Thursday, October 24, 2013

Dancehall! {I'm gonna fake it till I make it!}

I love Dancehall style of dancing. I'm still in the fake it till you make it phase. I'll probably be here for awhile. Zumba has lovingly embraced the music and dance stylings of Dancehall. It is a presence at Zumba conventions, including visits from such Dancehall greats as Sean Paul. One of my favorite Zumba Jammers, LaToya Bufford, a Dancehall master, infuses her amazing routines with her special flav of DH.

I told my Zumba class that I would record and post one of my Dancehall inspired dance fitness routines.

Here it is.


Together we can fake it till we make. It's more fun that way!

Every choreographer needs to search for their inspiration. It might be through literature, paintings, poems or screen. Or the fabulous You Tube!

Here are a couple of routines that I found that helped to inspire some the moves. If you watch them you will notice that they are much more complex than the dance fitness routine I choreographed. That's because they are choreographed as dance pieces for trained dancers. Dance fitness routines are usually choreographed to make fun dance moves and great musical flavors accessible to a larger population, one that doesn't necessarily need to have an extensive dance background. Dance is for everyone. Everyone needs to dance.

This one is a great ensemble piece.

This girl got moves! Perhaps in my next routine I too will include twerked out splits (jk).

Interestingly, Dancehall is very popular in places like Russia and Ukraine.

Thanks for hanging out.

Enjoy the dance that is life!

~Erin.

What's your favorite "fake it till you make it" thing? Found a great sounding Dancehall song? Let me know! 

3 comments:

  1. I love that routine Erin! But I don't necessarily exactly know what "dance halling" is? Thanks for always coming up with new, fun stuff for us every week! Our Zumba class is the best!

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    1. Thanks Melanie! Dancehall refers to a style of music and dance. I should do a post on its history. The "Summertime" routine is an example of Dancehall style. So is "Belly Danza", the one where I make a bunch of you lovely ladies turn and face everyone with me :)

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  2. Thanks for getting this to me Miss Erin! You ROCK!!! I can't wait to practice it at home. I love your dances! Thanks for being an inspiration!

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