In flatland the space is infinite. And time is infinite. As well as human kindness, malice and stupidity.

Dear readers,

For years we have been sharing steps through city streets all over the world, through the rhythms of music and records of movement on the pages of the Dance and City blog. With this text, I want to take you on a slightly different journey – where the city streets turn into an endless horizons, and the city noise into a deep, meaningful silence.

My new book “Plain Blues” is finally here.

From the Lights of the Big City to the Whispers of the Flatland

The main character of this story decides what many of us sometimes (maybe even often) wish: she leaves the hustle and bustle of the big city and moves to a small place in the heart of the flatland at the north of Serbia. But this is not just a story about a change of an address. This is the story of a search for answers that cannot be heard over sirens and rushing footsteps in the big city.

The move is not only spatial, but also internal – from one rhythm of life to another, from one self-image to a new, unknown one. A plain, quiet and wide, it is not just a landscape; it is a flatland, with endless horizons. It is a space for new questions and reflections: about belonging, staying, leaving.

“Andja strove to constantly change her perspective and attitude. It was a challenge to gain life’s wisdom.”

Encounters that change the Rhythm

Through the dusty spaces of the flatland horizons and peaceful courtyards, the main character gets to know destinies that pulsate stronger than the city. Those characters carry messages about:

• The meaning and meaninglessness of our daily races
• Sufferings and joys that are universal, regardless of zip code
• Life and death as natural cycles that are more clearly visible in the plains

Who is This Book for?

This is an invitation to dance for everyone who left a part of their heart in the flatland, for those who left it and for those who have yet to feel its irresistible rhythm. For those who know what the silence of the field sounds like, and for those who are yet to learn it. For all of us looking for answers to questions on meaning, life, death and other significant topics.

The book will soon be available in Vulkan (maybe also DELFI) bookstores in Serbia.

In Serbian: Slađana Milošević – Ravničarski bluz – Konkursi regiona

Bel.grade city promotion of the book “Plain Blues” was held in @kucaumetnica with two hours of escape from reality, with stories, questions, smiles, hugs, and lots of love.❤️

Slađana Milošević is the creator of small art installations “SM.ART” inspired by the beauty of flowers, nature and small things around us that we often don’t notice.

She is the author of the concept “SMisao“, reflection on life and meaning, in the form of short stories, songs and music, which she started working on after studying logotherapy.

He writes and publishes in Serbian and English.

He lives at a safe distance from the big city, with an unmarried wife, Tornjak dogs, trees and various flowers.

More information about the book can be obtained via email: sladja.milosevic@gmail.com

Photos: Nikola Bogdanović

Članak A Story about Flatland, Silence and New Beginnings se pojavljuje prvo na Ples & Grad.

PAINTING AND DANCE

Wassily Kandinsky “The Dance Curves” from 1926.

You can see more about this piece here.

THE DANCE CURE

The new book “The Dance Cure” by Dr. Peter Lovatt.

You can follow Peter on Instagram.

The book reveals the surprisingly positive cognitive and emotional benefits of dancing and how you can become happy by dancing. The book can be ordered here.

PREHISTORIC DANCERS

The discovery of Bhimbetka was a great milestone in Indian archaeology as scientists found various evidences starting from Stone Age in BC 30,000 to 1 century BC. However, the most famous out of them is the dancing figures. There are also numerous paintings featuring various animals, scenes from hunting and social rituals. Due to its archaeological significance, UNESCO declared Bhimbetka as a World Heritage Site.

We wish you all playful, happy and meaningful 2025!

SOURCES:

Wassily Kandinsky – Wikipedia

Wassily Kandinsky Dance Curves :: Behance

https://www.instagram.com/drpeterlovatt/

The Dance Cure: The Surprising Science to Being Smarter, Stronger, Happier: Lovatt, Peter: 9780063046887: Amazon.com: Books

Prehistoric cave paintings of Bhimbetka

Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka – Documents – UNESCO World Heritage Centre

Članak At The End of 2024… PAINTING AND DANCE se pojavljuje prvo na Ples & Grad.

I have already written before about dance and painting in the text Dance on Canvas. (October 2021).

And now, something also very beautiful: Series “Dance Sheet” (1-6) by Franc Grabmayr!

Franz Grabmayr was born on December 8, 1927. and passed away on April 14, 2015 in Vienna, Austria.

He started painting at the age of 12, mostly the nature he was surrounded by growing up. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts. Supported by his wife, he left his teaching career in 1962. and devoted himself exclusively to painting.

