LGBTQ news and entertainment
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The Nitty Gritty Dance!
Posted by Xavier The X-Man® on Thursday, April 2, 2015
I love this. Please note that the camera man is no idiot – he knew who was on point 🙂
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| Me in black and Kat Murphy on the right |
On the opening day of BYE BYE BIRDIE at Sacramento Music Circus, I was asked to teach a Master Dance Class as part of the community outreach program at Music Circus.
I’m occasionally asked to teach these classes, and I do so with the understanding that I’m a choreographer and not a “technical” teacher. I talk about the style and thought behind the choreography, but trust me – no one wants to see me demonstrate a tendu or dégagé 🙂
My trusted partner in crime, Kat Murphy, came along to warm the group up; and then we taught a bit of the show’s “Got A Lot Of Livin To Do” choreography. We also sat and did a Q&A with the dancers about classes, approach to choreography, and other theatre topics. Some really good questions came up.
When I was asked to teach the class it was in the middle of rehearsals for BYE BYE BIRDIE and I was knee deep in choreography. It crossed my mind I might be a bit fried by opening day. But I was so glad I followed through. So many thanked me for the class; one dancer said she lived 30 minutes away and only had access to ballet classes – no theatre dance. So, it filled my soul a bit to see folks enjoy dancing so much.
Please note: I didn’t know they were recording this or I certainly would have “danced out” more. At this point we had been dancing for almost an hour and a half, and I was giving the group one last chance to dance. This 51 year old was trying to reserve resources 🙂
Can we talk about the girl (her name is Alison we found out later) in the white tank top? She is KILLING it! Alison, you better live that dance.
She and all the folks who showed up made me smile. I hadn’t danced without the pressure of a rehearsal time limit in a while, so it was fun to just dance again.
Regular readers know my two personal loves are dogs and dancing, having loved both since I was little.
I came across this video and I’m just blown away. This is a very, very complex routine for a dog to learn. And he’s so on point.
Give it up for the dancer and the dog!
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سەگێک سەمای بالێ دەکات
سەگێک سەمای بالێ دەکات
Posted by Kurdsat Broadcasting Corporation on Sunday, April 12, 2015
Almost 5 million views in a week.
Hottie choreographer Carson Dean shows you how funky a treadmill workout can get.
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| The man behind the moves |
Perfect for a Sunday.
Excellent mashup of movie dance moves set to Walk The Moon’s “Shut Up And Dance.”
Very musical editing.
Very cool experimental movement short film about physical interaction between male friends.
“It’s based on them being friends, exploring the intimacy of physical interaction between guys; of their ‘bromance,’” says director Bertil Nilsson of dancers Beren D’Amico, Charlie Wheeller and Louis Gift from the experimental acrobatic company, Barely Methodical Troupe, which won the Total Theatre Award at Edinburgh 2014 for its live performance of Bromance.
“The concept of the film was to set something unusual in the real world, almost a documentary in the most abstract of senses.”
Although she died at the age of 75, 4-time Tony Award winner would have been 88 today.
I wanted to remember her today with one of my favorite, albeit not one of her most famous, dances.
This clip from the Ed Sullivan Show features dances called “Cool Hand Luke” & “Tijuana Brass” choreographed for her by, of course, Bob Fosse. But it’s unusual in that it showcases her softer, more sensitive side of dance.
From the Fosse Bio by Sam Wasson, page 237:
In Oct ’68, with the bulk of editing (Sweet Charity) behind him, Fosse took a moment to repay Gwen the only way he knew how. He choreographed two pieces for her (Verdon’s) appearance on The Bob Hope Show.
“Cool Hand Luke” and “Tijuana Brass.” Each betrayed the softness he tried so hard to conceal. “Cool Hand Luke,” especially – Fosse’s most warm-hearted creation, a matador’s lullaby devoid of ironic comment.
Accompanied by Lee Roy Reams (Stage right in opening) and Buddy Vest, Gwen strutted and snapped through “Luke” with elegant machismo, receiving in wide welcoming arms Fosse’s plaintive offering to her sensuality. “Every moment of creating this dance,” Reams said, “was a pleasure and a joy.”
In the mid-80s I had a chance meeting with Verdon at a bank of elevators at what used to be the Minskoff Studios. I’d was – predictably – tongue tied. Alone in that space I stammered and saying “OMG, you’re you!” She smiled warmly, nodded and said “Yes.” I pulled out my resume (having come from an audition minutes earlier, it was the only piece of paper I had) and asked for her autograph. And of course, she signed. Charming and classy. And sooooo nice.
In my career as a dancer and choreographer, I’ve had great joy in exploring the Verdon/Fosse legacy. From CHICAGO to Sweet Charity, the depth and unique gifts she brought to her performances is almost unimaginable.
A great, great star.
From the Facebook page Worldwidedance.
This guy can TURN!
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| Derek Hough of “Dancing With The Stars” |
One of Maya Angelou’s final projects before her death earlier this year was a collaborative hip hop album called “Caged Bird Songs.”
Now, one of the songs – “Harlem Hopscotch” – has it’s very own dance video.
From the clip description:
The song is about encouraging everyone, especially young people to persevere through life despite any obstacles! The game of hopscotch is symbolic of the difficulties of life and the obstacles that some face, whether they be wealthy or poor.
The video features appearances by actress and singer Nia Peeples (“Fame”, “Pretty Little Liars”), dancer/choreographer Derek Hough, actor Alfonso Ribeiro, actress/singer Zendaya, dancer/choreographer Ian Eastwood, Quest Crew and dancers from “So You Think You Can Dance” and “America’s Best Dance Crew.”
“Caged Bird Songs” is a unique musical collaboration produced by RoccStar and Shawn Rivera, that thoughtfully blends iconic American author Dr. Maya Angelou’s words and vocal performances with contemporary hip-hop beats.
For more information: cagedbirdsongs.com
(h/t JMG)
So, technically the guys are clogging, but “clogging” didn’t work in the title.
Watch these guys go! Great technique. Makes me miss dancing.
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