Ritmoby Dearlie Gerodias Gilbert
← The journal Dance · Travel · 2 min

Dee for Dance Masterclass + Dubai Travel Tips!

Combining two things I enjoy the most: travel and dance. Sharing some quick tips for people who are looking to travel to Dubai and sharing my dance masterclass workshop there.

By Dearlie ‘Dee’ Gerodias Gilbert · 8 April 2018
Domes, dunes and dance: a collage of photos from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Van Gogh, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Global Village, the Burj Khalifa and the desert

Last December, I decided to spend Christmas with my sisters in Dubai together with my then-boyfriend-now fiancé, Oliver.

Christmas in Dubai with my sisters and the family.
Christmas in Dubai with my sisters and the family.

It's always a good time when I'm with my older sister Sunshine.

She's been residing there for 11 years and started a brand digital consultancy agency and a multi-media content creation company together with her husband, which explains the photo below. My younger sister Czarina also just recently moved to Dubai for work so it was the perfect time to go visit again.

Please show some love and check out Itsoura Weddings, The White Box Events and Loud Digital Marketing. 💖

I've compiled a quick gallery of recommendations for anyone who's planning a trip to Dubai:

(Best viewed on ipad / desktop)

Striking a pose on the old race cars at Last Exit, on the road to Abu Dhabi.
Striking a pose on the old race cars at Last Exit, on the road to Abu Dhabi.
Oliver and me at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Oliver and me at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
A Van Gogh self-portrait at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
A Van Gogh self-portrait at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Oliver doing his best portrait impression under the Louvre’s dome.
Oliver doing his best portrait impression under the Louvre’s dome.
Wandering the narrow lanes near the old souk.
Wandering the narrow lanes near the old souk.
A quiet courtyard break in the old town.
A quiet courtyard break in the old town.
Shadow art by a Jordanian artist at XVA Gallery.
Shadow art by a Jordanian artist at XVA Gallery.
Oliver braving a camel burger at Global Village.
Oliver braving a camel burger at Global Village.
The grand arches of Global Village at night.
The grand arches of Global Village at night.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, beautiful after dark.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, beautiful after dark.
Looking up at the Burj Khalifa.
Looking up at the Burj Khalifa.
An evening stroll at La Mer.
An evening stroll at La Mer.
Camping out in the desert.
Camping out in the desert.
A desert walk, with camels in the distance.
A desert walk, with camels in the distance.
Behind the scenes at my sister’s agency and studio.
Behind the scenes at my sister’s agency and studio.
Catching the last of the light on the dunes.
Catching the last of the light on the dunes.

The best part about the trip, of course, was being able to share my dance knowledge to dancesport teachers and athletes there.

It was an amazing afternoon filled with dance and laughter from people sharing the same passion. I tailored an agenda that could encompass the foundations of high-level competitive dancing. It was difficult to fit it all in 4 hours but I'm happy that we managed to pull it off.

Dee for Dance poster: a Latin dancesport masterclass by Dearlie Gerodias, 23 December 2017, Studio 410, Al Ansar Gallery, Karama
Dee for Dance: a Latin dancesport masterclass, 23 December 2017, Studio 410, Al Ansar Gallery, Karama.
The masterclass agenda: four hours, from function over form to musicality.
The masterclass agenda: four hours, from function over form to musicality.

At the end of the day, I was hopefully able to leave the dance athletes with the importance of function over form. To focus on their foundations and technique. To really get to know their own body and understand the mechanics in order to elevate their dancing. Styling and form will change and modernize over time for sure, but the foundations will always, ALWAYS be the same. So focus on your technique and fundamentals.

Enjoy this short clip of snippets from the workshop!

Dearlie ‘Dee’ Gerodias GilbertFormer Latin Dancesport athlete, product lead and mum, writing from Madrid
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