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Genevieve Papadopoulos and Anisa Dobson

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Genevieve Papadopoulos and Anisa Dobson


P3DA3
Penny Martin
Assessment 2: 1980s Duo
Due date: 7 November, 2017
Genevieve Papadopoulos and Anisa Dobson
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Dirty Dancing, one of the most iconic dance movies of all time, is set in the
early sixties and thus the dancing is based on authentic dance style of the
early sixties period (DeeJaySidneyRibeiro, n.d., 0:54). In an interview with
lead star Patrick Swayze, the title Dirty Dancing was explained to be the
movement out of strict partner dancing and into freedom of expression of
movement together. Swayze continued to describe the dirty dancing
derived from the sixties moves such as the frug and the skate, its not bad!
he exclaimed ( , n.d., 7:59).

The choreographer, Kenny Ortega, said this style was nothing like he had ever
worked on before. It was a conglomeration of all the original dancing of the
early sixties (DeeJaySidneyRibeiro, n.d., 0:23). He had created a type of soul
dancing with a partner, with a little mambo thrown in, with a little cuban
motion thrown in (DeeJaySidneyRibeiro, n.d., 0:17).

A soulful dip contrasted with the strict frame of partnered dancing.

Patrick Swayze described their success as partners as the ability to lead and
be led that only comes from a certain frame which makes the two people as
one ( , n.d., 15:05). Karen Trimble, professional ballroom
teacher seconds Swayzes view teaching, If they're balanced over their own feet
and in control of their own bodies, their posture, and their dance frame, then
their partnership immediately improves (Moen, 1998).
Genevieve Papadopoulos and Anisa Dobson
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Technically tricky, the Mambo involves breaking a four-beat measure into


eight dancing beats. The team breaks on count two and follows the music.
Counting the beat is vital to dancing mambo correctly (White, 2000). This is
depicted in the photo from the movie below (Dont step on the one!).

As well as the technical aspects, working together well requires feeling the
music together, especially present in Mambo. The secret to becoming a
successful mambo dancer is to feel the Latin rhythm in the soul (White,
2000). It requires high energy and has infectious rhythms.

In Latin motion (sometimes called Cuban motion or hip sway) you can see
bent knees and gyrating pelvic [movements] for example, rumba was the
most erotic and sensual Latin dance, for its relatively slow rhythm and hip
movement (Brown Girl in the Ring: Margarita and Malungu - ProQuest, n.d.,
pg.57).

Bibliography

Brown Girl in the Ring: Margarita and Malungu - ProQuest. (n.d.). Retrieved

November 6, 2017, from https://search-proquest-


Genevieve Papadopoulos and Anisa Dobson
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com.ezproxy.aim.edu.au/docview/221227798/citation/1D39309AEF764841P

Q/2?accountid=30063

DeeJaySidneyRibeiro. (n.d.). Dirty Dancing Behind The Scenes With Kenny

Ortega. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c7SjdBkT6U

Moen, M. (1998, October). Ballroom Brush-Up: Tips on Teaching Students Who

Return to Dance After a Long Absence. Dance Teacher Now; Raleigh, N. C.,

20(8), 4144, 4647.

News, A. B. C. (2017, August 21). Breaking down the iconic lift scene in Dirty

Dancing. Retrieved November 6, 2017, from

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/choreographers-breakdown-iconic-

lift-scene-dirty-dancing/story?id=49333431

Sabi Eva. (n.d.). Dirty Dancing - Time of my Life (Final Dance) - High Quality

HD. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9BbUqHrWFI

White, K. (2000, February). Class Actions: Sizzling Hot Mambo: The Timing Is

Perfect for New York City Mambo Instructor Addie Diaz. Dance Teacher;

Raleigh, N. C., 22(2), 74, 7677.

. (n.d.). Patrick Swayze interview for Dirty Dancing 1987.

Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cij1T-c3ci8

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