts with label Spanish Dancing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spanish Dancing. Show all posts

Friday, 16 January 2015

Wonderful Weekends (Duke of Swann and Countess De Lumbre Dance for Charity)

The Duke of Swann, a world renowned supporter of the Flamenco Dancing discipline, was joined again by his friend the Countess De Lumbre to dance for charity. The famous Royals have danced in aid of charities before and decided this time to raise awareness for old age homes in Swann and Hispania. To view their previous dance follow the link below.

http://daniel-s-world.blogspot.com/search/label/Spanish%20Dancing

The Flamenco style was chosen for this particular performance. This style requires clapping to precede the actual dance. Clapping is called "palmas" in the original Hispanic. 

The flowing organic moves of the lady dancer is accented by the very strong formality of the male. 

Often the two dancer will circle each other or one around the other. 

Short postured poses interspersed in the dance gives the dancers respite, usually before extensive footwork called "zapateado". 

The Duke of Swann performs the extremely difficult footwork while the Countess claps. 

Then in perfect unison with the music, the dance stops. The dance served to raise awareness for a selection of old age homes of the Duke's and Countess' choice. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. 

Saturday, 19 April 2014

Wonderful Weekends (Duke of Swann and Countess De Lumbre Performs for Charity)

On this Easter Weekend, the Duke of Swann decided to use his considerable influence and talent coupled with that of a good friend to raise awareness and funds for a charitable cause.

The Duke of Swann was joined by renowned Spanish dancer Countess De Lumbre to do a once-off Spanish dance performance in aid of orphans in the Hispanic region of Cataljone.


His Royal Highness the Duke of Swann stands ready in proper pose to receive the Countess on the dance floor. 

The Countess De Lumbre, who is renowned for her resemblance to Queen Maria of Hispania is dressed in a traditional Hispanic "Tail Dress". 

The dance begins as the couple elegantly raise their hands.

This regional dance requires the man to wear a hat and has to remove and replace it as part of the dance. 

A confident attitude is best expressed in this dance. Even though the man is very masculine subtle elegance can be appreciated in the gentle movement of the hands and head. The Lady although feminine produces very strong stamping with the feet and exudes strength in her facial expressions. 

The lady is required to pick up her dress at times, swirling it vigorously to the beat of the music.

The dancer also gently circle each other. 

The confident poise is unmistakably beautiful and elegant. 

Spanish dancing expresses deep passion. This dance requires the dress tail to be kicked at times to get it out from under the dancer feet. This allows for a visual display as the dress flares up and around. 

The show was aired live on the internet raising funds whilst viewers logged in to view it. It ran for an entire day and was then permanently removed. Stills of the dance are still available as downloadable images also at a nominal fee that goes to charity.

Thursday, 30 January 2014

Fun Fridays (Royal Recreation and Sport)

The lives of Royalty is everything but "normal", yes they have jobs and "work" but not like most people. This also counts for the topic of recreation. Often what the general populous might see as recreational, like going to the movies or dressing up and going out for dinner, is exactly what Royalty consider to be work.

Princess Augusta at a film premiere.

A typical example of this antithesis can be noted in the famed appearances of Royalty at film premieres. It would be a dream for a member of the public to appear on a glamorous red carpet and then to do so to watch an entertaining movie. However, if you are Royal, you might be required to go as part of a charity you endorse or to focus attention on a locally produced movie. Whether you like the movie or not, whether you are tired after a busy day, you are obliged to attend. Its work.

Thus it is often the opposite and very normal pursuits like going to gym that may prove to be recreational for a working Royal. However, they are human and do also enjoy what we enjoy like going to the beach, although in their case it has to be a private beach in order to avoid being mobbed. Then there are the pursuits reserved for the selected few, the privileged elite. These exotic and sometimes expensive pastimes are indulged in the wake of having been deprived the normal joys of life. 

Here we see Prince Dillon of Swann enjoying what any of us might see as a typical recreational pastime.

His Royal Highness and a friend from his army platoon spend some time motorbiking at a private beach.

Tanning and swimming, not just motorbiking.  

Having an in-house games room in Duke's Court Palace affords the Duke of Swann the very "normal" pastime of playing Pool albeit in a very grand setting. 

Recreation may range to the more "unique" as our hardworking Royals pursue outlets for the personal creativity.

The Duke of Swann is an avid Spanish dancer attending lessons once a week for two hours at a time. 

A pencil sketch by the Duke of Swann shows one of his other interests.

Many Royals pursue latent artistic talent and may in their free time experiment with art, sculpture and photography. 

Horse riding is inextricably linked to Royalty due to the historic link of modern Royals to their cavalry leading ancestors. Today however it may often be employed for casual fun. Going for a horse riding outing is indeed recreational but keeping horses is expensive. The economic means of many Royals makes this an obvious pastime. 

The recreational aspect of horses may also be pursued formally by competing in equestrian sports, like horse racing, polo and horse jumping. Princess Marie-Elizabeth has even competed in the Olympics taking home a Silver Medal in Horse jumping. 

The very elegant sport of fencing is seemingly and obvious choice of Royalty but indeed very few have indulged in this historic sport. 

It is considered an ancient and noble discipline and has been practiced most notably by the Arch Duke Otto Von Fulco DÉste (pictured above), the Duke of Swann and the Duchess of Roswind. 

