Dance Styles Overview

Light Feet

• Origin: Began between 2004-2005 in Harlem, New York.
• Performance: Associated with basketball summer league at Rucker Park.
• Key Figures: Al B (performed Harlem Shake), AG who formed Team Light Feet.
• Techniques:
  • Harlem Shake: Foundation move.
  • Bad One: Posture and body placement.
  • Tone Whop: Adds spank to movement.
  • Rev Up: Variation of Tone Whop for enhanced spank.
  • Tic-tac-toe: Tapping and making noises.
  • Lock In: Punctuation on the eighth count.
  • Ankle Breaks: Adds dynamics.
  • Hat Tricks & Shoe Tricks: Additional stylistic elements.

Shuffling

• Origin: Early 1990s in Melbourne, Australia within the EDM scene.
• Popularity: Gained traction via YouTube (2008-2009).
• Key Movement: Running Man – foundational move.
• Techniques:
  • Maintain low foot position, glide effect.
  • Charleston: UK variant base of cutting shapes.
  • Incorporates various dance styles (Spongebob, sea walking).
  • Tip: Avoid looking at feet to maintain confidence.

Breaking (B-boying)

• Origin: 1970s in the Bronx, New York.
• Cultural Significance: Expression and representation.
• Key Components:
  • Top Rock: Introduction to performer’s identity.
  • Go-downs: Transition moves from standing to ground.
  • Footwork: Essential for body awareness (e.g., six step, CCs).
  • Freezes: Closing moves to emphasize performance.
  • Power Moves: Flashy and physically demanding (e.g., windmills, head spins).

Robot Dance

• Origin: Inspired by mime artists in the 1920s, popularized by Michael Jackson.
• Core Technique: Dime Stop - abrupt stops to create robotic effect.
• Techniques:
  • Stab Motion: Regular timing stabs.
  • Strobbing: Irregular sharp movements.
  • Speed Control: Fast to slow transitions.
  • Animated Bounce: Mimicking a bounce.

Crump

• Origin: Early 2000s in South Central LA.
• Key Figures: Todd Eyes, Big Mijo, Miss Prissy.
• Characteristics: Expressive storytelling dance style.
• Techniques:
  • Old School: Clowning-inspired moves (e.g., whoa, banging).
  • New School: Rugged, aggressive style (e.g., stomps, jabs).
  • Character & Language: Personal identifiers and hand gestures.

Dancehall

• Origin: Jamaica, 1970s, became popular in the 90s.
• Cultural Aspects: Fashion, lifestyle, and celebration.
• Posture: Relaxed with soft knees, emphasis on hip control.
• Techniques:
  • Social dances (e.g., Thunderclap).
  • Gunman Steps: Reflect societal realities.

Bhangra

• Origin: Punjab, India, a folk dance celebrating harvest.
• Body Posture: Loose upper body with energetic shoulder movements.
• Footwork: Various styles (Bedi, Thammal, Punjab).
• Expressions: Character expression known as nakra.

Ballet

• Origin: Renaissance Italy, evolved into concert dance.
• Core Movements: Five positions of feet, plié, relevé, tendu.
• Performance: Expressive, even when no audience is present.
• Techniques: Jumps (sauté, glissade) and turns (pirouettes).

Waving

• Origin: Late 60s-early 70s alongside popping.
• Core Moves: Arm wave, tidal wave (body wave).
• Techniques: Various wave forms (hand waves, microwaves).

Vogue

• Origin: 1980s ballroom scene, created by LGBTQ black and Latinx community.
• Subsets: New Way (geometric movements), Old Way (static poses), Vogue Femme (feminine elements).

Afro Dance (Amapiano)

• Focus: South African dances emphasizing Amapiano genre.
• Posture: Influenced by Tansula culture.
• Key Moves: Sikale keke, Pouncing cat, Dakiwe, Guara Guara.

Wacking

• Origin: 1970s in LA, created by young gay men.
• Core Techniques: Posing, whacking (striking movements).
• Expressions: Storytelling through movements.

Locking

• Origin: 1970s in LA, created by Don Campbell.
• Fundamentals: The lock, give yourself five, keeping time.
• Additional Moves: Ham Bone, hat tricks, splits.

Additional Resources

• For more in-depth training, refer to the STEEZY dance programs.