Noted dancer, actor and choreographer Harry Shum, Jr. (Glee, Step Up 2) has always had a vision to explore the similarities in dance and sport, ever since he saw a TV special that aired in 1958 called "Gene Kelly: Dancing - A Man's Game." Gene Kelly created this Christmas special where he interpreted the moves of some of the top athletes of his time - including baseball star Mickey Mantle and boxer Sugar Ray Robinson - to choreograph dance routines, while also teaching the athletes to dance as well.
To continue this ongoing conversation in a visual format and update it for audiences today, Harry Shum, Jr. teamed up with long time collaborator and filmmaker Cole Walliser to work with leading contemporary dancers and premier Red Bull athletes in a new video series entitled "Parallels." The series of videos draws parallels between disparate dance forms and extreme/action sports, utilizing slow motion to accurately pinpoint the striking similarities between both genres, both in movement and approach. In one video, ballerina Kylie Lewellan's measured leaps and jetes are juxtaposed with freestyle Motocross biker Alexey Kolesnikov as he meticulously executes cliffhanger and Superman moves in mid-air. In a second video, tricker Remi Bakkar's acrobatic dance moves and BMX bikers Andrea Lacondeguy, Syzmon Godziek and Thomas Genon's aerial tricks are analyzed in the context of their constant battle with the force of gravity to execute their precise maneuvers. In the third video, the themes of rhythm and balance are explored through the similar kinds of moves that B-Boy Kid David and skateboarder Johnny Johannes can execute. "Parallels" ultimately identifies and expounds upon the various themes of control, rhythm, grace, timing, strength and balance that are omnipresent in movement whether one is a dancer or an athlete, creating undeniable parallels between both of those worlds.Check out links below:
Exploring Parallels featuring Harry Shum, Jr.: Exploring Parallels of Sport and Dance with Harry Shum Jr. Exploring Parallels: Grace - Ballet vs Freestyle Motocross: Exploring Parallels: Grace Exploring Parallels: Control - Acrobatic Dancing/Tricking vs BMX Riding: Exploring Parallels: Control Exploring Parallels: Rhythm - B-Boying vs Skateboarding : Exploring Parallels: Rhythm
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