SHUFFLE! - introduction

It is significant that no single person has been identified as the creator of the Melbourne Shuffle. While it is commonly danced by individuals, it has always been a communal experience. A group of people moving.

Part of the Shuffle ethos is, that it is freely owned by everybody, everyone can contribute and everybody is welcomed. How does such an ideal work?

No one can even be sure when it started. It just seemed to be. Like a touchstone, everybody just knew about it. Like something primal, something that has always been. 'It' called, they came.

What is it about an isolated coastal village on the edge of the planet (next stop South Pole), that gave birth to such a mysterious creature? Why do so many relate to this dance and call it their own? Why does it cross international, religious and cultural boundaries with ease?

It's always fresh, always personal, and is always passionate! It adapts to it's surroundings, to each generation, growing and changing...

> SHUFFLE! - THE MOVEMENT is a new art documentary by Garry Shepherd (MSO) which investigates this global dance from it's underground origins to today.

> Shuffle! - The Movement comes in 3 documentary versions, Online, DVD and TV.

> The DVD version is called GLOBAL SHUFFLE and is due for release late 2009. www.globalshuffle.com

 

SHUFFLE! : ONLINE

> You can read in sequence or browse the topics.

> Use the Shuffle! The Movement menu under this banner (pic right) in the MSO side bar.

> Or select from the list below.

 

Melbourne Shuffle: Brief History A brief look at the 3 eras of Shuffling, Oldskool, Commercial, Nuskool, and Melbourne the town. How the physical dance environment formed the basic shuffle steps.

PHATS
The pants created for shuffling in the early 1990's by shufflers. Nobody but shufflers wear Phats. The history of the design, lots of Phats pics, video of early Phats in Shuffle fashion parades. The MSO freeshare Phats pattern for making your own Phats.

 

The Earliest Known Shuffler footage. From 1991 with video of Alsan (pic right) a legendary oldskool shuffler and the first known video of the Shuffle.

 

Melbourne Shuffle: The Beginnings A more detailed Shuffle history. Melbourne has been holding Dance Parties (Raves) since the mid 1970's. We explore the dance culture, music and moves with text, pics and videos that lead to the creation of the Melbourne Shuffle.

 

Advanced Shuffle Footwork  Shuffle footwork is based on traditional Celtic dance, mostly Irish dancing. It was common for oldskool girls trained in Irish dance to show others how to do shuffle moves. See the moves done by pro's.

High School Revolution
We barricaded teachers out of the class rooms, held student strikes, went on hunger strikes and demanded our own dope smoking room. It was Upwey High 1972. 3 years later, the monthly Upwey Dance parties (1200 people) held in the High School hall, inspired the Police to set up Blue Light Disco's all across town, to reduce youth crime. A generation of Melbourne kids grew up with these dance parties. They became the original Melbourne Shufflers. This is the high school that got it all started.

 

 

Tutorials...

WHERE DO I START ?
Are you completely new to the Shuffle, want helpful beginners tutorials, want to know what shoes to use, what steps to do, and be able ask questions and get advise ? This is for you.

 

 

BALANCE EXERCISES
Help improve your balance with simple daily exercises.

 

 

 

 

STRETCHING EXERCISES
Shuffling is Ballistic exercise. Learn how to warm up, warm down and stretch before and after you shuffle, to reduce injuries.

ADVANCED SHUFFLE FOOTWORK - EXERCISES # 1
Try these Irish dance footwork exercises to get your shuffling moving like a pro.