About 6 months ago a club promoter in Sydney Australia announced a campaign to ban the Melbourne Shuffle, which lead to the Global Shuffle being created. We set the deadline of 17 May 2008 as a challenge to this dance nazi, to go ahead, just try stop the Shuffle.
Why did he want to ban the Melbourne Shuffle ? Because he hated it, and hated Shufflers.
A bigoted hate campaign then started, trying to topple the Global Shuffle, with nasty and insulting hate posts and vids directed at any new or young shuffler to try and stop them from Shuffling. The dance nazi's were too afraid of oldskoolers and MSO, to attack us directly ;)
The abuse targeted under 18 year olds, saying what they did was not cool, but if they did it in a Melbourne or Sydney night club, where the entry age is 18 and over because of alcohol license laws, then they'd be cool.
It back fired on the haters and dance nazi's, who are mostly in their late 20's. Their clubs might have been cool 5-8 years ago, but they are well past it now.
So young shufflers all over the world began to dance in the streets organising their own street meet ups, starting up their own forums in their own local language across Europe so they didn't have to put up with the crap on Melbourne based forums who support the dance nazi's.
MSO now has visitors from over 3,500 cities in 100 countries, the Shuffle is in movies, on TV, is in the main stream media, and a bunch of us got together for meet ups on 17 May 2008 to show we are not intimidated by racists and haters, and Shuffled in proud defiance.
So instead of destroying the shuffle the past 6 months.
The SHUFFLE IS BOOMING
and the dance nazi's have all but scurried off with their tail between their legs, and are basically forgotten now.
I've been contacted by many new shufflers who wanted to post vids on the Global Shuffle day, but felt they needed more practice before having their youtube debut. Others had exams and other commitments etc.
So we are extending the Global Shuffle to an ongoing thing. Just put 'globalshuffle' as a tag in your vid to show you support Shufflers of all abilities, ages, races, religions, nationalities.
You are welcome to add your vids to the official forum thread too.
>>> Will there be another Global Shuffle Day? Maybe. Speaking for Shufflers in Melbourne, we'd like it during our (southern) Summer. We're not fond of shuffling in the cold wet rain hehe. But then that makes it winter for those in the north.
And so many people had a great time meeting up on 17 May, they want to do it again too.
So stay tooned we'll see if we can come up with something that suits everybody.
>>> I would personally like to thank our Malaysian and Singapore shuffle friends and crews, Shifter, Tribezone, Hazard Minors for their tireless support, and Jancis on a great effort with her first Shuffle event in Singapore. And to all who attended or supported Global Shuffle the world over.
And thanks to our American shuffle friends in New York who tried valiantly to get the Shuffle parade float happening in the New York Dance parade, but ran into internal organisation opposition. - After a good start and support from the Dance Parade founder and organiser, the parade was forced to change direction, and stop embarrassing the politicians with political remarks, it's election year in the USA and the politicians are nervous. So the Melbourne Shuffle was considered to be too outspoken for the New York Dance Parade, by some influential people inside and outside of the organisation.
Sadly the parade had less than half the dancers than last year, and the 80 year old dance bans in New York, still remain.
Fri Mar 14, 2008 TALLAHASSEE, Florida (Reuters) - The Florida Senate wants public school students to pull up their pants. Lawmakers passed a bill Thursday that could mean suspensions for students with droopy britches.
It won't become law unless the House of Representatives passes a companion measure.
Florida could join several southern U.S. towns and cities that have passed "saggy pants" laws aimed at outlawing what some teenagers consider a fashion statement -- wearing pants half way down their buttocks, exposing flesh or underwear.
Supporters say schools sometimes don't properly police dress codes and parents are often "under aware" of what their kids are wearing to school.
Critics say the measure is unnecessary, arguing that appearance and dress codes should be the responsibility of school districts and parents.
Despite being the butt of jokes, the bill's sponsor, Orlando Sen. Gary Siplin, a Democrat, has said the fashion statement has a back-story -- it was made popular by rap artists after first appearing among prison inmates as a signal they were looking for sex.
"All we're trying to do now is trying to inform folks that we have a fad now that does not have a very good origination," Siplin said. "We're trying to make an example in school," he added, saying it would help students get jobs and a degree.
The Florida city of Riviera Beach passed its own saggy pants law Tuesday, with a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail for repeat offenders.
>>>>>> o <<<<<<
So there ya go, another droopy law to add to the list ! Display your disapproval, along with the rest of us on
There's a new Human Rights Charter in town as of today 1 January 2008, for the state of Victoria (Australia), Melbourne is the capital city.
The Human Rights Charter covers things which have generally been protected by laws for some time now.
"A Lawyers Picnic" it has been called, by none less than a lawyer PETER FARIS QC in today's Herald Sun newspaper. Peter is co-author of the book Human Rights Charters in Australia, soon to be published.
To give you an idea of the bias:
9 pages of the charter outline in broad terms the Human Rights
27 pages outline how lawyers and government bureaucrats deal with it.
Dancing the Melbourne Shuffle is not specifically mentioned in the Freedom Of Expression section - I doubt the Government even knows what the Melbourne Shuffle is, probably thinking it refers to a special way of shuffling cards at their much loved casino's :)
NB This last statement, made in jest, is now protected under the new Human Rights Charter I believe ;) Freedom Of Expression - (1) Every person has the right to hold an opinion without interference.
