MSO (Melbourne Shuffle Oldskool): "That is the cool Melbourne Shuffle"

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

"That is the cool Melbourne Shuffle"

Came across this pic with the title 'That is the cool Melbourne Shuffle' on a Vietnamese site posted by shuffle boy - Melbourne has a pretty big Vietnamese population.

Yeah, well it is Melbourne and a not too uncommon sight ;) Goths were a part of the oldskool Melbourne Shuffle scene. Nice pic... but we wanna see her dancing :)

See Melbourne Shuffle Brief History for some oldskool Goths dancing in old wedding gowns.

UPDATE 16 SEPTEMBER 2007

I've just had an email from Ben Collinson about the pic above. Ben's an oldskooler from the Global Village days. He's now living in London, but on May 20, 2006 he was in Melbourne and took this great photo. He told me it's actually not the Melbourne Shuffle (Someone grabbed the pic online and put a different title to it) but the Zombie Shuffle. I kid you not. :) Here's the flyer, great looking flyer too btw.

The shot was taken as the Zombies shuffled their way down Flinders Street. They actually went past the front of my building where I have my studio, the Nicholas Building on the corner of Flinders Lane and Swanston Street. (See google map for a closer look) I have a vague recollection of them passing, seeing them from my window which looks down to Swanston Street. I just thought, 'Oh yeah, just a bunch of Zombies going for a stroll' nothing unusual for Melbourne. There was about 100 of them. Hmmm thought the girl in the pic looked familiar :)

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So there's gonna be another one this year according to the official Zombie Shuffle site http://zombieshuffle.livejournal.com/ This time I'm gonna not be lazy, and go out and film it !!! It looks fantastic. They have heaps of links to pics of the Shuffle and lots more info such as what's on the menu for the next Zombie Shuffle picnic. pic below

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ABOUT: The origins, history, culture of the underground dance style called the Melbourne Shuffle, commonly called 'shuffling'.

> The Shuffle mission : To really give a damn (Scooter. J'adore hardcore)

> This is a Melbourne Australia based blog by Melbourne born and based artist Garry Shepherd

> The Melbourne Shuffle was created in the underground arts community of Melbourne (Australia) in the early 1990's.

> The Melbourne Shuffle has 3 main genre's: Party, Rock and Goth. Each genre has it's own distinctive moves, fashion, art and lifestyles.

> There are no fixed steps in shuffling. It is largely a free form dance tradition. Each shuffler has a set of moves they shuffle around to suit their mood and setting.

> Shuffling skill is judged on the choice, sequence and presentation of the moves. Individual shufflers are encouraged to create their own moves to mix in with established moves.

> Shuffling can be done anywhere at anytime, alone or with others. Original oldskool shufflers broadcast their moves on underground TV in the 1990's. Today, Youtube is the favored medium.

> The Melbourne Shuffle has it's own unique dance pants called, PHATS.

In the time of the ancients, the Melbourne Shuffle was originally called STOMPING

Locals pronounce Melbourne - Mel-BeN

ERA's
Oldskool: 1990-96.
Commercial: 1997-2003
Global: 2006-today

DANCE CONCEPT
The Melbourne Shuffle is a dance concept. It uses all sorts of moves like building blocks, and you shuffle these moves around to suit your mood. The basic moves are easy to learn, but will take years of regular practice to reach pro level.

SHUFFLE MOVES
Stomps, turns, spins, shuffles, back steps, hand moves, lifts, jumps, hops, arm moves, elbow moves, hi-kicks, lo-kicks, glides, running man, kick behind, ...and always adding ;)

SHUFFLE GENRE'S
Oldskool, Hardstyle, Rock, Competition, Freestyle, Group Formation

SHUFFLE TERMS
Style: A collection of shuffle moves.
Sequence: A fixed order of shuffle moves.
Routine: A choreographed combination of shuffle moves.
Meet-Up: A casual gathering of Shufflers usually free in a public place, mall, carpark etc, to meet other shufflers and Shuffle.

Shuffle Vid: A youtube video of someone shuffling.

Shuffle Comp: A shuffle competition for individuals and crews.

Shuffle Crew: A group of friends who are interested in Shuffling.

Shuffle Team: A shuffle crew who perform or compete in Shuffle competitions.

Pro: An experienced and talented Shuffler.

> SHUFFLE CULTURE
Shuffle is 'All about the DANCE'. It's a dance culture, the Shufflers are the focal point. Where as RAVE culture is 'All about the music' it's a DJ culture, where the DJ's are the focal point.

> SHUFFLE RULES
The Shuffle saying 'There are no rules' came from the reality nobody in the oldskool would bother obeying them ;) But here's some general principles we're happy with.

> The Shuffle is based on freedom and mutual respect. Violence, hate, aggression, racism and sexism are not tolerated. The real world has plenty of that, and Shufflers are not interested in them.

> There is no restriction to creative freedom in shuffling. You can Shuffle to Express and Impress.

> The Shuffle can be danced solo or in a group. Both male and female can Shuffle.

> Group Shuffling can be unstructured like at a meet-up or structured in a Crew.

> The Shuffle can be spontaneous freeform or a choreographed style.

> You can Shuffle for fun, fitness, art or comps, or all the above. There are no restrictions.

> There is no limit to where you can Shuffle. In the street, carpark, mall, dance party, at home, outdoors in a forest, a city, a suburb, where ever you want to.

> Individual Shufflers are encouraged to add moves to the artform. Saying the Melbourne Shuffle is just one set of steps, is like saying spinning on your head is the only dance move in hip-hop.

> And who decides which new moves are part of the Melbourne Shuffle? Anybody! It's an inclusive artform. The Shufflers make it what it is.