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4 SHIM SHAM DVDs and 2 SHIM SHAM CDs
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Dean
Collins' Version of the Shim Sham
with Marcus
and Bärbl
The Shim Sham originated
as a tap dance choreographed by Leonard Reed and Willie Bryant
in 1928. Intended for a show finale that could be done by all
the performers it was adopted by many dancers and became one
the most well-known and wide-spread routines of all time. It
is danced around the world today!
One of those dancers was
Dean Collins, the most influential Lindy Hop dancer on the West
Coast. His non-tap version became very popular around the world.
Based on the original Shim Sham he spiced up the footwork and
extended the original routine with additional steps. This fun
dance can be danced alone, next to a partner or with a huge
crowd.
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Leonard Reed's Shim Sham Shimmy
Including:
The Original Shim Sham (1927)
The Freeze Chorus (circa 1930)
The Shim Sham II (1994)
If you've been tap dancing for years or are just putting on your first pair of tap shoes, you'll be able to learn the Shim Sham Shimmy. On this video, you will see a demonstration of the dance by a group of talented and ageless (7-75!) tappers and hear an introduction by Leonard Reed himself. Next, tap dancer and preservationist Rusty Frank breaks down the Shim Sham Shimmy, the Freeze Chorus, and the Shim Sham II, using the same accessible methods she's used in hundreds of tap classes.
DVD-R format (no region coding), PC/MAC Compatible
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Leonard Reed's "The Revenge Of The Shim Sham,"
plus "The Joe Louis Shuffle,"
and 10-Year Anniversary Special Bonus Features
Tap Level: Beginner-Advanced
On April 5, 2004, Leonard Reed passed away. For 97 years, Leonard Reed was an amazing presence, born in a teepee and going on to become one of America's most prolific show business entertainers and producers. He has left a lasting legacy with his Shim Sham dances in both tap dance and swing dance communities through the world.
In 1927, two song and dance men, Leonard Reed and Willie Bryant, took four popular steps of the 1920's, strung them together and created the now legendary "Shim Sham Shimmy" - tap dance's "National Anthem." In the 1930's, the "Freeze Chorus" was popularized. Then in 1948, while on tour with Joe Louis (the World Heavy Weight boxing champ), Leonard Reed created a simple duet variation of the dance, which he called "The Joe Louis Shuffle." In February of 1994, at age 87, Leonard decided it was time to leave one more dance and created the "Shim Sham II." But that wasn't enough! In 2002, at age 95, Leonard Reed made up his final dance, "The Revenge of the Shim Sham."
This DVD is a true "labor of love" from writer, dancer, producer Rusty E. Frank. More than a simple instructional DVD of one dance, this DVD is a devoted homage to Reed's life and his life's work. In 2004, Leonard Reed passed on the torch of the Shim Sham to Ms. Frank. She embraced her role as "Torchbearer" and spent countless hours, weeks, and months on this tribute to one of America's greatest show business personalities. In addition to the two instructional sections, "The Revenge of the Shim Sham" and "The Joe Louis Shuffle" Shim Sham, Frank also included a host of Bonus Features. Among these are historical footage of Reed, recent performances of his dances, his last interview, and a beautifully edited montage by actor, dancer, and editor Gregory Gast under Reed's own song "Smile Up At the Sun" (recorded live at Reed's memorial service in Los Angeles, California).
DVD-R format (no region coding), PC/MAC Compatible
Save and purchase both Shim Sham DVDs:
Leonard Reed's "32 Bar Riff" CD
Leonard Reed was a proflific song writer throughout his life. Perhaps one of his last works was "32 Bar Riff", which he wrote especially to accompany his Shim Sham dances.
As a gift to Leonard, Rusty brought into the recording studio his favorite maestro of 1920s and '30's music, Mr. Dean Mora. As Rusty was to Leonard's Shim Shams, Dean was to Leonard's compositions. Dean brought in his "Mora's Modern Swingtet" musicians, including the amazing Brian Atkinson on vibes. Dean Mora arranged Leonard's "32 Bar Riff" and the resulting recording is a wonderful testiment to Leonard Reed's songwriting ability.
There are nine specially prepared tracks just for the Shim Sham. Three tracks with Rusty's taps at progressively faster tempos, and five tracks without her taps at progressively faster tempos. Plus one bonus track with five chorus to dance every single one of Leonard's Shim Sham choruses.
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Classic Songs for Leonard Reed's Shim Sham Shimmy
Two fun-filled songs especially written for Leonard Reed's Shim Sham Shimmy by award-winning Hollywood composer Will Ryan, are performed once with taps, then at three progressive tempos - plus an added bonus performance with full vocals by the wonderful Palm Springs Yacht Club.
There are total of eleven tracks, especially prepared for your dancing pleasure.
Three Shim Sham Routines with Joel and Alison Plys
Joel and Alison's Shim Sham DVD is one of the best out there - you will learn all three routines on one DVD. It has over 35 moves. You will learn these versions:
* ORIGINAL (Classic dance done by Lindy Hoppers around the globe)
* DEAN COLLINS (Cool variations on the classic Shim Sham)
* AL & LEON (Another cool jazzy version of the Shim Sham)teaches the infamous group line dance from the 1950s, plus a unique couple's version.
(120 m)
1. Original Shim Sham
a. The classic 8 Jazz steps: Shim Sham, Push & Crossover, Tacky Anne, Half Break, Break, Boogie Back, Boogie Forward, Shorty George
2. Dean Collins Shim Sham – 12 Jazz steps
a. 3 sections: Shim Sham, Boogie Routine, and Savoy Kicks
3. Al & Leon Shim Sham – 12 Jazz steps
**** The ONLY product on the market with ALL 3 SHIM SHAMs on one DVD…
All you need after that is the tap dance version!
The Shim Sham (non-tap version)
Most commonly danced to "Tuxedo Junction"
(on "Really
Swingin' Frankie Manning's Favorites" CD) and also now
to Bill Elliott's "Shim Sham Song" on Swingin
the Century. However, it can be danced to any song with the
same structure.
STEPS (this is not full detail, but an
outline for you)
Shim
Sham
R, L, R, R, L, R, L, L, R,
L, R, R
Break
R, touch L, L, touch R, back R, Back L, Forward R, forward
L
Pushes
Push (to the R), Push and a - cross over, Repeat to L, Repeat
to R
Cross
Overs
3 times
Tacky
Annies
Starts on AND (&), &-8 (R-L), touch R behind on 1,
on 2 step R, on 3 touch L behind, etc.)
Break
2
Breaks
Fall forward on 8 on R, back on L, then shuffle-ball-change
(R, R, L). 2 in a row.
Break
2
Breaks
Break
***REPEAT
ENTIRE
Except: now on the Shim Sham shimmy your shoulders, and
Freeze on the Breaks instead of doing the breaks
FINALE:
4
Boogie Backs
Kick R, ball change (R,L) (count is 8 & 1) (Clap while
you kick R). 4 in a row heading back. Takes 1 8 count.
Boogie
Walk
Walk forward R, L, R, L. Takes 1 8 count.
Boogie
Backs
same as above
Boogie
Walk
same as above
Boogie
Back
Again (for the third time)
Shorty
George
Forward. Kick with R, ball change (R,L) (count is 8 &
1), R, L, R, L, R, L (last L is on 7 and you are ready to kick
8 on R again.
Boogie
Backs
same
as above
Shorty
George
same as above
GRAB
A PARTNER!
DANCE!
FREEZE!
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