The Charter does mention specifically other traditional expression methods -(a) orally; or (b) in writing; or (c) in print; or (d) by way of art; or (e) in another medium chosen by him or her. but not Dance.
Evidently Dance is not worthy of a mention.
Which is curious seeing dance is an equally traditional method of expression in all world cultures, going back to caveman days and/or pre human deities, depending on your belief system.
Dance may be protected, but it will now take a court case to prove it is. The '(e) in another medium chosen by him or her' line could be argued to include dance, but until a court decision resolves that issue after being tested in court, it's ambiguous. Unlike 'in print' or 'in writing', with those simple words it's legally clear.
Saying 'in dance' would have also made it legally clear. But now dance is open to legal challenge as a protected Freedom Of Expression.
The 'expressions' list, short as it is, sounds like things off the top of a boring bureaucrats head. No real thought has been put into it, it's just padding to make the list look like someone's actually done some work on it. A could-not-careless about Freedom Of Expression approach. And clearly not a bureaucrat or Government who cares about dance.
Since the Age of Reason about 500 years ago, dance in western cultures has basically been removed from the authority spectra, which strongly favours the spoken and written word. It's done the same with visual art too. Placed them in the leisure pursuit category, not to be taken seriously.
Words and Text however - no matter how stupid or obscure, considered 'the final word' as 'the voice of authority'.
Even demanding to be mentioned twice - in writing and in print, in the human rights charter. Word is supreme. Dance is nowhere to be seen. Grrrr
Although, could you imagine the 'Dance of Authority' instead of the 'Voice of Authority' ? Well yes, but it's not a pleasant image since Boris Yeltsin did his thang a few years back. :)
I must say with a video remix and better sound track, his dancing has improved remarkably ;)
Boris Yeltsin Dancing to Peanut Butter Jelly Time (LOUD!!!)
But of course most of Melbourne's politicians kids have heard of the Melbourne Shuffle, and probably shuffle around home. The parents no doubt dismissing it as 'Just that silly little thing he/she does these days' or 'That thing they're always watching on Youtube'
The last Politician I can recall professing a love of dance was former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett, who loves Spanish dancing, in particular Flamingo. He discovered early that he had no real ability, and to his dance teacher's relief - his words, decided he'd dance in private and be content watching others do it.
I was treasurer of Dancehouse in Melbourne in the mid 1990's when Jeff was state Premier. We were an independent dance community featuring avant guarde, progressive, and exploratory contemporary dance with a heavy element of researching new dance. Pretty much a hardcore specialist thing.
Jeff gave Dancehouse nearly $500,000 in funding to replace our aging dancefloor! As a dancer he knew the paramount importance and delirious joy of a good dancefloor, as all dancers do.
We were surprised he'd even heard of us. And even more surprised seeing he was from the opposite side of politics to the mainly leftish Dancehouse. We'd often get $5000 here and there in funding, mainly for productions. We had four dance seasons a year. Usually 6-8 new works in a short season of a month or so. Everyone was pretty much voluntary with a passion for new dance. I filmed 100's of hours of performances and worked as video artist with neo-butoh dance company Mixed Company, and Company In Space who used a variety of online avatars and live performance technologies in their productions. (I'll post some clips down the track.)
Dancehouse was (and still is) in an old temperance (anti-alcohol) dance hall from the early 1900's. They'd have dance parties there, and wouldn't serve alcohol, only tea, coffee, fruit punch etc.
A bit like this local suburban hall, but smaller.
It had a 'sprung floor'. Literally a large hall, with a really smooth polished wooden floor, that sat on huge metal springs, to give you a bit of bounce when you dance. Fun Huh? Sure beats a carpark surface ;)
So out of the blue Jeff says ' Yeah great idea, restore the dance floor, here's the money'. And yes, he was one of the first to come and try it out - privately and away from media camera's :) And a not too shabby effort, according to witnesses.
I can't help but wonder that, had this Human Rights charter been introduced by a Premier who is a dance lover, dance would have been mentioned.
A small thing in the larger scale of Human Rights, but Expression is a major part of being human, it is a major part of human life. Surely Dance is worthy of a mention to ensure that everyone knows, dance is important and deserves protection...perhaps, but not today, according to Melbourne's current State Government.
My understanding with the dance ban in New York is that Social Dancing is not covered by the American Human Rights, but 'Art Dancing' is. Art dancing such as Broadway musicals, ballet, formal cultural dance performances, and the sort of thing we'd do at Dancehouse.
The everyday person strutting their stuff, is by the New York Human Rights definition - NOT ART, and not protected. Sorry guys and gals, but that's the Law in New York as decided by a panel of 5 judges.
In Australia it's pretty simple what ART is, the taxation office has sorted it for us, where legions of academics and critics have disagreed for millennia. Do you want to be taxed as an artist or not? :) Basically "Yeah sure, we'll call you an artist, now pay us the tax..."
"public order, public health" are the key words in the Freedom Of Expression exceptions section that would be the legal basis to ban dancing the Melbourne Shuffle in Melbourne.
These are the same basis-in-law arguments that are used in New York and used by Tim Sabre of Raw Entertainment to ban the Melbourne Shuffle.
