This' the way we dance, dance, dance...

The dance sequence of the Maestro documentary. Several dancers from the Wreckin' Shop (Live From Brooklyn) film who paved the way and united the Hip Hop and House dance culture, can be seen in this clip, like Ejoe Wilson and Caleaf Sellers (older, wiser, and more experienced). Ejoe and Caleaf were more dedicated to the House community back then than Hip Hop and are now iconic figures on the scene today, traveling the world, dancing, and teaching.

To name a few; Shannon, TeNofQuad (California), and a few others I can't remember are in this clip as well.

To be honest, the environment was much more pleasant, the people were (and still are) incredibly humble, and the experiences memorable. My first house club deterred me from going to Hip Hop clubs infrequently. Nowadays, it's a once or twice a year old school or underground Hip Hop event, at venues like Santos Party House and The Paper Box among others, to reminisce with friends.

This statement was well said by Pluggedin2u, giving a brief history on the origins of the House music culture in NY: "Before it was popularly called "House" we referred to it simply as "free style". The term "House" came about 79 or 80 because a good amount of the music we listened to in the underground clubs could only be heard "in house" meaning only at the at the club. Sometimes we referred to it as "acid house" because most of the dancers were on acid. It was truly underground at the time and relatively unknown until House music and dancing became mainstream later in the mid 80's and 90's."

Founding fathers of the NYC underground dance club culture

 

Maestro is a powerful documentary chronicling the early years of the NYC underground DJ and dance club culture. For those unfamiliar with the scene, it was pioneered largely by gay, Black and Hispanic men and women. This clip is a tribute to Larry Levan, David Mancuso, Frankie Knuckles, Nicky Siano, Tony Humphries. The clubs featured are The Loft and Paradise Garage. Thanks to Caligulalia for the clip.

The JBeez, The JBeez, The JBeez!

One of the greatest loops and Hip Hop tracks of the early 90's. DJ Red Alert made this a New York City and Hip Hop dance scene classic. I miss those cyphers! The New York club scene was absolutely ridiculous in the 80's and 90's. There was practically a club on every corner of Manhattan. House clubs (my personal favorite) didn't shut down until noon. Raves...well, raves just went on. Those were great times.