Grabmayr was known for his expressionist style of painting. His works are often inspired by nature, especially landscapes and atmospheric conditions. He was a pioneer in Austrian post-abstract expressionism.

He is known for his energetic brushstrokes and thick layers of paint, often applied with a spatula (here you can see one picture). He used a variety of materials, including oil, acrylic and sand, to achieve texture and depth in his works.

He has had many solo and group exhibitions in Austria and throughout Europe. His works are in many public and private collections.

His work is exhibited in Vienna museum Albertina till Oct 13^th 2024. There are also pictures from Series “Dance Sheet”.

Franz Grabmayr’s series of paintings “Dance Sheet (1-6)” is characterized by his unique ability to convey the movement and energy of dance through abstract forms and vibrant colors.

A few key aspects of these pictures are:

Dance Energy: Each image from the “Dance Sheet” series reflects the movements of the dancers. Grabmayr uses thick application of paint and brisk brush strokes to depict the rhythmic and dynamic elements of the dance.

Abstract Expression: Instead of accurately depicting dance figures, Grabmayr focuses on abstract forms that convey the essence of movement. These images are not direct representations of dance, but emotional and visual responses to it.

Texture: Using thick layers of paint, often applied with a knife, Grabmayr creates a rich texture that adds depth and complexity to his paintings. The texture can resemble materials such as fabric or paper in motion, further enhancing the sense of dance dynamics.

Colors: The color palette he uses varies, but often includes bright and contrasting colors that contribute to a sense of energy and vitality.

Rhythmicity: Throughout each work in the “Dance Sheet” series, a clear rhythmic component is present. The brushstrokes and color arrangement guide the viewer through the composition, much like the rhythm and movement guide the dancer through the dance.

Emotional Expression: Grabmayr uses abstraction to express the emotional side of dance. Each image carries with it a feeling of joy, passion or energy, with which the artist manages to convey not only the physical, but also the emotional aspects of dance.

The viewer is invited to intuitively connect with the images, interpreting the movements and dynamics in a personal way. Grabmayr’s paintings allow for different interpretations, as they are abstract and open to subjective interpretation.

These paintings are an example of how art can translate experiences and emotions into a visual language that speaks directly to the viewer.

Definitely I recommend that you explore the “Dance Sheet” series in more depth, by visiting relevant exhibitions or museums that own Franz Grabmayr’s works, or by viewing them online here or anywhere else on the internet.

Enjoy the beauty of these paintings!

Sources:

https://chatgpt.com/

Franz Grabmayr / Exponate / KUNSTHAUS: KOLLITSCH

Franz Grabmayr « ALBERTINA Museum Wien

Franz Grabmayr – Aurora Art Gallery (aurora-art-gallery.com)

Pexels.com

Članak AND AGAIN, DANCE AND PAINTING se pojavljuje prvo na Ples & Grad.

Dance first. Think later. That is a natural order. Dance first. Think later. That is a natural order. Samuel Beckett

Dance Academy USA gives us 10 reasons why dance is good for You! We are just giving a list here that summarize well all we have been writing about in our blog.

So, why is it good for you to dance? Here are the top 10 reasons:

1) Great way to exercise and stay fit

2) Burn calories

3) Improved health

4) Greater Coordination

5) Good for bones and joints

6) Build confidence

7) Great way to meet new people

8) Lifts your mood

9) Good for your Mind

10) Improved overall well-being

There are, of course, many more benefits of dancing, but we have to stop somewhere.

We will leave you here to think why it would be good for you to dance? Write down what you would like to achieve with attending dance classes in a year time from today?

Actually, no! As Beckett says: “Dance first. Think later”.

So come to our workshops! Here you can read about programs we offer and about our workshops. You can also follow us at our pages on. Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

At this page you can read testimonials.

Looking forward to dancing with You!

Sources:

https://www.danceacademyusa.com/2015/02/25/10-reasons-why-dancing-is-good-for-you/

Photo: unsplash.com

pexels.com

Članak 10 reasons to dance se pojavljuje prvo na Ples & Grad.

“Ever more people today have the means to live, but no meaning to live for.

                                                                                                                                                                   Dr Viktor Frankl

                                                                                                       Author of bestseller „Man’s Search for Meaning”

For some time, for the end of this year, I have wanted to write something for Ples i Grad, which could have a place on our blog, but also in the Pravo i Zdravo section (this part is only in Serbian language).

