This is part 2 of my additional info on How to learn the moonwalk. Make sure that you have firstly watched my free online mini session here…it’s already been viewed well over 7 million times! You can check out part 1 here.

For a full in depth look at all the slides and routines then take a look at my full length and professionally filmed learn to dance like Michael Jackson DVD. Check out the DVD page on my website!

Step 5: The Snap:

As you snap your left heel up off the floor, your
right heel should simultaneously snap down on to the floor.
This is a solid weight transfer, which is a very quick and heavy
movement. It might help if you think of your body movement as
“up and down” as opposed to “forward and back”, because the
weight transfer is from heel to heel and up and down. Remember
to keep your back straight and head and body up right while you
carry out this step.

Copy:

From the finishing position of the last move duplicate
the slide on the other foot. It takes time to join up the steps so
that they flow. While you practice, it might make sense to pause
and rest in between each step. It is an unnatural position and
movement, so it takes practice and getting used to as well as
getting used to strengthening your feet and toes.

Step 6:

The head: To help to create the illusion of the move, add
a head movement. As you slide your leg back slowly move your
head forward as if it’s being left behind the movement and then
pull it back towards the body as you switch to the other foot.
Really stretch your neck forwards, pushing your chin forward. If
you focus on your chin and under neck area, while still keeping
head up right, you’ll be able to extend your head further forward.
Slowly push forward and pull your neck back with speed, in sync
with your legs and the snap.

Step 7 “The arms”:

To make the step look even better, swing your
arms as if you’re walking forward normally, while keeping them
in time with your leg movements. As your left leg slides back your
right arm should swing forward.

Extra tip:

It might seem near impossible at first, which is completely normal.
Practise the sequence a lot! It takes at least four hours of solid
practising just to get used to the concept, but after practice and
focusing on your form and stance, you’ll be busting the step
everywhere and impressing all your friends and more importantly
yourself!

By Anthony King (c)

Learn the steps to Thriller - a step by step mini Michael Jackson video lesson filmed by the BBC! Michael Jackson’s Thriller routine is probably THE most famous piece of choreography ever…..it’s a classic! It was choreographed by Michael and another Michael called Michael Peters.

I always say that Thriller is an “accessible” routine to learn BUT very challenging to do well. Why? Well, it was originally performed by the greatest dancers in the industry and the biggest star in the industry…they make it look easy! The style is that of FOSSE /musical theatre and the aim is to make challenging hard steps look very very easy. A classic example and one of my personal favourites is “Sweet Charity”, which was choreographed and directed by Bob Fosse (the one with the classic “hey, Big spender!”). Take a look at this! “Rich Man’s Frug” is one of my favourite dance sequences ever. Looks so easy to do…and it is….to do poorly….but to do properly….wow….and pain!

Back to Thriller though…After the BBC came down and we had filmed an item promoting Michael Jackson’s Thriller 25, I was asked to teach a few steps from Thriller for the BBC website. It’s a slight variation of the chorus piece and you can take a look at it on the BBC website here by clicking at the link at the top of the article or by watching the link directly here (the second video is the step by step quide)….Enjoy!

Note 2 videos: The first video is the news piece and the second video, linked on the right hand side of the BBC player “step by step guide” is the short session.

How to Learn the Moonwalk (Part 1)

Anthony King’s free mini moonwalk lesson has been viewed over 7 million times, so before you start take a look at the mini Moonwalk lesson that covers the basics. You can view it by clicking here. If you want more detail and more serious lessons check out Anthony’s proper professional DVD “Anthony King’s Thriller Dance Workout”, where he’s filmed by 9 cameras teaching all the slides and Michael Jackson Style moves, by clicking here!

“Although Michael Jackson hugely popularised the moonwalk,
as it is known today, the step is also known as the “backslide”.
The moonwalk is actually a slightly different move which is a
combination of floating, gliding and sliding, and has a more
circular movement, which I like to call the “circle slide”. Michael
Jackson first showcased the moonwalk in his legendary
performance of “Billie Jean” in 1983 at the Motown 25th
anniversary show. But in actual fact dancers like the legendary
Jeffrey Daniel, who subsequently choreographed for Michael
Jackson were performing the backslide years earlier. Before that
James Brown performed a kind of moonwalk but it was a street
dancer called Cooley Jackson who apparently taught Michael
Jackson the backslide. One of the most impressive backslides was
performed in 1955 at the end of a tap sequence by the entertainer
Bill Bailey. It is clear though, that although he did not invent it, it
was Michael Jackson who has made the move world famous. So I
think we should give it a try…here goes!

