Clowning dance, Tommy the Clown & variations Vs Krumping

What’s clowning dance?

Clowning dance (often known as clown dancing) is a novel and entertaining type of dance expression within the early 1990’s. It was developed by Thomas Johnson, in any other case generally known as Tommy the Clown. He mixed hip-hop dance parts with clown performances to create a brand new style generally known as “hip-hop clowns.”

On this article we’ll discover its traits, how clowning dance took place, cultural affect, significantly on the event of krump. Then we take a look at clowning dance vs krumping to differentiate what actually units every aside. Lets get on with it.

How Clowning Dance took place

The historical past of clowning dance begins again to the early Nineties, when Thomas Johnson, often known as Tommy the Clown, created this so as to add his personal spin on children celebration clown acts. This gave start to the brand new fashion of “hip-hop clowns.”

In bringing collectively the unlikely bed-fellows of hip hop and clown acts, Tommy created a brand new dance kind. This ultimately grew to shock him, in what an enormous motion it turned.

In these early years of clowning dance, because the years handed, it matured as a method and because of this, others started to undertake it.

The expansion of clown dance laid the muse for a associated dance fashion generally known as krump or krumping, closely influenced by “Tight Eyez” “Huge Mijo”. The 2 dance kinds could share their roots however there are vital variations, which we’ll discover later on this article.

As they took off clowning and krumping started getting media protection. In 2005, a documentary named ‘Rize’ directed by David LaChapelle, captured the expansion of this dance. Tommy the Clown’s impression was central to this.

For years, Clowning dance continued to unfold all through Los Angeles. Clowning dance served as a substitute for individuals making an attempt to keep away from gang involvement, giving them a artistic solution to categorical uncooked feelings in a non-violent, however highly effective method. Bringing individuals collectively and fostering a way of neighborhood. There’s are even organized ‘battles’ and clowning dance colleges, together with lessons by Tommy devoted to the fashion.

Clowning dance could not have been round lengthy in comparison with many dance kinds, however this has not stopped it having an actual impression on each American popular culture and the world of dance. Our perspective is that its good to see dance is regularly evolving and adapting to resonate with the wants of various communities and cultures.

Traits of Clowning Dance

Theatrical:

What units this dance other than most different avenue dances is:

·      Humour: Due to its roots, clown dancing is all about humor and getting amusing

·      Props: Clowning performers typically use varied props and comedy skits

·      Mime-like: face portray and sometimes colourful costumes takecentre stage. On this video Minnie Mouse is even introduced out on the finish for a kid’s occasion, who appeared to like it.

 

Power & Motion:

Clowning dance, as a avenue dance, emphasizes freedom and vitality in dance. Attribute actions in clowning dance embody:

·      arm swings

·      chest pops

·      stomps

·      exaggerated gestures.

Collectively these actions create a dynamic expertise for each dancers and the viewers. It many of the movies, there’s a crowd of neighborhood, they’re a part of the expertise and sometimes becoming a member of in with parts.

Expression

Clowning dance is an actual efficiency, with dancers expressing themselves by means of their physique actions and exaggerated actions.

Krumping vs clown dancing

As clowning dance gained reputation, it additionally impressed the event of a extra intense and emotionally charged various known as krumping. Whereas krumping shares some stylistic similarities with clowning however has extra high-energy, aggressive actions, and it’s typically used as an outlet for self-expression and social commentary, as we’ll describe under. Clowning is nonetheless extra theatrical, lighthearted dance fashion that includes humor and leisure. It entails exaggerated actions and sometimes consists of parts of mime and comedy.

Similarities between krump and clown dance

Clowning dance and krumping each turned standard because of their sturdy roots in religion and neighborhood. Miss Prissy notes in a examine by Brenda Dixon Gottschild “people who’re impressed by and enthralled within the Holy Spirit merely stand up and dance because the spirit strikes them”.

Starting as a way of expression in underprivileged communities and a constructive outlet for emotion and creativity. As ‘Dragon’, one of many authentic Krump dancers places it “that is our ghetto ballet” the place different selections may additionally haven’t been obtainable.

“Within the Starting was Physique Language” by Sarah S. Ohmer CUNY, Lehman School, is an in depth social examine, the place she argues there are lots of extra layers to this traditionally and culturally.  In communities which have been historically discriminated in opposition to and marginalised, dance offers a a lot wanted type of expression.

“Krump and Clowning have helped people work by means of and witness private and communal trauma, enact neighborhood constructing and religious resistance. Krump and Clowning exemplify hip hop dance that works in opposition to discrimination and selective amnesia sure to questions of race, socio-economic marginalization, and gender”

Variations between krump and clown dance

Not like krumping, clowning dance is thought for its sexual innuendo, whereas additionally mixing with different dance kinds resembling C-walking.  It’s designed to be a free-spirited expression of 1’s physique, permitting dancers to take pleasure in themselves and share that pleasure with their viewers.

Krumping is nonetheless characterised by intense, aggressive actions and emotional expression, Clowning is thought for its theatrical, lighthearted method, incorporating humor and leisure.

Extra actually, a transition from one to the opposite may even be seen within the face paint utilized by the dancers, which shifts from the normal enjoyable circus clown picture to indigenous and tribal struggle or dance paint.

This video reveals Tommy clarify a few of the variations in his class:

Remaining phrases

Clowning dance is a vibrant and fascinating fashion that captures the fun-loving spirit of its roots within the LA neighborhood. With its distinctive face portray, humorous strikes, and fascinating efficiency, it continues to entertain and encourage audiences worldwide – of all ages.

You may additionally be fascinated by are articles about avenue dance kinds, well-known avenue dancers and hip hop strikes.