Clem is one of the most avid dance-lovers I know. He dances Salsa several times a week, attends dance events around the globe and spreads the spirit of dance wherever he goes! This is his article:

1) Together is better
The principle aim of all basic step patterns, and all figures, is to allow two people to coordinate their movements to music without any other communication. So long as the people are moving in sympathy with each other, it doesn’t matter on what beat they are dancing, whether the figures are executed according to rigorous parameters, or anything else. Grace and connectivity are what dancing is about, not the rigid formalization of these characteristics.

2) Know your role
The aim of the lead in a partnership is to create a frame of movement in which the follow displays their appreciation of the music. It is not for leads to detract from the follows’ efforts by grandstanding or showing off, leaving their partners doing nothing. In the case of less experienced follows, the lead facilitates the movements of the follow by extending their range of movement, teaching the follow to realize their capabilities. When the follower is more experienced, they can take more initiative – as distinct from back-leading – and provide the leader with more options into which the couple can move.

3) Less is more
Unless performing, use styling only to accentuate points in the music, not points in a figure. When best executed, these will coincide, but frequently, parts of figures suited for accent do not match the music, so leave that head-flick out or outstretched arm in, until the music and the movement are right for it.

4) Be Happy
No matter what their level of skill, happy, joyful people are much more fun to dance with than over-focused, unhappy or attitude-ridden people. You will have more fun, and so will you partner, if you relax and enjoy the experience, than try to force it to conform to your expectations of what it, or you, ‘should’ be.

5) Minimize thought
Dancing is more about feeling – intuitive, spontaneous response to music – than about thought. While learning a figure or working on something in a class, thinking is all to the better – understand what you have to do, so you can remember it to practice later – but once the foundation is laid, you will enjoy it more if you let it flow than spend all your time trying to remember while dancing (as opposed to practicing dancing). If you think too much, you will forget to breathe, and to enjoy yourself!

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We are featured as Site of the Day on The Inspiration Room:

http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2008/ubergroover-dance-tv/

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After my disappointment with my last two attempts to get down and dirty with some serious dancing to some funky beats this weekend, I was afraid I lost the music within me. I began mourning my clubbing years – what was. When I look back and think about it now, it has been 11 years since my first nightclubbing experience. Does that make me old? I don’t think so. I started clubbing from the age of 15. Surely there’s an expiry date? That’s what I kept telling myself because there had to be a reason for me not feeling it this weekend…and it is what allowed me to begin slipping into my all consuming mourning.

Then there are the untimely and random incidents where I break into dance, grooving in my seat or strutting down the street in rhythm to my music. It really does not fit, until I’m riding on the train one day and I break out my oldskool tunes on my iPod, classics by Faithless, Arman Van Helden and The Prodigy. Suddenly I’m holding myself back from standing up and raising my hands to the roof of the train carriage. I feel this ball of electric energy, sparkling small stars stirring at the base of my spine, slowly building up and rising through my back, up my torso and neck and then making its escape down my arms and through my hands and head. It’s a feeling, a release of energy I only get through dancing…but it’s so much more than that. It is a spiritual, religious experience where music is the mantra, the club is my temple and the DJ my god.

I have been reading about meditation recently, in fact I have tried meditating many times and more recently during my yoga course. I was never any good at it, my mind always wanders and I get frustrated, resulting in increased anxiety rather than the desired enlightenment. I read enlightenment be described as a snake coiled at the base of the spine, or a ball of light energy that unravels almost gradually. Having never achieved enlightenment through meditation or yoga I did not lose hope but instead accepted that it may take a lot more training and/or time and I would probably achieve it when least expected.

It all snapped into place this instance on the train though. I have been looking at it all wrong: not realizing that I have achieved enlightenment several times and over a span of years. In addition, it has almost always happened on the dance floor, in moments of pure joy and solitude, being lost in the music and the surroundings, this experience of divine love shared by the universe and all its constituents. Like all the yogis tell me, enlightenment is sacred moments of this feeling with the ultimate goal being to have the ability to experience this feeling constantly. It’s overwhelming even trying to imagine being this happy all the time. I still have not given up hope though and at least I am getting closer to the truth. I now know why I’m also obsessed with music: it is my tool, in combination with dancing that unlocks enlightenment, happiness and the constant being in the present moment. It all makes sense now…

Angela Lymberis

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He was big, black and beautiful…well actually, he wasn’t that tall, but he was black and he had a huge….afro.

