Locking (dance)
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Locking (originally Campbellocking) is a style of funk dance and street dance, which is today also associated with hip hop. It relies on fast and distinct arm and hand movements combined with more relaxed hips and legs. The movements are generally large and exaggerated, and often very rhythmic and tightly synched with the music. Locking is quite performance oriented, often interacting with the audience by smiling or giving them a high five, and some moves are quite comical in nature.
Locking was originally danced to traditional funk, such as James Brown. Funk music is still commonly favored by locking dancers, and used by many competitions such as the locking division of Juste Debout.
The name is based on the concept of locking movements, which basically means freezing from a fast movement and landing in a certain position, holding that position for a short while and then continuing in the same speed as before. These movements create a strong contrast towards the many fast moves that are otherwise performed quite continuously, combined with mime style performance and acting towards the audience and other dancers. Locking includes quite a lot of acrobatics and physically demanding moves, such as landing on ones knees and the split. These moves often require knee protection of some sort.
A locker is a locking dancer. Lockers commonly use a distinctive dress style, such as colorful clothing with stripes and suspenders.
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[edit] History
The beginning of Locking can be traced down to one particular man, Don Campbell. In the late 1960s he put together several fad dances adding moves of his own (notably the "Lock") when performing. The resulting dance was called Campbellocking, which was later shortened to Locking. In the early 1970s this set off a movement of Locking dance groups. The most notable was when Campbell formed the dance group The Lockers and set the foundation for locking dance and clothes style.
Later locking became part of the growing hip hop dance culture, and has influenced more recent styles such as popping, breakdancing and liquiding. Locking is still quite popular and many current artists such as Beyoncé Knowles feature moves derived from Locking steps in their videos.
[edit] Moves
Locking is a dance of quick freezes and gestures also acting out in dance mime, with clever, strutting.It may be done in solo or in Unison with two or more dancers doing steps or handshakes together. A locker may smile while performing to emphasize the comical nature of the dance; other times, a serious demeanor will be maintained to place emphasis on technique. Other important stylistic features is waving of arms, pointing, walking stationary and grabbing and rotating the cap or hat.Don Campbell was the originator of the original freezes In 1971 which were called locks , he incorperated his unique rhythm and added gestures such as points and handclaps, other dancers also adapted this style while adding some of the steps and moves listed below:
Alphas Created.. by Alpha Anderson.. The Skeeterrabbit.. Created By James "Skeeter Rabbit" Higgins.. Stop n Go.. Created By Greg "Campbellock Jr." Pope.. Scooby doo.. Created by Jimmy "Scooby doo" Foster.. Which a way.. Created by Leo Williamson..
The repertoire consists of a number of distinct, to a large degree fixed moves. Unlike most other street dances, altering or inventing moves is not a part of the culture.
- Alpha/applejax
- One leg is kicked forward from a crouching position while the upper body is lent backwards supported by both hands.
The Skeeter Rabbit a kick and shiffle hop move
- Box split
- A semi-split done with one leg bent, which enables the dancer to get up again in one swift movement.
- Crazy horse
- Altering kicks to the sides with right and left legs, upper body stationary with arms in front as if holding reins .
- Hop kick
- A high, quick kick of one leg while standing straight on the other.
- Lock
- Bending slightly forward with arms forming a circle downward, as if lifting a heavy object.
- Scootbot
- Skipping while making the motion of an exaggerated step to the left or right.
- Stomp the cockroach
- Going down on one knee, with the other leg pointing out to the side, then pounding the floor.
- Scooby doo
- Taking a stationary forward step, then making a Lock
- Scooby walk
- Walking forward, stopping and bending knees outward with each step
- Stop-and-go
- Taking a step back and to the left/right, then forward again.
- Whicha way
- Similar to the scootbot, with a more kicking motion and without the skip.
- Wrist twirl
- Twirling wrists while moving arms up and down in pace.
- Uncle Sam points
- A quick, extended pointing gesture, usually held for a few seconds for emphasis
- Knee Drop
- Drop to the knees with knees pointing inwards (usually used just before a box split)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- OzFunkstylist.com An Australian dance community with profiles, messaging and more!
- LockerLegends The official website of some of the original members of The Lockers.
- Style2ouf All about streetdance [popping, locking, funkstyle...], interview, videos, musics, pictures, active message board, how to...
| Street dance |
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| Breakdancing - Hip hop dance - Krumping - Liquid dancing - Locking - Popping - Robot - Tutting - Uprock |
