sorry to bomb the blog a bit, but…
I think I need to learn to Madison RIGHT NOW. Well, I could, because I have no responsibilities! That’s a Nicholas brother there btw.
…incidentally, I found this clip on dancehistory.org (that link from jassdance in my links on the side there goes to the same place).
This site is administered by Peter Loggins, one of my favourite lindy hopping types. This site has a really nice, friendly feel, with an emphasis on dance history (duh) and less with the interpersonal bitching. I like the layout of the fora, and the tone of the discussions – very ‘go dancenerd, go!’
The front page is especially awesome, with its list of dances, the photos and clips.
bomb the blog
The Madison, as you probably know, is a call and response dance.
The Plys teach this occasionally so maybe grab them for a lesson next time the three of you are in the same town.
Either that or watch closely when it’s done in the 1988 version of Hairspray.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095270/
A new film version of the stage musical version of the original film is due next year (that’s rather complicated isn’t it!).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427327/
The stage version did include a performance of the Madison:
http://www.playbill.com/multimedia/detail/874/629
So if the dance makes the final version of the new film then I’m predicting another revival of the dance.
” . . . And-a waaaaaaaaaaaaay we go!”
I don’t know anything about the Madison, dood.
But I like what I see in that clip. A Nicholas brother, right?
I’m going to watch that youtube clip til I get it.
Right then.
The Madison as seen in Hairspray (frustratingly only part of the performance):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MiMrtI3aQ4
The related, The Continental, from the same film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOId4o-G964
Someone else doing The Madison, but not very well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yysF9dgwO6w
You can hear the song that the Madison is often danced to these days (and played in the clips above) here:
http://www.zshare.net/audio/ray-bryant-combo-the-madi-mp3.html
There are purely instrumental versions floating about too.
Choreography notes:
http://www.fridayfolk.org.uk/madi10.htm
As can be seen here . . .
http://www.fridayfolk.org.uk/madi20.htm
. . . the timing is all over the place with some moves starting half way in a bar. That makes it quite tricky to master.
I’m only giving you all this info now that you’ve got nothing to do. Next time I see you I’ll expect you to have mastered it.