Where did/do you get inspiration for dancing?

[Breakadawn]

Just wondering where people get their inspiration for their unique style of dancing. Did someone teach you, did you watch and learn, or do you just do what comes natural?

For me, I would watch amazing dancers back in the day, pick things I liked from each of them and form it into my own style. And sometimes when the music is so good, things just come out that I've never knew I could do. That's the best feeling in the world.

[Bill B.]

I'm not sure if anything I do is truly unique. I watched and learned from the older kids when I was 13. Today the music is definitely a major factor. If I'm not feeling the beats I won't dance.

[Mike Johnson]

I'm not sure if anything I do is truly unique. I watched and learned from the older kids when I was 13. Today the music is definitely a major factor. If I'm not feeling the beats I won't dance.

Actually, Bill stole my moves, and I'm trying to get them back

[Bill B.]

Actually, Bill stole my moves, and I'm trying to get them back

You were dancing a few weeks ago between blends...

[dj steve o]

it's the combination of the lyrics, music, and of course, the beats, of house music. it's a spiritual thing that's hard to explain. i just know it when i feel it.

all three things have to come together in a particular way that just makes me move. ...and that's where the dj comes in.
*hUgz*

[jcapeverde]

I agree with all three of you! I pick up bits & pieces from others I see, the music has to be just right and you add your own things. The vibe of the party also influences & inspires what you do.

[likewater]

Hi.. very good question..
I got my style of dancing from watching old black & white musicals.. Of Fred& Ginger..they showed grace and style..Fred had fun with props..that I like.. I loved watching the Nicholas Brothers jumping and dancing.. it wasnt to many black females back then on tv or in the movies.. so Ann Miller was a great tap dancer.. and Donald O'conner.. Debbie Reynolds.. I even liked the way Judy Garland did her thing.. but Sammy Davis Jr. Gregory Hines, Judith Jamison, Eartha Kitt.. I can go on and on .. I used all of what they had, did, and I watched the way they used their hands.. that with growing up in a dancing household.. and going to tap classes.. made me the dancer that I am today.. was raised to do all forms of dance.. my moms was a dancer back in her day..

I remember I used to sit up with all the lights out and watch nothing but musicals..it looked so much fun watching them had me wanting to move my butt to New York, or Hollywood.. just to become a dancer on the big stage..

I LOVE TO DANCE!!!!!

[Emma]

it's the combination of the lyrics, music, and of course, the beats, of house music. it's a spiritual thing that's hard to explain. i just know it when i feel it.

all three things have to come together in a particular way that just makes me move. ...and that's where the dj comes in.
*hUgz*

This sounds like me. Younger I used to copy moves from shows like Solid Gold, Fame and videos with Michael Jackson or group dancers. At that time my mane music source was RnB and pop music. It's only when I discovered house music that I started expressing my love for the music through my own style of dancing. Picked up moves from going out in clubs in Montreal but it's only when I started going to NYC and the Shelter that I really got to see other styles of 'house dancing'. Can't do the 'break dance' stuff but when I really feel a track and there's enough space I'll do some floor moves. But the choice of tracks, the lyrics/message, and the crowd as to be right. That's why in Montreal the floor moves don't come as easily. The crowd is often a problem. Not enough real heads the create the proper mood for that type of dancing. NYC and specially Shelter is the place of choice for me. I'm still recovering from a fall on my knee and that hasn't stopped from going out. For me it's all about expressing a feeling through movement than actual dance moves or steps. Only house music brings the openness in me though.

[Soleful]

I was just at Shelter yesterday. I wasn't expecting much because Sting was spinning but was thoroughly amazed & impressed by his unique style of play. While some call is safe it set me on a dance session like I had experienced in a long time.

First, the crowd wasn't as thick as usual so space was a huge premium. The music he was laying down all flowed, he has his own way of speaking/spinning with the tunes he dropped & when he dropped them. It wasn't too much nor was it too little. Just a real dope vibe that just developed as it went along.

So i've been going there for quite some time & always says hi to alot of the regular heads. But for some reason, because of the openness I was feeling, I was more expressive in my moves, more in touch with the music, I was just riding tune after tune, lyric after lyric.

This is the funny part, some folks were looking at me & saying shit to me like they just saw me for the first time. Even to the point that superman says, "You've been holding out on us!" LOL. It's not like that at all. It has to be what I like to call the perfect storm, for when all the essential elements everyone spoke of, the music, the crowd, the space to move, etc, all come together on those certain occasions that I can just be FREEE!!

It's not that I don't let loose on other occasions or not really enjoy a groove without "the perfect storm". But to dance like no one's watching & just be free, yesterday was a great day for that.

Gybril put it best one day at Libation. He was going off, doing what he does best on the floor. He was gasping for air, completely drenched in sweat w/ a huge smile on his face. So I offered him some water he declined. I insisted telling him look at you, you're gonna pass out. He laughed out loud & smiled and said,"I love it when I'm like this because I have no control, it just flows." Or something along those lines. Basically saying that when you reach the point of no control is when you can just let loose & let your body & the music take you on a journey where you don't know where you are going to end up but it's all about the journey.

It's not about how you look, how your steps combine or if anyone likes or dislikes what you are putting down. It's about you & the music becoming ONE. Most times when you are there folks (who have been there) will recognize & encourage you as you find your way on "your journey".

Meant alot to me when superman said what he said, but it was another time when Lisa caught me going off another time & she quietly came by later on that morning & told me I peeped you doin your thing & had a huge smile on her face. Yeah, it's real cool when people you respect & admire for their skill & talent recognize & encourage you to keep at yours.

Peace & Blessings.

[panklady]

May I?

I can't/don't really dance anymore (not like I used to)...but I still give it a try from time to time. My mom & dad spent hundreds for me go to dance classes (ballet/toe/tap/modern/African) since they didn't want me to be too gangley given my height. So, in my mind I can see what my body is supposed to be doing. *LOL* However, age & weight sometimes prevent me from doing what I am imagining.

My inspiration comes from: memories, the music, and flashbacks to my various dance performances. (ie 3rd grade talent show "Greatest Love of All"-George Benson) I've actually sometimes been in a trance-like state & I actually forget that people are around. Additionally, a little liquor libation always seems to enhance what I have going on. LOL

When I was little I wanted to be a professional dancer (had it planned & everything)...and since I was in the company of famous dancers (Joanna Wizard Kline, Katherine Dunham, and Judith Jamison)...I always wanted to be just like them. So, from each of these women I took a piece of them with me...and luckily HOUSE is about expression. From Miss Dunham=arms, Miss Jamison=leg extensions, and Miss Wizard Kline=my footwork.

I dance for me...in fact I need to get back into it on a more regular basis...

[silverbull]

Well i know when i was around 9/10yrs old i saw this video and said i wanted to dance like that one day lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcrsRAx3Oxc

But i just go with whatever comes out and how im feeling, im not somone who practices,trains or looks in the mirror and follow steps whatever im feeling and however i move just comes out thru the music. I love watching other dancers though its beautiful.

[Tee Cee 13]

I started going to Dance fuctions at Public School 19
in Brooklyn, Williamsburg and only at the tender age
of 12 I was watching all the really nice Dancers and
I copy the moves right there and then we were up
rocking back in the early 70's and also The Hustle was
popular then.

Those were some great times........Tee Cee 13 ZZCrew











tc13

[kara]

apparently, elaine from seinfeld.