Thread: Turkish Drop - in Heels ?

I'm not sure which forum to post this in - my question is about technique as well as shoes

Those of you who do turkish drops - do you ever do them in heels? if so how is it different? Did it take a lot to get used to it?

I'm asking because after a long long dilemma (couple of years) I decided that if I want to wear shoes I will wear ballroom sandals. I love dancing barefoot, but most floors are dirty, especially in hookah lounges. I'm not crazy about hermes sandals (I don't think they match the shiny sparkly expensive costumes, but that's just my opinion) - ballet slippers, well, I like them but they must have a certain look.
I always favored heels - the only problem was that
1. how you do turkish drop in them? I prefer not to break my ankles.
2. I would have to get used to doing sword or other balancing items in them - my center would be totally off, but I guess it't just about practicing.
3. my movements will be different - I liked barefoot, because I can be on my feet or I can be on my toes, as opposed to high heels: I can only be on my toes.

I just bought a pair of silver ballroom sandals (2.5 inch heels) and I can dress them up a little to match my gold accented costumes also. I will start dancing in them in places where I don't do any balancing and work on my sword.
But the turkish drop - you either do it or you don't.
So I would love some advice, especially if you have done them barefoot and in heels.

thank you
Marianna

I've done them with heels and without. I usually wore 2" - 2 1/2" character shoes, which have a sturdier heel than most ballroom shoes. They're not as pretty, but definitely easier to dance in because you don't have to learn how to balance on the skinny heels.

Once I learned to dance in heels, which is just a matter of practice, doing the drop in them didn't make much difference. I think the sticking point comes more while doing floorwork and learning how to avoid getting the heels stuck in your skirt and how to kick the skirt out of the way before stepping down, (as you would need to for knee walks or when getting up from the floor, because you can't "feel" the floor anymore). I would always make sure that when going into a kneeling position I would sweep my hand around the back of the skirt and pull it off of my feet.

Thank you Vilia for your response.
I just got my shoes today - I love them, they very pretty and comfy. Although I have to get used to the thin heels (I can dance the night away in thick heels). So I am cleaning the house and cooking in sweatpants and ballroom shoes

I'm glad I bought them, I feel that my costumes will have a more finished look - should've done them earlier. I think balancing the sword may be a challenge (I include balancing it on one leg, the other is up in the air, with upper body leaning forward. I always thought that it looked so much easier than doing it, but now in heels, it will definitely be difficult).

I think I will just do the turkish drop in them. After a few performances I'm sure it will feel like I am barefooted, so I'll try not to pay it any atention.

thanks :)
and Happy Turkey day

Thanks Rita, my question actually was if anyone does them IN shoes. I do them without shoes,too, that's not the problem.
but thanks
:)

random on shoes: I painted my hermes sandals with gold metallic leather paint, and lace them with thin round gold elastic. they look a lot 'dressier' that way. as for ballroom shoes, I ordered a few pairs with very low, very square heels - all the look up front of heels without the totter factor.

and ok, 'splain this: if a floor is so dirty you have to wear shoes, what the heck are you doing throwing yourself down on it in a turkish drop?? lol!

Hi Elisa,

very valid question!
Well, here's the thing. Originally I was thinking to start dancing in heels in hookah lounges (I dance at 2 of them, and the floors are extremely dirty), now, I wasn't going to lay on the floor, or even go near it.
But then I started thinking, that I do like the look of the heels, and I will get better if I dance in them everywhere, even if the floor is not dirty.
So there are restaurants or at parties with a stage where I would be wearing heels and could throw myself on the floor. :)

I guess when the opportunity comes, I'll just do it. The heels shouldn't really come into play, I think it's probably in my head. And we all know, if you hesitate just one split second during/before the drop, you won't land correctly.

Several of my teachers did drops in heels. One danced only in heels, the other two wore various sorts of footwear.
Personally I never quite got the knack of dancing in heels, the closest I've come is a tiny 3/4" heel on my jazz shoes.
I agree that the wrong shoe can totally ruin the look of a costume.