Ideally for this move you will need a smooth surface, comfortable
trainers or any light shoes and comfortable clothes. Although it is
ideal that you have a smooth surface to execute the moonwalk,
it can be executed on carpet or pavement or any surface that
doesn’t have a substantially high amount of friction (like sand or
mud, for example!). Pavement or less is fine. In fact I suggest that
you practice on a rougher floor first to get used to the mechanics
of the steps and get used to pushing and transferring the weight
into the floor so that it is easier when you want to perform or
show off the move on the dance floor! The illusion of this move
comes from the execution of the weight transfer, accurately, as
opposed to the sliding which is why the moonwalk is classed as a
“popping” move and not necessarily a “glide” as it may seem.

Starting position:

Start with your back straight and your feet
together pointing forward.

Step 2:

“The L position”: Lift your right leg
and place the toes of your right foot down on the floor
approximately a foot behind your left leg.
Try and keep a solid stance, so that you can put weight onto your
back foot and toes, while keeping your “L” shape stance. You’ll
achieve this by varying the position of your back foot in relation to
your front. If it’s too close then it might be unstable. Keep a solid L
shape!

Step 3: Balance:

If you feel off balance you can increase the width
between your legs to create a wider centre of gravity.”

Step 4: The slide:

Lean back onto your rear leg and slide the left
heal back and into the floor, so that it finishes behind the right
leg. At the end of the movement snap the heel of your left foot
up, off the floor. It’s important that you keep the heels of your feet
at opposite positions and then only snap them and reverse the
positions very quickly in one swift step.
The aim, is for one foot to be vertical and the other to be
horizontal, and then snap, keeping the form in reverse. Only snap
your heel down at the END of the movement. Although this is
difficult at first, you’ll get used to it.

Purposefully keep your heel up right, until it’s physically
impossible to sustain your L shape because of your weight
transfer and heel snap while sliding, push the heel of your foot
backwards but most importantly DOWN, into the floor. This is
important. The pressure of your heel should push into the floor so
that it is an effort to slide the foot backwards.

It is this effort that creates the illusion and the force of the snap.
Really focus on pushing your heel into the floor and back rather
than just dragging your foot backwards. Again, it’s the up and down
thinking and movement that will create the illusion of the move.
The toes of both feet should never come off the floor even if your
heels do.

By Anthony King (C)

Part 2 coming soon…

So! We continue with our look at the 1956 classic “Funny Face” starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. In part 2 we’re going to take a closer look at the amazing “Court yard” dance, performed amazingly by Astaire and “Clap yo hands”, performed by Astaire and Kay thompson:

Video

“Clap Yo Hands” performed by Fred Astaire and Kay Thompson

Astaire used his mac like a matador would use his cape, to amazing affect, as well as his umbrella like a sword. And also a note…the umbrella throw was real! Fred Astaire would practice for months until perfection. Ginger Rogers once said that her feet bled after rehearsing with Astaire. He loved props and really brought them to life…real life! I do feel that he was the best. Say if we compare his use of props to Gene Kelly’s in “Cover Girl” (ie. the hat stand), this is clear to see. He is a magical dancer and was always dressed immaculately in sharp suits, he always looked fantastic, on and off the set.

In the late 40’s “jazz” was just coming into fashion and Astaire or any great star of the like would have looked down upon it as a fad or nonsense, probably…this is clear to see in the piece…it is a satire on “jazz”…interpretating it through the filter of Hollywood, saying that it was a little silly….they who specialised in BALLET and TAP.

Anyway, the genius of Astaire and Thompson is that they lifted it and the style that was in vogue at the time in Paris and really made it look dignified and classy…just what I love about them. Even a send up of the Philosopher, the French and “Jazz” is made to look majestic and dignified.

So! We continue our look at the greats! We’ll be taking a closer look at the 1957 movie “FUNNY FACE” for a week or so. Today’s video of the day is of Kay Thompson and Audrey Hepburn performing “On how to be lovely”…it is one of my favourite performances of the movie, but, that said…we havn’t got to Astaire yet! I have to add though. Kay Thompson, who plays the Vogue editor in the movie was the MGM coach…she taught Judy Garland, and staged Astaire and many of the greats. In fact I have to say, that she was such a professional that I feel that if she was asked to under perform to make the star look better…that she would do it. I think that in this performance, that is the case.

