Capezio has announced some amazing changes to their pointe shoe line. All models will be equipped with these new features.
Soft Cotton Lining-The inner lining of the shoes will now all have a soft fabric that is much more comfortable, and conforms to the foot.
Satin Binding-Now the fabric used to create the binding of the pointe shoes will be made of the same satin as the shoes. This will make a more pleasing line of the foot, by having less of a transition between shoe and tight colors.
Graduated Sole and Shank-The sole of the shoe has been shortened and the shank has been lengthened in order to have less bulking at the heel. This also will make it more comfortable on the heel when the dancer is standing flat in her shoes.
New Pleat Construction-Noisy shoes are gone! New pleating method incorporates a quiet piece to absorb most sound.
Feathered Box-There is now no paste below the binding on the box portion of the shoe. This will allow the dancer to roll through demi-pointe with ease.
Shorter Sole-The sole has been shortened on the shoe to be less visible when the dancer stands on pointe.
Reinforced Back-Strap-Now the back seam has been reinforced to help eliminate splitting.
All of these enhancements are really setting the Capezio line of pointe shoes ahead. We are looking forward to fitting these improved shoes. Please take a few minutes to hear directly from Capezio about the enhancements that have been made.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Making Your Pointe Shoes Last Longer
As expensive as they may be, pointe shoes are not made to last long. They offer much needed support to help keep a dancer on pointe, but the simply do not hold up. Why is this, and how can we make them last longer? Think of an arm cast, pointe shoes are made in a very similar way. The box of a shoe is made similarly to paper mache, with layers of canvas and glue. That's it! Many think that there are all sorts of things down there including wood, but it is simply not true. Canvas and glue are what gives the ballerina the majority of support. There is a leather outersole on the shoe, but the shank is usually made up of layers of cardboard. So imagine this, canvas, glue and cardboard. Then the dancers balance the majority of their body weight on them and sweat. Can you imagine putting an arm cast in the shower? Although feet don't usually sweat as much as if you put them in the shower, you can still get the idea of what the sweat does to the shoes.
The best way to make shoes last longer is to give them ample time to dry out. It takes about 72 hours, or three days to completely dry out. And if you keep your pointe shoes in your dance bag, or worse a plastic bag, they simply will not dry out. Pointe shoes should be either tied to the outside of your dance bag, or better yet kept in a mesh pointe shoe bag. A pointe shoe bag is a better option than tying them on the outside of your bag because it still offers some protection for your shoes.
Rotating pairs of pointe shoes also offers them ample time to dry. How many pairs of pointe shoes you need depends on how many days per week you are dancing and also how many hours. You need three full days for them to dry, so you'll need enough pairs for that to be possible. Usually if you are dancing 3 times a week you would need at least two pairs. You also would want a new pair to be breaking in as an older pair is dying out. So, in that case you would need 3. If you are dancing long hours, you may consider alternating shoes in a session. Any longer than 2 hours in one pair is pushiung it. At that point, your shoes are wet and any dancing you continue to do in that time period is going to cause more rapid breakdown. So if you have long rehearsals, add another pair to your total. Although, having multiple pairs seems costly in the beginning....in the end you will be saving quite a bit of money. And most dance stores will offer a discount when you purchase your shoes in bulk.
Another way to help your shoes last longer is by using "jet glue". Jet glue is originally intended to be used with model airplanes, hence the name, but ballerinas began using it in place of super glue many years back. One company has even come out with "pointe shoe glue" which is essentially the same thing. Super glue, jet glue and pointe shoe glue all serve the same purpose though. They will prevent the breaking down process and also bring back to life what may seem otherwise dead pointe shoes.
The best way to make shoes last longer is to give them ample time to dry out. It takes about 72 hours, or three days to completely dry out. And if you keep your pointe shoes in your dance bag, or worse a plastic bag, they simply will not dry out. Pointe shoes should be either tied to the outside of your dance bag, or better yet kept in a mesh pointe shoe bag. A pointe shoe bag is a better option than tying them on the outside of your bag because it still offers some protection for your shoes.
