Competition Checklist

On the day of a competition (or any performance), you want to keep everything as stress-free as possible.  The first step in this pursuit is to be prepared with all of the things you'll want and need to take with you to the event.  Here are some recommendations:

1.  Costumes.  Keeping each costume in its own garment bag can be a big help.  Label each garment bag with the following: Dancer Name, Studio Name, & Phone Number, Song Name, & complete Costume Contents (I like to include tights, shoe colors/types, & accessories on the label, even if they aren't being kept in the garment bag, to make things easier during costume changes).

2.  A make-up bag.  Aside from all of the stage make-up you use, be sure to pack lip balm, back-up lashes with glue & remover, extra make-up applicators, makeup remover wipes, & q-tips.  I like to keep earrings and other jewelry in the make-up bag as well (a small craft or tackle box works great).

3.  A hair supply bag or box.  Be sure to pack hairspray, a hairbrush, a detangling comb, good-quality detangler (a huge help for sleek & tidy hairstyles), hairnets (if you use them for buns), any bun-maker that you need plus a backup, hair pins, bobby pins, and any hair accessories that you need.

4.  A go-box with lid.  This can be a small/medium sized plastic tote (I prefer clear plastic).  This is a great place to pack miscellaneous items, plus it will give you a spot to safely toss accessories and even costume pieces during a quick change.  Some good items to keep in your go-box are: dance shoes, tights & socks (along with back-ups), a travel pack of kleenex, a small first-aid kit, a small sewing kit with costume-appropriate color thread, safety pins, activities for long breaks, snacks, and water.  You might also want to pack street clothes for changing into after you're done.  If you have extra room in the box, you might be able to fit in your hair supply and/or make-up bag.

Label all bags and boxes with Dancer Name, Studio Name, & Phone Number.

Be sure to double-check and pack everything in advance (as soon as you have the schedule is perfect).

Once you're prepared, you'll be free to use your time to focus, practice, enjoy the competition, and do your best.
Happy dancing!

De-Stinking Those Dance Shoes

Why do dance shoes get so stinky?  The answer is bacteria - and boy do those little guys love the damp, warm breeding ground that is the dance shoe.  As they feast on sweat and skin cells, the bacteria produce noxious-smelling acids that cling to feet and shoes.
To conquer the stink, you must kill the bacteria, deodorize, make the shoes an unfriendly environment, and of course, keep those feet as clean as possible!
You may have already searched online for solutions.  There are many out there, offering varying results (the majority disappointing).  There are also store-bought remedies, but most are unsuitable for dance shoes (Lysol, inserts, foot powder, etc).  Washing most dance shoes isn't an option either as it can cause damage to the leather, dye, and glue.  After a lot of trial and error, I have found only the method below to work reliably.

1.  Make your own shoe powder.  This recipe is inexpensive and very effective.  You will need:

• A large jar with a tight-fitting lid, medium round screw-top Ziplock storage container, or other similar vessel
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup baking powder
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 10 drops melaleuca/tea tree essential oil (optional, but worthwhile)

*Between my two kids, I'm looking at 10 pairs of different dance shoes to keep fresh.  If you're only working with one or two pairs, you can certainly halve or quarter the recipe!

Place all of the ingredients in the container.  Attach the lid.  Shake vigorously to mix everything together.

What do these ingredients do exactly, you might be wondering:

• Cornstarch will pull the moisture right out of the shoes, which is an essential step of stopping bacteria
• Baking Soda is a natural deodorizer and anti-fungal
• Baking Powder is a mix of baking soda and cream of tartar, which is anti-bacterial
• Melaleuca Oil is anti-bacterial (the scent will not stay with the shoes once the powder is removed).

How does one use this foot powder, you ask?  

• The powder can be applied directly to each shoe (1 tsp for little shoes, 2-4 tsp for larger sizes).  This is especially useful when a shoe is very sweaty and/or stinky.  Be sure to shake it around to coat the inside of the shoe.  Let the powder sit in the shoe overnight or longer.  Before wearing, you can just tap the powder out into the garbage - though using the hose of a vacuum is faster and more thorough.  The powder is safe for feet, but it is more comfortable to remove it before wear.
• Make sachets - one for each shoe.  This is most useful for general maintenance (when the shoe does not stink).  To make a sachet you will need a 6"X6" dual-layer of cheesecloth, a 5"X5" single-layer of napkin, and a rubber band.  Place the napkin in the center of the cheesecloth.  Scoop 2 tbsp of foot powder onto the center of the napkin.  Carefully gather the edges to make a pouch.  Secure the ends tightly with the rubber band.  Voila!  You can apply a few drops of anti-bacterial essential oil to the outside of the sachet, if desired (I like to use cedar wood oil).  This will scent the shoe and help keep bacteria at bay.  I make fresh sachets every few months.

2.  The dance bag itself can become a varitable playground for bacteria.  Make the dance bag breakdown a part of your dance-day routine:

• As soon as you get home, unzip the bag and keep it open until you're ready to leave the house with it again.  This allows air circulation.
• Remove any dirty clothes, food & garbage, and all shoes that were worn that day.
• Keeping (and refreshing) a product like an air purifying bag isn't a must, but it is helpful.

3.  Take care of the shoes!

• Once you've taken the shoes out of the dance bag, open them up to allow air circulation so they can dry.
• If the shoes are particularly sweaty or stinky, apply foot powder directly to each shoe (see #1 above).
• Otherwise, once the shoes have air dried (I usually leave them out overnight), place a sachet in each one (see #1 above).  The shoes can be put back in the dance bag at this point.  Leave sachets in place until the shoes need to be used again.

4.  Keep feet clean.  Dirty feet (and tights) transfer bacteria right to shoes.  Washing feet before dance class is a wise precaution.  No time to wash with soap and water? Rubbing alcohol or antibacterial wipes are great on the go cleaners.  And, of course, if tights or socks are being used, make sure they've been washed.

Following these four simple steps will banish the stink.  Fellow dancers and moms alike will thank you (and want to know your secret)!