Video of the day

Anthony

Full article: www.anthonykingblog.com
website: www.anthony-king.com
email: anthony@anthony-king.com

People love to ask me “what type of music do you listen to?” or “Who inspires you?” and when I usually give my answers, people generally don’t have a clue about who i’m talking about…unfortunetly…usually the greatest artists of all time! Obviously, although nobody told you, you generally like the music that is marketed to you at a particular point in History. Music and entertainment are used to divide as well as bring together. So, you might think “17 year rock lover” or “Fashion ripped jeans lover”, that it’s your own statement of individuality…but think twice! A 17 year old “rock” music lover would never dream of listening to his father’s Sinatra collection and visa versa. The father would look to Manson as bad, violent and a destructive influence…forgetting that his own father probably said the same thing about his Elvis obsession! You probably do not enjoy great music…only great music that has been marketed to you in your lifetime. Think about this; a teenager today should enjoy any type of music that ANY teenager in History has previouly enjoyed. From 500 years ago, to a million years ago, to top of the pops last week. An amazing piece stands for ever. What would make a young teenager today hate the music that he would have loved if he was living a few years earlier? And that’s my point…think about it if you get the chance…it’s a big one. Anyway, i’m going to introduce some great entertainers that you might not of heard of and some greats that you might…from all over the place, and all time periods. One great a day. one video a day, some of the greatest entertainers in History…my teachers, real genius.

Today let’s start with a great 1956 Hollywood movie “FUNNY FACE“, staring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. I think that I fall in love with Audrey everytime I see her on the screen, especially in the bookstore scene waffling about her philosophical ideas! Hepburn trained as a Ballet dancer…danced in a chorus. After she danced she was so beautiful that they whisked her off to Hollywood. Possibly too tall to be a “real” ballet dancer, she has a kind of “neatness” and if you look closely really nice Port de bras. We will be delving into “FUNNY FACE” and ASTAIRE but you can’t mention the movie without mentioning KAY THOMPSON, who plays the “Vogue” editor. It was probably Astaire who insited that she be included, and if you don’t know who she is…you will when i’ve finished with you! A Hollywood genius, she staged many of Astaires and Hepburns choreographical wonders which we will be taking a closer look at.

VIDEO OF THE DAY - “Audrey’s self expression dance”

Todays “video of the day” is Hepburn’s “self expression” performance in the french club…so beautiful. You might want to take a listen to what she’s saying too! Enjoy!

Anthony

Read more at www.anthonykingblog.com

www.anthony-king.com

The original place to learn Michael Jackson dance style! Click here for Michael Jackson dance style DVD!

SEPTEMBER

Saturday’s (Studio 5)

8th: Dangerous (jazzy version)
15th: Dangerous (verse/slide start)
22st: Scream
29th: You rock my world

Monday’s (Studio 4)

10nd: Another part of me
17th: Smooth Criminal (chorus)
24th: Beat it

Wednesday’s (Studio 2)

12th: Bad
19th: Jam (version 2)
26th: Smooth Criminal (full ending)

OCTOBER

Saturday’s (Studio 5)

6th: Thriller
13th: Thriller (chorus)
20th: Blood on the dancefloor
27th: Captain Eo inspired routine

Monday’s (Studio 4)

1st: Don’t stop til you get enough
8th: The way you make me feel (jazz)
15th: Billie Jean (classic!)
22nd: They don’t care about us
29th: Wanna be startin somethin

Wednesday’s (Studio 2)

1st: Bad
8th: Beat it
15th: Jam (rap)
22nd: Ghosts P.1
29th: Ghosts P.2

So, there you go for September and October! There some funky routines and songs and some amazing classic choreography! Some notes: Each routine and class is self contained….you can just turn up and go from there, and you don’t need any training or preparation at all. Obviously, all of the above is subject to change at any time. Please go to my website as well as Pineapple’s, as they have been designed to answer your questions (www.anthony-king.com and www.pineapple.uk.com).

How to feel energized! P.1 : A lot of people comment on my energy level. People say that when they’re around me that they themselves feel energized! Energy! I feel energized just saying the word…ENERGY! When MJ’s music is on the energy just comes…and bam!!! The moves flow!

But what is energy and how do I get more of it?

Energy is excitement! We’ve all seen Michael Jackson dance, and think wow! We can feel his energy. One man sending an audience of 100,000 into a frenzy! Now that’s energy. Now..We all love to meet energetic (sane!) people. Energetic people are attractive, you want to be around them…They give you something…They can raise your spirits when your down or had a long day at work or just aren’t in the mood. They give you something. Just in the same way as negative, tired people usually drain your energy and can make you feel bad. Negative energy spreads….Positive energy spreads, we all have the ability to affect other people and to determine how people see us and ultimately treat us too!