I agree with the human rights charter, it's a good thing, but it can be better. Too many broad statements to exploit for those who want to. A work in progress, I could hear the Government saying in it's defence, something to be worked out over time as interpretations are debated. The sort of interpretation you debate in an expensive court case, to quote Peter Faris QC
"As soon as lawyers understand the charter there will be an explosion of litigation.
From a professional point of view, as a practising lawyer I can see an almost unlimited number of ways in which the charter can be used. Inevitably this means more money for lawyers.
(1) Every person has the right to hold an opinion without interference.
(2) Every person has the right to freedom of expression which includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, whether within or outside Victoria and whether—
(a) orally; or
(b) in writing; or
(c) in print; or
(d) by way of art; or
(e) in another medium chosen by him or her.
(3) Special duties and responsibilities are attached to the right of freedom of expression and the right may be subject to lawful restrictions reasonably necessary—
(a) to respect the rights and reputation of other persons; or
(b) for the protection of national security, public order, public health or public morality.
Yep that's it, barely 1 page. Your legal Freedoms Of Expression. The laws that govern the entire means of human expression of a city of 5 million that speaks over 180 languages every day. Pitiful isn't it ? And we paid good money for it !!! ;)
Ah yes the Politics Of Dancing. And as usual after thinking about such matters I hum along and drift away to Reflex(It seems to help) “The Politics Of Dancing. The Politics of Feeling Good, The Politics of Moving, is this message understood?"
Jump Style is dead, time for the Melbourne Shuffle, so Cyril Rosman wrote a few days ago (8 December 2007) in the Dutch online magazine BN DeStem .
I'm sure his comments will be debated with some considerable passion amongst our Dutch and Belgian friends on a forum or two :)
Most shufflers aren't too interested in being compared with other dance styles, as in one being better or worse than the other, especially jump style. I've seen a number of shufflers break into jump, when they've felt the need.
But these comparisons inevitably get made anyhow. All part of the broader dance scene.
That said, it's nice the story wasn't: Shuffle's Dead - Go Jump !! (whew) ;))
I would like to thank Cyril Rosman and BN DeStern for mentioning the Global Shuffle in the article too, and linking to Melbourne Shuffle Oldskool.
Here's a very rough google translation of the article, below... I'd recognise those Shuffle feet in the story graphic anywhere too, good on ya BigMilan ;)
Saturday, December 8, 2007-Breda At a time when the conservative old men Elsevier there was about writing, it became a lot less fun. And when he won a jump - Piet came and eight children went with it to the hype, it was for the jumpstyle fans of the first hour really beyond: jump is dead!
After gabber killed another dance craze on the cliffs of commerce. Time therefore for the emergence of a new underground dance style.
John Pertijs, owner of feesttempel Zalinaz in Etten-Leur, it is still a little cautious: "Jump is a bit on his return. If small children will find fun, it is a bit on for the rest. Gabber - Piet was bad for the gabber, now there Jump - Piet, then the underground it is not fun anymore. " In Zalinaz are still jumpfeesten. "But the celebrations are more popular Lipstick: eclectic house. Hardstyle still popular."
In Breda has a new dance of championing: shuffle. It would be just the new thing in town can be. Al hopes Bredanaar Maurice (14) there really is not. "It isjuist fun because there are few people who do it. Now is the particular and people are still looking for: what does that guy now?"
Maurice 'discovered' shuffle along with a friend via youtube. "We thought it was fun and go practice. We are now a little below the knee, although we are still not very good, hear. But I think we are still the only two schools who can and do. Another fun thing because you are good you can lose energy when you are at a party. "
Shuffle is totally different than jumping. By shuffle is precisely the intention that your feet as much as possible on the ground. Flitsend footwork is the most important. You can back and forth shuffelen, but only in the same area.
Shuffle is not really new. It originated in the early nineties - underground house scene of Melbourne (Australia) and is therefore also known as the Melbourne Shuffle. According to Belgian bloggers zoemt dance already a year go through that country. In the USA, in the New York Annual Dance Parade of May 17 next year even a separate area reserved for the Shufflers: Global Shuffle.
In the Netherlands, the shuffle already known for a while, but not doorgebroken. Already there appear more and more Dutch people with their own movie on youtube.
----------------
So there ya go, the Melbourne Shuffle is known, 'but not doorgebroken'
Would one of our Dutch or Belgian readers like to translate 'doorgebroken' for us. I have no idea what it means, neither did google :) Just post in the comments, that would be great, thanx
Shifter Shuffle School ! Well not quite ;) but this Junior Sports Carnival at Angsana J.B (Malaysia) December 1&2 2007 was done in conjunction with the Ministry Of Education and TV3 which broadcast it nationally.
Shifter's in this event: Iqal, Izam, Kechik, Afiez, Afie & Faez. Well done guys.
So how would you like to have the Shuffle as part of your school work? :))) Check it out with your local schools, most schools have some form of exercise programs, so why not Shuffling!! Ask a teacher, get the ball rolling.
Be very careful if you're thinking of dancing the Melbourne Shuffle in most New York City (USA) clubs, because it's banned. And not just the Melbourne Shuffle, but all styles of dancing. You'll see signs like this (pic right) telling you so.
But Freedom of Speech = Freedom of Dance doesn't it? Don't you believe it, and this comes from the Land of the Free -America, too.
How can they enforce it? Locks and chains on club doors usually, and courts have been successfully doing it for 80 years now, as reported in the New York Post...