Unfortunately, the news appeared that belongs to both section of our web site. News with a very important message.

A well-known DJ, dancer and producer Stephen “tWitch” Boss committed suicide. Just three days after celebrating his wedding anniversary with his wife, Allison Holker, also a dancer. The couple often posts videos together on TikTok and Instagram and has a large following. They released a dance video together just two days before his death!

tWitch and his wife, both dancers who appeared on the competition series “So You Think You Can Dance?” and “Dancing with the Stars.” He was also DJ in famous TV show of Ellen DeGeneres. The couple married in 2013 and marked their ninth wedding anniversary this week. They share three children. Obviously, he was a very successful and famous. Apparently, nothing has indicated that he is going to take his own life.

This also can be said for many famous people who committed suicide: Sylvia Plath, Ernest Hemingway, Robin Williams and many more others.

On World Suicide Prevention Day, the World Health Organization warns that around one million people take their own lives every year. In Serbia, the number is quite frightening and statistics say that around 1,500 people commit suicide every year. (source: prevencija samoubistva – Žena.rs (blic.rs).

Look up for telephone numbers where you can reach for help in your own country (data for Serbia are given in Serbian text on this blog).

Take care of yourself and your loved ones, that’s our message for the end of 2022!

“The truth—that love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which man can aspire“ Viktor Frankl.

Sources:

Viktor Frankl – Wikipedia

Man’s Search for Meaning – Wikipedia

Stephen “tWitch” Boss – Wikipedia

Stephen “tWitch” Boss, dancer and “Ellen” show DJ, dead at 40 – CBS News

List Of Famous People Who Committed Suicide (thefamouspeople.com)

Za Tebe #VAZNOJE | Facebook

Sve je OK

Photo: Unsplash.com

Članak FOR THE END OF 2022… se pojavljuje prvo na Ples & Grad.

Named by the psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi in 1975, the concept has been widely referred to across a variety of fields (and is particularly well recognized in occupational therapy), though the concept has been claimed to have existed for thousands of years under other names. (Source: Flow (psychology) – Wikipedia).

Then while browsing through selected news I found Harvard Business Review- from Oct 17^th 2022: How can you find joy (or at least peace) during difficult times?. That article brought me to a very interesting application: Joy Generator. One part of it is Find Your Flow (You can see other parts if You open Menu in the upper right corner of the screen).

This session of application actually supports you in making art (drawing), with following explanations (source: Find Your Flow):

Focusing on these little in making art can help unlock a creative mental state that scientists call “flow” — it’s when you’re so absorbed in a task that time, space and any worries seem to disappear. Flow is seen as a positive state of mind, where deep focus, skill and productivity harmonize.

Playing with art is just one easy way to take a short break and create. It doesn’t even matter if you like what you make. The point is the process.

Flow is seen as a positive state of mind, where deep focus, skill and productivity harmonize.

Now, let’s get back to our topic: Dance and Flow.

Dance is one of the oldest flow activities. It’s complex and appeals to people of all ages. Both informal dancing, such as dancing in a club, and specific genres of dance, such as ballet, can create flow experiences. Teenagers who went clubbing reported a sense of connection with the people around them, and they enjoyed the challenge of producing movements that matched the music and the movements of other dancers (Source: Finding Flow Through Yoga, Martial Arts, and Dancing | Shortform Books).

In the chapter Flow in the dancing body: an intersubjective experience, of The Oxford Handbook of Dancing and Wellbeing interesting connection between dancer and spectator is explained, related to flow:

“It is argued, flow enables the researcher/spectator to connect to, act into, and merge with the experience of the dancer, informing both their understanding of the dancer’s wellbeing and their own wellbeing in the moment of observation. Flow thus offers a perspective of wellbeing that enhances the spectator/dancer relationship”.

Although a lot has been written about flow, you can always find something new.

So, now You can try Joy Generator, and put Youself in flow.

And after that, go dance!😊

SOURCES:

Flow (psychology) – Wikipedia

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi – Wikipedia

Flow (psychology) – Wikipedia

https://www.health.harvard.edu/

How can you find joy (or at least peace) during difficult times? – Harvard Health

https://apps.npr.org/joy-generator/#story=menu&page=0

Finding Flow Through Yoga, Martial Arts, and Dancing | Shortform Books

Flow in the dancing body: an intersubjective experience (openrepository.com)

The Oxford Handbook of Dance and Wellbeing – Hardcover – Vicky Karkou; Sue Oliver; Sophia Lycouris – Oxford University Press (oup.com)

Photo: Unsplash.com

Pexels.com

Članak Dance and flow or Generator Joy se pojavljuje prvo na Ples & Grad.

