Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze): No one puts Baby in a corner.
-Dirty Dancing
It’s handy to know how to shake your action hero booty on the dance floor. A strong knowledge of dance moves–particularly the various forms of dirty dancing–is invaluable when it comes to seducing an enemy agent, blending in at a party, or saving the day at a summer resort. Dancing is a great way to blend into the crowd, to strut your stuff, and of course–when done properly–to have the time of your life. To that end, we offer the following directions, provided by theater choreographer Cynthia Fleming.
WARMING UP
The Dirty Dance is all in the hips. Practice these hip warmups standing side-by-side with your partner. Use the music you’ll be dancing to when you perform.
• Stand with your back straight and your knees slightly bent.
• Put your hands on your hips.
• Moving together, push your hips forward and back. Do several reps of this move. The goal here is to get used to isolating the hip movement. It may help to call out, “forward-and-back” as you move forward and back.
• Moving together, push your hips right, then left. Do several reps of this move.
• Moving together, push your hips in circles. Do several reps.You can call out, “forward-and-right-and-back-and-left.” Practice moving both clockwise and counterclockwise.
THE MOVES
The following moves are described from the leader’s perspective. Some basic pointers:
• Hold your partner’s right hand at about shoulder height with your left hand. Your right hand should be on her left shoulder blade–but flexible enough to move up and down her back.
• Her left hand should be on your right shoulder.
• Combine the moves in any order you see fit.
• “Groove” with the music and build the dance as the music builds.
Move A: The Basic Grind
Step 1: As above, put your hands in position.
Stand facing each other with your feet about shoulder width apart.
Step 2: Step forward-connecting at the hips-so that your partner’s thigh is between your legs.
Hold your hips tightly together, but stay loose up top and fluid on your feet.
Step 3: Move your hips together in any of the various directions (as in the warmup).
Lead strongly–force your partner to follow. This is the staple Dirty Dancing position and movement. Begin here and return here when venturing into any of the following combinations.
Move B: The Flamingo
From the Basic Grind position, the Flamingo is as follows.
Step 1: Your partner–while still connected to you at the hands and hips–moves her torso to your right.
Step 2: Simultaneously, she turns her head and looks out (so that she is looking in the same direction as you are), brings her right knee up to about waist level, and holds it against your waist.
Step 3: She holds this position for a moment and then resumes the Basic Grind position.
Move C: The Dip
From the Basic Grind, move your partner into the Dip in one of the following manners:
- Method A: Place your right hand on your partner’s left shoulder blade. With your left hand, push her to your right side and back so that she arches her back and dips down to your right. Keep your hips closely connected at all times.
- Method B: Place your right hand on your partner’s waist (left side). Dip her backward so that her back arches and her head drops back. As above, keep your hips connected throughout.
Move D: The Spin
Step 1: From the Basic Grind, place your right hand on your partner’s waist (left side).
Step 2: With your right hand, push her waist away, while your left hand pulls her around.
She spins until you pull her back in and resume the Basic Grind. Conversely, you can push with your left hand and pull with your right hand to spin her in the other direction.
Move E: The Jump
Warning: The Jump is a very complicated move to hold. If you are not professional dancers but insist on trying it, set up some mattresses or another soft landing surface beforehand.
Step 1: Stand at one end of the room, with your feet firmly planted and knees slightly bent. Your partner should be at the other end of the room.
Step 2: Your partner should run up to you, put her hands on your shoulders, and jump and push up simultaneously.
Step 3: When she approaches, pick her up with both hands from her waist.
Step 4: Straighten your legs and lift her up over your head. She should stiffen her body and hold position. When done correctly, the partners’ positions should form a “T.”
July 21st, 2009 at 10:39 am
This is just too funny. I have the feeling that I wouldn’t end as a “T” if I do all this, but in pieces!
Believe it or not, I was Baby during a high school Dirty Dancing musical, but 15 years later it seems like a dream. Funny indeed!