How to jook dance
Memphis Jookin: The Show Makes Moves Across the Country
- February 4, 2022
What can you expect to see when the first-ever Memphis Jookin Tour takes to stages across the nation? A fusion of fancy footwork, ditties from the Dirty South, and the type of entertainment that comes straight from the streets of Memphis, Memphis.
“This is our authentic dance style, you know? So in the similar vein of people supporting the Grizzlies, or Memphis music—if you really rock with Memphis, you’re gonna rock with what we do,” said Ryan Haskett, local dancer and choreographer.
Performing alongside Haskett, will be 12 cast members from Memphis—including world-renowned dancer Lil Buck whose performances have pushed people to “critically acclaim” an art form that was birthed from the beauty that the Bluff brings and the battles that are bore by its people.
“I didn’t come from the studio world,” Buck said. “I come from the streets. I come from a world of struggle where you have to find your happiness while living through all of that chaos—all that real stuff that these rappers talk about in their music. The music that this dance style is done to sums all of that up. It’s relatable. It feels like home.”
Memphis Jookin emerged alongside Gangsta Rap in the late 1980s, but remained underground until the early 2000s.Whether they pulled up to parking lots or wore out the wooden floors inside Crystal Palace—a Whitehaven roller rink laid to rest—jookers of all ages and genders altered dance styles like Memphis Gangsta Walking, Buck Jumping from New Orleans, Popping from Oakland, California, and more to establish this freestyle flow that’s been adopted by the world.
“I found out who I was as a person through Memphis jookin,” said 17-year-old dancer Elise. “As a girl, you get comments like,’ Dang, she dance like a dude’ or ‘She’s cold, for a female,’ and that ain’t it.
I eat, sleep, and breathe this—and I’ve built myself up so I can battle anybody. Gender doesn’t matter. I’m not cold cause I’m able to dance like dudes. I’m cold cause I do me.”
And in between all the glides—the tuttin’, choppin’, and tickin’—you’ll be introduced to the personality of each performer in a way that’s so pronounced, you’ll walk away wondering if you’ve just carried on a conversation with them.
On top of that, this show serves as a history lesson and an homage to those who paved the way for something so uniquely Memphis to take up space.
‘It’s a rite of passage,” said Surf, Memphis Jookin crew member, who, through finding his biological father, met his brother—one of the top jookers in the city at the time.
“For the first year, I wasn’t even allowed to jook. I was the one that held the camera, because, when I was coming up—if you were slaw—you didn’t get out there wasting nobody’s time.-Step-18.jpg/aid1640374-v4-728px-Shuffle-(Dance-Move)-Step-18.jpg)
I had to sit back and take it all in to slowly develop my style.”
Memphis may not be the fashion capital of the world, but its cultural influences—namely brought to you by the Black community—have set the standard for the fits to be as fresh as the floorwork.
“Because we grew up the way we did, it felt good to finally be fresh. It built our confidence to be able walk out the house in a brand new pair of Air Force 1s just to go scuff them up outside. It doesn’t make any sense, but it doesn’t have to,” Surf said.
“If the right song comes on on the wrong day, you just gonna kill your set and your shoes,” said Gene, crew member and creator of the Money Dance.
A simple internet search will show you how Memphis Jookin has amassed major attention.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Memphis Jookin (@memphisjookin)
Lil Buck has brought it to world stage via performance partnerships with international brands like Vogue and Louis Vuitton. The official Memphis Jookin Instagram has over 100K followers with spinoff accounts coming from Poland, India, Russia, etc. Plus, there are all the music videos and main-stage moments like the Red Bull “Dance Your Style” series of competitions.
Where some may see this as a hobby, these Memphians—and many before them—have made it their mastery. And I’m willing to bet money that this show will inspire others to do the same.
The Memphis Jookin Tour kicks off on February 11th and 12th at the Orpheum Theatre, and there’s a free community class being led by the legends themselves on Saturday, February 5th.Sign up for the community class here.