...A bid to overturn the city's cabaret law was tripped up yesterday when a state appeals court held that the statute, which bars (bans) dancing in most bars and taverns, is constitutional.
A group of social dancers had filed a lawsuit saying the law - which requires establishments to have difficult-to-get cabaret licenses if they allow three or more people to dance - violated their right of free expression.
"Recreational dancing is not a form of expression protected by the federal or state constitutions," the state Appellate Division ruled.
In a unanimous decision, the five-judge panel found the purposes of the 80-year-old law were "to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the public by limiting noise, congestion and various hazards in residential areas."
--------------------------------------
NB: 'Cabaret' is an old word for a bar/nightclub sort of thing.
The ban came about in the 1920's USA prohibition era, when alcohol was banned. Part of it was crowd control, with drunken idiots yahoo-ing around in the street outside of venues in residential neighborhoods. Fair enough. We get them in Melbourne, they start fights, smash windows, stab people, and gangs of 15 will bash just one who happens to be walking by - for 'fun'. But they're not dancers, they're violent drunks.
So why not just ban the drunks ?
Our oldskool warehouse parties in Melbourne were done as far away from neighbors as possible. We didn't want to 'disturb the neighbors', we had nothing to prove. We just wanted to be left alone to dance, which is why our first priority was to find an isolated remote site, such as a warehouse in an industrial area that was shut down for the weekend when we'd do our party. We'd arrive, party and leave, and for locals it was as though we were never there. Not the easiest thing to achieve with a mega-watt sound system, a laser light show you could see from Mars and crowds dressed in fluro phatties, but we did it.
It was underground, that was the whole point.
But clubs are a different story, they like everyone knowing they exist, they live and die on attention. They sell more beer when everyone knows where they are. A rowdy crowd out the front is the best billboard they can get. They love the attention even if it's bad. I've known some Melbourne Club owners who deliberately go out of their way to cause controversy, just for the attention. It's a completely different attitude.
For instance who'd even heard of this Tim Sabre idiot or Raw Entertainment, before he said he wanted to ban the Melbourne Shuffle? He was a nobody. But now he's got our attention.
As many Shufflers have commented, it's the violent drunks who are the problem, both inside and outside, not the shufflers. I totally agree. These drunks spoil it for everyone, and they don't care. As long as 'they' have fun, everybody else can go to hell.
But there was a much more sinister side to the origins of this New York dancing ban...Racism.
The thought of New Yorkers of different races mixing together was considered obscene, the segregation laws also made it illegal. Dancing together was just the same.
Someone didn't want the 'wild strangers and foolish natives' (original words) or the weird 'bohemians' for that matter, mixing on the dancefloor, or anywhere really. They feared they might breed. 'Half breeds' was the disgusting phrase used for the children of mixed race.
These were not the most tolerant of times.
Prohibition didn't last long - too many politicians who like to drink I guess. Racism still rears it's damned ugly head, but is less of an issue since the civil rights movements of the 1960's.
But for some unholy reason, dancing is still banned by courts and the ban is considered constitutional.
And we're not talking about some distant past we only know about through old black and white documentary film footage. This is happening now.
No, Free Speech does not equal Free Dance.
And Tim Sabre of Raw Entertainment is trying to introduce exactly the same laws into Australia, using exactly the same legal argument, that has worked in New York City for the past 80 years. Don't let him!
Melbourne Shuffle Oldskool has been in touch with Metropolis In Motionwww.metropolisinmotion.org and the New York Dance Paradehttp://danceparade.org both groups of pro-dance New Yorkers who have been protesting against the New York ban, with dance marathons and protest parades the past couple of years.
We might be able to help each other. Check out their sites, they have some great info, especially as they have 80 years of experience living under dance bans. Understanding the legal reasons for the ban, the press response, and the actions you can take to fight a dance ban, are empowering.
New Yorkers typically aren't shy and retiring types ;) they speak their mind and kick arse. But they have been loosing this battle for 80 years ! It's not just a bad joke. It's for real !
And now the battle is in Sydney and could even spread to you.
So let's stop this thing spreading any further, and see if in the process, we can help our dance loving friends in New York have the same Dance Freedom, the rest of us take as a human right.
So move it or lose it, Protect your Freedom to Dance.
Great news posted by Sydney Shuffler Marc Losper on Melbourne Shuffle Oldskool about dropkick promoter Tim Sabre of Raw Entertainment's stupid suggestion to ban the Melbourne Shuffle.
Seems Tim Sabre has underestimated the mighty shufflers and backed down, pulled his head in and also announced he's a former break dancer.
Sounds like Tim Sabre and Raw Entertainment are trying to set Melbourne Shufflers and break dancers against each other, but he probably doesn't realise that most of the Melbourne Shuffle creators were break dancers!!!
Shufflers don't have a problem with break dance, it's not as though you're only allowed to dance just one style! Geez, it's all dance, just personal preference, we call that FREEDOM !!
But Tim Sabre and Raw Entertainment are acting like dance nazi's. The sooner they leave the dance scene and are forgotten, all dance will be the better off for it.
I'm quoted as a shuffler from Sydney in it and basically shoots the whole ban thing dead.
Tim Sabre also posted a bulletin saying that it was a joke taken out of context and blamed the media. Once he was attacked there, seemingly the bulletin disappeared and he has just gone back to promoting his nights.
