Where to Dance around the world

I like to dance whenever I'm on the road traveling. Whether in an open public space or in a dance studio. Dance is the one constant thing in my life that I've had since I was about 4 years old as a young ballet student. Having grown up and lived around the world, there is nothing that grounds me more than the freedom of movement. As a dancer, I've danced/performed or taught in Jakarta, Singapore, Bangkok, Manilla, Kuala Lumpur, Claremont, Los Angeles, Durham, Oakland, New York City, Houston, Washington D.C., Toronto, Guangzhou, Edinburgh. I love the dancing traveling life! (Book me for teaching workshops!)

I'm currently creating a Dance Film project with Laura Lamp, longtime dancer and collaborator with my dance company (A.H. Dance Company); we exchange physical postcards and film short dance scenes from different parts of the world. The postcards and the text greetings serve as a backdrop or soundscape for the short dance scenes. This is an ongoing project and if you would like to send us a postcard please send us an email.
Check out our Letters Project  to see a few of our videos!

Barcelona, Spain


Lisbon, Portugal

Sydney, Australia

Washington D.C.

Washington D.C.

My Favorite spots to Dance outside and take Dance pictures:

1) Washington Monument in Washington D.C., USA

2) Brooklyn Botanical Gardens in Brooklyn, NY, USA

3) Plaza de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain

4) City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, Spain

5) Plaza de Espana in Seville, Spain

6) Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria

9) Tate Museum and Southbank in London, UK

10) Battery Park in Manhattan, NY, USA

The best places have always had an open space plan. I adore wide open spaces because all I want to do is run, skip, turn, jump, leap, and dance around. I also love stunning architecture and the old palaces of Europe always have these large grand halls where the ceilings are beautifully adorned.  You can just imagine all those amazing ball gowns that the ladies of the court used to wear.

Plaza de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain

Valencia, Spain

Botanical Gardens, Brooklyn, NY

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria

Belvedere Palace, Vienna, Austria

Schönbrunn Palace gardens, Vienna, Austria

Where to Dance in...

I like to take dance classes while I'm on the road and checking out new teachers, classes, and studios is quite fun! Especially when on the road for many weeks, a dance class or yoga class really grounds me and makes me feel at home.
If you want to take dance classes when you travel these are MY favorite places 

Singapore

1) Dance On Us Studios - These studios has a a variety of freelance teaching all kinds of classes from Zumba to Classical Ballet to Street Dance. The location of these studios are right by Orchard Rd so its extremely central and easy to get to. 

I teach contemporary dance classes at these studios and private lessons as well. If you want to know more about my classes. Join my Facebook Group: Alaine's Contemporary Dance Classes

2) Goodman Arts Center - This arts centre houses Frontier Danceland, Dance Nucleus, and T.H.E. Dance Company all of which has workshops, classes, open company classes regularly. 

3) Dans Festival at Esplanade - Every year, the dans festival at the Esplanade hosts different visiting and local dance companies for performances in their theaters. In addition to the performances, there are a variety of workshops offered in the dance studio (stunning views of the marina bay), outdoor stage, and in the hall between the two large performance venues. 

The beautiful studio at Esplanade overlooking the Marina Bay

Amsterdam 

1) Henny Juriens Foundation at Chasse Studios - The classes are hosted at a refurbished church that is run by Chasse studios and offers daily high level dance classes for intermediate to advanced dancers. 

2) Chasse Dance Studios - For multi-level dance classes for children, youth, adults, I recommend checking out the class offerings of Chasse studios.

Chasse studios/ Henny Jurriens Foundation

Brussels

1) Yantra Academy - The classes are taught in French but I really loved the lofted studio and they have a variety of classes available throughout the whole day. 

2) Ultima Vez and PARTS - I haven't actually been here but these two facilities are world-renowned in the contemporary dance world.