Another favourite in the Royal Games Room must be the ultimate mind game, chess. This game also has its historic roots deeply entrenched in the Royal Courts of medieval Europa. Amongst our famous Royals the ones who excel at this game are thought to be Lady Arcwhite, the Baron D'Rothchild and Prince Felix Youssoupoff.

 We hope this post has given more of a view of the private side of our public figures. Seeing the real people behind the glittering facade of Royalty. Recreation allows a person to relax and let their hair down. This does sometimes also show an ugly side as some controversial activities may prove. Hunting is often cited as such an activity and its most enthusiastic fan Lady Arcwhite has often been called to answer for her self-indulgent pursuit of it. 


Tuesday, 26 June 2012

What's Up Wednesday (Duke of Swann Flamenco)

In this week's current events instalment I'd like to share about my own special hobby. As a ruling monarch I don't get much time to myself but one passion will not be neglected and that is Flamenco. Every week I go to Chiquetas School of Spanish Dancing to express my desire for dance and its accompanying discipline. Last week some much needed rounding off was needed for my upcoming exam and the possible performance with the Countess De Lumbre.


This is Madame Colleen the Duke of Swann's private Flamenco and Spanish Dance instructor. Her company of professional dancers perform all over the country and they can be booked for a performance at +27731505528. Here she demonstrates the stance she requires from her Royal student.

His Royal Highness takes up position for his lesson to begin.

Then the Duke changes to what is refered to as fifth position and Madame Colleen brings her hand to her hip holding her skirt.

Preparing to do the dance called the "Paso".

The various traditional dances may require the use of many "props" like hats and shawls. Others include fans, and hankerchiefs. Men may also use canes or capes. His Royal Highness has even danced with a sword.

Various hand held precussion instruments can be used in Spanish Dance. Among these are maraccas and finger symbals but the most characteristic and  famous are the castanettes. These are also the favourite of the Duke of Swann and he has become exceptional at the skill.

Taking instruction in castanettes.

While one of the other students quikely polishes some foot work called "Zapateado", the Duke of Swann repeates his moves before the lesson is continued in partners for the "Sevillanas"dance.
We look forward to the end of the year when we might do a performance for charity with the Countess De Lumbre. Regardless of that, this hobby will never cease for the Duke of Swann as it has been a childhood dream and now is the time to maximise it.

OLE!

For more info on the Chiquita Scool of Spanish Dance reference the phone number +27731505528 in the first photo above or befriend Madame Coleen on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/colleen.crooks.92?fref=ts

For more visit the Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chiquitas-School-of-Spanish-Dance/294850987226330?fref=ts

Wednesday, 20 June 2012

"To be or not to be" Thursday (Countess de Lumbre)

Today we profile a person of contrasts, conviction and passion. She is famous for her beauty, her talent at dancing and for her uncanny resemblance to the Queen of Hispania. She hardly ever attends state functions preferring to focus on her more practical responsibilities but isn’t beyond dressing to the hilt when the occasion demands it.

Her Excellency Donna Maria Rosario de Lumbre, Contessa De Lumbre is the wife of The Comte De Lumbre. Married in April 2011 and from humble origins the Countess is an acclaimed Flamenco dancer and has continued her love and now patronage of this particular art form. The Hispanian monarchy from which her husband derives his noble title, survived the Bloody Revolution of 1996. Thus the De Lumbre family has continued in their responsibilities and lifestyles uninterrupted and unscathed except for extended family abroad being affected. It did however leave an unsettling fear of revolution within the Hispanian monarchy.

Today at age 35, the Countess works alongside her husband on his extensive wine and olive oil producing farms. Owner of several castles the family has many obligations toward the International Heritage Trust and fulfills them by managing most of the properties as museums and not just as private residences. The Countess, a lay scholar of medieval history, takes pride in her role as custodian of the castles and their historic art treasures. She attempts also to spend as much time as possible in performing Flamenco but only to raise money for charities.

Animal abuse takes high priority with Donna Maria who grew up hating the violent side and death associated with Bull fighting. At age 11 her uncle sold a bull to the ring not knowing that the young Maria had taken a liking to it in preceding months often visiting its pastures to look at it and sketch it. Its horrific death affected her deeply. Upon becoming a Countess she chose to use her influence and started a national campaign to eradicate all harm being caused to bulls in the ring. Controversy has obviously been sparked as traditionalists refuse to compromise ancient traditions in the face of total bans. The Countess a passionate Spaniard, hopes to find a middle path and proposes an “American Rodeo” style Bull fight were artistic performance of the matador is the goal rather than the torture and death of an innocent animal. She is currently petitioning Queen Maria of Hispania to avert total bans in favour of her proposal. If her efforts become law she will go down in history as the lady who saved the matador and the bull at the same time. So, don’t mess with Donna Maria she will dance circles around you.

The Countess is due to do an Europan tour of Flamenco dancing to raise awareness of her campaign petitioning for the new Bull fighting law. The tour is set to start in the Principality of Swann towards the end of the year with the Duke of Swann’s special support.

 The Countess de Lumbre wearing a Matador fusion Flamenco dress designed for her performances by Madame Frumsetta. She also wears solid 9ct yellow gold hoop earrings designed by the Duke of Swann's Jewellery Workshops. We can see how she resembles the Queen of Hispania almost like a twin sister.