Fairly ridiculous action, but as long as we're around, the shuffle's not going anywhere :)
A plan to ban a popular dance move from nightclubs has been branded as ridiculous by club managers and party goers.
The high-octane steps of the "Melbourne shuffle" came under fire recently when Sydney promoter Tim Sabre declared war on the move, saying young, drunk shufflers were endangering fellow clubbers.
But his idea to outlaw the step — an upbeat mix of gliding and heel-to-toe rhythm performed with jackhammer like precision — has been savaged by club managers and shuffle lovers.
"I think that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my life," said Manuel Ayas, general manger of Sydney's Home nightclub.
"I mean, freedom of speech … freedom of dance.
"If some people want to dance in this style, then go ahead."
Marc Losper, a 26-year-old shuffler, said the ban would be difficult to implement.
"The idea of somebody making some kind of grandiose gesture to put an end to a dance style is ludicrous," Mr Losper said.
"To try to pin this on one particular dance style makes this seem as if the person behind it has a particular dislike of the style and wants a reason to go after it."
But Mr Sabre, director of Raw Entertainment, has defended his stance, saying he will continue to push for "dance floor courtesy".
"You don’t go to a packed out nightclub and do the samba or the tango or the lambada — you have to mind what is happening at the actual club or event," he said.
"Shufflers aren't doing this."
Since ninemsn broke the story earlier this month, Mr Sabre said people had challenged him to "shuffle-offs" and threatened to perform the steps at his events.
And despite confessing to not being able to do the shuffle, Mr Sabre admitted he did have one style he favoured.
"I used to be a break dancer, for about three to four years," he said.
"I'd always pull out the cardboard boxes and break dance."
Talk about killjoys. Our northern neighbours in Sydney Australia are trying to ban shuffling. Some dropkick (idiot) club promoter in Sydney is trying to get the Melbourne Shuffle Banned, because of saftey concerns - yeah right, as Wade O'Leary of NineMSN reports Thursday October 18 2007...
"We're just trying to get it banned, basically. With the help of the media, this could be a thing of the past." Tim Sabre of Raw Entertainment says.
There's a comments link to the NineMSN news story, Your say: Is 'shuffling' a menace? [UPDATE: The comments section was closed down after just one hour because it was flooded with protests from around Australia. You can leave your comment/protest in the comments section of this post and read the news story comments below]
Shuffling a menace !?! Tim Sabre of Raw Entertainment and partners in cultural crime are the menace! grrrr!!!
You are encouraged to post your thoughts in the comments section of this post below. Sounds more like Raw Entertainment is jealous of the Melbourne Shuffle. So let everyone know folks, boycott these Sydney clubs and promoters if you wanna dance.
Our hearts and thoughts go out to our Melbourne Shuffle friends and supporters from Sydney shufflin.com and wedancehard.com .
Melbourne Shuffle Oldskool recommends Sydney Melbourne Shufflers check these two great Sydney based forums for venues and events that are MELBOURNE SHUFFLE SUPPORTERS
NineMSN Thursday Oct 18 12:00 AEST By Wade O'Leary
A Sydney nightclub promoter has started a campaign to ban a style of dance that he says is a danger to other patrons.
"Shuffling" — a mix between the moves of one-hit wonder MC Hammer and the frenetic steps required by dancing machines in amusement arcades — has long been a staple of the Melbourne rave scene.
RELATED LINKS Your say: Is 'shuffling' a menace? But Tim Sabre of Raw Entertainment says Sydney clubbers swallowing booze rather than ecstasy tablets are turning the free-flowing style into a dancefloor disaster.
"I've seen some near-misses and some not-misses involving young ladies being sideswiped … it's more the patrons who are going off about it, the clubs are happy to have anybody there," he said.
"It's ridiculous — what are they doing?" Sabre promotes nights at some of the city's classier venues — including Soho, Mandalay and Goodbar — and says the smaller Sydney clubs can't cope with the southern style.
"It used to be in those clubs where people stood two metres apart from each other and they were all on ecstasy, so if they bumped into each other they'd give each other a hug," he said. "In Sydney, on the other hand, they try to do it on a crowded floor while drunk.
"You need precision and when you're drunk you lack that, so when somebody goes staggering around and hits the wrong people … it's not good."
But fellow club promoter and DJ Peter Glass described the campaign as "ludicrous". "That's their self-expression, that's what dancing's about," he said. Glass — a fixture at top-drawer Sydney venues like De Nom, Ruby Rabbit and Will & Toby's — believes there is a simpler solution.
"If you play that sort of music you're attracting that sort of clientele, so if you're having that problem you should change your music policy," he said.
"I've never come across this sort of thing in any venue I've worked in."
But Sabre insists he will continue his fight to let his patrons dance in safety. "We're just trying to get it banned, basically," he said.
"With the help of the media, this could be a thing of the past."
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'A thing of the past' ? Not a chance!!
How about promoters and venue's begin to put "MELBOURNE SHUFFLE SUPPORTER" in their advertising so shufflers will know where they're welcomed?
Know a venue or event who is a Melbourne Shuffle Supporter? Post the details in the comments.
Anytime something like this happens a great 1983 electro track by Reflex - The Politics Of Dancing comes to mind. It was released at a time when Politicians were trying to ban dance music from the radio, and pirate radio stations kept broadcasting it. Here's a pic of my original vinyl and a clip of the track, with lyrics that go...
