MetaFilter posts tagged with dance

Tut-Tutting

netbros — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:02:45 -0800

Tutting is the name given to a contemporary abstract interpretive dance style that exploits the body's ability to create geometric positions and movements, predominantly with the use of right angles. Finger tutting narrows the dance to just the hands. See: Monsieur Clay-Doh | JBeast | Moon vs. Pacman | Bugs Bunny 1947 and Learn: WonderHowTo | thaSMIZofESV | TheFreekachu [some nsfw]. Kids these days.

Mediengruppe Telekomander

vronsky — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:08:08 -0800

This is to teach you how to dance.

Eleanor Powell

Joe Beese — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:00:02 -0800

Eleanor Powell was born to dance. Ann Miller - who named Powell as the inspiration for her dancing career - credited the popularity of Powell's late-30s films with helping keeping MGM from bankruptcy. The quality of her dancing even intimidated co-star Fred Astaire - who wrote in his autobiography: She 'put 'em down like a man', no ricky-ticky-sissy stuff with Ellie. She really knocked out a tap dance in a class by herself.

Prisencolinensinainciusol - Ol Raight!

dunkadunc — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:25:34 -0800

Sung in incoherent pseudo-English, Adriano Celentano's Prisencolinensinainciusol (1973) could be thought of as an early example of rap.

A Pregnant Ballerina Dancing on the Beach.

chunking express — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:04:47 -0800

A Pregnant Ballerina Dancing on a Beach. I thought it was kind of sweet and compelling. Her other videos are interesting enough.

Shiny, Shiny Ballet on Czechoslovak TV

The Devil Tesla — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:35:40 -0800

It’s the 70s, you’re Czech, sassy, and your future is bright. Disco ballet via coilhouse. (previously)

Ce soir sera une bonne soirée!

Rhaomi — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:56:54 -0800

On September 10th, to celebrate their initiation week, 172 communications students at the University of Quebec at Montreal decided to put on a show. After weeks of preparation, the costumed and prop-wielding crowd enacted an exuberant, complex, and flawlessly-choreographed performance of the Black Eyed Peas song "I Gotta Feeling" that sprawled through the campus's multi-story Judith Jasmin Pavilion... and they did it all in one continuous take (on their second try). The feat is just the most recent example of "lipdubbing" -- a video phenomenon where a single camera moves through a crowd of highly coordinated lip-syncers in a single seamless take, with the original recording dubbed over the finished product. Though the basic concept was pioneered by viral videos like the Numa Numa Dance and OK Go's "Here It Goes Again", the current model for lipdubbing was conceived by Vimeo founder Jakob Lodwick, who coined the term after dubbing a recording of himself singing "Endless Dream" by Apes & Androids. According to technical writer and blogger Tom Johnson's analysis of the video, the best lipdubs appear "spontaneous, authentic, participatory, and fun." Lodwick's video was followed up by a Vimeo business partner's staff doing their rendition of Harvey Danger's "Flagpole Sitta" (previously). The technique soon exploded in popularity -- everything from web magazines to TV studios to hospitals got into the act. But perhaps no group took to lipdubbing better than universities. Following the lead of The University Lipdub Project (original video), colleges from multiple nations adopted lipdubbing as a way to showcase their campus life and school spirit:

School, Nation - Video info - Song Institut Universitaire de Technologie de Rouen, France - 140 people - "Thriller" by Michael Jackson HEC Paris, France - 120 people - "Lollipop" by Mika l'Université de Poitiers, France - 56 people - "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" by the Scissor Sisters Mines de Saint Etienne, France - "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" by the Scissor Sisters IUT Belfort/Montbéliard, France - 353 people (a world record) - "La Confession de Monsieur Connard" by Les Tock'art HEC Montréal, Canada - 150 people - "Mamma Mia" by Abba Institut Notre Dame de la Providence, France - "Toi + Moi" by Grégoire Ecole Polytechnique, France - "Love Is All" by Roger Glover Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany - "LMU" (original song) IHECS, Belgium - 100+ people - "Banana Split" HEC Montréal, Canada - 172 people - "Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams European Business School, Germany - "Tell It to My Heart" by Dyane Taylor, "I Get Around" by the Beach Boys ESC Dijon, France - 95 people - "Working Together" by Gonzales Essec Business School, France - 200 people - "Let's Get It Started" by the Black Eyed Peas Emlyon Business School, France - 300 people - "Pop the Music" by Triim, "Video Killed the Radio Star" by Buggles ENSIC, France - 85 people - "Hot N Cold" by Kate Perry Campo Limpo Paulista College, Brazil - 56 people - "Ultramen" by Santo Forte

Bonus one-shot goodness:

Children of Men's climactic 6-minute one-shot scene (spoilers) Honda's "The Cog" (previ-ously) The Way Things Go (previously) Bike Hero (previously) Slydini's Newspaper (previously)

Relationship violence as art

gillyflower — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:24:37 -0800

Apache (a-POSH) dancing (French, not Native American), popular in Paris in the early parts of the 20th century, pitted a male and a female dancer against each other in over-the-top--and sometimes hawt--mock violence. Related in some ways to the tango, the Apache dance emphasizes realistic-looking violence and is said to re-enact an argument between a pimp and prostitute. How did it come to be called Apache? Apocryphally, from the name of a Parisian street gang given to violence so savage it was compared to the activities of the Indian tribe. Weapons could be involved, and each partner gave as good as he got. Its popularity spread through streets, nightclubs and cabarets, and it was seen on stage and screen. Rudolf Valentino faked the tango, but was an expert Apache dancer. Can be somewhat hard to watch if your kind of dancing is the type of thing you see on "Dancing with the Stars". But Apache has its own artistry (and lots of acrobatics), even in the later, more comical stylized movie settings. And people are still dancing Apache, albeit usually in a more PC style.