Yantra Academy

Copenhagen

1) Sceneindgangen - It was quite the adventure to get to this studio. Located in Nørrebro district on a residential stretch and down a little alley. I was pleasantly surprised with the space. There are two large studios in this space and a beautiful lofted reception area. I really enjoyed taking the contemporary dance class here. Jenny Major is the owner of the studio and teaches contemporary classes here. It was one of the best classes I have taken in a long time. I hope to return and take classes with her again when I'm in Copenhagen.

A bit tricky to locate but so worth the adventure! Sceneindgangen

London

1) Rambert Dance Company - I was staying in Southbank on one of my trips to London and passed by a flyer for open dance classes at Rambert Dance Company. I ended up taking a class that evening and loved it! The classes are more casual and geared towards young professionals and former dancers so it isn't the usual pressure of being in a class with other advanced / professional dancers. I always make it a point to stop by and take a intermediate ballet and modern class when I'm in town because the studios are wonderful to dance in and the teachers are so lovely here. The modern dance style is a cross between classical modern and release technique with very punctuated and specific movements.

2) Greenwich Dance - The best thing to do to get over jetlag, especially if I wake up really early is to have light breakfast and coffee then head to dance class at Greenwich dance. The advanced / professional dance classes in the mornings here are taught by guest teachers. I usually end up feeling inspired to dance and to dance with other dancers is such a treat. Even though, I will sometimes leave feeling really sore. The classes remind me of my dancing days as a dancer in New York. There are also classes geared for non-dancers in the evenings and the dance space is in a large hall. I don't know if you noticed but the space in which I choose to dance in really matters.

The very large studio at Rambert Dance 

Melbourne
1) Chunky Move - I was a little excited to take classes at this company's space because I've seen some of their performances in the past and really enjoyed the movement. There are classes for the general public and for professional dancers throughout the week offered at their studio in the arts district of Melbourne. I was only in Melbourne for a few days so found a dance class to take that fit into my schedule. They seem to have a rotation in the teachers so check the website.

Chunky Move is in a really cool district with lots of galleries and performance venues

Sydney
1) Sydney Dance Company - One of the most beautiful spaces I have ever danced in. The classes here are quite popular with the after work crowd so get there a bit early to secure a spot in class. I arrived really early for the class and had plenty of time to explore the grounds around the space. It is overlooking the harbor and if you walk along the pier around the building, you can see the Harbor Bridge. I ended up filming a short scene for Letters Project  here while I warmed up and waited for class to start.

Warming up early before class at Sydney Dance

This view! Just around the building at Sydney Dance

Dance is like breathing for me. Wherever I am in the world, if I have an outlet to dance and move, I am home. Home is not a place for me. It is the memories and moments of the past, present, and future. 
- Alaine Handa

Where am I dancing next? 
Koh Samui, Thailand! Come join me: August 9-13, 2017!
Social Zen Retreats curate retreats full of authenticity, creativity, and balance!

Glow in Thailand by Social Zen Retreats

6 of my favorite Capital Cities in the world

6 of my favorite Capital Cities in the world

1. New York City

New York City is where it all happens. Wall street, Fashion, Broadway, Hipsters, Food trends. Technically not the capital city of the USA but in my opinion its the capital city of the world. I had a beautiful love affair with New York City as my home. Just walking in a city that literally never sleeps and convenience at your doorstep (Hello Seamlessweb, Rent the Runway, Fresh Direct, Beauty services, etc.) or a subway/bus ride away, you can get anything and be anything in New York. Its a vibrant bustling city with the most talented and no-nonsense people you will find. You either love it or hate it.

My Favorite spots in New York





2. Stockholm

Stockholm has beautiful architecture, islands, people, food, culture, fashion, fika, and lifestyle. This city is stunning! From my first visit to my 8th - the experiences and memories were all different and according to the seasons. This Swedish capital morphs and changes according to seasons along with its residents. In the summer, everyone is out ALL the time and partying. When the leaves start to fall and the air gets a little colder, people prepare for the holiday season and head back to indoors-only activities. During the winter months, the days are short and the dark winter nights make walking around a bit chillier but has that mysterious air that is captured perfectly in Nordic Noir films.

