Where did you get those moves? (Not so) random dance videos

 

Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels

Todrick Hall knew as a child he wanted to be a performer, but had to struggle against a lot of prejudice, including from his own family.  He is the quintessential example of someone who made it largely by posting on youtube.  Now his tours sell out (or did until the plague).  A clip of this performance is featured in the promotional campaign for the venerable Uffizi Gallery in Florence.  Go figure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ04gPb4LlY

Fred Astaire dancing to "Smooth Criminal"

Michael Jackson was an innovator.  He went so far as to patent some of the shoes he designed for his dance routines.  But he also studied his predecessors.  If you wonder where he got some of his moves, here’s one possibility.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeQ39Ad9vFA

Astaire meets his match?

Yes, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are the iconic pair.  But Astaire worked for a short time with another, even more remarkable, dancer: Eleanor Powell.  When I watched this clip for the first time, I was blown away.  She’s smoother and more powerful than he is (in heels, no less), seems larger than life, and is certainly more charismatic.  Watch closely: Astaire liberally uses the little cheats, the compensating hand movements dancers use to stay centered and balanced; she doesn't need them.

 

So, what became of Eleanor Powell?  She was already a star when they made this movie.  Working with Astaire was supposed to be the crowning milestone for her.  Astaire, perhaps intimidated, refused to work with her again.  She continued to have some success in movies, but eventually faded from the scene.  Ironically, one of her last appearances was in a tribute to Astaire.  According to contemporary reports, she stole the show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37XhIuqsWVk

How to dance properly to “Get Lucky”

This is a series of video clips from the 1970’s TV show “Soul Train”, set to Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky”.  Love the outfits.  Love the moves.  Words almost fail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOPVmvqi7JY

 

 

George Harrison: What is Life?

Set in the San Francisco Presidio and the nearby national cemetery.  George Harrison’s estate picked this from thousands of submissions of videos to commemorate his life.  I can’t argue with the choice. Dancers: Emma Rubinowitz (San Francisco Ballet) and Esteban Hernandez

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiH9edd25Bc

 

 

Yes, this is real.  No special effects.

Marquese Scott started dancing as a hobby while serving in the military, working fast-food and warehouse jobs, and taking care of his folks.  He started posting dance routines on youtube, and in 2011, this one broke out and went viral.  He now teaches dance and organizes dance festivals.  His rise coincides with the emergence of a whole new range of music genres including Dubstep, which is his go-to style for dance compositions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXO-jKksQkM

 

 

Dance as performance art

World Order were formed in 2009, and specialize in formation dancing in public places.  Part of the fun is the reactions of unsuspecting passers-by.  “Machine Civilization” was their global breakout hit from 2011, a commentary on industrialized, regimented lives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-qhj3sJ5qs

 

 

Dead Inside

Muse are my favorite post-grunge minimalist rock band, but they add a little synth-pop vibe here.  The video is a real detour for them.  Beautiful performance by Kathryn McCormick and Will Wingfield...but how do you dance in all that dust without choking? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5sJhSNUkwQ

Mask, Gloves, Soap, Scrubs

Zoom dance, with janitorial supplies.  Todrick’s satire of his own “viral” hit “Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels”, adapted for the pandemic era.  Nothing really to add.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WYA6dE8QPk