Written for Listed Magazine.
The group of dancers move perfectly in time with the music, the sound of their trainers echoing around the room. They sidestep, before pretending to pull down the brim of a hat, whilst ‘Smooth Criminal’ blares from speakers.
Watching from the front of the room and occasionally shouting encouragement is the dance’s creator – Jeffrey Daniel - the late Michael Jackson’s choreographer.
Members of the Pure Funk dance group were given a master class by Mr Daniel on Saturday 7 November at Poole and Bournemouth College. The former member of 70s group Shalamar – who created hits such as ‘Night to Remember’ and ‘I Can Make You Feel Good’ - taught the King of Pop to moonwalk and has been credited with bringing street dance to Europe.
“The classes have gone exceptionally well,” he said, “the kids are enjoying it – that’s what it all boils down to.
“The dance I showed them, ‘Smooth Criminal’ - we rehearsed that thing at for least three weeks for the video. It’s not just your average 1 2 3 4, it’s done to this really intricate beat. So to come in here and do something that intricate in that amount of time is really very impressive. They loved the challenge and they did very well.”
Amy Beveridge, the founder of Pure Funk said, “it’s been a massive inspiration to them, not just because of the choreography that Jeffrey is teaching them, but to learn that he’s a really nice, down-to-earth person as well.”
For more information about Pure Funk, visit their website at http://www.purefunk.co.uk/
Fancy trying your hand at street dance? Pure Funk’s Classes run nearly every day of the week and do adult courses, as well as those for children. There are options available for all abilities.
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