Lil' Loves Get Low

bunnycup — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 22:26:20 -0800

"The so-called "Mississippi Madman," connects the energy of crunk with African American spirituality and youthful abandon." But what exactly is crunk? While some might say it is a concoction, folk etymology suggests the modern usage of crunk originated as a portmanteau of the words "crazy" and "drunk" or having been "cranked up" to a level of excitability at which one becomes "crunk". But I think the kids have it on this one.

Lisa Needs Braces!

The Whelk — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 20:08:25 -0800

Saturday Night Simpsons Dance Remix Post: Dennal Plan, a remix, How it was made Available in Reversed!

Alekpehanhou, and the funky moves he inspires

flapjax at midnite — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 03:36:54 -0800

Just in case you were wondering, yes, indeed, it is the people who dance to Zinli music in Benin who have the coolest, freshest dance moves on the planet. Once you get past the extended a cappella intro, and that delicious slow groove kicks in at the 3:26 minute mark, this video will treat you to some of the most undulating funky moves EVAR. Now, whether you wanna try some of these gyrations yourself, or whether you just dig a nice, slow, cooly percolating West African groove for listening, go here for more from singer Alekpehanhou the "Roi du Zinli Rénové". More clips from Alekpehanhou: agbon hou agbon mi no ko di hèss Awo mèwito

1990s dance music covers: reviled, acclaimed, maimed and shamed

filthy light thief — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:21:29 -0800

Free Friday Frantic (Music) Fun: Ergo Phizmiz & The Midnight Florists cover five 1990s chartbusting, dancefloor filling smash hits with arrangements of acoustic, electronic, homemade, and toy instruments. [More musical mischief inside] The five tracks are hosted on WMFU's Free Music Archive, discussed last year when the FMA started up. This EP is via Music for Maniacs, who previously was the source for a link to the J Marimba Ponies performing Khachaturian's Sabre Dance. Original versions: Deee-Lite - "Groove Is In The Heart" (1990) Culture Beat - "Mr Vain" (1993) Eiffel 65 - "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" (1999) (plus the intro to Fresh Prince of Bel Air thrown in for good measure) (1990) C & C Music Factory - "Gonna Make You Sweat" (1990) Lou Bega - "Mambo No 5" (1999) Snap - "Rhythm Is A Dancer" (1992) Ergo Phizmiz was discussed previously, first for his groups cover of "White Light, White Heat" (the songs can now be found on this newer blog post, which also includes 9 covers of Aphex Twin and 6 modern R&B [Arff & Beef] covers), and later for his collaborative work on the 14-part podcast about the history and practice of sound collage and mashups. Still looking for more audio oddities from Ergo Phizmiz and associates? His discography on F.M.A. includes: - five scenes from Cervantes' "Don Quixote" in an imaginary ballet setting - 55 minutes of instrumental music from the forthcoming 10 part Ergo Phizmiz radio-art cycle "The House of Dr Faustus" - three short pieces of "personal agitprop" that formed as a "result of increasingly frequent comings to verbal blows with intrusive and arrogant neighbours" - a pilot for a project-in-progress in children's radio that features Ergo's daughters - a short little something that is a tribute to Nicolas Cage Oh, and almost 6 hours from the Collected Radio Works by Ergo Phizmiz.

Joyous juju from the king

madamjujujive — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:45:26 -0800

Me Le Se and Dance Medley - live clips of King Sunny Ade and his African Beats in Seattle last month just before being inducted into the AfroPop Hall of Fame. More clips from the show ... More clips from KEXP: Iyi Ti Odidere Ni Oluwa No'o Jeun Kan / Sijuade Mori Keke Kan Also, hear his 10 minute interview with Jon Kertzer and view a clip from the Afropop Hall of Fame induction ceremony. In a 2005 interview, KSA talks about how as an actual king in his native Nigeria, he had to defy his family and break with tradition to become a musician. So good he persisted - he and his 20+ band of talking drummers, guitarists, vocalists & dancers were early pioneers in bringing Afropop and juju music to the world at large. More stuff: Juju Music - a 4 minute trailer for a documentary, which features KSA among others Ja Fun Mi (not live) - his signature song, which means "Fight for me" Afropop - a great resource for African music nickyskye's awesome post on glimpses of the African Rock n' Roll Years -You really can't go wrong with surfing any of the africa+music tags on Mefi!

"Life! Hope! Escape! Whoops! Obstinacy!"