Rotating pairs of pointe shoes also offers them ample time to dry. How many pairs of pointe shoes you need depends on how many days per week you are dancing and also how many hours. You need three full days for them to dry, so you'll need enough pairs for that to be possible. Usually if you are dancing 3 times a week you would need at least two pairs. You also would want a new pair to be breaking in as an older pair is dying out. So, in that case you would need 3. If you are dancing long hours, you may consider alternating shoes in a session. Any longer than 2 hours in one pair is pushiung it. At that point, your shoes are wet and any dancing you continue to do in that time period is going to cause more rapid breakdown. So if you have long rehearsals, add another pair to your total. Although, having multiple pairs seems costly in the beginning....in the end you will be saving quite a bit of money. And most dance stores will offer a discount when you purchase your shoes in bulk.
Another way to help your shoes last longer is by using "jet glue". Jet glue is originally intended to be used with model airplanes, hence the name, but ballerinas began using it in place of super glue many years back. One company has even come out with "pointe shoe glue" which is essentially the same thing. Super glue, jet glue and pointe shoe glue all serve the same purpose though. They will prevent the breaking down process and also bring back to life what may seem otherwise dead pointe shoes.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Warmers Before and After Class
What are the benefits of dance warmers? And when should they be worn?
There are many opinions about the benefits of warmers, and also of when they should be worn. All will agree however, that proper warm up before class, and cool down after class is essential to keeping muscles healthy and pliable. Often times dancers are doing their warm ups outside of the studios in breezy hallways, waiting rooms and lobbies. When warm muscles come into contact with cool or cold air the muscles tighten immediately and therapeutic stretching actually becomes a hazard. It is crucial no matter what medium you are in to have the proper attire to stretch in and keep your muscles healthy.
Another mentality, shared by many in the profession, is that your attire makes a difference in your attitude. Coming to the studio to stretch in pajama pants, creates a different mentality entering the studio than coming in with dance warm ups. Dance warm ups get you focused for the work ahead. Pajama pants, while fashionable sometimes, creates a sleepy, casual disposition upon entering the dance studio.
Dance Warmers are also extremely useful in theatres. Theatres that are older often are drafty and the theatres that are newer are very often over air conditioned to keep the audiences comfortable. These are not always the best circumstances to dance under, but a fact of a performers life. Many warmers are designed with costuming in mind and are easily taken off in between entrances and exits. One suggestion though.....if you are purchasing warmers for the theatre, black is not always the best choice. Often warmers are thrown from the wings and black sweaters and such blend in very well with the black painted floors, black walls and black wings. Then often they are lost forever and the dancer is frozen again. So if shopping for the theatre you may want to look at some color options besides just black.
There are many opinions about the benefits of warmers, and also of when they should be worn. All will agree however, that proper warm up before class, and cool down after class is essential to keeping muscles healthy and pliable. Often times dancers are doing their warm ups outside of the studios in breezy hallways, waiting rooms and lobbies. When warm muscles come into contact with cool or cold air the muscles tighten immediately and therapeutic stretching actually becomes a hazard. It is crucial no matter what medium you are in to have the proper attire to stretch in and keep your muscles healthy.
Another mentality, shared by many in the profession, is that your attire makes a difference in your attitude. Coming to the studio to stretch in pajama pants, creates a different mentality entering the studio than coming in with dance warm ups. Dance warm ups get you focused for the work ahead. Pajama pants, while fashionable sometimes, creates a sleepy, casual disposition upon entering the dance studio.
Dance Warmers are also extremely useful in theatres. Theatres that are older often are drafty and the theatres that are newer are very often over air conditioned to keep the audiences comfortable. These are not always the best circumstances to dance under, but a fact of a performers life. Many warmers are designed with costuming in mind and are easily taken off in between entrances and exits. One suggestion though.....if you are purchasing warmers for the theatre, black is not always the best choice. Often warmers are thrown from the wings and black sweaters and such blend in very well with the black painted floors, black walls and black wings. Then often they are lost forever and the dancer is frozen again. So if shopping for the theatre you may want to look at some color options besides just black.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Pointe Shoe Interview With Professional Ballet Dancer Erin-Elizabeth Watts
DM: What do you look for in a pointe shoe?