The Politics Of Dancing. The Politics of Feeling Good, The Politics of Moving, is this message understood? We’re under pressure, yes we’re counting on you. It's not what you say, it's what you do. It's in the papers, it's on the TV news, Oh the implications, it's just a point of view"
I hum it to myself and drift away, it seems to help.
So now some nutter is trying to ban dancing! Well the Politicians couldn't stop dance music being broadcast, and Tim Sabre and Raw Entertainment's campaign won't stop us doing the Melbourne Shuffle.
Some not too bad dancing in the clip too, roller skates on the rooftop etc. Worth a look...
Re-Flex. The Politics of Dancing (1983)
UPDATE
NineMSN has now locked the comments for this story. No new Comments will be accepted. It was shutdown just one hour after going online, being swamped by comments, virtually all supporting the Melbourne Shuffle. I've listed the comments below. Please feel free to add comments in this posts comments section. This ain't over yet!!!
Your say: Is 'shuffling' a menace? Thursday Oct 18 17:00 AEST A hit Melbourne dance style known "shuffling" has been slammed by a Sydney nightclub promoter who claims it is dangerous to other revellers.
Have you had any close encounters with the shuffle? Does it imperil a good night out?
Tell us your thoughts below.
shuffling Posted by: andyandcraig, melbourne, on 18/10/2007 6:02:54 PM How rediculous to try and ban a dance style......whats next you had better ban ball room dancing - what would happen if one of those big high heels broke off it could flick up and hit someone in the eye (very dangerous). I have seen people who are drunk cause more trouble on the dance floor stumbling around slurring their words bumping into people. Shuffling is a Melbourne icon should never be banned, and how would you police that one.
WAT THE *** ARE YOU ON ABOUT Posted by: Benni, SYDNEY, on 18/10/2007 6:00:46 PM Man shuffling is not dangerous the only danger is if the people around the persona are stupid enough to get in the way. To be honest i would rather watch some one shuffle then watch 100 people dance dirty house to a hardstyle techno song!!!!!! more dangerous that you haev a 100 people on bingerz touchign eat other if you ask me!. But hey wats more dangerous a shuffler or the guyz on E man some one tell me cause if you thing is the shuffler some one defenatly has a screw loose!!!!!!!!!
WHATT U CAN NEVER STOP US Posted by: SHUFFLAHH, MELBOURNE, on 18/10/2007 6:00:02 PM banning shuffling???? ARE USE CRAZY its a type of dance people could do its better then having people punching, i cant believe this its a type of dance people do because they enjoy it! its not like were trying to distroy the earth MY god this is pathetic im a shuffler and i love shuffling i dont think use can stop me do whatever use want cos i do what i want when i cant
Too far Posted by: Richy, Brisbane, on 18/10/2007 5:58:25 PM Any drunk person, doing any form of dancing is usually a hazard, its the other drunk people who dont look out for themselves who bump into them and cause a problem. If your not stupidly blind its not very hard to avoid bumping into someone who is trying to dance. Banning this style of dance is ridiculous! So NO, it should not be banned on such pathetic terms.
let them dance Posted by: amy, *, on 18/10/2007 5:55:22 PM they are talented and skillful dancers, it is great entertainment, we could ban all danceing because it is dangerous in someway lets just leave them alone at let them dance!
melbourne shuffler menace? Posted by: leahh, melbourne, on 18/10/2007 5:54:02 PM by no way is this unique form of dance a menace. you would have to be an idiot to hurt yourself doing the mebourne shuffler. why would you try and take away our unique and induvidual tradmark of melbourne. no where else in the world will you find this dance. and you wonder why you have violence among youth.what else have you left us with to entertain ourselves. stop protecting us from ourselves. its not life without chances. you are leaving people to live lives of conformity. seems like you wont be happy until we are all sitting at home every night staying quiet and leaving you alone to die without bother.
Re: Is 'shuffling' a menace? Posted by: Justin Jacobs FiLOXTC, Melbourne, on 18/10/2007 5:53:09 PM i don't get how it is a menace. Shuffling is a way to express yourself through techno. It's for fun, but how does it make it dangerous? i mean the only thing bad about it is that some people actually sell drugs in clubs and places wen shuffling doesn't involve drugs being used. all i gotta say is. . . . Shuffling's not a menace. it just a style of dance that everyone enjoys doing
Shuffling Posted by: Tiny.Z, Melbourne, on 18/10/2007 5:52:54 PM You guys cant ban a style of dance thats just rediculous, people shouldnt be getting ''side-swiped'' unless they are too close! think about it! its like break dancing ofcourse you're going to get hurt if you stand too close...banning shuffling in Sydney or Melbourne is like banning sex in greece! seriously people stop sulking about something little as this...theres people in the world living with cruelty each day...and you're complaining about getting side-swiped by a dancer!?
shuffling Posted by: clubber lang, VIP area, on 18/10/2007 5:50:54 PM like the article says... a mix between mc hammer and those dorks on the dance machines down at timezone. shuffling is strictly for dorks and tryhards (ie. people from melbourne)
Shuffling Posted by: Steve, Perth, on 18/10/2007 5:50:54 PM No I don't think shuffling is a bad thing. It is a way for people to express themselves on the dance floor. If someone is a bit boozy and is making an abortoin of it, people should just steer clear of him or her. I think it looks great and if I could do it, I would.