JaiMahodara — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:22:51 -0800

Charlie Chaplin [previously, except the primary link from blogspot is down] has a grandson, James Thiérrée. Growing up in his parents circus Le Cirque Imaginaire (later, Invisible), the acrobat evolved into performer/director/choreographer of soon to be four full -length works. (Full disclosure: the first three are all from La Veillée des Abysses--Bright Abyss--and the latter is a preview for his upcoming solo act Raoul.) He's also made forays in movies you've probably seen. More? Check out this Au revoir Parapluie (Farewell Umbrella) medley, and how about some trapeze? "It's a story about a story about a story (about a story about a story about a story) that cannot be told." See also, the whole generation: (Warning: if you don't read French just enjoy the images). Hint: Aurelia Thiérrée = sister, Victoria Chaplin-Thiérrée = cousin, I think, and Victoria Chaplin = mom, daughter of Chaplin, and granddaughter of playwright Eugene O'Niell. Another famous relative, demand you?? How about Margery Williams Bianco, author of The Velveteen Rabbit? James on the Rabbit: "It's about a soft toy that gets more real as it's worn down. The more it gets crumpled and torn, the more real it is. At the end it gets burned but it is happy because it is becoming real. I like the sense that as life wears us down we become more real. Maybe I'm a broken-down old rabbit."

So You Think YOU Can Dance?

humannaire — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:37:20 -0800

Little Boy Dancing [SLYT]

Merce Cunningham has Died

stresstwig — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:49:34 -0800

Merce Cunningham died yesterday at 90. "Dancing just seemed a part of what I did." Cunningham was a pioneer of modern and postmodern dance. He often worked with John Cage and other famous interdisciplinary artists. He founded and performed with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company until 1989, continuing to choreograph pieces well after that. Beach Birds. Roamin' 1. Changing Steps. The Coast Zone. You can even learn how with Mondays with Merce.

Real Hot Bitches set world synchronised dance record

i_am_joe's_spleen — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 02:30:36 -0800

Nationally famous (in New Zealand) dance troupe the Real Hot Bitches set the world record for synchronised dance. [SLYT]

Love In Vain

Fuzzy Monster — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 06:35:09 -0800

“BRING: staple gun, hammer/driver, screws, dance stuff, advil, hacksaw, cell numbers, MUSIC." Love In Vain is an amazing short film created in only 48 hours as part of the Dance Films Association 48 Hour Challenge. Here's how it was done. Recommended for fans of Robert Johnson. (via Projects.)

LLangollen Eisteddfod

Balonious Assault — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:50:29 -0800

The 2009 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod competitions have concluded, with the Pavarotti Trophy for Choir of the World being awarded to The Westminster Chorus. The Eisteddfod includes choral, solo, instrumental, and dance competitions. Video of the competitions can be seen here.

Disko feelink, you don't have to be born with it

Dragonness — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:38:26 -0800

Learn to disco dance in under 4 minutes (SLYT).

Pina Bausch, 1940-2009

From Bklyn — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:58:01 -0800

Pina Bausch, one of the foremost choreographers of the last thirty years, died June 30th. Over the three decades she lead the Tanz-theater Wuppertal her choreography attracted an international following with its complex mix of theatricality, humor, and often pointed depictions of the relationships between men and women. It's difficult to convey through film and video the impact dance can have and often Bausch filled the stage with activity, but this clip (watched to the end), shows one of those gems, if not it's setting. In 2006 this documentary was made for German TV (sadly it's not sub-titled) and also has quite a few excerpts from her work.

Do you wanna dance?

fearfulsymmetry — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:06:14 -0800

Back in the days before music videos, and if the band could not make it to the Top Of The Pops studio, then out would come dance group Pan's People. Admittedly a lot of their performances were well into 'one for the dads' territory... but some of their interpretations of the songs were really rather imaginative if not downright bizarre. (Alright, the last one is from spin-off Legs And Co.) Clips from a documentary on the history of the group

Dancing Manias and Mass Hysteria

homunculus — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:36:22 -0800

Dancing plagues and mass hysteria: how distress and pious fear have led to bizarre outbreaks across the ages. [Via]

Alternative Belly Dance

velvet winter — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:27:53 -0800

Explore the joy of American Tribal Style (1, 2, 3), tribal fusion (1, 2, 3), industrial, gothic (1, 2, 3), fantasy, heavy metal, punk raqs, ‘80s fusion, hip hop, new age, feminist, Star Trek, or tough love belly dance. (Previously).

Big fun with the Five Racketeers

flapjax at midnite — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:14:16 -0800

Behind them on the stage, a giant watermelon. In their hands, little tiny guitars, which they play like mosquitoes on speed. They scat, they dance, they get halfway through the alphabet. Their percussionist has the coolest little drum kit ever, but that doesn't stop him from playing the stage floor and the walls. Who are they? Why, The Five Racketeers, of course! And who's that lady who storms the stage for a little shimmy at the end of the clip? Well, that's Eunice Wilson, and she stuck around to do another number with the fellows. You want more, right? OK! Then let's head down to the All-Colored Vaudeville Show, for some serious oooold-school entertainment.