When in Sweden, YOU must have a Fika






3. Amsterdam/Copenhagen

Quirky, weird, architecture, canals, coffee shops, liberals, art, Indonesian food, and eclectic. Amsterdam has the trappings of what I love. A capital city that acts like a town. This is a walking city (or if you're an expert city biker) and the trams are also easy to navigate. Residents are always on a rush on their bikes so get out of their way! However, if you find them in a cafe, coffee shop, restaurant, they are certainly a friendly bunch. I've used Amsterdam as a pit stop for a couple nights in most recent years whenever I'm traveling through Europe. The architecture is really quaint and you will want to constantly be taking pictures of every canal and bridge you pass through.

Summer part 1 in Brussels and Amsterdam





Copenhagen

Copenhagen is another fantastic walking city that is lined with colorful buildings, Danish design interior furniture, cobble stone streets, castles, palaces, museums, and tons of Michelin starred restaurants and bars. Similar to Amsterdam, Copenhagen also has residents that are in a hurry on their bikes to get to their destinations so I would only recommend renting a bike if you're an expert city cyclist. A lot of innovation and creativity goes on in Copenhagen and you can see it in the food, fashion, design, and architecture. Always looking forward and innovating, the Danes have a great quality of life in a sense that they make sure they take breaks to refresh their mind before figuring out the next great design.

My journey to Noma




4. London

Oh London! You amaze me with your stunning old architecture and new skyscrapers. Winding little alleyways to riverside walks along the Thames. I have to be honest, the first time I was in London, I wasn't too impressed. I was in a weird headspace at that time and kept comparing London to New York. London is not New York. London is London. A British metropolis with traditions of standing outside the pub while drinking beer, eating fish and chips or pie on the way home, rushing around in the tube stations, walking fast and looking preoccupied, free art museums, beautiful palaces and gardens, thriving art scene, and very cool residents. The more I visit this fine metropolis, the more I adore it and simply want to discover different neighbourhoods.

Wandering amongst hipsters in Shoreditch







5. Vienna

Music, easy public transportation, urban, good food, palaces, cafes, museums, art, and good coffee, wine, beer, schnitzel! Vienna is a wonderful city and its no big surprise that its rated very highly as one of the most liveable cities of the world. With moderate prices, big wide streets, lots of bike paths (I did rent a bike and ride through the city here - with a lot of caution of course!), friendly residents, and just gorgeous architecture. I have been to Vienna only a couple times but I want to keep returning because there is so much to do and see in this beautiful city.

Summer part 3: Music, schnitzel, museums, and palaces in Vienna

6. Singapore

And now we've come to my birth country and where I hold my permanent residence card proudly. Singapore is a small island country off the tip of Malaysia very close to the equator. The tropical temperatures really get to me and I spend most of my days indoors in Singapore. I grew up here as an expat kid and went to an international school. Those were some good and bad memories. The food scene in Singapore is incredible with local food dishes to the multitude of hipster eateries and cafes, celebrity chef owned restaurants, and not to mention the cool speakeasies, cocktail bars, and pumping clubs. Its a love/hate relationship with Singapore for me at times because it isn't easy to be a third culture kid returning to a place that I once called home. I feel like an anomaly because I speak, act, and think differently from true-blue Singaporeans due to my background. My friends in Singapore are mostly other expats or globally-minded Singaporeans. Though most of these feelings are personal conflict, subjectively speaking... Singapore is a great place with skyscrapers, urban gardens, abundance of food, shopping centres, and the mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian, Expats, Tourists, make it an interesting multicultural country.

A bourgeois guide to eating, drinking, shopping, and pampering in Singapore

My extended noma experience

In my previous post about noma, you an see that it has been an epic adventure.