shuffling Posted by: speedy, melbourne, on 18/10/2007 5:50:25 PM shuffling come from the heart its not something u can just stop even if u do try to stop it its to late
shuffling Posted by: mummy_chazza, armadale perth, on 18/10/2007 5:40:28 PM i dont see there being a huge problem if u ban this then u have to ban the way the girls dance when they get on the florr and stik there bums up ont he way out etc im 21 and go to niteclubs a fair bit and have neva seen any problems woiht it
YOU COULD NEVER RID OF SHUFFLING Posted by: Chapo, Brisbane, on 18/10/2007 5:40:02 PM Hey, I'm sorry to whomever you may be 'sydney club promoter' you will never be able to ban it.. over the past 15 years it is something that has evolved and spread ALL over the WORLD and is something very very common you will see in any nightclub even those that arent TRANCE HARDSTYLE (whatever you want to call it). r'n'b has a similar dance which you could also count as 'Dangerous'. I know! why dont we just can all dances completely, i meen look at jive and all those other sorts of radical, energetic movement dances.. if this were to happen i wouldnt be suprised if you lost alot of business or even your job!.. the rave scene is HUUGE! you can't just ban a dance, thats the most rediculous thing i've ever heard. It's how people express themselves or just straight up havin a bucket loada fun.. yeah fair enough if someone bumped into someone cause being drunk and dancing I AGREE its not good at all, but thats got nothing to do with shuffling in particular, it'd involve all dances!
Shuffling a Menace ? Shut up. Honestly. Posted by: Baby k., Melbourne, on 18/10/2007 5:34:48 PM Do you know what rave is ? What shuffling is ? It's a dance style. You can't ban a dance style, this dance is for expression not impression. You're thinking "What on Earth are they doing?" probably cause you think they're all souped up on drugs not knowing what's going on ? Of course they do, and as well they should. Yes there are some "Ravers" that take pills and rock it as hard and sometimes not notice the others around them, but you think they purposely do it ? If you think shuffling is so ridiculous, try viewing it from the Ravers perspective before you go on whining. I'm a Raver, infact I'm even from a crew. We don't bump into people ? We don't hurt or distract others ? We don't take drugs ? You're stereotyping a raver to the old fashion guys back in the days, the old generation. It's called the "Melbourne Shuffle". No ones good at it, no ones bad at it, everyone has their own style, and aslong as the persons enjoying what his doing that's good enough for me.
"shuffling" has been slammed Posted by: Nozz, Central Coast, on 18/10/2007 5:33:55 PM haha thats a complete joke...tryin to ban the shuffle will be impossible to police and is a wasted effort to even think about gettin rid of it
shuffling Posted by: paul, sydney, on 18/10/2007 5:32:48 PM "A unique style like the shuffle banned?" how can you call it unique when 90% of ppl know how to do it. and people say it's a good dance are idiots. it's very simple and repetitive. the guy in that video is terrible at it he mainly stomps which is even worse, try learn some pop and lock and liquidpop eh?
Shufflin Posted by: Sacco, Melbourne , on 18/10/2007 5:32:45 PM Shufflin can be done by anyone doesnt matter were your from you dance for express not impress aslong as you enjoy it then keep doing it =) I have been shuffflin for awhile now and i enjoy shuffling i think they should put shufflin as another major dance it can be used in rueteens and solo shufflin In malaysia there are alot of shufflin events , compertitions and shuffle meet ups i think the compertitions and meetups should come to aus more and the shufflers should be incoraged more to dance would you rather see them fight or dance? think about it =) thanks for your time Yours Trully Sacco =)
melbourne shuffle Posted by: girt, melbourne australia, on 18/10/2007 5:32:40 PM The Melbourne shuffle is a skilled style of dancing, I for one will stand and watch the people that have that ability for ages, it looks amazing and you can appreciate how much practise it takes to perfect. If the club owners don't like it don't play techno. Can you shuffle to brittney spears...NO! play other music if you dont like it..
shuffling Posted by: phebs, brisbane, on 18/10/2007 5:32:28 PM it is rediculous, it's dangerous, it annoys other patrons. They should ban it for the best interest of other patrons and the best interest and for the shufflers them selves, they look like idiots.
Shuffle Posted by: kazon351, Perth, on 18/10/2007 5:31:09 PM From the clips I have wittnessed I don't see any problem with this dancing. at least they are not crowd surfing or injuring anyone. Give them there designated space and leave them alone. If ya just wanna drink, watch or melow out, then keep you distance. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Working ... Shuffling Posted by: Synopsis, Darwin, on 18/10/2007 17:26:40 The shuffling scene isn't very big in darwin but even we know that the dance itself isnt dangerious, its the drunk people. Any dance performed by a drunkard can be potentially lethal. Leave the shuffle alone guys. Don't make us laught...
control freak clubs!!! Posted by: nev, Brisbane, on 18/10/2007 17:26:28 We control what you wear. We control who can come in. We can control how you dance! Do you really think that a club will survive with anymore restrictions? What load of bull!! What next... we control what you say-who you flirt with-what you drink?
shuffling Posted by: kelliec, liverpool, on 18/10/2007 17:25:09 shuffling is NOT dancing. its jumping around in a drug induced haze knocking into everyone around you. so stupid.
