Robot (dance)
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The robot (or mannequin) is an illusionary dance style - often confused with popping - that attempts to imitate a dancing robot or mannequin. It was originated by Charles Washington, also known as "Charles Robot" in the late 1960s[1].
Description
The robot is simply the illusion of being a robot. Movements of the Robot are generally started and finished with a dimestop (a very abrupt stop), to give the impression of motors starting and stopping, but poppers have also been known to do the robot with a pop to the beat. As long as the illusion of being a robot is maintained, it is considered the robot.
Robot dancing is often considered a subsection of popping because poppers often include the robot in their routines, sometimes adding pops to the beat while maintaining the illusion of a robot, but the robot also exists as its own dance and is sometimes considered a performance rather than a dance when the performer is imitating a robot without any music. When done without music it is considered to be mime, instead of dance. Street theater often featured mimes who did a mechanical man or puppet style illusion, without music. In the late 1960s the style was used while social dancing to funk or soul music. Charles "Robot" Washington" was not the first to strictly imitate a robot as a mime however, he and his partner "Robot Ann" was the first to socially couple dance the style to music at parties and clubs, and it was at this point it became a party dance and later combined with other illusion styles to form todays popping style.
Variations
Broken robot
A variation on the robot is the "broken robot" style, where various parts of the dancer's body are shaken rapidly, giving the impression that the robot is breaking down. A lock-and-release of joints can also give the appearance of supports breaking down. The dancer may also freeze with an arm straight to the side with lower arm swaying.
The Malfunctioner
A further deviation from the commonly accepted robot routine is the Malfunctioner, which is most often segued into from the "broken robot." Usually saved for the culmination of the dance, this move involves the performer stiffening, moving their joints in an exaggeratedly jerky fashion with a look of confusion on their face, and finally feigning a fall to the ground. The move attempts to leave the onlooker with the impression that the robot has completely ceased to function.
Music
As with popping in general, the visual impact of the robot can be boosted by doing it in pace with music. The best effect is achieved with music that has very distinct beats such as electrofunk. It is nonetheless common to use music not particularly suited for the dance, but which has a "robot theme", such as The Jackson 5's "Dancing Machine" and Styx's "Mr. Roboto".
Unlike most other dances, the robot may also be accompanied a cappella by making vocal impressions of beeps and other electro-mechanical noises.
References
External links
- How to do the Robot Videos explaining how to do different Robot techniques
- Robot dance combined with air guitar at the Air Guitar World Championships 2005 at Google Video.
- James Brown Doing the Robot Dance in a '70s video.