Sunday, January 18, 2004
Hip Hop Video
When I was in high school, one of my life's ambitions was to be a "fly girl". You remember those girls that danced in between sketches on In Living Color? J Lo was one of them, although I didn't know who she was at the time. Well, my dreams of becoming a Fly Girl have long since past. The show went off the air in the 90's and as I grow older I realize my body's not all it used to be. But let the games begin...
Today I took my first Hip Hop Video class. It's a beginner drop in class at Broadway Dance Studio taught by hip hop video star, Bev. We got there early so I had a little time to observe the class before me. It was amazing. These people were like the fly girls and more and they dressed the part too. Hoodies, sweatpants and belly rings. They were the epitome of hip. I was nervous. While I used to be considered a pretty hip white girl, those days were over, especially since I moved to New York. I am extremely unhip in New York City. As I was watching the class, I thought "these guys are the real deal. These guys really are in videos". Sometimes I forget I'm in New York. In this city resides the most talented people in their fields and I witnessed it today.
I did OK in the class. I certainly didn't hit all the moves but I tried and for an hour and a half I didn't stop. The teacher even gave me props as the girl in the back who didn't know what the heck she was doing but she just kept on spinning. I didn't know what the heck I was doing but I pretended and I was having a blast!
Today I took my first Hip Hop Video class. It's a beginner drop in class at Broadway Dance Studio taught by hip hop video star, Bev. We got there early so I had a little time to observe the class before me. It was amazing. These people were like the fly girls and more and they dressed the part too. Hoodies, sweatpants and belly rings. They were the epitome of hip. I was nervous. While I used to be considered a pretty hip white girl, those days were over, especially since I moved to New York. I am extremely unhip in New York City. As I was watching the class, I thought "these guys are the real deal. These guys really are in videos". Sometimes I forget I'm in New York. In this city resides the most talented people in their fields and I witnessed it today.
I did OK in the class. I certainly didn't hit all the moves but I tried and for an hour and a half I didn't stop. The teacher even gave me props as the girl in the back who didn't know what the heck she was doing but she just kept on spinning. I didn't know what the heck I was doing but I pretended and I was having a blast!
No Pants Day
Today I took my pants off on the subway. It was with a group called Improv Everywhere. They travel around the city performing improv on streets of New York. Their improv is meant to draw attention and open the minds of jaded New Yorker's everywhere. Well, today our mission was to take our pants off on the subway.
We congregated on the steps of De La Guarda in Union Square. Once the 30 performers arrived we climbed aboard the 4 train to Brooklyn Bridge. We crossed the tracks and boarded the 6 (local) train uptown to the Bronx. Our mission was to sit quietly on the train, not knowing the people around us. We were split into six groups and whenever our group leader depantsed, it was our job to join him and walk towards the front of the car without pants. We then handed our pants to the bag carriers. Then, as the doors opened we quickly exited and entered the next car acting as though everything was normal. We stood there for awhile reading our books and newspapers when the bag carriers entered the train selling pants for a dollar. Everyone proceeded to buy back their pants and went on their merry way.
We repeated the event on the way back and I had a lot more fun with it this time. This time I approached a lady with a suitcase asking if she had any extra pants in her suitcase. She didn't understand and started to hand me a pen. I begged her, saying I would give her 40 dollars for them. She said sorry but she could not help me. With perfect timing, the bag carriers entered the door selling pants for a dollar. I was ecstatic. I bought the first pair I saw, knowing they wouldn't fit me. They were the pants of a tall skinny guy. I could barely get them over my thighs. But sure tried. I finally got them buttoned but I couldn't sit down. Another lady was laughing at me, shaking her head.
The reaction to us was not nearly as big as I expected. I think New Yorkers are sort of immune to this sort of think. Instead, our reactions were of acceptance. One stranger aided in finding pants that actually fit some of the people, another gentleman opened up his box of hats and began selling them and my favorite was a homeless lady begging for change who just happened to walk through at the same time. Everybody gave her money. 20/20 was also there. I don't know what the story will focus on but I can't wait to see it. Maybe it'll be my big break?
We congregated on the steps of De La Guarda in Union Square. Once the 30 performers arrived we climbed aboard the 4 train to Brooklyn Bridge. We crossed the tracks and boarded the 6 (local) train uptown to the Bronx. Our mission was to sit quietly on the train, not knowing the people around us. We were split into six groups and whenever our group leader depantsed, it was our job to join him and walk towards the front of the car without pants. We then handed our pants to the bag carriers. Then, as the doors opened we quickly exited and entered the next car acting as though everything was normal. We stood there for awhile reading our books and newspapers when the bag carriers entered the train selling pants for a dollar. Everyone proceeded to buy back their pants and went on their merry way.
We repeated the event on the way back and I had a lot more fun with it this time. This time I approached a lady with a suitcase asking if she had any extra pants in her suitcase. She didn't understand and started to hand me a pen. I begged her, saying I would give her 40 dollars for them. She said sorry but she could not help me. With perfect timing, the bag carriers entered the door selling pants for a dollar. I was ecstatic. I bought the first pair I saw, knowing they wouldn't fit me. They were the pants of a tall skinny guy. I could barely get them over my thighs. But sure tried. I finally got them buttoned but I couldn't sit down. Another lady was laughing at me, shaking her head.
The reaction to us was not nearly as big as I expected. I think New Yorkers are sort of immune to this sort of think. Instead, our reactions were of acceptance. One stranger aided in finding pants that actually fit some of the people, another gentleman opened up his box of hats and began selling them and my favorite was a homeless lady begging for change who just happened to walk through at the same time. Everybody gave her money. 20/20 was also there. I don't know what the story will focus on but I can't wait to see it. Maybe it'll be my big break?