At the end of the meal, the staff asked if we had time for a mini tour of the kitchen facilities. Of course we did! It was really nice to see the spaces in which the preparations of the mis-en-place for the ingredients, the makeshift grill for all the grilling, and the cooking kitchen before the chef's pass. Most of the food at noma is about the most seasonal and freshest ingredients so the prep kitchen is a large space with many interns working alongside the chefs. The service and kitchen staff seem to like working there and treat each other with respect despite their job status. It appears that everyone that works there wants to learn a lot from working alongside the very best chefs. A very welcoming International team from around the world.

My noma experience with a tour of the kitchen from Alaine Handa on Vimeo.

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My journey to noma in Copenhagen

A truly magical yet crazy adventure with three lovely ladies from the Girls Love Travel group. This food experience will be one I'll remember for a long time. 

My favorite dishes from noma

Sent to my email on Nov 23, 2016:

Dear Alaine,

I am writing to you from restaurant noma in Copenhagen.

We have you on our waiting list for the 29th of November 2016 for a table for 4 people. Please let us know if you are still interested in coming at 12:00 for lunch. 

Please note that we unfortunately cannot put the table on hold and guarantee its availability given the short notice, so we hope to hear from you soon.

Med venlig hilsen/Best regards

Gintare
Booking Manager

YES!!!!!

Oh wait, I need to fill those remaining seats because I can't just eat at noma alone and it's noma so I could probably find others who are as crazy as me about wanting to dine here.

I messaged everyone I knew that might be interested and the possibility to join me. I couldn't find anyone. I took to Facebook and posted in my female travel bloggers group and the Girls Love Travel group. I've met a few people in real life from these groups so I know that these women are as passionate about travel as I am. I was hoping that some were also diehard foodies as well.

I found them after a few hours. Allie was first to respond then another person tagged her Rachel who then messaged Allison. It was totally an adrenaline rush but also nerve wrecking, truly amazing that these ladies came through!

So HAPPY to be able to have this beautiful belated birthday lunch here!

The beautiful nondescript entrance

For a very long time, I've been fascinated with this restaurant. I can't even remember how many years its been that I've been wanting to come here to eat the avant-garde new nordic cuisine. When it started to receive the accolades of Worlds' Best Restaurant, I watched and read closely on the success of this restaurant. Passion, pushing the envelope, creativity, amazing produce, talent are the forefront to Rene Redzepi and his team's success. When one dreams far and impossible then pushes relentlessly forward to realize the dream, it is hard not to notice and be inspired to do the same in one's life.
So I began to plan. I also wanted to make sure that it was the right time. The right time meaning, the food scene is bursting from the inspiration of nordic cuisine in the city of Copenhagen. I've always been fascinated with Nordic history, culture, cuisine, fashion, design, lifestyle, and language. In fact, when I was an undergraduate student at UCLA, I took a number of Scandinavian literature, film, and Swedish classes.

I planned my first trip to Copenhagen as part of a 30th birthday trip at the end of 2013. It was my first visit to Copenhagen and it was cold, rainy, dark but I was happy. I didn't plan noma for this trip because I just wanted to get to know Copenhagen. A few short trips later that resulted in visiting some landmarks like Amalienborg, Nyhavn, Rundetårn, Den lille havefrue (The little mermaid), and some good meals. Fast forward to 2016. I just graduated from my Postgraduate program in hospitality management and was completing my internship in social media for a large hotel company. No plans had been solidified for the rest of the year and I had always wanted to go to noma. With the announcement that noma would be closing to re-open as a different restaurant concept I knew I had to go.

Its been 10 years since my last amazing fine dining experience (which was at Eleven Madison Park in New York when I was living there). It was time...

Ugh. A waiting list. noma releases their bookings 5 months in advance and I tried to book in August as soon as the schedules were open for November bookings. Ugh. Waiting list.

As the months passed, I made plans for a nice dinner at Relae for my 5 day trip to Copenhagen. I also planned for Tivoli gardens, Copenhagen street food, Torvehallerne, a dance class, and wandering around Nørrebro.

