June 22, 2010

GO GO AUSTRALIA

Those freestyle-dancing DJ chicks in France inspired a cool trend in the 1960s that was a focus for clubs and dance programs, including Whiskey A Go Go, Shindig!, and Hollywood A Go Go. The elevated record booth was replaced by cages and platforms, and our quintessential Go Go dancer was born. Designers Courreges, Quant, and Laurent were heavily influential on what we think of as Go Go outfits- boots and mini skirts. The freestyle of discotheque dancing wasn't too far from the days of structured ballroom and swing, and even the Go Go gals had specific steps that kids studied closely, as seen in this fab news clip about Go Go dancing in Australia. Learn the Watusi and the Hitchhiker from Australia's first Go Go Girl, Denise Drysdale. Her budding Go Go's practiced to Bits and Pieces by the Dave Clark Five, included below for Spy Vibers' own dance party!



3 comments:

  1. That first clip confirms what I've often asked: "Were there actually Go-Go dancers and clubs like that in the '60s?"

    I'm thrilled that they just didn't exist in movies and TV.

    The Neo-Edwardian Hipster

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  2. Fun clip - I am surprised I didn't see my mum in it. Denise is now affectionately known as 'Ding Dong' and still turns up on tv occasionally.

    I am, of course, too young to remember, but Melbourne had a burgeoning Go-Go Scene, with clubs like the 'Thumpin Tum' and the 'TFM Ballroom' - pardon my French, but TFM standing for 'Too F....ing Much'!

    Wild man!

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  3. Yes, the Go Go clubs existed... ask David's mom! I hope she can contribute some stories :)

    Cool to hear that "Ding Dong" is still on the scene.

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