Clearly there is SO much content, we're never going to catch up, but I found out about HBO Max's Legendary which is about Ballroom Dancing - how did I miss this! Is anyone else getting flashbacks to Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom (1992)? LOL!
Who else here dances? What did you think of this series? Bingable like Queer Eye, or hard pass?
https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/legendary-hbo-max-ballroom-culture-1234...
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Thanks for sharing, Karen! I hadn't heard of it but I make it a point to watch all dance-related movies and series. I'm a fan of the art form, admittedly not so much ballroom because of its literal "uptight-ness" and many rules. But, of course, that built-in tension makes for natural drama. Which is why Strictly Ballroom is also one of my personal abso' favs! What's not to love about it?! The soundtrack alone is super uplifting and energizing. But I'm a sucker for BAZ projects in general - I adored Moulin Rouge!, his version of Romeo + Juliet was an art form onto itself, as was The Great Gatsby (although I'm still partial to the original), and I literally lived The Get Down (as an early NYC hip hop kid) - although I've heard it was a budget disaster for the record books Can't wait to see what he does with the upcoming ELVIS movie! - Sorry for the BAZ-spasm.
...I'll definitely have to check out "Legendary" now that you put it on my radar! Thanks again. :)
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Naw, BAZ-spasm away, Jean Buschmann! I'm a child of the '90s, so I love all sorts of dance and music - from Aaron Copeland to C&C Music Factory to Alanis Morisette. LOL! It's true - with more restrictions comes more conflict, so the drama is built-in. Also, I just love seeing the physical feats of people that have taken the time to chisel away at the fat, ya know? Like Olympians or craftsman, or dancers! I'm sure you've seen them, but I just loved discovering League of Extraordinary Dancers (first appearance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNaHaO4KNtY). They even made a film as a series of vignettes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afn5x6I-BNA
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Ballroom performer/instructor here. Hadn't heard about this, thanks for the heads up!
Jean, I recommend you try Swing dancing, if you haven't already. The Lindy has roots in West African dancing, very high energy, somewhat loose and wild, but still needs a keen partner connection. All partner dancing involves a certain amount of tension/connection, in order to have a physical conversation, but Swing is definitely not "uptight" ;)
Karen, thanks for the invitation to join the discussion!
The Ballroom competition world is VERY uptight. I stay away from it...it takes a TON of money, each baby step/level of competition is very limited, and SO many pro Ballroom folks are snobs. Not all of them, of course, and I've worked with a number of super lovely pro Ballroom folks, including national champs. For myself, I'm happiest performing, choreographing, and teaching. I got my start in Swing dancing, coming from the social dance scene, then got into Salsa, and then Tango. Later, I had the good fortune to be cast as the lead actor/dancer/choreographer/casting director in a gothic Waltz/ballet original show, for which the producer sent me to Arthur Murray, where I studied for several years. Their version of "Swing" IS more uptight, using universal steps, but not in the style that people do in the clubs. But I strongly recommend that everyone learn some partner dance skills. And if you're already into Swing/Salsa/Argentine Tango, try some formal Ballroom, and vice versa. If you're an actor and every plan on auditioning for musicals, or any show involving partner dancing, get some skills ahead of time! When I have held dance auditions, I've been surprise how few actors and dancers have put any time into learning partner dances, let alone good technique :)
Great post, Alec. I've actually taken a few Swing classes. Just before SWINGERS came out - and right when the dance made a big comeback in the 90's. Great fun - the dance and the movie!!
My dad was also decades older than my mom, so he lived through the Great Depression and taught me the dances of the era. His favorite was the Charleston - but he couldn't resist breaking out some swing moves to Glen Miller's "In The Mood." - Can anyone?
I also have my mom's Latin affinity to all things percussion. I distinctly remember that even as a super shy young child I still couldn't fight the impulse to hit the dance floor when a song with a strong beat came on. Still can't! :)
And as much as I've always loved the Lindy (hop) and it's storied history, I've never taken a class. Maybe the hubby and I will have to take your suggestion one day. He can cut a mean rug, so I'm sure he'll be down.
P.S. - On the topic of SWING, by chance do you know where I can see or track down a copy of the 2003 film? Beyond loving dance flicks, one of the actors in a short I did back in 2004 had a dance role in it. And I've always heard it's real feel good movie.
Thanks, Jean!
Oh, wow. I remember that movie. Some students lent it to me...trippy and cool. No idea who might carry it though.
How cool that you grew up with a dad who could share stories of those times! Do you mean 20s Charleston, or the Swing Charleston?
Partner dancing certainly adds lots of fun, for couples. I do in-home lessons, if you're ever interested :)
Swingers...hehe I watched it with my buddy who joined the Swing scene with me, and we were SO disappointed, because we thought it was going to be about Swing dancers! We were sorely disappointed to only find a wee bit of that happening in the movie. Maybe we should have read up on it, before watching it, haha. To its credit, it's a fun movie, as it's meant to be.
"In The Mood" is my dance partner's absolute favourite :)
All I can recall is that there was hand-to-knee-crossing, back-stepping, forward kicking, and jazz hand side-swiping. It was much more about fun-having and memory-making though. :)
I was gonna' say maybe on our next trip to LA, but in all honesty, whatever free time we can swing (bad pun intended) goes to getting our roll on. Especially now that the rinks in our area have all closed. LA still has quite a few and some great old school r&b sessions. (Like Thursdays in Fountain Valley!) I seriously hope that rink survives this shutdown.
Anyway, SWING (2003) is for rent on Amazon. I missed it because you have to scroll down a bit to see it. Funny how polarized the reviews are. But I'll have to check it out.