Monday, August 20, 2012

Dance Bag Essentials

You're a dancer. It means you lug around a huge bag with endless shoes, medical supplies, snacks/meals, water, changes of clothes, and all other supplies in between. I was once one of those people who carried literally everything. All the time. My current dance bag is a lot less ridiculous. Now I'm going to try and narrow it down even further to what is absolutely necessary to your dance bag:
  1. essentials of going out - yeah, it's not new, but don't forget your keys, phone, wallet, ID, credit cards, etc that you always have with you. I just stuff my purse into my bag.
  2. pinky ball or tennis ball - these cute little balls are not only small and portable, but they are, as my teacher says, "your own personal massage therapist for 99 cents." You can't carry a foam roller with you everywhere (I wish), but you can get almost any muscle group to relax with a pinky ball. Use it on the soles of your feet, to your back, glutes, and legs.
  3. snack - something that is literally always accessible in your bag. I always have almonds with me, and sometimes I throw in an energy bar if I know I'm going to need more.
  4. band aids, blister band aids, and medical paper tape - there's almost no blister or cut you can't cover with just these three items.
  5. nail clipper - hangnail or loose flap of skin? Blistered skin hanging loose (gross)? Cut it off and bandage that sucker.
  6. small hair kit - hair net, bobby pins, extra hair ties, small can of hairspray if you need it. Find a neat little box or small makeup purse that you can keep it all in so that it won't ever have to leave your dance bag. Boys....I don't think this one applies.
  7. water bottle - you might be able to fill it at the studio (what studio doesn't have a water fountain?) if you want to save on weight.
  8. advil - sometimes you can't put up with the pain anymore, but you can't just stop either.
  9. deodorant - let's face the music, people.
  10. jacket and long pants/sweats - unless it's summer and there's no AC in your studio, you need to stay warm at all times.
  11. dance shoes and/or socks - kind of a duh! moment, but you won't believe how many times I forgot my ballet shoes when going to class last year.
 On performance night, add:
  1. portable sewing kit - what happens if your shoe elastics pop off, or your fishnets rip?
  2. safety pins - if you can find them, diaper pins work even better (they have locks so they won't pop open no matter what). Almost nothing you can't fix with a safety pin.
  3. hair detangler (if you need to change, curl, or otherwise change hair) - I once had a dancer in my piece who needed to have frizzy, curly hair for a piece before mine and more controlled, pulled back hair for my own. Detangler saved my sanity.
  4. hairspray - not only works to tame your flowing locks, but can also be used on the bottoms of your shoes to provide extra grip if the stage is slippery. Water or rosin works for gripping as well.
  5. a pair of black shorts (and/or white) - depends on your costumes, but if it malfunctions and can't be saved, those shorts will be your friend.
  6. **for girls: nude leotard and/or nude bra/sticky bra - these things will cover you under just about any costume.
Other essentials for me that may not be essential for you:
  1. small towel - I sweat like no other. It's especially necessary for ballet (backless leos...)
  2. pens - you just never know.
  3. small jewelry pouch - I wear rings and earrings 24/7, plus necklaces sometimes. Gotta have somewhere special to put them, or else I lose them very easily...
  4. theraband - great for stretching, warming up, and strengthening whenever I have a minute before or between classes.
I'm sure I missed some things. What are some essentials for you? Do you agree with mine?

16 comments:

  1. i always carry a bottle of clear nail polish to stop runs and scissors to score new shoes for extra grip.

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    Replies
    1. I also bring a full bottle of Revlon clear nail polish, a lighter, a dance head band, extra toe pads, a toe spacer, and rubbing alcohol (for breaking in shoes).

      Delete
  2. I carry money in case I forget my snack or drink. We have a vending machine in the green room with healthy foods. ♥

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  3. your Lady stuff- BE PREPARED with a change of everything -

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    Replies
    1. Yes!!! That-AND ALL IF THE ABOVE...I was a dancer 20 years ago-these days- the arthritis is so bad in my knees I can barely walk-- but you never forget things like BBB's (Ballet Bag Basics)
      Happy Dancing All of you!

      Delete
  4. i like to carry a some lip balm just in case my lips are chap

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  5. I like to carry some Neosporin just incase I get hurt and I want to put something on my cut to make it heal faster

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  6. Thanks for sharing this useful information.
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    ReplyDelete
  7. i take leg warmers and crossovers in case the studio gets cold, and medical tape, and foot things and toe pads, but dont forget your pointe shoes! What type do u have? I have bloch amelie

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  8. The best purchase I've ever made are Bloch warm up booties. I have never gone to dance without bringing my booties. They are so warm when warming up at the studio, they are super comfy, they help with injuries so you have more support. Very much recommend.

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  9. what should i bring if i only take hip hop?

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  10. My daughter is 7 and is starting ballet what should I have in her bag?

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    Replies
    1. You will probably be near her because she is so young, so have it in your bag. However if you aren't I'd pack:
      -extra leotard
      -tights
      -socks (in case of a broken ballet shoe or injury)
      -bandaids
      -medical supplies (allergy equipment/inhalers)
      -sweater
      -water
      -snack
      -phone/trackphone (a phone that only calls around $20)
      -shorts (if underwear pokes out)
      -money (for vending machines)
      -your contact info (if she's sick, injured, or loses her bag)
      -extra glases/contacts (i have to wear contacts to dance because my gases are loose and i wouldn't see anything)
      -hand sanitizer
      -lip balm
      -hair supplies (bobby pins, hair ties, mini hairspray, mini brush, and or headband)

      Delete
  11. My daughter is 7 and is starting ballet what should I have in her bag?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You will probably be near her because she is so young, so have it in your bag. However if you aren't I'd pack:
      -extra leotard
      -tights
      -socks (in case of a broken ballet shoe or injury)
      -bandaids
      -medical supplies (allergy equipment/inhalers)
      -sweater
      -water
      -snack
      -phone/trackphone (a phone that only calls around $20)
      -shorts (if underwear pokes out)
      -money (for vending machines)
      -your contact info (if she's sick, injured, or loses her bag)
      -extra glases/contacts (i have to wear contacts to dance because my gases are loose and i wouldn't see anything)
      -hand sanitizer
      -lip balm
      -hair supplies (bobby pins, hair ties, mini hairspray, mini brush, and or headband)

      Delete