MSO (Melbourne Shuffle Oldskool): April 2007

Sunday, April 22, 2007

International Melbourne Shuffle: Apekwhuut / Malaysia

Malaysia is probably the hottest place on the planet for the Melbourne Shuffle outside of Melbourne, at the moment.

>> If you have no idea where Malaysia is, see the GoogleEarth – CybaFaeries map of Melbourne Shuffle sites for Kuala Lumpur (KL) and Johor Bahru (JB), Malaysia.

Originally Malaysian students studying in Melbourne, learnt the Melbourne Shuffle at clubs and parties in Melbourne, then showed people how to do it when they got back home.

These days people such as Apekwhuut (Apek), have learnt the Melbourne Shuffle from Youtube.

Melbourne Shuffle OldSkoolers are more than happy that the shuffle is spreading by technology, as it was technology, or Techno Culture as we called it in the Melbourne Shuffle OldSkool era early 1990’s, that helped create the Melbourne Shuffle. In particular Techno, the generic name for electronic dance music such as acid, techno, trance and hardcore, which was broadcast on Radio and Television (see TVU, RRR, PBS & KISS, Topics for posts)

I contacted Apek after seeing his youtube video of nearly 1 year ago "Mario Woo Shuffle In Competition In time square kl", featuring his old team (crew/group). Apek had only been dancing the Melbourne Shuffle for a few months at this time. Some fine dancing for such a short time at it. And a very good example of what can be done by Melbourne Shuffle beginners - if anyone reading is thinking of starting.

Mario Woo Shuffle In Competition In time square kl

The original team's no longer together, because of the shortage of time with work commitments etc, but Apek has now put together a new team JB Rockers. Apek insists that the team is just for fun and if a promoter or sponsor asks them to dance, they will. And why wouldn't they? There's plenty of Shufflers in Melbourne who'd love to get requests like that.

Unfortunately the Melbourne Shuffle is still underground in Melbourne these days! Yes, even after 15 years. At any shopping center or Civic event they'll get break dancers in, but no Melbourne Shufflers. Sad isn't it.

So in respect of the exhibition Melbourne Shuffling, as you will see in lots of Apekwhuut and other Malaysian vids, I would proclaim Malaysians the World Leaders!! Good on you, well done, and lets hope others pick up on it.

I've posted a range of Apek's vids below, and you can find more at http://www.youtube.com/user/apekwhuut and http://www.myspace.com/apekwhuut

You can find more about Malaysian/Singaporean Melbourne Shufflers at the excellent Clept Forum

JB Rockers
JB Rockers: Aan, NaJib, BoTaKz, AboY, AbAng, AcAi, ALiF, UjAnG, AzHa, ApEkWhuut.

Jb Rocka Feat StyLo ShuFFLeR

azmer and apekwhuut

My Team = Mario Woo Shuffle In Competiton In City square Jb

ApEkWhuuT Shuffle At CS

ApEkWhuuT ShuFFLe

ApEkWhuuT Vs AbanG HardStyLe

My Shuffle Mate

Azmer

And the latest from Apek

Malaysian Hardstyler

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Let us know what's going on in your part of the planet.

Know of someone or a team who we should all know about? Then please email Garry Shepherd - cybafaeries@gmail.com with the links or info.

UPDATE 15 August 2007

Here's some more Malaysian Melbourne Shufflers mentioned in the comments. Keep them coming so we can all find about more about you :)

Shifter Clanz

IqalShifter

Raversquad

Monday, April 2, 2007

Mario Woo Shuffle In Competiton In time square kl

This vids been online for a while now, it’s fantastic. This crew really takes exhibition shuffling to another level, excellent. Great to see some arm movements happing again too, very oldskool :) Too often forgotten with the shuffle today. By apekwhuut in Malaysia. See more by apekwhuut
http://www.youtube.com/user/apekwhuut

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.