Grab tickets for the Memphis show here.
**Click the unlock button in the top right corner on the Ticketmaster page to receive access to 50% off ticket sales when you enter the discount code JOOKIN’ **
See the rest of the tour stops here.
Keep up with Memphis Jookin on their official Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Share Article:
Memphis Nonprofits to Know About
Memphis, we love you. You have repeatedly ranked as one of the most philanthropic cities in the U.S. We see you giving financially and volunteering
Read More »
August 16, 2022
Enjoy Playtime in Memphis’ Parks
Find a new spot for your next afternoon run, weekend picnic or morning playdate at one (or all) of these Memphis parks: AUDUBON PARK Hours:
Read More »
March 4, 2022
A Worthy Hero: Tom Lee – The Person, Park & Poetry (Muse)
GUEST POST BY CANDACE GRAY, Marketing and Communications Consultant at Memphis River Parks Partnership As we close out the month-long celebration of the contributions African-Americans have
Read More »
February 28, 2022
Inside the Classroom of Eddie Walsh: Teacher of the Year
Eddie Walsh is a man of many accolades.
Entering his tenth year of teaching, he leads his classroom confidently and has a love for learning
Read More »
December 15, 2022
20 Memphis-Made Songs for Your Holiday Playlist
Whether holiday music makes you feel like a kid on Christmas or Ebenezer Scrooge shouting “Bah humbug” at poor orphans, we promise you’ll find something
Read More »
December 14, 2022
Get Your Good News Memphis
Need a reminder that Memphis and Memphians are making big moves? Why didn’t you say so! Here, you can get a dose of dopamine with
Read More »
December 13, 2022
Mempho Music Fest Year 6 is Coming for You!
A whole lot of good has come from Mempho Fest since its beginning in 2017. We’re talking Janelle Monae, Anderson. Paak, The Raconteurs, Wu Tang Clan, Post
Read More »
December 12, 2022
New Hope Graduates Give Back on Pence Day of Service
New Hope Christian Academy is an urban, preparatory school in the heart of the Frayser community.
They provide a challenging, Christ-centered education to over 400
Read More »
December 6, 2022
The Choose901 Merch Market is Open!
Knock out that last minute holiday shopping! The Choose901 Merch Market will be open for a limited time with limited quantities—so if you see something
Read More »
December 5, 2022
MAJIC CAST | memphis-majic
Trent Jeray
Trent is a long time Memphis Jooker, and currently a professional dancer for Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas.
Tarrik Moore
President at UDIG dance company, Executive Director at MJ Urban Ballet Theatre, and longtime Memphis Jookin pioneer. Tarrik's goal is to save lives by creating opportunity through Jookin.
Daniel Price
Memphis Jookin pioneer, and author of The Jook.
Purchase The Jook: The Jook
Charles "Lil Buck" Riley
World renowned Memphis Jooker, and founding member of Movement Artis.
DJ Squeeky
Crafter of the Memphis Hip Hop sound, founder of Crunk music, and producer for Young Dolph.
Terrance "G-Nerd" Smith
Memphis Jooker and host of Jookin Warz series. He competes in dance competitions frequently overseas, and is well respected in the dance world.
Justin "Merrick" Merrick
Merrick is a singer-songwriter, and music historian, who is the former Artistic Director at Stax Music Academy, and current Executive Director at Center for Transforming Communities.
Preston Lauterbach
Preston is a historian and author, who's written award-winning novels; Beale Street Dynasty, Chitlin' Circuit, and his latest, Bluff City.
Dra'em Hines
Dra'em is a rising star. Currently in high school, he spends his time perfecting his moves so that he can take on the world with Memphis Jookin.
Ladia Yates
Ladia is a longtime professional dancer who's appeared in several professional music videos.
She is also the Owner of L.Y.E. Academy.
