Do you have a fail-safe dance move?
Mine is the Shopping Cart.
I always feel like a superstar as I fill my cart with imaginary grocery items on the dance floor.
So, I was not surprised to find my signature move in the new book “The Best Dance Moves in the World…Ever” by Matt Pagett.
The guide, published by Chronicle Books, has hilarious step-by-step illustrations, the inspirations behind the moves, suggested music and skill level ratings.
Most pages also list helpful tips to get the most out of your moves.
The book highlights 13 classic moves, including Pulp Fiction, Thriller, the Hand Jive and the Twist.
Some of the other 87 moves are pretty obvious, like Air Guitar and the Swim, but others are a little more complicated.
Big Fish, Little Fish, Cardboard Box, for example, is a basic level move that could have only been inspired by acid.
The Baywatch and the Hammer are two of the best dances in the book. Both were inspired by their pop culture namesakes and have great step-by-step instructions.
My favorite section of the book is called “A Concise History of Dance.”
Pagett describes how people got jiggy with it in ancient civilizations like India and Egypt.
In his concise history, he starts with dance found in the Bible and ends with the routines of Michael Jackson, Madonna and Beyoncé.
Pagett writes, “Rufty Tufty, Toss the Duchess and the Hole in the Wall may sound like low-budget porn flicks, but they’re all actually dances from 16th- and 17th-century Europe.”
“Best Dance Moves” also features a couple pages dedicated to music genres, dance pioneers and appropriate dancing outfits.
According to Pagett, “If you wear something that makes you feel uncomfortable or self-conscious, it’ll show in your moves; but if you wear your favorite gear, you’ll end up not noticing it, leaving you to get on with getting down.”
Don’t be afraid to try out the Shopping Cart or any of the featured 100 moves next time you’re at Indigo.
If you don’t impress your friends with your extreme dance knowledge, at least you’ll make them laugh.
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Colorful new book showcases 100 of the best popular dance moves
Daily Emerald
May 10, 2008
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