This is the last May Day I promise. May 14th was Dance Like A Chicken Day. I just knew you wouldn’t forgive me if I missed this one. My first question is how do chickens dance? My research found that Chickens have nothing to do with it: “The “Chicken Dance,” also known as the Birdie Song, is an oom-pah song and its associated fad dance is now a contemporary dance throughout the Western world. The song was composed by accordion (Handharmonika) player Werner Thomas from Davos, Switzerland, in the 1950s.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_Dance But that got me wandering about other ah….unusual “Fad” dances.
There’s the Bunny Hop (1950’s) and was from a song by Ray Anthony’s Big band sound. ” The dance is a variation on a conga line. Participants dance in a line, holding on to the hips of the person in front of them. They tap the floor two times with their right foot, then with their left foot, then they hop forwards, backwards, and finally three hops forward to finish the sequence, which continues throughout the tune. The first person in the line leads the group around the floor.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunny_hop_(dance)
The 1930’s had a Grind Snake dance which appears from what I read to be a bit on the sexy side. It is not to be confused with dances where scantily dressed women move about with large snakes wrapped about necks.
And the 60’s added food to the mix with : “The Mashed Potato…a dance move which was a popular dance craze of 1962. It was danced to songs such as Dee Dee Sharp’s Mashed Potato Time….the move vaguely resembles that of the twist, by…Chubby Checker.” http://www.the60sofficialsite.com/Dance_Crazes_of_the_60s.html
My favorite (2009) Jamaican dance The Dagger, where one partner laid on the floor and the partner jumped from height on top (among other moves). It was actually banned by the Jamaican Government. Can you say pelvic injuries.
So shall we collect the dance…my first dance to Google:
Chubby Checker Your TWIST Party vinyl 33 LP $4
Fame Rock N Roll World Vinyl Record LP 1983 TV Show $13
Feedsack “novelty” \ballet Dancer” 100% Cotton Quilt $20
Button Face Dancer Original Postcard $27
CASTLE FAIRIES GHOST Pagan Dance Fire Magic Victorian era Engraving $36
Banjara Kuchi Tribal Rare Belly Dance Vintage Gypsy Chain $40
My nominee for most famous dancer: Salome, who danced for her father King Herrod —her prize John the Baptist’s head.
Dance for joy and enjoyment, skill’s not important.