August 1, 2008

camp jitterbug 08

Posted by dogpossum on August 1, 2008 10:31 AM in the category lindy hop and other dances | Comments (0)

The Camp Jitterbug clips are always really nice - some wonderful editing (evidencing a dancer's understanding of tempo, rhythm and, well, wonderfulness), and this is teaser for this year's DVD:

My favourite part of any competition (and CJ is a comp weekend), is the solo charleston. Here's this year's final:

That girl in the final there, that's Sharon - she's Australian. I especially love the dynamic between competitors and between competitors and crowd in this type of competition. There's a real to-and-fro - the dancers dance better with encouragement. And you can hear the crowd's response when they like something - not just louder, but an increase in intensity. And of course, this type of competition requires dancers know something about phrasing - they send themselves in at the end of a phrase and have to get themselves out. And of course, with a live band all this communication and creative reciprocity is even more exciting.

Posted by dogpossum on August 1, 2008 10:31 AM in the category lindy hop and other dances