Have you noticed that if you smile, people usually smile back at you. Also, when your feeling down have you ever tried smiling (I know it might sound crazy…But it works!). Just the physical action alone can cause a positive emotional response. It’s called positive thinking, and it works, but the key factor in all of this is your Physical body…How do you actually feel? With your personal development it’s important that your honest with yourself. It’s quite easy to fool the world and yourself into thinking anything, but at the end of the day positive personal growth will come with honesty and logical steps.

Some people seem really happy and energetic on the surface and look great but inside are feeling drained, over worked, over stretched and running on empty. This is actually very common…Feeling tired all the time, like you never get enough sleep and your always working.

How do I change that?

Start with your body!

• Water
• Food
• Exercise
• Sleep

Drink Water
Water is the body’’s most important nutrient. If you do not drink enough water your body will begin to retain water as an emergency measure and you’ll dehydrate. Even mild dehydration can sap your energy and make you tired. Did you know, that the body can survive for up to 5 weeks without food but only 5 days without water? The minimum recommendation of water intake is 8 glasses per day and twice that for active individuals. Drink water as much as possible and as frequently as possible…You should be sipping water as your reading this! If you want to feel energized then drink a glass of water as soon as you wake in the morning..One of those big ones…Gulp that thing down! It’s a quick and easy way to get your day going in a healthy and energised way. Simarlaly, Gulp a glass down before you go to bed too. Think about it..During your time in bed your body is using up your water supply to regulate your body’s temperature as well as continue to provide the fluid environment for normal cell metabolism, turgor (structure and form of the body), sweat…. It’s important to replenish your supply as soon as possible. Increase your water intake and you’ll see higher energy levels through out the day. Tip: Make sure that it is clean, clear water! (room temperature is best and tap water is fine) Beer, Wine, Vodka and Pepsi etc…Don’t count!

Healthy Eating
We’ve all heard the saying “you are what you eat”….now that saying is exactly right! I mean you wouldn’t expect your car to run efficiently without petrol, so you’d expect that we all need our “petrol” too, and to run at our best we need the good stuff! Basically, that means a healthy balanced diet, and it’s essential for good health, high energy levels and for you to work (and play) at your optimum level. The key word is BALANCED.

Eating the right amounts of proteins, carbohydrates and fats in your meals will not only leave you feeling energized throughout the day but also naturally speeds up the fat burning process…In plain English: you can get into shape quicker, without the need for quick fix crack pot dieting schemes! Balanced meals cause a hormonal response within the body, which results in burning stored body fat….Which is good news for people who like to eat “normal” food….Although as you’d expect…moderation is key also!

Healthy eating tips

1. Enjoy plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables
2. Eat regular meals
3. Remember to eat 5 portions of fruit or vegetables every day
4. Keep your intake of fizzy drinks, crisps and sweets to a minimum
5. Eat breakfast!
6. Eat breakfast!!!!
7. Check out this website

Part 2 coming soon!

Channel Four’s Hit show: “Big Brotherhas confiscated Anthony King’s Dance DVD off one of the contestants and shown it on the Big Brother commentary show BBLB!

Housemate Shabnam tried smuggling in Anthony’s DVD which was swiftly confiscated and shown on the show by Davina Mccall!

The Daily Mirror also brought up an interesting point!

“Shabnam…tried to smuggle in a teach yourself to Moonwalk Masterclass DVD (as you do). Even though the house does not have a DVD player….Cunning.

Good Luck Shabnam!

Big Brother has confiscated Anthony King’s Dance DVD off one of the contestants and shown it on the show….BBLB….more news soon!

Anthony King has teamed up with Rimmel London, the UK’s number one make up brand, on their stylish website which highlights the hottest new things and coolest things to do in the trendiest city in the World: London town! This time it was the hottest in London Dance and they chose to interview one of his students to see what all the hype was about first hand!

Rimmel London sent their resident photographer, the world famous Rebecca Lewis to shoot Anthony’s class in Londons trendy Covent Garden as well as interviewing his students including, “Natasha Wright…a devotee of celebrity choreographer Anthony King”….

The feature also includes Anthony teaching the Rimmellondon.com readers 4 of his favourite top dance steps so that they can get their groove on at home too!