Pastor Earle Fisher
Pastor Earle is the Senior Pastor at Abyssinian Missionary Baptist Church. He is also a professor and full-time activist in his community.
Dr. Marie Milam
Dr. Milam had a career in Memphis as an educator that spanned over four decades. She was the former Executive Director of Yo! Memphis Foundation, Inc., before it was shut down by the city. She is now retired and enjoying life.
Ryan Haskett
Ryan is a Memphis Jooker and DJ, who is a popular face on the Memphis scene. He was mentored by some of the best Jookers and has traveled the United States and the world spreading the art form.
Terran Noir
Terran has been choreographing since she was 13 years old. She is currently the choreographer for the NBA's Memphis Grizzly Cheerleaders and the owner of SubRoy Studios, a dance company that trains Memphis youth to be professional dancers.
She also taught Lil Buck his professional dance training.
Ryan Webb
Ryan is a multi-disciplined dancer and Director of Education at Urban Artistry in Silver Spring, Maryland. He travels teaching dance and has a particular fondness for Memphis Jookin.
Keviorr Taylor
Keviorr started his career as a part of the legendary Beale Street Flippers. He is now a member of the dance collective Movement Artis where he travels the world doing Memphis Jookin.
Marico "Dr. Rico" Flake
Dr. Rico is a Memphis Jookin pioneer who is referred to as the Doctor of Memphis Jookin. He teaches and competes in dance competitions around the world.
Jonathan "Lil Black" Gaston
Jonathan is a talented dancer who is one of the few people to make a living off of Memphis Jookin. He started his career as a backup dancer for the Hip Hop group, Three Six Mafia. He's appeared in ebay commercials travels overseas frequently.
Tevonshe "Trill V" Hines
Trill V is a talented Memphis Jooker who has danced in Montreal at Cirque Eloize.
Walter Bailey
Walter Bailey is the former Shelby County Commissioner, and longest serving County Commissioner in the country - 44 years. He is also a criminal lawyer and has a practice in Memphis. He's the older brother of the late D'Army Bailey, civil rights activist, circuit court judge, and founder of the National Civil Rights Museum.
Johnte Cunningham
Johnte is a multi-disciplined dancer from Washington, DC. He is currently part of the dance collective Urban Artistry in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Instagram: @jnte
Brandon "B. Frank" Holland
B. Frank is a Memphis Jookin pioneer, a jack-of-all-trades, and the life of the party. He continues to be entrenched in the Memphis Jookin scene.
Jai Armmer
Jai is a multi-talented Hip Hop music producer, videographer, and is responsible for helping Memphis Jookin to spread around the world.
He is also partly responsible for the success of Lil Buck. As his manager he makes sure that Buck is booked for gigs with Yo Yo Ma and Madonna.
How to dance at a party: advice from British GQ editor-in-chief Dylan Jones
The main thing to remember when throwing yourself on the dance floor: no one is looking at you. Do not be afraid that you will be laughed at and that everyone is just waiting for you to get tangled in your own feet. Believe me, no one is interested in this, especially if you behave decently.
In the event that your dancing experience is zero - or if you once tried and did not like it - you need to learn two simple truths first. Firstly, women like it when a man dances well, so if you are a complete layman in this matter, you should strain yourself. Secondly, no one expects great things from you in all your endeavors. Personally, I am able to dance to anything, but when a DJ puts on I'm So Excited by The Pointer Sisters or something in the style of drum and bass, I immediately leave the dance floor. Not because I don't like such compositions - although at my age it would be forgivable - but because they are difficult to dance to. Not everyone can rock to any song, so if it has too many beats per minute, or a particularly jagged rhythm, or is too slow (like Just Be Good to Me by the SOS Band), feel free to go to the bar. Don't like reggae? Run to the toilet. Can't help laughing at the new Coldplay hit? Sit down. nine0003
If you don't know how to dance at all, but circumstances require it, move by feel. Do not kick your legs - work with your body; bending your elbows, squirm with dignity to the beat of the music. It's really easy! Soon you will become bolder and begin to vary your dance moves; do it in proportion. No one expects you to turn into John Travolta - all his exploits in "Saturday Night Fever" were staged by a professional choreographer, so you should not go out of your way. nine0003
A few more important points. Don't slow dance unless you're holding a woman in your arms.