I follow regularly her Youtube channel, with interesting news from the world of physics and science in general. Science news from Oct 12^th 2022 you can watch here; this is when I heard for the first time about renewable energy from dancing!

While searching for SWG3 company dr Hossenfelder mentioned in the her video and presents it as the first one to use dance as renewable source of energy, I found news on this web site.

Glasgow venue SWG3 has begun generating its own renewable energy from the body heat on its dancefloor.

According to the owners, this system, known as Bodyheat, will allow them to completely disconnect the venue’s gas boilers, cutting about 70 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year. The Bodyheat system took three years to install, at a cost of £600,000. The project was supported by the Scottish government and largely subsidised through a series of grants. However, the savings on energy bills will make the investment recoverable in about five years, depending on costs (Source: Glasgow venue starts generating power from fans dancing (nme.com).

The system was designed by geothermal energy consultancy TownRock Energy.

Here you can listen to 6 minutes interview with Andrew Fleming-Brown, Managing Director of the arts venue SWG3 to learn more about the project and how system actually works.

According to this web site, one night out dancing is enough for watching 125 days of TV and do 75 loads of laundry!

Upon further search, I find that this is not a novelty as presented by Dr. Hossenfelder in her video; namely, there is an example of smart tiles of the British company Pavegen, which ten years ago designed a floor covering that converts the kinetic energy generated by walking into electrical energy. Energy can be generated from footsteps as people walk on them. (Source: Drveni podovi koji generišu električnu energiju – Gradjevinarstvo.rs). They are used on dance floors, on football stadiums and athletic halls, but also in some big cities like London and Washington.

Sources:

Sabine Hossenfelder – Wikipedia

Sabine Hossenfelder – YouTube

What is spooky action at a distance? Unidentified Aerial Phenomena in Ukraine, and more – YouTube

Glasgow venue starts generating power from fans dancing (nme.com)

BODYHEAT – a world first! | TownRock Energy

How could body heat slash CO2 emissions of a Glasgow nightclub? – YouTube

Dance Yrself Green: can clubbing generate renewable energy? | DJMag.com

Drveni podovi koji generišu električnu energiju – Gradjevinarstvo.rs

Photo: https://djmag.com/

Članak Energy from the dance floor se pojavljuje prvo na Ples & Grad.

“Searching for some company
Feel the rhythm dance with me
Them beat boy blues seem out of place
Now they want to party pace party pace
Dance dance on the floor
Dance dance move some more
Dance dance feel the heat
Hit that perfect beat boy, hit that perfect beat beat boy…”

Lyrics from: Hit That Perfect Beat, you can listen it here.

These lyrics are from a big hit of one of my favorite bands from the pop phase of the 80s, Bronski Beat. These words have been in my mind for days…

I thought: „How many songs and song titles are there with a word Dance in it?“. Ok, there is famous Dance Me to the End of Love by Leonard Cohen, that I want to mention first. You can listen it here.

“Dance Me to the End of Love” is a 1984 song by Leonard Cohen and first recorded by him for his 1984 album “Various Positions”.

Although structured as a love song, “Dance Me to the End Of Love” was in fact inspired by the Holocaust (you can read more from the source: Wikipedia)

The next one on my mind was Dance Little Sister. The one by Terence Trend D’Arby. There is also one, same title, by Rolling Stones.

Dancing in the Moonlight was the next one on my mind.

At that point I said to myself: Lets search internet! The first link was for 120 songs with a word Dance in the title! Here it is, more than 120 titles with a word Dance in it! Of course, so many are there: Dancing Queen (on our blog), Private Dancer (about Tina on our blog (in Serbian)), Let’s Dance, I want to dance with someone (who loves me), Save the last dance for me, …

And here comes lyrics that have word Dance/Dancing in it, not just in the title. I will leave you here to go through the whole list.

Interesting fact for the end, there is also a A Dance Symphony, Symphony No. 8, classical music piece, by Don Gillis. But also, a beautiful Waltz of The Flowers by Tchaikovsky (favorite classical piece of my dog, Kata), that has a word describing dance in the title (like other waltzes, etc).