Ok, I’ll get to the point. I’m talking about the best dance performances I’ve seen. And the reason they’ve been so great, is because they’re not just about dance. They use dance to tell a story or express a message.

The two most memorable dance performances I experienced this year are: “House of the Holy Afro” during the Sydney Festival in January 2008 and “The Firebird” in April 2008.

I can’t beat the show’s description the Sydney Festival guide:
“House of the Holy Afro is an audacious fusion of the urban and traditional, of gospel and house, of slam-poetry and Afro-pop into an explosive night of driving rhythms, soaring harmonies and outlandishly irreverent kitsch….Expect a show like no other, where body-moving house beats merge with songs from ancient shamanistic ceremonies and the uplifting gospel of township churches. Hypnotic singing gives way to hip poetry, outrageous costumes and uninhibited, high energy dancing that will have you on your feet and shaking your stuff in full-bodied agreement”.

From the moment my friends and I walked in the door, we were in a trance, captivated by their outrageousness, entertained with their dance and costume, stimulated with their political messages and moved by their music to dance like I’d never danced before: in full-spirited enjoyment. By far, the best entertainment experience of my life!  The performers interacted with the crowd and the best part was that you could dance while the show was going on..That performance set the benchmark for dance-based entertainment for me and I can only hope one day to find it again…or re-create it.

The next performance that swept me away in a more emotional level (it was a seated performance) was “The Firebird”. In the words of the creators: “THE FIREBIRD was a seamless blend of dance, music and story. Each dancer played a character, our Storyteller John wove the magic this ancient Russian lovestory between stunning dance and an exquisite, original music score, that included the sounds of sitar, kora, balafon, djembe, didjeridoo and vocals.”

I felt so uplifted, inspired and entertained at the end of the performance, desperate to spread my appreciation of the performance…then I remembered that’s exactly what I was there to do! See the interviews with the creators and performers on Webisode 10. Also, Mory Traore, the “Horse of Power” in the show, will be performing at uBERgroover.tv’s interactive dance event this Sunday 31st August. He will also be teaching us a few tribal moves, so check the forum for more info and join in the fun!

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Someone asked me last night why I love dance so much. The simple answer is: it makes me happy!  And I think my dance-related happiness comes from the fact that I experience all of the following every time I dance:

1)    Connection: it’s a great way to express myself and connect with others.

2)    Communication: a fantastic non-verbal communication tool.
TIP: if you’re a guy with low self confidence and don’t know what to say to a girl, dance with her instead!

3)    Exhilaration: my favourite natural high and so much fun.

4)    Exercise & well-being: a bonus workout!

So I ask: what’s not to love about dance?

The only disappointment sometimes is going out to dance and finding people are too drunk or not interested in dance or the music is too loud or not quite what you’re after. Granted, it’s hard to please everyone and I think it’s the quality of dancing people that can make or break a dancing event, so we took it upon ourselves to organise üBERgroover.tv’s first interactive dance event on the 31st of August 2008 in Sydney.

What makes it interactive, you ask? Well, the performers interact with the crowd and engage those who are interested in group dancing; also, you can perform your dance moves in front of our camera, so they will be uploaded onto our site and potentially be part of the show. So start practicing (and naming) your moves and see you on the dance-floor!

For more info about the event and to RSVP, groove onto the forum.

Let's get Tribal!

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•    On the way to the club, you stop at the service station to buy petrol and the attendant suggests a club where well-dressed people ‘your age’ go for a good time.

•    Lining up outside the night-club seems a ludicrous and pointless exercise…and whilst you wait, you remember your all time fantasy of by-passing the line with an air of accomplishment, because you’ve somehow managed to accomplish fame. Then your bubble bursts and you notice you’re the only one in line over the age of 21. You then think: ‘I can’t believe I’m lining up to get into a club!! What am I doing with my life?’ remembering that when you started clubbing 12 years prior, anyone in a club over the age of 25 was considered old.

•    You cringe when the 19-year old screams with joy when she sees a friend in line and realise that you were exactly like the same at that age.

•    You strike up a conversation with the young ones and realise you are actually over 10 years older than them and proceed to tell the 19-year old girl: ‘Sweetheart, before you get a chance to blink, you’ll be 29 wondering what the hell you’re doing with your life when you’re waiting in line to get into a club!’ and then you shut up, because you may not look that old, but you certainly sound like it!

•    You are horrified with the $20 entry fee and ask why it’s so expensive. The bouncer tells you that the ‘Boogie Pimps’ are playing and your response is: ‘Boogie Who?’