EE: I look for a shoe that continues my line smoothly while offers good support.
DM: How do you feel that the vamp of the shoe affects your fit?
EE: For me it is very important because I have long toes and require a very long vamp to keep me from "knuckling" in my pointe shoe. I ususally have to special order my shoes.
DM: Do you have a preference in the shank of your shoe? Why?
EE: I sure do. I like a medium strength shank so I can manipulate my shoe but also have enough support.
DM: Which ribbons do use for your pointe shoes? Why?
EE: I use the Prima Soft Stretch Ribbon. I like that it moves with your foot and never gets baggy.
DM: What techniques do you use to break in your shoes?
EE: My feet and my friend Julie steps on the box for me.
DM: Do you use any hardening techniques for your shoes?
EE: I sometimes use jet-glue depending on what role I am performing.
DM: What brand of pointe shoes do you currently use?
EE: Freed of London
DM: Have you worn any other shoes in the past?
EE: I have worn almost every shoe made at some point in my career.
DM: If you could change one thing to make your pointe shoes better, what would it be?
EE: While I understand the amount of time and effort it takes to make a pair of pointe shoes, I would say the cost would be what I would like to change. It is a big investment for something that doesn't last long.
Erin-Elizabeth Watts, North Atlanta Dance Theatre
EE: I look for a shoe that continues my line smoothly while offers good support.
DM: How do you feel that the vamp of the shoe affects your fit?
EE: For me it is very important because I have long toes and require a very long vamp to keep me from "knuckling" in my pointe shoe. I ususally have to special order my shoes.
DM: Do you have a preference in the shank of your shoe? Why?
EE: I sure do. I like a medium strength shank so I can manipulate my shoe but also have enough support.
DM: Which ribbons do use for your pointe shoes? Why?
EE: I use the Prima Soft Stretch Ribbon. I like that it moves with your foot and never gets baggy.
DM: What techniques do you use to break in your shoes?
EE: My feet and my friend Julie steps on the box for me.
DM: Do you use any hardening techniques for your shoes?
EE: I sometimes use jet-glue depending on what role I am performing.
DM: What brand of pointe shoes do you currently use?
EE: Freed of London
DM: Have you worn any other shoes in the past?
EE: I have worn almost every shoe made at some point in my career.
DM: If you could change one thing to make your pointe shoes better, what would it be?
EE: While I understand the amount of time and effort it takes to make a pair of pointe shoes, I would say the cost would be what I would like to change. It is a big investment for something that doesn't last long.
Erin-Elizabeth Watts, North Atlanta Dance TheatreMonday, September 19, 2011
Fitting Pointe Shoes
Properly fitting pointe shoes is a science. Only a skilled fitter should assist an aspiring ballerina. And although many teachers have varying tastes and preferences, there are some basic principles that are very important in determining the proper fit of a pointe shoe.
Although online ordering has become the major source of shopping in these times, pointe shoe fitting is an art that is best done with the dancer in person. If an in person individual fitting is not feasible due to distance or other circumstances, an experienced fitter may be able to use an outline of the foot and other information to determine a good possible fit. Other factors determining the "right fit" would be the dancers experience level, numbers of days a week on pointe, hours a class on pointe, and the technique being used to rise on to pointe.
Although online ordering has become the major source of shopping in these times, pointe shoe fitting is an art that is best done with the dancer in person. If an in person individual fitting is not feasible due to distance or other circumstances, an experienced fitter may be able to use an outline of the foot and other information to determine a good possible fit. Other factors determining the "right fit" would be the dancers experience level, numbers of days a week on pointe, hours a class on pointe, and the technique being used to rise on to pointe.
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We have a group of specialist in every field of performing arts. We have many current and former professional dancers on staff ready for your questions!
We have a group of specialist in every field of performing arts. We have many current and former professional dancers on staff ready for your questions!
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