Lucky Lindy

After two months of lindy hop, we're now moving to charleston. But before that, we had a little graduation party. The girls came in their dresses and all looked good. There weren't enough leads, so they had to be 'recycled' for the Mess Around. A good night.

Swing out, sistahs and brothas!

Last month, after the Latin American Festival, knew I wanted to dance. While searching for dance classes in Kuala Lumpur, I came across the website of KL Swing. They have Tuesday Night Swing at Sid's Pub Bangsar South, a stone's throw away from my old home. I showed up every week and met more experienced dancers.

Socials at Sid's Pub (top row) and Shivz Grill (bottom row)

I also started attending LindyKL's Friday night socials at Shivz Grill in Bangsar and introduced my team to swing and lindy hop (and fortunately they enjoyed it).

Last Sunday, Swing Out@Publika was a pretty cool introduction to many who are new to swing.

Both KL Swing and LindyKL have free taster classes for beginners. You just need to buy a drink to support the venue. If you find yourself free in KL on a Tuesday or Friday night, come join us!

Kasi iba talaga ang mga Hapon

WORLD ORDER


plus product


equals Streak Dance

Samurai Geisha Cheer Dance

I love Miyachi Company, the all-Japanese dance troupe (but not exactly all-female) that performs during the yearly Staff Community Fund show. They break some Japanese stereotypes (and reinforce some of them?) and make everyone very happy. Mr. Miyachi should consider staying in the Philippines when he retires next year, otherwise they will be sorely missed.

Ballet Philippines' Latin Heat

It's been a year since I last saw a ballet and I've nearly forgotten what a delight it is to see young dancers onstage. The BP company has changed a lot since I last saw them perform La Revolucion Filipina several years ago. Before that, I saw them in a couple of fairy tales told through ballet...in preschool. So when Ledz asked if I wanted to see Latin Heat, I immediately said yes.

The first number started off shakily because it didn't feel latin to me, but the three pas de deux with evenly matched pairs that followed firmly placed the show's toes back on the ground. I especially loved the expression of the third pair's female dancer--youthful energy in face and body. The quintet of female dancers made me think of the Sex and the City characters but I occasionally tuned out. The strength of the company obviously lies in its male dancers, highlighted by the capoeira-like number and the competition over the affections of a woman (who should not have taken off her pointe shoes--she was awkward in heels), where the men exhibited their best moves. And boy did they dance to impress!

The playful skits were popular numbers. I had a huge grin during the drunken dance, which was funny and entertaining. I only wish they could move the linoleum to the apron of the stage; the dance floor was too far from the audience.

The second half of the show was considerably weaker than the first. The dances set in the bar (Ibiza?) were often too busy. I thought the use of the headlamps was a novel trick, but a lot of movement was lost in the darkness and all I saw were backs and abs. Something I was unsure about the female soloist's role. She does give the show something to start and end with, but her style was so different that it became was evident that putting latin influences on classical ballet was easier than mixing latin with contemporary ethnic-like movement.

The music adhered to the canon of familiar Latin music, which was fine but would have left real latin aficionados feeling shortchanged. A bossa nova version of Til I Met You (Sitti, I think)? Current, yes, but somehow I don't think it was right.

Salsa Manila were guest performers. All that I can say is...they're a different animal.

It was nice to see dance students and foreigners in the audience. Friends of the company were seated behind me so I could hear one particularly enthusiastic guy's bravos and what they had to say about the previous night's show (secret!). Oy, I didn't eavesdrop, ha. Ang daldal nila eh.

Pity there are only four shows. Despite the show's uneven-ness, it is worth touring.

Shall We Dance? by Ragroof Theatre

A free performance at Watch This Space outside National Theatre. The show is based on interviews with older people about the dance hall era. The Brighton-based troupe delivered less dance, more theatre--light entertainment perfect for a cloudy afternoon. The Charleston Chasers were supposed to play music of the 20s and 30s, but it rained. At least I caught them rehearsing and that was fun enough.

Proof that Filipinos love to dance

Marching some, dancing some, but in a disciplined way. The links to Byron Garcia's videos of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center inmates. Not the best thing to post, but I was impressed considering their situation.

Nanggigigil Kami (Filipino) by Hagibis, In The Navy by Village People, and YMCA by Village People

Algorithm March (Japanese) from Pythagoras Switch

Bebot (Filipino) by Black Eyed Peas and a Cha Cha number

Dayang-Dayang (Indonesian) by Erika Macho and I Will Follow Him from Sister Act

Radio Gaga by Queen

Jumbo Hotdog (Filipino) by Maskulados

Why are all the Filipinos songs macho sounding? Ahahaha!

Salsa evening

I had never gone to a real salsa event, so I jumped on the chance to see the Danish-Cuban Grupo Danson perform at Gimle. Before the band came on, we had a warm-up and a short dance class. Given the Danes's reputation for being reserved, it was nice to see them take to the floor. Then again, those who go to these are most likely prepared to dance. Too bad there were hardly any young people (average age: 45). Though the the music was very good, I didn't stay long--just avoiding the possibility of being stuck on the dancefloor with middle-aged men. Hee hee.

Dance, Billy, dance!

I meant to watch Wicked the Musical, but the matinee was completely sold out, so I crossed the street to the Victoria Palace for Billy Elliot the Musical. I ended up paying an awful amount of money for a restricted view seat (if I sat correctly, I'd be facing the wall), but it was worth it.

I had high expectations for the show, so I wasn't exactly ecstatic, but everyone had a good time. Travis Yates, who played Billy, is more of a street dancer than a ballet dancer, but it would be unfair to expect him to be like Liam Mower (who appears in this video). I wouldn't say Liam is the definitive Billy, either, though I had hoped to see him, only to find out that he had "retired" on September 30th. Travis is an excellent dramatic actor. His comic timing isn't perfect, but he has a voice I like. He fits the role well, I would say.

Sir Elton just had to put in a number with dancing dresses, mala-My Strongest Suit in Aida. At least the story gave him good reason to do so. Like the movie, I wouldn't advise the show for young kids because of the swearing and the gay themes that might not be easy to explain.