Old Style Smoke vs. Contemporary Smoke

seneca*one · 08-03-2007, 01:08 PM

lately i've been noticing an outburst in the women's silk/flashy beadwork on their dresses. I noticed a few years back, val parker wasthe only one with the 'bridal top' dress and soon... ALL the girls wear it. now they're satin, with different designs embroidered in them. these girls who wear it, i noticed are more "contemporary" as i like to call it. if you watch them, they're legs are always in the air, they hop alot, and they ALL do the same arm movements. I was judging teen girls smoke the other weekend, and i had a heck of a time picking my first place. THEY ALL DANCED THE SAME...THEY ALL LOOKED THE SAME.
On a personal note, I really don't prefer this style of smoke dance. I like to call it "old style smoke dance". these are the dancers who stay true to iroquois tradition with the calico print, plain, but nice beadwork. there are still a few of them out there, but the only problem i see is that THEY DON'T STICK OUT! if you watch THESE dancers, it's different. their feet stay closer to the ground and they look like they just enjoy their dance. unlike the other ones who try to beat every step out of the drum beat with a very determined look on their face.
Yes, i believe that the men have also changed their style also.

senecagurl12 · 08-03-2007, 04:17 PM

yea, i agree everything went contemporary ima teen smoke dancer and i tryed staying traditional last powwow season but like you said, the tradish just didnt stand out.I think smoke dance is just for show.
And just a suggestion, if you like old style maybe before the song starts you should look for those few tradish ppl out there and watch them?? idk just a suggestion...
And for the men, theyre comptemporary but their not as bad as the girls,

smoke_dancer_20 · 08-03-2007, 10:06 PM

the only place old style should be danced is at socials and longhouse! smoke dance is a show dance and is meant to be flashy! as for the girls! they should try make it as fancy as possible without getting too carzy! foot work & staying on beat is a must in Smoke Dance!!!

i like old style too! just not for CONTEST!!!

Marv Skye put on one heck of a show this past weekend @ grandriver! NOW he is old style! man oh man can he ever dance!

seneca*one · 08-03-2007, 10:40 PM

yeah i get what you's are saying. the men-they're not that bad. BUT the women....i don't know, there's just something about the way they dance! elegance or something. same goes in pow wow categories-there are "old style" dancers that beat out contemporary dancers any day. it's not that they're "better", but they I THINK have a better appreciation for the dance or something. Yes, smoke dance is all for show now, but there are the people who prefer old style. how would you judge 20 + dancers who all look and dance the same? going back to the teen girls, at niagara falls, all the winners were all "contemporary", then kerri ann spruce snuck in there. i was so glad for her!

seneca*one · 08-03-2007, 10:40 PM

by the way cam, who says it's supposed to be flashy?! lol

La + * Mom · 08-07-2007, 03:23 PM

Man, didn't I answer this same question in another sub thread?! lol. Not flashy, just plain like me to the left side!!!!

smoke_dancer_20 · 08-07-2007, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seneca*one

by the way cam, who says it's supposed to be flashy?! lol

yeah maybe flashy wasn't the word i was looking for.lmao but i wouldn't say it has to be just plain. LOL if we all switched to plain cloth! no one would stand out. then we'd all look the same.
what do you'se think about beaded moccz? i was thinking about getting an old style pair of just leather. alot of smoke dancers today wear beaded mocc'z....??

La + * Mom · 08-08-2007, 10:30 AM

You know, I agree with both of yoose, but like I said in a diff thread, there's a lot of up coming teens that, for probably economic reasons, do not have elaborate beadwork and accessories. I've been watching (and judging) and I'm seeing alot of new talent who are being overlooked simply because of their "plain-ness". On the other hand, I've been seeing some pretty gaudy new age attire out there - and although I know it's a 'show' as 20 seez, personally, it doesn't impress me. Sorry.

gadaihongwas · 08-09-2007, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoke_dancer_20

what do you'se think about beaded moccz? i was thinking about getting an old style pair of just leather. alot of smoke dancers today wear beaded mocc'z....??

