DANCE

Bey Dance

2 February 2016

Review by Annie Teh

We all have an inner Beyonce. Or so Bey Dance says. The Melbourne-based dance school was built upon the belief that everyone can dance and rule the world the way superstar Beyonce does, and after its success in the last Fringe World Perth, they have returned to pull all sorts of bootylicious ladies in for the ultimate Beyonce flashmob, out on the Fringe World Orchard.

Led by dance instructor Keely, the crowd cautiously ambled their way onto the dance floor in the Lunar Sensation garden tent, a grand venue with suspiciously damp carpeting. Keely’s infectious love of Beyonce and wild leopard print bottoms set the mood instantly. She towered on stage to teach simple choreography that consisted of lots of on-the-spot running, punches into the air, a hint of twerking, and lots of power poses. The key to dancing like Beyonce turned out to be “the stank face” — a look of attitude that transforms simple dance moves to a real declaration of girl power.

Appropriate, considering the chosen song of the day was “Survivor”. Keely announced that we should aim to have fun, and really take in the meaningful lyrics. The crowd giggled.

The class was filled with a variety of different people of all sizes, ages, and dance ability. If your dance ability only extends as far as doing the robot drunk on Christmas Eve, don’t worry. The sessions focus much more about gaining confidence and having fun than about actual dance technicalities. There was an occasional shuffling of rows to make sure that everyone had their moment in the literal spotlight, and half an hour into the class the shyness and caution at the beginning had long dissipated. The moves were easy enough to be done by an amateur, but energetic enough to provide a real workout. When actual acting and singing was introduced as a finale, everyone joined in without question, albeit stumbling over lyrics you were assumed to already know.

Despite only half the crowd having showed interest in joining the flashmob (you are given a choice), almost everyone joined in on the fun at the end. Surrounded by the 7pm crowd lounging at the Orchard, surrounded by trees, fairy-lights, and bars, these women (and one man) bravely set themselves down on the ground and pretended to awaken from a lost deserted island, before jumping, punching, and twerking to a declaration of their independence and power.

Let’s face it, we’ll never be Beyonce. But everyone came pretty close that day.

Bey Dance Flawless: Beyonce Flashmob runs every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at The Lunar Sensation until February 10. Tickets available here.