Then that email appeared in my inbox while I was traveling through Finland... I half-jokingly now refer to food as Before noma (B.N.) and After noma (A.N.)

A beautiful lounge area

I love wine and I was excited to see so many beautiful bottles of wine from small batch wineries

THE NOMA EXPERIENCE: 

I arrived earlier than the other girls and was greeted by the entire service staff with huge smiles on their faces. It was a little intimidating at first to see all of them there to greet you at the door. I was also first to arrive for lunch service so there was no other guests in the restaurant. I waited for the others to arrive in the lounge area which was situated by the collection of beautiful bottles of wine. 

I opted out of the wine pairings but two of the girls did the pairing. However, I did order two glasses of wine with a couple of the courses. I love wine and food pairings. It was only lunch and I had dinner at Relae the same evening, I decided to pace myself. 

Photo Credit: Allison M.

The starters:

Apple starter

The contents of this juicy apple starter

Scallops carpaccio

Some leaves and ants! ;-) 

Ants served on a cracker made to look like a branch with cheese and leaves

Radish tart - it looked so beautiful!

The wine pairings and mains begin...

The first wine pairing was a refreshing natural white wine

Milk curd with fresh walnuts and parsley

Sea Urchin wrapped in cabbage - This is probably my favorite!

Langoustine with grilled onion and hot lavender oil - My second favorite dish. The other ladies Loved this dish a lot!

Another beautiful biodynamic white wine paired with the langoustine

A white paired with the butternut squash

Butternut Squash and Barley

I had a glass of this beautiful Moustillant white wine paired with the crab

Steamed crab with egg yolk

The wild duck cooked on top of hay was presented to the table with a caution to look out for the bullets!

A wine with almost port wine qualities to it that was an acquired taste

Cool knife 

Charred greens with scallop paste

An Italian red wine pairing with the wild duck - I also had a glass of this. A traditional pairing for the wild duck.

Whole roasted Wild Duck

Served with a side of greens and horseradish

And pickles of gooseberries, pickles, flower, and leaves

Something Sweet to end the journey:

Sweet dessert wine

A Scandinavian dessert of plum, mashed potatoes, whipped cream in an aquavit sauce

Black current wood ice cream Popsicle with roasted konini flowers

Chocolate moss and chocolate flower

Served with whipped cream and aquavit sauce

A very alcoholic egg cream liquor. Photo Credit: Allison M.

We really didn't want this noma food experience to end... :-(

My favorite dishes were the Sea Urchin, Langoustine, Crab, Plum and Potato dessert, and the Chocolate covered Moss. Overall, I loved the personalised and warm service, attention to detail in the presentation of the dishes, the clean and rustic ambiance of the restaurant, and they even accommodated our food allergies. 

We had such an amazing time talking, eating, gossiping, and the experience ended with a tour in the kitchens. (Next post!)

What was the most memorable dish for you?

Allie L. says...

I would say the chocolate covered moss was the most surprising. I would never have expected that something you see so often out in nature could be not only edible but delicious! I also really enjoyed the langostine with lavender oil. It was a wonderful mix of flavors. I definitely want to incorporate lavender oil in my cooking now.

 Allison M. says

I agree completely with allie! Also really liked the ants (surprisingly) and the crab with egg yolk

Rachel S. says

I would say that I also loved the langoustine. The touch of lavender was very unexpected but made all the difference. The chocolate moss reminded me a lot of chocolate covered kale chips, which I occasionally eat back in California. They also did a great job making all of the dishes gluten free for me! They even made a special gluten free roll with almond flour which was served warm. This was one of the best gluten free breads that I've had and I was super impressed with the result.

Photo Credit: Rachel S. 

L-R: Alaine, Rachel, Allison, Allie
Photo Credit: Rachel S. 

A Very Short Film About the Past, Present and Future of Noma from Rene Redzepi on Vimeo.