bkent202

Sup all, I'm new to grass dancing, and looking for some tips and advice on making an outfit, any help's appreciated.
Thanks

_RoBbY_

I'd be glad to help you out with your grass outfit, just tell me more about yourself, and what your likes and dislikes are and we can get started on some ideas, and refineing the bumps in the road. :)

- Robby

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"It is strictly believed and understood by the Sioux that a child is the greatest gift from Wankan Tanka, in response to many devout prayers, sacrifices, and promises. Therefore the child is considered "sent by Wankan Tanka," through some element--namely the element of human nature." - Robert Higheagle, Lakota Sioux -

-- If we don't teach our children about our culture and traditions, that we feel are being stolen from us daily, then at present we are just as guitly of the offense.

Dezgn8veDriver

From a female perspective...make sure it's clean of all weeds, cotton tails, pricklees, etc., nothing looks worse than a messy regalia entangled with a bunch of weeds ;)

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tigger

what kinda help are you looking for??

Jammer

Well my advice to you would be what I have been told also. First learn about the dance. The orgins and so forth. And then learn what style of grass you want to do. Theres more then one style of grass out there. Then get the basic steps down if you don't already dance and then go from there. You'll have plenty of time to work on your outfit. You can't just get good over night by the time you get down what you need to know to keep you from looking like a moron while dancing, your outfit will be coming along nicely.

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the bee

I'm planning on doing a Grass Dance outfit for my 6 yr. old. What are the different styles that I need to know about? Where can I see them? He has the additional problem of being Handicapped, so most other dance styles are out, as the outfits would throw his balance off too badly.

lumbeedancer

If your gonna want to make somethin sharp your first time out then your going to have to put a lot of thought and preporation into it before you do it. Most nice looking outfits either have a lot of thought behind them or have been made by a very experienced person.

Some quick tips I could give ya would be to pay attention to detail and make sure you don't make it to big or to small. There's nothin sharper than an outfit that fits a person like a glove. Off the top of my head:
- I like when the fringe and/or yarn on the shirt comes right to the sholder (looks real clean and presice).
- Make sure that the yarn on your pants comes all the way to your mocs (not to the ground, just to the top of mocs). You don't want a gap around your anckles.
- be real careful with your color selection, because the way they interact with each other can make a world of difference with how good the outfit is gonna look.
- Personally I like the shirt, bridgecloth, and back piece to be cloth and the headband, spreader, cuffs, sidetabs, belt, harnesses, and mocs to be beaded or sequinsed (mocs always beaded), maybe some hair ties if you got braids. I also think a breast plate or beaded choker looks pretty sharp to.
- a nice roach also is very key. When it comes to grass the bigger the better in my eyes.
- Most importantly make sure it represents you. Put some tribal designs or things that reflect you personally on it. You want it to have meaning and not just be sharp lookin for the comps.

If I were you I would do what jammer said and learn all about it first and maybe get a few basic steps down. Once you get the feel of the dance you might want to keep that in mind when your making your outfit. The way your stuff rocks has a lot to do with how good your steps look. If your out there jammin and your whole outfit is stiff you don't look as good as you would if your stuff was movin right with you. So if you want to make some gear that flows with the steps, you might want to have some idea of what kinda steps it needs to flow to. Knowing all the components of the outfit and what they represent doesn't hurt either. That way you can keep what is being represented in mind when you are creating your design.

Jammer

Well bee talk with other dancers or talk with some friends and see if they might know some other grass dancers. Most dancers are willing to lend a helping hand in helping a new little one learn. I'm not to sure on the different styles as I myself am also learning. But I have been told that the original dance style is coming back or the traditional style. Alot of todays dancers dance a more contemporary style with some of their own moves which can really rock the arena. Its always best to learn hands on. Instead of getting a book or a video to teach your son the basic steps have him taught one on one with another dancer. Let him get a feel for the beat of the drum and the song. As he is being taught the person teaching him can also crotique him and help him in other areas that might need a little adjustment. But just remember and let you son know that you don't get good over night it takes alot of practice no matter what style a person may dance. The more you practice the better you get and the more honor you will have in the way you dance and why you dance. :)

There are alot of other dancers on here and I'm sure we have some use to dance grass, dancers on here so lets give her some advice people. So she can get that little one out there with honor and dignity in himself.

Good Luck Bee

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Leslie Stonechild

I have decided to dance grass and have posted a question someplace else here but not much attention to it...oh well.

I like the replies this dancer is getting as it will help me get to know the dance better.

There is no grass dancer around my parts that I have found to help me so I'll keep looking and attending the Pow-wows I can. I'll also keep looking on here for advice and tips. I am a Cree and Saulteux mixed with some European-Scottish and French.

Would anyone like to share their teachings of the GRASS style of dance and the origins?

Did you grass dancers make your outfit or have someone make it for you?

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Indianloving1

I have a 10yr old son who is wanting so badly to start grassdancing. We have found a couple of grassdancers as well as Traditional Dancers who have helped with the dancing. The problem I am having is finding someone who may know how to make the regalia as I dont sew at all. I am from Missouri so if anyone can help please let me know either from reply here or to my personal email...Indianloving1@aol.com
Thanks for the help.....:Angel2 :D

saponi

I need to replace one of my son's outfits. And I'm debating on just making a yoke or doing a shirt with everything attached? He's still young and I'm not quite sure how to construct the shirt with everything attached? I need to get movin :driving: though!! I wanted it done by Hollister, NC!

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