Check out this awesome battle at the Montreal Swing Riot. You’ve got lindy hoppers against hip hoppers battling it out using music the other team would normally dance to. It’s cross over fusion with a heap of fun thrown in. Make sure to watch to the end where each team has a finale number.
This is a pretty spectacular achievement. She didn’t start until late in life and is nearly 80 and rocking it. What an inspiration
I love his enthusiasm. Maybe it’s time for a bedroom boogie?
If for some reason you think you are then please follow Yoko Ono’s lead and have “no regrets”.
P.s. I am of the opinion that no one is a “bad dancer”, anyone attempting to let the music move them is simply a dancer, they may not be the most fluid or co-ordinated but they are a dancer. I do however think that if you’re performing as a professional dancer that you should have years of training under your belt, have practiced for hundreds if not thousands of hours and be great at your craft, this of course does not include student recitals, haflas or informal situations where the goal is to be putting yourself out there, learning how to work an audience and get your confidence up, we do need to push through the awkward stage to become great but if you’re just dancing for fun (repeat this with me), there is no bad dancing.
This edition of the 16 films project for Sigur Rós showcases a dance duo who manage to execute a level of awkward beauty that I find really compelling.
Their movements are sinuous and gentle yet contorted at times but they maintain a deep connection with each other and the viewer. Some of the performance appears to be contact improvisation but likely it is just well executed flowing choreography and two talented dancers.
(note: NSFW partial nudity about half way through. There is also an ad at the beginning of the video, just hit mute for 15 seconds).
This one challenged my notions of what is possible. I was surprised at the elegance he has and it reinforced how thankful I am for my current mobility and ability.
This young girl just rocks it. She’s fiesty and talented. It’ll be amazing if she keeps it up, dad who was behind her seems very supportive so I’d say there is a better chance then usual that she will keep it up.
Goes to show you are never too young to rock it.
An interesting TED talk on the process of choreography being the process of physical thinking.
Watch his Choreography in progress in this video.
He goes through three processes of thinking, having the dancers take snapshots of movements he produces and rejig them into a repeated movement. Next he works with them together to place them into lines and shapes in a duet. Finally he asks them to envision the movements but make them their own. The three segments are put together to form a live dance created within the scope of the TED talk.
The dancers are obviously well trained and disciplined, able to remember movement patterns and choreography quickly which of course makes this process much easier but the notion of exploring space based on a theme as random as the letters T-E-D is likely a new idea for many people and just owning the dance space in a new creative way.
The articulation in this dancer’s arms, hands and fingers is stunning. Watch and you’ll see what I mean.
I love discovering new styles of dance and today it is a style called Zouk. I came across it only because I was invited to a Zouk flashmob that is going to take place in Melbourne in Sept (details here if you are interested )
So I followed the rabbit trail of links and found this beautiful example of a pairs zouk. I think what is fascinating me is the various styles coming out, seeing undulations we use in belly dance, footwork from salsa and some incredible contemporary passes and turns (watch their arms and locks they use to weave in and out of dance space with each other in the turns!).
I found some information on Zouk as a style here and pasted a bit of it below:
Introduction
Zouk Lambada
Zouk is a fun, modern dance suitable for all ages. For many in the younger dance crowd, Zouk has rekindled an interest in partner dancing. For those who have experience dancing other traditional Latin dances (and even West Coast Swing), many of the moves, techniques or concepts from those dances can be imported to Zouk, making it relatively easy to adapt to this dance. In addition, Zouk can be danced to a variety of music and a variety of moods, making it a versatile dance to know.
Background
In Antillean French Creole, Zouk means party! Zouk is both a dance and a type of music. This sensual and energetic dance has roots in Brazilian Lambada and Samba, while the music has French Caribbean roots.
Characteristic Movements of Zouk Dance
Zouk has a characteristic wave-like movement, elongated steps and striking hair movements by the lady. The movements are a rhythmic side to side and a rippling forward and back wave-like motion. Body rolls are reminiscent of the Samba, while hip grinds are reminiscent of the Lambada.
Accomplished female dancers roll their head in a circular motion and from side to side keeping to the rhythm of the music, and thereby creating a fluid and sensual quality to their dance. Sometimes they punctuate the end of a sequence or step pattern with an back arch and throwing back of the head. Zouk Lambada embrace This is the essence of the original Lambada and is visually stunning to watch! (Neck or other injuries are possible and anyone executing these moves should exercise caution and good judgment.)
The embrace when dancing Zouk-Lambada is very close. The follower dances on the balls of her feet (heels off the ground — as if tip-toeing on hot sand) with a twisting motion so that her steps appear to grind the floor (as if stubbing out a cigarette). This in turn which emphasizes her hip movements.
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