  Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 4417 Registered: 10-2003 |
I became intrigued about Detroit Jit, when it evolved as a great tangent on the Gangs of Detroit thread by Blksoul_x, Kova, Vetalalumni and others, as another outstanding example of from-the-ground-up Detroit creativity and culture. These links over that thread, one actually videoed by Kova http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =JxvzqbnT4Vk and one piece about the famous Detroit Dance show "The Scene", caught my attention - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =0fdzDKp4EO4 I thought it deserved its own thread because as a lot of folks might miss it in the other thread and it is not directly gang related. It is also interesting in its historical connection to the jitterbug of bygone days and other dance styles. This one brings us up to today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =Mf0AsckXYUM&feature=related and has links to other relevant Detroit dance vids. Tell us about it. | ||
Homer Member Username: Homer Post Number: 253 Registered: 08-2004 |
mmm.......I'd call it Detroit "River Dance" mostly lower body movement without tap shoes. | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 2453 Registered: 04-2006 |
I've been doing my part to teach New Yorkers the Detroit ballroom... | ||
Izzadore Member Username: Izzadore Post Number: 87 Registered: 11-2006 |
What is the Detroit Ballroom? That close/fast concoction you'd see guys doing at the Chancery? | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 2454 Registered: 04-2006 |
What is the Detroit Ballroom? That close/fast concoction you'd see guys doing at the Chancery? It's a line dance. It's actually more commonly referred to as the Ballroom Hustle. | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 3482 Registered: 10-2003 |
Just the thought of line dances makes me almost homicidal. | ||
Kova Member Username: Kova Post Number: 126 Registered: 12-2003 |
Detroit Jit has it origins in a version of the lindy hop known as the jitterbug. The roots of this can be seen in the name of Jit - JITterbug or also sometimes known as buggin as in jittBUG. From what ive been told, basically in the 50s and 60s some detroiters took the jitterbug (which was a partnered dance) and transformed it into more individualized dance. Jit itself actually predates the earl flynns ( errol flynns). The following video is an example of PRE-earl flynn jit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =bJJ9KjKznaM The real history of Detroit Jit is only starting to be documented and revealed. There are a few individuals out there trying to connect the dots and understand the evolution of this dance. The people who know the history are out there, but its finding them that is proving to be quite difficult. I might as well add that I am a student of this dance and have been learning the various styles from Dennis ( the guy in the errol flynn video) ill post more tidbits later. | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 1331 Registered: 11-2003 |
Ballroom Hustle is like the most popular dance at parties now. You will see it 5-6x per party. When the party is whack, the DJ knows to put on a ballroom hustle song to liven it up. | ||
Blksoul_x Member Username: Blksoul_x Post Number: 115 Registered: 06-2007 |
Here is a list of some other popular dances that is rooted exclusively in Detroit great dance history. The Rambisko__(during the early to mid 80's)...a slight head bobbling, going from one side to another...usually done by trouble makers wanting to start a ruckus...there was also said to be a popular street gang, near Nevada a 6mile called the 'Rambisko Flynn's'. The Funkateer/or Funkateering__(late 70's to late 80's)...evolved from the Jitterbug(early Jit)..and was infused with Popping, Locking, and Fitting, and Flynn's during the early beginning's of the Detroit Techno sound ...many of these dancers and Funkateer-crews typically went on to dance in the early 80's phenomenon of male dancers in Detroit...ie: Watts Mozambique, Henry's Palace, and Motown Varsity Parties. The Schoolcraft(mid 80's)..this dance was done by kicking the legs from one side of the body to the other...the Schoolcraft street gang in the mid 80's claims responsibility of the creator of the dance craze. The Linwood Hustle(late 70's)__was a hustle done in the late 70's by club goers__the origin of the name may not be directly associated with the street name Linwood Ave. Also some say the Linwood hustle was an early style of the more nationally popular dance of the time called, 'The Bus Stop'. 'Getting Paid'(late 80's 90's)__This dance was popularized by a downtown gang called the 'be-likes' that terrorized the hart plaza summer festivals during the 90's...a dancer on the New Dance Show, by the name of Moses, popularized the dance into the mainstream of Detroit. As far as the Hustle, Detroit cannot exclusively claim the origins of this now popular club phenomenon. Each City around the Country has it's own version the Hustle. One of Detroit hustle dances includes a style that is dedicated to our rich Techno History.(not sure what the name is) ...and yes, the Detroit Ballroom, Stepping, and Hustle is very popular in Detroit's Black Clubs, Bars, and Lounges...to be sure, if you don't know how to do either the dances, you may be sitting all night....Needless-to-say, Hustle and Ballroom lessons are very popular in the D. blksoul-atcha! | ||
Kova Member Username: Kova Post Number: 127 Registered: 12-2003 |
Nice post Blksoul. Yes, Rambisko, the full name of the dance now simply known as Bisco. This dance has been incorporated into most current Jitters sets. an example of the modern version of it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =wo-YCPEl4qY As far as the funkateers, well, there is a lot of history with this group. They are arguably the best group to come out of the D ( actually Inkster). interest in funkateering is coming back. Some elements have remained in modern jit, but only the old school cats "really" know how to do it. | ||