Well, dance is definitely an inspiration! Our texts are mostly about how dance is good, useful and healthy. With this short text we wanted to show that with writing and singing about dance, we can describe different feelings, emotions, phenomena, … whole life actually!

Now, leave the lyrics and let’s dance!

Lets do it with a song from our region: Mi plesemo (We are dancing) by Prljavo Kazaliste.

SOURCES:

dance on the floor bronski beat lyrics – Search (bing.com)

Bronski Beat- Hit That Perfect Beat (Official Music Video) – YouTube

Bronski Beat – Wikipedia

dance me to the end of love lyrics – Search (bing.com)

Leonard Cohen – Dance Me to the End of Love (Official Video) – YouTube

Leonard Cohen – Wikipedia

Dance Me to the End of Love – Wikipedia

The Holocaust – Wikipedia

Sananda Maitreya – Dance Little Sister (Official Video) – YouTube

Terence Trent D’Arby – Wikipedia

Dancing in the Moonlight (Original Recording) – King Harvest – YouTube

120+ Songs With Dance in the Title – Spinditty

Abba – Dancing Queen (Official Music Video Remastered) – YouTube

Dancing princess – Ples & Grad – Sladjana Milosevic (plesigrad.rs)

Tina Turner – Private Dancer (Official Music Video) – YouTube

Tina – Ples i Grad

David Bowie – Let’s Dance (Official Video) – YouTube

Save the last dance for me – The Drifters – YouTube

Lyrics containing the term: Dancing

Don Gillis (1912-78) : Symphony No. 8 ‘A Dance Symphony’ (1950) – YouTube

Don Gillis (composer) – Wikipedia

George Balanchine´s The Nutcracker – Waltz of the Flowers – YouTube

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Wikipedia

Prljavo Kazalište – Mi plešemo – YouTube

Prljavo kazalište – Wikipedija (wikipedia.org)

Photo: Unsplash.com

Članak Dance in Song Lyrics se pojavljuje prvo na Ples & Grad.

And beautiful: Choreography “The Picture of Dorian Gray“.

No need for more words, watch the video and enjoy.

More information about Falkner can be found here:

https://falknerdischer.com/

https://www.instagram.com/falknerdischer/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO8hO9RqxP_9rYNMh2vHhrQ

Photo: Private gallery

Članak „The picture of Dorian Grey“, a Dance by Falkner Discher se pojavljuje prvo na Ples & Grad.

This was an invitation to attend the World Congress of Logotherapy in Dallas in 2017. We definitely planned to attend because I had to present my final project at the end of competition of my logotherapy studies at the Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy in Texas.

Well, who can resist a barbecue in Texas? (it’s in Belgrade the Texan barbeque is in https://holysmokes.rs/). We later realized that line dance is just as irresistible as barbecue, or riding horses in Texas, beautiful city of Dallas and Forth Worth, rodeo, art in Deep Elm and many, many other wonderful things for which you should definitely visit Lone State Star!

A line dance is a choreographed dance in which a group of people dance along to a repeating sequence of steps while arranged in one or more lines or rows. These lines usually face all in the same direction, or less commonly face each other. Unlike circle dancing, line dancers are not in physical contact with each other. (Source: Line dance – Wikipedia)

The origin of line dancing is not fully known.  The growth and popularity of line dancing has mainly been tied to country and western music.

It is likely that at least some of the steps and terminology used in modern line dancing originated from the dances brought to North America by European immigrants in the 1800s Throughout the 1860s–1890s, the style that would later be known as country–western dance began to emerge from these dances. Schools in the United States began to incorporate dancing, particularly folk dancing, into physical education classes in the 1900s, which popularized folk and country dancing as a social activity. (Source: Line dance – Wikipedia)

The music video for the 1990 Billy Ray Cyrus song “Achy Breaky Heart” has been credited for launching line dancing into the mainstream. Her is official video.

In the 1990s, the hit Spanish dance song “Macarena” inspired a popular line dance.

Now, this is my favorite video with instructions how to line dance Achy Breaky Heart.

Try line dance with this video, it is super fun!

SOURCES

Texas – Wikipedia

Line dance – Wikipedia

Learn About Line Dancing | Discover a Hobby

Billy Ray Cyrus – Wikipedia

Achy Breaky Heart – Wikipedia

Billy Ray Cyrus – Achy Breaky Heart (Official Video) – YouTube

Photo: Unsplash.com

Private gallery – Sladjana Milosevic

Članak Line dance se pojavljuje prvo na Ples & Grad.