Last night was one of my favorite events at the Herrang Dance Camp: Cabaret Night. It's the time when people bust out their best usually non-swing-related talents to share with the camp. With some of the most gifted dancers in the world in Herrang, you know they have many other tricks up their sleeve!
But first the youth at the camp had a chance to show their skills during the "Swing Kids" showcase earlier in the evening in the dance barn. They did a full spectrum demonstration of the various incarnations of vernacular jazz dance, from the black bottom to the charleston, and lindy hop, ending up with popping, locking and house dancing! And of course they ended with a rousing lindy hop number ,that you can see somewhat dark video of here.
It was a good variety of acts this week, from singers doing emo love songs to funny circus tricks by the inrrepressible Pau of Mexico to a classic Fred Astaire dance routine. One of my favorite bits was a dancer doing a great fusion of charleston / jazz movement and hip-hop dance, from house to locking to wacking. Sadly I did not catch it on video!
But here's another sweet dance mix: rhythm tap and popping performed by four incredible dancers. So sick!
Lots of inspiring stuff up there on stage! Maybe this is the year I do something for cabaret? We'll see how I'm feeling next week.
Tonight: the costume party with a Tiki Bar theme! What to wear, what to wear....
