MSO (Melbourne Shuffle Oldskool): melbourne zombie shuffle

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Friday, June 13, 2008

Melbourne Zombie Shuffle # 3 - 14 June 2008

it's on again, the 3rd Melbourne Zombie Shuffle 14 June 2008, a great chance to impress the world with your make-up skills and zombie shuffle

Melbourne Zombie Shuffle

Event Info Host: the living dead
Type: Causes - Rally
Time and Place Date: Saturday, June 14, 2008
Time: 12:30pm - 2:00pm
Location: Exhibition Gardens and beyond
Street: Cnr Rathdowne & Victoria

Official site: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=16984977655&ref=mf

Previous melbourne zombie shuffle

Melbourne has had a long underground theatre tradition and was the environment the Melbourne Shuffle was created in.

There is a popular misconception with the shuffle's '...express not impress' . We have no problem being impressive when we express our selves. Such as the Melbourne Zombie Shuffle today, very much part of the Melbourne Underground tradition. There are no boundaries in underground Melbourne, we are all the one thing

Here's some examples at the oldskool Goth Ball 1995 Carnival Of Lost Souls, featuring The Baroness (President of the Australian Vampyre Legion) and Love Lies Bleeding, with belly dancing to Dead Can Dance tracks and a side show goth Freak show - warning some images will undoubtedly offend. Plus a bunch of other freaks ( a complimentary term for those who take it seriously).

TOE THEORY OF EVERYTHING 1

* * UPDATE * *
Victoria Police have given the zombie shuffle the okay, all systems are go - see you on Saturday 14th, BRAAAAIINS!!
* * UPDATE * *
Fellow flesh-eaters of Melbourne, let's make it happen again.
The usual rules apply: dress zombie, act zombie.
Invite as many people as you can, let's get this show on the road!
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
ZOMBIE SHUFFLE RULES

- PLEASE READ!
Because there are a number of zombie shuffle virgins this time around, there are just a few simple 'rules' that need to be obeyed so that the day can be enjoyed by all (including human bystanders) with a minimum of capsicum spray/arrests/truncheon-usage/annoying Today Tonight reports/etc.

Just because you are a zombie, doesn't mean you must also be a dickhead.

1. NO defacing public property, under any circumstances. This includes shop fronts, windows, merchandise, billboards, etc etc. Blood and guts goes on the zombies, or on a banner/sign if you want to carry one, not other people's stores, belongings or faces.

1.a. Try to stay out of shops where possible to ensure rule 1. is maintained.

1.b NO carrying weapons of any sort, particularly realistic-looking ones. Your zombieness is enough, thanks!

2. NO intentional frightening of children/the elderly/animals. Seriously.

2.a. However if you have/are a child/old person/animal who WANTS to participate, then you are welcome to!

2.b. Above all, respect the public's personal space! If you need to drip blood on someone, do it on a fellow zombie - that's what they're there for.

3. Stick to the shuffle route (Carlton Gardens > La Trobe St > Swanston > Fed Sq > Southbank > Crown riverbanks).

4. Obey the road rules! Mainly because we don't want any zombies getting killed (again) by cars/trams/etc, but also because it is hilarious to see zombies pressing crossing buttons, waiting at red lights, etc (see event photos).

5. Just in case we haven't made it abundantly clear, don't be a zombie dickhead! Play by the rules and let everyone have a great day.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
ZOMBIE SHUFFLE FAQs
Q. Dude, WTF?
A. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombie_walk

Q. So what do we have to do to take part?
A. Dress as a zombie (because you are one, right?) and lurch/shuffle/stumble through the city then congregate at the end point. It's simple, really.

Q. Can I invite my friends?
A. You bet! The more zombies the merrier.

Q. Can I make a flyer to give out at my gigs/uni/self-help class?
A. Yes! Just make sure it has all the necessary details on it (including an abbreviated version of the zombie rules).

Q. Can't I just walk alongside the zombies and laugh/point/take photos?
A. Don't be boring - wouldn't you rather dress as a brains-hungry living corpse and carry a sign saying "GOT BRAINS?" (or something wittier) than be one of THOSE people who comes to costume parties wearing a "funny" hat and an embarrassed expression?

Q. How do I make myself look like a zombie?
A. There are loads of sites with how-to info on theatre and FX makeup; both Backstage (Kryolan) and Bernards' Magic Shop have been listed in this event's 'Posted Items' if you need a makeup supplier.

Q. What sort of zombies?
A. Any you like! You can come "traditional" Romero style, Danny Boyle "rage" zombie, spooky Haitian voodoo zombie, and so on, provided you're a) the living dead and b) you want BRAAAAIIINS.

Q. Can I come as a 'themed' zombie?
A. Yes! Themed zombies add some colour and movement to the day and are hilarious - past efforts include Commonwealth Games zombies, wedding day zombies, lawn bowls zombies, Swiss Miss zombies...

Q. Can I come as a vampire/werewolf/mummy/Wolverine?
A. No, der, this is a zombie shuffle. Unless you want to get into some sort of meta horror mashup and come as a vampire zombie, but that's just confusing.

UPDATE: MEDIA COVERAGE AND VIDS

NATIONAL 9 NEWS VIDEO http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=580154

THE AGE newspaper coverage http://www.theage.com.au/national/zombie-town-day-of-the-living-dead-descends-on-city-politely-20080614-2qno.html

melbourne zombie shuffle 14 june 2008

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 :)

View Larger Map

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

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.