There's nothing like the arrival of a Land's End Swimsuit Catalog to have one dashing over to Netflix to browse the exercise videos, (a section rarely perused in this house, that's for sure.) But nevertheless, there I was, desperately looking for help (and possibly a miracle), and all I could really find were the hip hop style work-out tapes. Since there were several on instant view, I thought I'd give them a shot, and WOW was that educational. I'm not usually embarrassed to flail around like an idiot (in the comfort of my own home, with he shades drawn), but these videos were difficult. I couldn't begin to keep up, I felt beyond ridiculous, and Max was better at it than I was. I about gave up, but then I found the video pictured above. I Hate to Exercise, I Love to Tap. Now this was more like it! The difference was night and day. Instead of a Britney Spears look-alike screaming at me to "pop it and reverse", (excuse me?) I was gently told to "step-ball -change." Ah, a familiar phrase from a distant memory of Elementary dance lessons! Now this was more like it. I've been doing the video for over a week now, and I'm about ready to put taps on my shoes, thirft some dancing outfits, and have Mike cut a big piece of plywood for me so I don't destroy our wood floors. After that, Broadway? Perhaps not, but there are a few routines from some favorite musicals that I'd like to learn. Like the 'Easy Street' number from Annie. It looks pretty simple, lots of organized flailing.
Think what you want about the movie, but it's worth watching just to see Tim Curry lick that envelope, yowza! So, it looks like I'll actually need two more people to pull off this routine. Whatever, as long as I get to be Bernadette. Actually, if I could be anyone in the world, I would be Bernadette Peters. She's just the bee's knees and I've always loved her. She totally cracks me up in The Jerk, and I love this scene (which reminds me to put learning to play the ukulele on my 'to do' list.)
If I could ever pull off a real, semi-difficult tap routine, I would try to learn the elevator scene form Throughly Modern Millie, another movie/musical dear to my heart. If you've never seen it, you should. It's an odd mix of zany, charming, and plain silly (all with a strange backdrop of kidnapping and the sex slave trade.) It's totally crazy and surreal, but it will make you want to be a jazz baby, I guarantee it.
(Oh, and by the way Kat, my copy of Millie mysteriously decided to start playing after you left that night! Not that is was disappointing watching Clue instead, but I really missed the Tapioca, you know? Maybe next time....)
You totally crack me up. I love your blog! :-D
Posted by: Paula | April 11, 2008 at 07:57 AM
I'll be Carol Burnet! I love that movie! I can even dust off my old taps from college.
I need to find a work out video like that.
Posted by: jeanetta | April 11, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Ugh you lost me at Bonnie Franklin, I never liked her One Day At A Time character. But I did tap when I was little for a short period.
Posted by: Marilyn | April 11, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Millie's my fav! I'm going to watch it tonight! Thanks for fun post.
Posted by: angela | April 11, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Wow, I stumbled onto your blog and loved seeing the Annie clip. Cute blog!
Posted by: Liz | April 11, 2008 at 03:28 PM
I was just thinking of Annie. Perhaps because someone at the girls' school was talking about "Tomorrow." I used to get the soundtrack RECORD from my library. Now I'm going to go add Millie to my netflix queue.
Posted by: Tasha | April 11, 2008 at 04:21 PM
Bonnie Franklin workout = Brilliant!
Maybe your new tap routine could be part of the talent line up at Handmade Parade?
:)
Posted by: JeannineJeannine | April 11, 2008 at 05:16 PM
we so totally need to be neighbors! i tried the bollywood workout and laughed so hard i had an asthma attack!
have you heard of janet klein? she's one of my favorite singers and she has a how to for the uke for that song. (also a fave of mine!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GmcEcaIxCs
and even if i don't know how to tap, I always do a faux tap in any elevator as long as it's just me and the mister. i also can't seem to get my necklaces to simply lay flat!
Posted by: jek | April 14, 2008 at 03:02 AM
Raspberries! That is so weird!
Posted by: Kat | April 14, 2008 at 07:57 AM
I have scoured youtube for millie's tapioca before to no avail...
thank you so much. my son and I love dancing to this :)
do you realize they are all color coordinated in the dance scenes???? love it.
Posted by: likely | April 23, 2008 at 02:33 PM