Shuffling Posted by: C0OkI3z., Melbourne, on 18/10/2007 17:21:22 I'm 12 and i think that the idea of banning this dance is bonaks! Im outraged by the very thought. Just becuase some silly people can't do it properly we shouldnt be banned! Im horrified. 'SHUFFLE.' YALL WAI. FROO. LYF. PEEPS!
Melbourne Shuffle Posted by: Gem, MELBOURNE, on 18/10/2007 17:16:48 The melbourne shuffle is why alot of people go out because when its done its amazing to watch U sydneysiders are just jeaous because you cant shuffle like us down south x0x0 KEEP THE MELBOURNE SHUFFLE ALIVE
Shuffling is stupid Posted by: salih, melbourne, on 18/10/2007 17:12:28 im 16, and most guys my age do it, its a riduculous dance and should be banned. they do it at parties thinking theyre cool but they just look like theyre having a seizure on the dance floor. Also when they shuffle they take up the whole dance floor and all they do is make a huge circle and watch one guy do it...
shuffle dangerous? i say no way Posted by: rosie, qld, on 18/10/2007 17:12:25 are they kidding? ppl in night clubs already dance like this, if not worse. no one gets hurt. if people are that drunk that they have lost their coordination, thats the clubs fault for serving the patron that much alcohol to get to that point. they should be more worried about other issues like fights
Melbourne Shuffle Posted by: Dot, Adelaide, on 18/10/2007 17:10:45 It's not the dance that is the problem, it's the drunken idiots. They'll fall over other people no matter what dance they're trying to do. Ban the drunks. How can you ban a dance move!?!?!?!
Shuffling Posted by: S DEE, Sydney, on 18/10/2007 17:10:45 Shuffling is not dangerous!! How about start a campaign to ban trouble makers, people that graphite clubs, damage bathrooms, start fights
Shuffling. Posted by: Will, Melbourne, on 18/10/2007 17:06:45 A unique style like the shuffle banned? I'm surprised. Thank god I don't live in Sydney. Here in Melbourne, I live for Shuffling. Shuffling is passion for many Melbournians hitting the clubs, its a special dance, unique in its way and very enjoyable and to see a person complaining about it is very shocking. Dangerous? I laugh at that. Shuffling when your drunk is dangerous, I agree. Sydney has its fair share of Shufflers and I know it won't be banned or expect a riot.
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UPDATE 19 OCTOBER 2007
The guy, Tim Sabre of Raw Entertainment, might be just an attention seeking looser. BUT... nutty ideas sometimes catch on. For instance it was illegal to sell a piece of wood or get a hair cut on a Sunday in Melbourne until the mid 1990's. Why? Politicians. Unfortunetly many are as thick as two bricks, but they have the power to tell Armies and Police to do what they choose. We've got a Federal (national) election in about 6 weeks in Australia. Let's hope some nutty politicians don't take this call for a ban seriously. If there was going to be a ban, for any reason, it would need the politicians to approve it. And if it got banned in Australia, it might then be banned in other countries.
WHAT YOU CAN DO, RIGHT NOW
1. Don't wait until it's banned! No-one ever dreamed someone would suggest banning the Melbourne Shuffle. But now some jerk has, and it's got National News coverage. Will it happen for real? Do you really want to wait and find out? Who knows what's in this Tim Sabre of Raw Entertainment's little mind?
>> Head it off now, when it's just a stupid idea. Don't wait for it to grow.
2. Let people know it's a stupid idea It may come as a surprise, but the Melbourne Shuffle is still an underground dance movement, that's the way we like it. But now it's broken into the mainstream media. YOU tell the mainstream what the shuffle is all about and what it means to you. Don't let some misinformed journo, grab a few quotes from somewhere that give the wrong idea to the mainstream.
>>When people understand it's a harmless healthy dance style, not some violent drug crazed frenzy like Tim Sabre and Raw Entertainment make out, then the mainstream will treat Tim Sabre like the nutter he is and ignore him.
3. Take it seriously "It's just a dance" - No, it's your culture. Dictators and Oppressors throughout history know, to destroy a people, you destroy their culture, their art, their language, their music, their fashion, their dance, their life, like they never existed.
>>Why should your culture be banned? Don't let the dance nazi's win, you are more valuable than their opinion of you.
4. Direct Action Seeing Australian Politicians will decide if the Shuffle will or will not be banned, before you vote in the approaching Australian election, it'd probably be a good idea to see if either of the major players would actually do the stupidest thing on earth, and ban the Melbourne Shuffle. If you're too young to vote, then hassel your parents about it. After all, it's your life too, that the Politicians are controlling.
>>Would you vote for a Politician who would ban the Melbourne Shuffle?
Here's the major Australian players web site links - ask them direct,
Network Ten, which has a bigger youth focus than the other TV networks, has a very good MEET THE PRESS program. They have a MYSpace page with forums where you can post questions for the reporters to ask the Politicians.
Congratulations from Melbourne Shuffle Oldskool to Apek, for his Melbourne Shuffle first place win, at the 1st International Dance Festival in Malaysia in June.
Yep, the Melbourne Shuffle is an officially recognised dance style now. The festival is recognised by both the International Dance Sport Federation and the Olympic Council of Malaysia.
Who'd of thought eh? The Shuffle could be an Olympic event!! Better get yourselves into training :)
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.
