Melbourne Shuffle

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The Melbourne shuffle is a style of dance. The Melbourne shuffle originated in the late 1980s in the Melbourne underground scene. The basic movements in the dance are a fast heel-and-toe action with a style suitable for various types of electronic music. Some variants incorporate arm movements.^[1]

Contents 1 Timeline 1.1 Late 1980s–early 1990s 1.2 Mid–late 1990s 1.3 2000–Present 2 Dancing 3 Media 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Timeline

[edit] Late 1980s–early 1990s

The Melbourne shuffle begins to emerge as a distinct dance, incorporating more hand movement than previous styles.^[2]. Techno music was gradually replaced with trance music and house music^{[citation needed]}.

[edit] Mid–late 1990s

A number of videos documenting the style during this era exist as the style increased in popularity^[3]. There are many variations of this dance but the main heel to toe movement remained the key motion giving it the term "the Melbourne shuffle".

[edit] 2000–Present

In 2006 with the rising popularity of YouTube, dancers internationally now contribute to the Shuffle online, posting their own variations and learning from others.^[4]

[edit] Dancing

The name "Melbourne shuffle" has been derived from overseas DJs, party goers, visitors and the media trying to describe this phenomenon. The Age referred to it as looking like "a cross between the chicken dance and a foot stomping robot" to the untrained eye^[1], but locals have simply called it the "shuffle" since 1992.

Some dancers sprinkle talcum powder or apply liquid to the floor beneath their feet to help them glide more easily, some including 360 degree spins or jumps into their moves.^[1]. Others apply smooth plastic tape to the soles of their shoes.

Two main components of the Melbourne shuffle that remain largely consistent are the component moves "Running man" and "Shuffle". The "Running man" involves a stomp forward followed by a slide backwards with the same foot, the other foot repeats the action leading to a running-on-the-spot motion. The "Shuffle" is a fast sideways heel-toe motion on one foot twisting at the ankle. The dance is embellished by spins, arm pumps and jumps.

[edit] Media

The Melbourne shuffle dance style has remained relatively underground since its birth in the late 80s and early 90s. The term "Melbourne shuffle" was recorded in the media when Sonic Animation's Rupert Keiller was interviewed by rage, an all night Australian music TV show^[5]. The interviewer asked Rupert what his unique style of dance was and the reply was "the Melbourne Shuffle". In December 2002 The Age, an Australian newspaper, made mention of the term in a front page article^[1], attempting to illustrate what the popular Melbourne Shuffle was for the first time to the mainstream public.

The shuffle has spread to Malaysia and in Brunei and there have been "Shuffle Competitions" and "Shuffle Meet ups" held in Malaysia and Brunei.

Shufflers have taken their art form and self-expressive dance style overseas and are a regular sight to be seen at rave parties in the UK, Germany, Malaysia and also Thailand, where shufflers can be seen shuffling on the beaches of Koh P hang Ngan during the Full Moon Beach Party. The internet has also been a factor in spreading knowledge and interest in the shuffle.

A documentary on the topic entitled Melbourne Shuffler^[6] was in production during 2004-2005 and was recently released in late 2005 on DVD. Another huge contributor to the fame and popularity of the Melbourne Shuffle is Youtube. Every shuffler and shuffle crew found themselves able to support the Melbourne Shuffle and show off their own style and moves, these videos captured everyone's attention.

On 6 September 2008 Network 10 had started filming footage at the Hard Style Dance (HSD).^[7] Nightclub for an upcoming Documentary on the Melbourne Shuffle, although no other news has surfaced after the filming of the footage.

In November 2008, "So You Think You Can Shuffle" ^[8], an Australian YouTube-based video voting competition website was launched, where Shufflers from around the country can showcase their dance skills, comment, and vote on other videos. Starting in 2009 "So You Think You Can Shuffle" also started hosting official shuffle meetups and competitions around Australia and Germany.

[edit] See also

• Doof
• Melbourne
• Rave
• Hardstyle
• Hard Trance

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• The Melbourne Shuffler Documentary The first Documentary released on the Melbourne Shuffle.
• SHUFFLE!- The Movement Documentary covering the Shuffle culture from its origins to today.
• Melbourne Shuffle dance moves Overview of the different Melbourne Shuffle dance moves.
• Inthemix.com.au article A Brief History of the Melbourne Shuffle.
• Touching the light