•    Once you’re in the club, you reminisce about drug and alcohol-free nights and notice that there’s not a single ’straight’ person around.

•    Someone makes a comment such as ‘You’re a great dancer…’ and you know they meant to add ‘…for your age’, but they’re too polite. Or maybe you’re just paranoid. Or maybe you’ve been dancing so long, that you actually ARE a good dancer!

•    You are haunted with feeling so “old” the whole time you are out and wonder what else you could be doing (like sleeping) because your legs are sore.

•    You see other people your age, who acknowledge your presence and justify theirs with a smile that says exactly that.

•    You wait in line for the toilets and become disgusted with the girl throwing up all over the bathroom floor and see her next 10 years flash before you.

•    You ask the girl waiting next to you in the loo queue when the ‘Boogie Pimps’ are coming on, because it’s 2am and you’re getting tired. She tells you with an appalled expression: ‘That’s them now!’

•    You decide conclusively that this is your last night in a club and go home before the main attraction has finished their set, because they’re really not that attractive after all.

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TT: Please introduce yourself

G’day. My name is Wayne. I’m your average Aussie bloke. I like my beer, I like my footy, I like good lookin’ sheilas and I like jawing off with my mates. And I don’t dance much.

TT: Why not?

I’m no brain surgeon, but the way I see it, people shouldn’t be surprised that more Aussie blokes don’t dance much. The reason is simple….it’s all about motivation – there’s no bloody incentive for us to dance.

Look at who dances. Chicks and poofs. Both seem to like it. Both seem to be good at it. Both look good doing it – except the poofs (although I’m sure other homos like it). Why the hell would any self-respecting bloke WANT to go and embarrass himself on the dance floor?

TT: I thought you Aussie blokes were laid-back, down to earth, ready to have a bit of fun and always happy to get up and have a go?

Nah, don’t get me wrong. We might come and have a dance with you when you’re bored with your friends, or when we see you’re on the prowl but we’ll only get out there when we’re good and ready. When we transition from beer/footy/mates to sex, we might be interested. I’ll even give you a few guiding principles:

1. The footy has to be over
2. Between 5-7 beers and 3-4 bourbons/rumbos have gone down the hatch
3. ‘You’ – the girl – come looking, even begging, for us blokes

TT: You say that you’ll be embarrassing yourself by dancing, but you’re not embarrassed by being so drunk you can’t even stand up?

So I go back to my point. Where’s the incentive? You girls have single-handedly passed complete control of the situation to us blokes. We don’t get punished for not dancing. We get rewarded for dancing (badly) for about an hour when we’re so drunk it doesn’t matter.

Let’s leave the status quo as it is. Blokes like watching the footy, drinking beer and gobbin’ off with our mates. Chicks like dancing. Simple.

TT: There’s something not quite right here. You blokes say you like women yet you won’t dance with them. You’d much rather hang out and drink with other blokes. You refer to blokes on the dance floor as gay, yet everyone knows that a bloke who can dance is going to get a lot more action with the ladies than the drunken one getting into fights near the bar.

Don’t get your knickers in a twist. Do you dancers really want a bunch of unco goofy blokes bumbling around the dance floor? I don’t think so.

TT: Actually we do, because practice makes perfect and a man that can dance is usually more open to improving his performance in other areas like the bedroom.

[Wayne left the building – beer in hand. Hopefully he’ll return for another round…of debating. Please take this discussion to the forum].

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TV finds its groove

http://lagrangepoint.typepad.com/lagrange/2008/07/inside-film—tv-finds-its-groove.html

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I love feeling high. Yes, that’s right. There is nothing better than the feeling of ecstasy, happiness, joy and laughter. It’s addictive, natural, exhilarating and something we all seek. Imagine if you could tap into that everyday of your life…imagine if you could feel that good without a hang over the next day.

You know where I’m going with this. Maybe I shouldn’t have given it away in the title. Why don’t you try using dance as a drug? Set yourself a challenge. Do yourself a favour. Make our tag line your mantra: “Why move when you can groove?” It’s all about doing stuff that you would do everyday, but with groove.

Challenge yourself to see how far you can take this mantra.

Go to a club completely straight. A little word of warning: you may not like what you see. But that’s half the fun. Now keep going. The music is pumping and your body is moving to the beat. You start heading towards the bar. STOP! Turn around, head to the dance-floor. You can do it. “But”, I hear you say, “there’s no-one else on the dance-floor”.  Exactly!