Don't try to act like Bruce Springsteen from the Dancing in the Dark video or Kevin Bacon from the movie Loose and dance like a rocker, throwing out your arms and legs at the same time, like a drunken doll. It would also be nice to learn some traditional dance - for example, tango. The easiest way to learn is the twist, which can be danced to anything from Chubby Checker to George Michael's Faith. Put your foot slightly in front of you and start spinning on it, wobbling your hips; then “screw” yourself into the floor without bending your back, and then “unscrew” back up in the same way. nine0003
If you want to learn something spectacular, try the Highland Fling, one of the oldest Scottish dances. Raise your left hand and use it to draw the letter "c" above your head. Place your right hand on your thigh so that the thumb is pointing down and the other fingers are pointing back. With the emphasis on the left leg, stretch the right leg all the way and make a quarter-turn jump. Place your right foot behind the ankle of your left and again jump in a quarter turn, stretching your right leg as far as possible to the right side.
Then do another quarter-turn jump, keeping your right foot in front of your left ankle (toes pointing to the floor). Repeat the movement, changing the right leg to the left and vice versa. nine0003
When the song ends, bow gracefully with a George Clooney grin. And remember: courage and recklessness are not the same thing.
Photo: Mr Jones' Rules for the Modern Man © 2006 Dylan Jones. Published with permission from Hodder & Stoughton. Illustration: Mitt Roshin
Do you check your mail often? Let there be something interesting from us.
How to learn to dance in clubs for a guy
Contents
waltz or mazurka. For at least a century now, men have had to guess what a profitable disco dance should be like. Unfortunately, even professional choreographers will not answer this question. But we will try to highlight the basic rules. nine0003
hop and R'n'B
Rules to follow
Relax
Let's tell you a secret: most guys on the dance floor don't look stupid because they haven't taken lessons in dance studios and can't tell tectonics from r'n'b , but because they do not catch the rhythm of the music and cannot relax.
And if no one usually pays attention to the first, then the second immediately catches the eye of others.
Hence the first rule: listen to music and let your body dance freely. nine0003
Choose a style
If you are a frequent discotheque visitor, you should choose a certain dance direction in which you will move on the dance floor. Of course, this will depend on the music that the DJ will put on, but for ten years now hip-hop and electronic music have not left the clubs. Therefore, you can master the basic movements of either one or the other. The "electronics" elements are a bit simpler, so it might be worth starting with them. Video tutorials to help you! nine0003
Sign up for a trial lesson
Try to vary your movements
If after watching the videos you still can't feel comfortable on the dance floor, you should consider signing up for a dance studio. An experienced teacher, a company of like-minded people and regular classes will quickly do their job, and you will finally be able to relax and stop having complexes while dancing. Plus, to the envy of your peers, you will no longer dance like a “newbie”. nine0003
Remember that everything is for fun
If you do somersaults on the court for ten minutes with a tense face, and then return to the table sweaty, your friends are unlikely to appreciate it. Understand that dancing is not a competition, but a completely cultural form of recreation. As they say, relax and have fun!
Let it all flow
Let go of your body and emotions, give yourself over to the music and move without paying attention to those around you. The tension in the dance is the main obstacle. Stop thinking about movements, no one will notice them in the crowd and darkness anyway. nine0003
How girls will evaluate movements on the dance floor
Perhaps the results of a study by scientists from Northumbria University will help answer the question of how to learn to dance in clubs for a guy. Experts studied which dance moves performed by a representative of the stronger sex attract women.
