Archive for July, 2008
How To Dance Hip Hop Tips #1
Hey friends,
If you want to know how to dance hip hop better than your current skills, just think of Kanye’s song lyrics: Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger. The lyrics basically tell you what you need to know.
Learning how to hip hop dance like a pro WILL take hard work, just like anything else in life that’s worth having. One of the most important dance lessons I’ll stress today is to PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL. Take a look at this short video:
Hip Hop Dance & Breakdance Basics
That was footage from some of last week’s hip hop classes. Fun times!
But you’ll notice we could look even better if we paid more attention to the details: where my head bobs, how high my arms swing, the counts I get down/off the floor, etc.
Hip hop students keeping an eye for detail
As a professional hip hop dancer, if you’re not paying attention to the little things, it can make the group look sloppy and under rehearsed. Would you agree?
** You can learn from more hip hop videos on my YouTube Channel.
That’s just one tip for today. There’s lots to learn so I’ll post more “How To Dance Hip Hop Tips” on a regular basis. Hey, it’s free advice! Leave a comment right now and let me know what you think.
- Shawn B
3 comments July 28, 2008
Tap Music For Tap Dance Class
Micro blog: I’ve posted recent tap music on my tap dance blog. Go there to see my recent playlist. Use the music for your own tap class, tap choreography, or just good listening.
That’s it!
It’s my day off, so I’m gonna read my Wired magazine. Yesssss!
- Shawn B
July 27, 2008
Hip Hop Music For Dance Class
Hey dancers!
-
- My bro and I gettin’ down in tha club
-
- Battlin’ some guy in the club… fun times!
-
- Still battlin a guy- check out my screw face
Here’s some recent dance shots from my birthday- I was just browsing my computer and thought they looked fun.
Anyway, here’s a free music playlist of 10 recent hip hop music tracks I’ve used in dance class the past month or so. You can get ‘em on iTunes, or just buy the music in a store (yeah right- you mean leave my house? I don’t think so…)
It’s a mix of hip hop songs, some are old school (well, I like to spell it “Ol skool”) hip hop tracks, and some are current hip hop or R&B tunes. Enjoy:
- Take Your Hand – Usher
- Low – FloRida
- Mr. Groove – One Way
- Don’t Stop The Music – Rihanna
- After Party – Coffee Brown
- Pants On Fire – Kandi
- My Love Is Like WO – Mya
- Dangerous – Kardinal Official w Akon
- Don’t Talk – Jon B
- Wanna Love You Girl – Robin Thicke
Now download to whatever you got (I’m still using CD’s, boo) and get yo’ dance on! If you’re a dance teacher, use the songs for your own dance lessons. If you just want summer tunes, play them loud in your car.
Hey- Do you have a favourite hip hop song you love dancin’ to? If you lemme know in advance, I might use it in an upcoming hip hop class, word?
- Shawn B
2 comments July 25, 2008
Toronto’s Hottest Dance Workshop: GIRLICIOUS!
Ok ladies…Enough making excuses that you can’t dance. Enough making lame excuses that you don’t have time; or you’re afraid of what others will think; or you don’t have money; or… or… or…
It’s summer! And it’s time to let loose!
So if you need an “excuse” to let your hair down and work some sexy dance moves… then you need to get involved in Eva Redpath’s GIRLICIOUS dance workshop. She’s a pro. And she’s holding it this Saturday July 26th.
Toronto Girlicious dance workshop
Unfortunately, I won’t be there… because I’m a boy. Girls only. 
But if you know any ladies willing to give it a try (having fun, laughing, getting in shape, and having more fun) then spread the word.
- Shawn B
1 comment July 22, 2008
Emmy Nominations And Dance Mix Well
So, the 2008 Prime Time Emmy Awards are coming in September.
If you don’t know what the Emmy Awards are, it’s an annual awards show that “celebrates excellence in national prime time programming.” Quality television shows receive a nomination, that is voted on by the Academy. Kinda like the Oscars.