Mayor_sekou Member Username: Mayor_sekou Post Number: 1811 Registered: 09-2006 |
Yeah it is actually a crime punishable by death for a Detroiter to not know how to ballroom. Its funny going to any party and watching the most tough Tone of tough Tones just bust out and start ballrooming with all the ladies after mean mugging everyone for the last two hours. | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 1337 Registered: 11-2003 |
They kinda started out as the single women's dance lol. Like it was said above, if you can't do them, you won't dance much that night. | ||
Kova Member Username: Kova Post Number: 128 Registered: 12-2003 |
Two of my friends did a show on WDET about the jit. Its about a third of the way in http://www.wdetfm.org/audio/de troittoday/274/FRIDAY_FINAL.MP 3 | ||
Vetalalumni Member Username: Vetalalumni Post Number: 857 Registered: 05-2007 |
Depending on who you ask, and the context, males who dance well may be qualified as effeminate, but who cares? Many of the really good dancers in the Motor during the late 70s and early 80s were gay, some openly and flamboyantly. Similar to the dancers seen on the Soul Train reruns from the late 70s to early 80s. The old Studio 54 downtown had some of the best dancers in the city. Serious partying went on in that basement establishment! Chic, Cheryl Lynn, and Bohanon. Also, some of the gang-bangers back then who danced well were on the "down-low". These are not disparaging comments, only observations. Some of the places around the city where serious dancers could be found were the Studio 54, The Introvest (west side of Greenfield Road near 7 Mile Road), Sentinel Building (East Jefferson), and that old club on the northeast corner of Greenfield and Schoolcraft. Then there was the clubhouse at that large apartment complex out by Metro airport. Others included the Red Parrot (Southfield), St. Andrews Hall, and a hall on the south side of 8 Mile Road near Schaefer or Wyoming. | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 4419 Registered: 10-2003 |
Interpretations please, by our panel...    | ||
Kova Member Username: Kova Post Number: 129 Registered: 12-2003 |
first guy is a poser, i saw him at demf- in this photo he is trying to do some sort of Robot. 2nd guy goes by the name vicous, represents chicago tribe. He is a bboy ( breakdancer) He has been DJing recently- Last guy is from Kalamazoo, his name is Sabian. Represents a crew by the name of G-style out of pomona california. This guy is one heck of a dancer. He does a style of dance generally known as Popping, and more specifically does a "sub style" known as waving (more specifically he does g-style waves which is a larger "school of thought" within popping). haha yup here is a clip of him practicing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =7Acf3mpcLhE None of these folks are jitters however. Im certainly going to let them know about this great shots  (Message edited by KOVA on January 05, 2008) | ||
Vetalalumni Member Username: Vetalalumni Post Number: 859 Registered: 05-2007 |
Deference to those in the know about current trends and the art in general. Not impressed however. IMO, the best never receive(d) wide-spread acclaim. Street legends who were easily recognized regulars at the hot-spots around town, unbeknownst to the general public. | ||
Ragtoplover59 Member Username: Ragtoplover59 Post Number: 182 Registered: 09-2006 |
I know it's not the same dance or even in Detroit, But I still got a kick out of this today. http://www.break.com/index/yel low-dog-mascot-has-awesome-mov es.html | ||
Jit Member Username: Jit Post Number: 10 Registered: 02-2007 |
Get Yo Jit On | ||
Margdar Member Username: Margdar Post Number: 14 Registered: 08-2007 |
The jit is too fresh! I discovered it at the University of Michigan when a Detroit-native associate of one of the dance groups broke it down for us. I've been hooked on jitting v. juking videos ever since!! | ||
Gianni Member Username: Gianni Post Number: 334 Registered: 05-2004 |
Don't know if anyone noticed or if I'm stating the obvious but the music in that Jit Footwork video on Lowell's first post is Underground Resistance (DJ Rolando) El Jaguar, but speeded up. (Message edited by Gianni on January 09, 2008) | ||
Kova Member Username: Kova Post Number: 130 Registered: 12-2003 |
Margdar Is that person still at U of M, mind tellin me their name or the dance group? | ||
Detourdetroit Member Username: Detourdetroit Post Number: 359 Registered: 10-2003 |
this is great stuff. thanks for sharing. what i want to know is how to compare detroit "ballroom" line dancing with the country line dancing craze of several years ago. there are similarities ...although the detroit version is much cooler. which came first and how come the urban and country crossover, or vice versa? | ||
Vetalalumni Member Username: Vetalalumni Post Number: 869 Registered: 05-2007 |
Though not Motor Jit, this (humble) fellow is one the best (break) dancers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =fyMasVRj4KI Thread-jack not intended (Message edited by vetalalumni on January 09, 2008) | ||
Traxus Member Username: Traxus Post Number: 115 Registered: 02-2006 |
It's strange seeing this dance documented, I've found myself performing (dare I say busting) similar moves without thinking anything of it. No training or watching other people to pick it up, it just felt like a natural evolution of bodily movement. Definitely has to be a Detroit thing. If I recall correctly its an elaborate tap dance pretty fast paced and without the irritating noise, with aspects of the tango in that you sometimes 'draw' with your feet. (Excuse my layman's knowledge of dance terminology). I was into this style for awhile until I got self conscious, (less substance = more self awareness, usually). Definitely a lot of fun once you get into it though. |
