Attending a dance competition means you’ll be seeing a lot of talent … but you probably won’t be hearing much classic rock. However, a Columbus, Ohio dance competition in 2017 left people amazed when one tap troupe broke out a routine to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”.
It’s one of the most famous songs of the last century for good reason.
Mercury’s enormous range and powerful vocals gave the song a gusto the rock ’n ’roll world wasn’t used to. At the same time, the iconic lyrics are recognized around the globe, even if most people don’t know the meaning behind them.
The group of roughly 12 dancers filed quietly onstage.
They wore black costumes complete with stylized hats. In short, they looked perfect for “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
But it hadn’t yet clicked with the audience how exactly this troupe was going to put the Queen classic to a tap routine.
What followed was a dance performance like they’ve never seen.
The troupe expertly put on a show that combined the classic moves of tap with a highly-stylized interpretation of the style of Queen. There were Bohemian elements, playing on the lyrics to bring up other influences.
For example, the dancers mimic puppet movements, then perform a brief Spanish-inspired dance sequence to go along with the lyrics, “Scaramouch, scaramouch, will you do the fandango?”
The audience members were blown away by the performance.
Now that the video is online, YouTube comments have a lot to say as well.
“I’m a tap teacher and this is definitely out of the box, but very entertaining at the same time!!!!” read one comment. “This is what made it so unique! Hey, I’m seeing more and more Acro in dances, like lyrical and contemporary. Times they are changing and we need to flow with the changes. Look at how hip hop has evolved. The basics are underneath, but with the flare of the next generation.”
To make matters even better, the troupe ended up winning the entire competition.
“I grew up in a dance studio, taking tap for over a decade, starting at the age of 3,” read another YouTube comment. “I would have never thought about using Bohemian Rhapsody as a song for a dance routine, but the choreography is so stellar here, it’s just ridiculously amazing! Glad they won!”
Rainbow National Dance Competition is known throughout the country as one of the most respected dance competitions.
The judges are experts in their field. Winning dancers may win scholarships as part of their prize as well as many other awards. Some winners also get the chance to perform at other dance competitions or attend professional programs.
The bottom line is that anyone who performs there is a seriously good dancer. That’s pretty obvious seeing this talented troupe of tappers. Not only did they deserve to win the competition, but they are also paving the way for the future of a dance style by pushing the envelope.
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