FYI: Canada’s similar broadcast is the Gemini Awards (for which yours truly was nominated for a 2007 Gemini award on the show Toronto Dances- frickin’ sweeeet!)
Anyway, did you know that Dancing With The Stars received 8 Emmy nominations? I think it’s pretty sweet the show received so many nominations, considering dance shows have only recently taken a mainstream interest on national television. Plus, it’s a reality show- so that tells us people are actually WATCHING!
Here’s my Emmy nomination formulae:
I think we need MORE dance shows on television.
Wait, let me rephrase that: I think we need more QUALITY dance shows on television. Sure, reality shows are fun, but wouldn’t it be great if producers started supporting non-reality shows? Here’s two ideas:
- What if I wrote a show where Cirque Du Soleil had an interactive, educational dance series for kids? The Cirque characters live in a colourful kindgom. They do a new dance step throughout the half hour program every week, and the kids viewing have to learn that step to free a new character from the evil AcroBAT every Saturday morning… like a monkey? Or a magical princess? Girls like princesses!
- Or what about a sitcom where the main characters were untrained Broadway chorus dancers? The characters (who are French tourists) fake their way through a broadway audition- and they get hired! The choreographer loves their “energy” and is convinced he worked with them years ago in Europe. The wacky experiences they encounter sometimes lead them to getting a starring role, but because of some funny circumstance they end up back to chorus?
Those are just my crazy thoughts. But I’m sure if the producers of So You Think You Could Dance (which only received 3 Emmy Nominations for choreography), Project Runway and Dancing With The Stars teamed up with the writers of say, Grey’s Anatomy, 24, Mad Men and Boston Legal (gotta love Shatner)…
…We’d have one kick @ss dance based television show with substance.
Hmmm. Maybe writing an Emmy nod worthy tv show will be MY next project! Anyone have other ideas for a dance television show?
- Shawn B
PS: Don’t steal my ideas… or I’ll hurt you. No, seriously.
5 comments July 17, 2008
Hip Hop Dance Film Project #1
So. I had a very early start to my Sunday: 5:45 am.
I’m usually not used to getting up that early- especially to dance. But because it was for a short dance film that I happen to be in, well, I guess I kinda had to be there! Besides, what good is “sleep” anyway?
Can’t share too many details about it yet, but it’s a promo dance movie that was so much fun to shoot. Not only will it feature some cool dancing, but it will show some **unbelievably incredible acting** skills from my friends, my video expert Chris James, my executive Jenna Wilson, and myself.
Shawn B and crew on set
Jenna Wilson and Wes on set
I’ll post the video here when it’s done. Watch out Hollywood…
- Shawn B
1 comment July 14, 2008
Toronto Hip Hop Class Easter Egg
So I came across this Toronto hip hop class video a few days back. I like posting class videos so people can see what we’ve been up to.
But THIS one is special… because it has me doing a lil’ freestyle hip hop dance at the end of class. A sweet little easter egg for you to enjoy!
Let me know what you think?
- Shawn B
Toronto Hip Hop Class Video
19 comments July 8, 2008
Learn To Hip Hop Dance In Toronto
Hey Adults- Come Learn To Hip Hop Dance In Toronto!
Some Toronto students learning to Hip Hop Dance.
What up Toronto! If you want to learn how to hip hop dance this summer, and you’re an adult that lives in the Toronto area, be sure to check out the hip hop dance classes I offer for adults.
You’ll learn hip hop dance moves bit by bit, one step at a time. Everyone learns to dance at different speeds, so don’t worry if you have two left feet. And don’t worry what other people are doing- just do you!
Our Toronto hip hop classes are pretty full, but if you seriously want to learn hip hop dance moves, the beginner dance class is what you’ll need.
Drop us a line at our website for the details. Everyone’s been having a fun time learning some new hip hop dance moves at our dance classes in Toronto.
Are you looking for an excuse to get out of the house, and get moving this summer? This might be it!
- Shawn Byfield
3 comments July 6, 2008