It’s even better if there’s no-one on the dance-floor. Think of the rush you’ll get by being the first one to start. There’s your first bit of natural exhilaration: the adrenaline pumping through your veins. It’s doing its own dance in your body. Your heartbeat drums louder as you move towards the dance-floor. It’s probably easiest to start grooving as you head there, as opposed to walking there and then starting to groove. It’s smoother, you’ll look cooler.

You’re now at the centre of everyone’s attention. Don’t worry though, no-one will remember because they’re all off their faces anyway! Now: let it all out. Close your eyes if you think it will help, and think about how many barriers you’ve broken through to get there. You’re proud of yourself and actually, you’re having a great time. You open your eyes and there are others dancing around you. Yes! You started the dancing for the night. Congratulations! Now keep going because soon you will move from adrenaline to natural ecstasy. And if people approach you asking you for the drugs that you’re on, you can tell them where to get them.

Feeling more adventurous? Try our tag line on for size in situations you normally wouldn’t even think about dancing. I do it at home all the time and admittedly it’s a little harder to do it in the light of day when other people around you are going about their boring lives, but imagine the rush! The supermarket is a good place to start. You can put the “Shopping Trolley” move to the test. And depending on how far you want to take it (I always encourage extremes), you can end your performance with the famous power-slide in Starsky and Hutch. And if you’re wondering, yes, I have done it. [Join our forum discussions on "Ultimate Finishing moves" to brag, share or dare others.]

If you’re at the stage where taking drugs or drinking yourself into a stupor is not appealing anymore or you’re simply looking for a more healthy and less expensive alternative, then dance is the perfect prescription. Get high off the groove!

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Picture this: a fantastic party atmosphere, great music, people showing off their moves and having a laugh. Where the bloody hell are you?

I’m guessing there are many people who really want to get into dance, but just don’t know where to start. Most of the dance-based TV programs make dance seem inaccessible, as though it’s only for those who’ve danced out of the womb. A myriad dance styles, tens of local dance schools all vying for your attention and no-one to go with. Boo hoo. Snap out of the blues and get into the grooves!

The message that uBERgroover.tv delivers is: dance is for everyone, dance is easy and dance is so much fun that when you start, you wonder how you ever did without it. It becomes your social outlet, your exercise, your fun, your connection with others and best of all your connection with yourself. Look at it as an adventure.

I’ve had my fair share of frustration in choreographed dance classes. When the dance instructor first shows you what moves you’re about to learn, your immediate reaction is: “Pffft, yeah right”. Before you have a chance to rebel, the music is on, the class is moving and you get carried into the dance. What seems difficult to begin with becomes enjoyable as you get it. Your moves turn into grooves and although you may not be nailing the routine, you know what move you’ll be practicing at the next party.

I remember finding the “body roll” incredibly challenging – I just couldn’t get it and I wanted to…BADLY! So when I was at my next party, I planted my body against the wall and practiced the isolations that are critical in making this move a success. Now it’s my favourite uBERmove.

Dance is not about remembering routines. Your mind and body work perfectly together to register moves that you enjoy and you will start to incorporate these moves into your regular nights out. Plus, there is evidence to suggest that we learn a lot during our sleep, so trust that you will be processing the moves while you sleep, work or do something completely unrelated until it clicks and BAM: you’ve got a move ready to unveil at the next dance-party or indeed dance-off!

FIVE TIPS FOR DANCE-STARTERS

(1) Practice at home. Put your favourite music on and groove when you’re doing every day actions. Do you think I’m just sitting here and typing? No! I’m doing it with groove. Hang on, I’ve just perfected the side-to-side body roll! Clean up with loud music and groove, dance with your clothes when hanging them up. Play around, move, get those juices flowing.

(2) Take your home grooves out for a test drive. These are a great ice-breaker. Combine them with classic moves such as the “sprinkler”, do them until you stop caring what everyone else thinks of you and then break into your own rhythm.

(3) Join a dance class. You might find that a bit of structure is exactly what you need. If choreography is not your bag, join a class that focuses on the ecstasy one feels through movement and music. Kundalini dance is a great example of this (see Webisode 5), as are any of the dances that fall under the banner of “Ecstatic Dance”. Start with a no-commitment casual class and see where it takes you!

(4) Drag a friend along to a class or to a dance event. Dancing is a lot more fun when you can laugh with each other.

(5) Watch uBERgroover.tv webisodes every week to get some inspiration.

That should be enough to get you experiencing the natural ecstasy that is dance. Do it. Don’t think, just dance your way to ecstasy!

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