Kids today. The perception is all they do is sit on front of their computers, all while holding their cellphones AND chatting with someone on social media.
Gone are the days when kids would play outside until dark, getting dirty but happy before mom calls them home for dinner.
It’s the adults who still choose to be out after dark. Though “play” could mean many different things.
Sure, some still go out. But only to hang with friends while still on their phones.
Selfies here, videos there, posting pictures of their food and what not.
It’s like they all want to be famous for something. All for the likes and the views.
But what if you can get those “views and likes” minus the need for a camera and a screen?
It’s always true then that there are always exceptions. Refreshing ones at that.
Ryan Boz and Karla Catana won 2nd place at the US Open Swing Dance Championships for the Young Adult category.
It’s still Swing but with a little more flavor to it as you’ll see.
Where everyone is used to the jazzy tunes and funky jams of most Swing dancers, Ryan and Karla chose to dance to a remix of Queen’s classic hit, “We will rock you”. And rock them they did.
After the introductions are made, Boz and Katana step out in matching violet outfits with a golden finish on their tops. Quite bold looking outfits for a Swing competition when you think about it.
Swing dancing originated from the African-American communities in the 1920s through dancing to contemporary jazz music.
There are many styles of Swing that evolved since. Styles like the Lindy Hop, the Jitterbug, the Balboa, and the Shag.
All hold a special place in dancers’ hearts and the styles have been kept alive by numerous groups and organizations over the years.
So it only follows that the kids of those involved are heavily influenced as well, keeping the lifestyle alive for generations to come.
And while many kids are popular on social media for their antics and hobbies, Ryan and Karla do so for the sole reason that they are extremely talented on the dance floor.
Theirs is a fusion of the Swing with a bit of modern thrown in for good measure.
To prove their point that this is a more youthful take on the dance, even the music has been edited and remixed with the boyband 5IVE’s rendition of the Queen single.
They throw in the rap part then once again let Freddie Mercury’s voice come in but this time to a more upbeat mix of the arrangements.
Only Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen are featured on the track. Freddie Mercury died in 1991 and bassist John Deacon had retired three years before this rendition. But it’s still Queen.
Sure, they’ve got the classic Swing moves down.
They simultaneously twist their hips and shuffle their feet along to the melody but then there’s a bit of pop in there too.
The balance, the coordination, and the communication required to pull this off together is really impressive!
And at the end of the day, they’re still adolescents who just want to smile and have a blast with their friends.
How about a little funk? You got it!
Karla even shows off a bit of ballet after Ryan gives a few Michael Jackson-like steps for more flavor.
It’s such a different take to the classic Swing, even their audience love it.
Check out the guy in the back dancing along!
A hint of ballroom here and there add to an already mesmerizing routine and you can see how much fun they’re having.
They spin, dip, and slide, give off a few pops like MJ all while wearing gorgeous smiles on their bright, young faces.
They end their dance with a very common pose of their generation mixed with the old school feel of the dance.
The legends of Swing need to pay attention. The road ahead is bright and very young.
Click on the video below and see this youthful take on the Swing!
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Source: YouTube, dance-america, liveabout