Old style mocs would look awesome. Have you seen Alan Dowdy's? Keeya Greene made his.

Um, yeah I'm promoting my cousin's work. LOL.

But for realz they are kick @&&

3ndnbear · 08-09-2007, 02:55 PM

i like the old style mox best.....but i want a pair of center seam ones!! WHEN i get the time.. that's what imma make... i did notice that some of the younger girls are doing the same arm work... i thought it was just my eyes

lol..... i like a mix of both styles....not all out flashy....and not real subdued.. a perfect mix......and i like to have fun and see others have fun... i noticed that everyone is real stone faced during comp... HAVE FUN WITH IT!!

seneca*one · 08-18-2007, 03:52 PM

i say nay on the (fully) beaded mox. AND the plumes in the hair. i know around here...for those that like to call themselves "traditional", don't like that style. i don't know.. smoke dance has really taken a turn in the past 5 years. when i used to dance, i used to win!!!! now...i'd have no chance out there with all these other women...it's crazy. i can't see myself doing that kind of footwork at all!

usdi · 08-28-2007, 01:30 AM

yeah, i prefer the more traditional dancers also. i think they show more style w/the speed of their footwork. it seems like the "contemporaries" just spin around, waving their arms a lot. i would find it difficult to judge that. like, our skirts weren't made for you to be kicking your legs out in the air. i don't like the plumes either. and i also say tradish mocs. if you go too far you're totally changing our style. you wouldn't wear a jingle dress to dance fancy...i'm not against satins, but i like more subtle colors. i think with any style your dancing should stand out, not just your outfit. and i don't think the men have changed that much either. they can still really jam and still have ace footwork. although....i did see someone do a cartwheel last weekend...

08-03-2007, 01:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
senecaone ~Retired smokedancer* Join Date: May 2003 Location: A Rez called CATTARAUGUS! Posts: 62	Old Style Smoke vs. Contemporary Smoke lately i've been noticing an outburst in the women's silk/flashy beadwork on their dresses. I noticed a few years back, val parker wasthe only one with the 'bridal top' dress and soon... ALL the girls wear it. now they're satin, with different designs embroidered in them. these girls who wear it, i noticed are more "contemporary" as i like to call it. if you watch them, they're legs are always in the air, they hop alot, and they ALL do the same arm movements. I was judging teen girls smoke the other weekend, and i had a heck of a time picking my first place. THEY ALL DANCED THE SAME...THEY ALL LOOKED THE SAME. On a personal note, I really don't prefer this style of smoke dance. I like to call it "old style smoke dance". these are the dancers who stay true to iroquois tradition with the calico print, plain, but nice beadwork. there are still a few of them out there, but the only problem i see is that THEY DON'T STICK OUT! if you watch THESE dancers, it's different. their feet stay closer to the ground and they look like they just enjoy their dance. unlike the other ones who try to beat every step out of the drum beat with a very determined look on their face. Yes, i believe that the men have also changed their style also. __________________ ~+ +~ Just breakin it down!

08-03-2007, 10:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
smoke_dancer_20 yohoh-yo:yanehiyo-ohho-!! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ohswe:ge^ "Six Nations rez" Posts: 327	the only place old style should be danced is at socials and longhouse! smoke dance is a show dance and is meant to be flashy! as for the girls! they should try make it as fancy as possible without getting too carzy! foot work & staying on beat is a must in Smoke Dance!!! i like old style too! just not for CONTEST!!! Marv Skye put on one heck of a show this past weekend @ grandriver! NOW he is old style! man oh man can he ever dance! __________________ -[]-[ ]-/\-[ ]-[]-

08-03-2007, 10:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
senecaone ~Retired smokedancer* Join Date: May 2003 Location: A Rez called CATTARAUGUS! Posts: 62	yeah i get what you's are saying. the men-they're not that bad. BUT the women....i don't know, there's just something about the way they dance! elegance or something. same goes in pow wow categories-there are "old style" dancers that beat out contemporary dancers any day. it's not that they're "better", but they I THINK have a better appreciation for the dance or something. Yes, smoke dance is all for show now, but there are the people who prefer old style. how would you judge 20 + dancers who all look and dance the same? going back to the teen girls, at niagara falls, all the winners were all "contemporary", then kerri ann spruce snuck in there. i was so glad for her! __________________ ~+ +~ Just breakin it down!

08-03-2007, 10:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
senecaone ~Retired smokedancer* Join Date: May 2003 Location: A Rez called CATTARAUGUS! Posts: 62	by the way cam, who says it's supposed to be flashy?! lol __________________ ~+ +~ Just breakin it down!

08-07-2007, 03:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
La + * Mom Notoriou'sly' Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tax Exempt Country! Posts: 323	Deja vu... Man, didn't I answer this same question in another sub thread?! lol. Not flashy, just plain like me to the left side!!!! __________________ "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss Last edited by La + Mom; 08-07-2007 at 03:27 PM. Reason: forgot about me*

08-03-2007, 04:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
senecagurl12 Pow Wow Visitor Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 9	yea, i agree everything went contemporary ima teen smoke dancer and i tryed staying traditional last powwow season but like you said, the tradish just didnt stand out.I think smoke dance is just for show. And just a suggestion, if you like old style maybe before the song starts you should look for those few tradish ppl out there and watch them?? idk just a suggestion... And for the men, theyre comptemporary but their not as bad as the girls,

08-08-2007, 10:30 AM	#8 (permalink)
La + * Mom Notoriou'sly' Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tax Exempt Country! Posts: 323	You know, I agree with both of yoose, but like I said in a diff thread, there's a lot of up coming teens that, for probably economic reasons, do not have elaborate beadwork and accessories. I've been watching (and judging) and I'm seeing alot of new talent who are being overlooked simply because of their "plain-ness". On the other hand, I've been seeing some pretty gaudy new age attire out there - and although I know it's a 'show' as 20 seez, personally, it doesn't impress me. Sorry. __________________ "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss Last edited by La + Mom; 08-08-2007 at 10:36 AM. Reason: font*

08-09-2007, 02:55 PM	#10 (permalink)
3ndnbear smoke & ladies tradish Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: da:d wah ta:sa' DC Koh Posts: 330	old style mox i like the old style mox best.....but i want a pair of center seam ones!! WHEN i get the time.. that's what imma make... i did notice that some of the younger girls are doing the same arm work... i thought it was just my eyes lol..... i like a mix of both styles....not all out flashy....and not real subdued.. a perfect mix......and i like to have fun and see others have fun... i noticed that everyone is real stone faced during comp... HAVE FUN WITH IT!! __________________

08-18-2007, 03:52 PM	#11 (permalink)
senecaone ~Retired smokedancer* Join Date: May 2003 Location: A Rez called CATTARAUGUS! Posts: 62	beaded mox... i say nay on the (fully) beaded mox. AND the plumes in the hair. i know around here...for those that like to call themselves "traditional", don't like that style. i don't know.. smoke dance has really taken a turn in the past 5 years. when i used to dance, i used to win!!!! now...i'd have no chance out there with all these other women...it's crazy. i can't see myself doing that kind of footwork at all! __________________ ~+ +~ Just breakin it down!

08-28-2007, 01:30 AM	#12 (permalink)
usdi Pow Wow Visitor Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: bc Posts: 7	yeah, i prefer the more traditional dancers also. i think they show more style w/the speed of their footwork. it seems like the "contemporaries" just spin around, waving their arms a lot. i would find it difficult to judge that. like, our skirts weren't made for you to be kicking your legs out in the air. i don't like the plumes either. and i also say tradish mocs. if you go too far you're totally changing our style. you wouldn't wear a jingle dress to dance fancy...i'm not against satins, but i like more subtle colors. i think with any style your dancing should stand out, not just your outfit. and i don't think the men have changed that much either. they can still really jam and still have ace footwork. although....i did see someone do a cartwheel last weekend...

08-30-2007, 01:27 AM	#13 (permalink)