Excellent article. Especially like:

"He not only wrote an extended version of his song “Thunder” from the album “Diamonds and Pearls” but also permitted use of his music free of charge for five years with no royalty expectations. It helped save the financially foundering company."

And more...

Loved this, thanks for sharing

That's crazy cuz I saw this move and wondered cuz it looks so balletic (is that a word???)

LBrent said:

That's crazy cuz I saw this move and wondered cuz it looks so balletic (is that a word???)

That ^^^ is called an entrechat.

https://www.youtube.com/w...VhxpHgPTy8

Dibblekins said:

Thank you!

I never knew what it was called and I saw him do it pretty damned often in performances.

But to think about him training with dancers...I had to really think about that. That really was exciting to think of him not simply dancing and making up moves like someone does when partying in general.

I'm floored.

P in a leotard and ballet slippers???

I can't even...I need to lay down and reflect on that for realz.

LBrent said:

Thank you!

I never knew what it was called and I saw him do it pretty damned often in performances.

But to think about him training with dancers...I had to really think about that. That really was exciting to think of him not simply dancing and making up moves like someone does when partying in general.

I'm floored.

P in a leotard and ballet slippers???

I can't even...I need to lay down and reflect on that for realz.

LMAO!!!

The article says he wore pedal pushers - you're alright...

LBrent said:

Thank you!

I never knew what it was called and I saw him do it pretty damned often in performances.

But to think about him training with dancers...I had to really think about that. That really was exciting to think of him not simply dancing and making up moves like someone does when partying in general.

I'm floored.

P in a leotard and ballet slippers???

I can't even...I need to lay down and reflect on that for realz.

I don't know what it's called but in one of the live concerts that I watched I saw P do a similar move that male ballet dancers do but it's to the side a bit.

I'm looking for an example on YouTube.

LBrent said:

I don't know what it's called but in one of the live concerts that I watched I saw P do a similar move that male ballet dancers do but it's to the side a bit.

I'm looking for an example on YouTube.

If you find it, let me know...I might still remember the ballet terminology!

LBrent said:

P in a leotard and ballet slippers???

C'mon, we've all seen him in MUCH worse than that.

Prince would have been a great jump roper!

LBrent said:

That's crazy cuz I saw this move and wondered cuz it looks so balletic (is that a word???)

I've always appreciated his dancing and professional and effortless mic moves. Then I watched Arsenio '91 recently...whoa!

Dibblekins said:

LBrent said:

I don't know what it's called but in one of the live concerts that I watched I saw P do a similar move that male ballet dancers do but it's to the side a bit.

I'm looking for an example on YouTube.

If you find it, let me know...I might still remember the ballet terminology!

It's the side flutter leg thingy the prince does in Swan Lake.

i always assumed he had some real training at some point but i'm pretty surprised he ever did ballet as a kid. the purple rain thing doesn't surprise me that much because he rapidly went from a guy who really just imitated the spastic moves of Mick Jagger to a real soul dancer. some of the stuff he did on tour are just amazing.

also, it still kind of amazes me how many people describe him as pathologically shy when the people that worked with him knew him as a high strung autocrat who wouldn't hesitate to jump on their cases if shit wasn't right. Kinda a split personality.

excerpt:

"While growing up, Prince had ballet training through an initiative called the Urban Arts Program. It connected students “who didn’t fit into the traditional academic world” with local arts institutions, explained Minnesota Dance Theatre (MDT) artistic director Lise Houlton.

..

Prince took classes with MDT in Dinkytown. Houlton’s mother, company founder Loyce Houlton, became a mentor and close friend.

“He was very good to her,” said Lise. “He would bring her out to Los Angeles for film premieres. They shared stories and dance information. He would bring people who influenced him to the sound checks of his performances, which were even more interesting than the shows. He really used everything he experienced in those dance classes.”

She continued with a catch in her voice, “It makes me so proud of my mother.”

..

Prince’s loyalty to Loyce continued as his star rose. He headlined a benefit concert for MDT at First Avenue in 1983 that rang up $23,000 for the company’s coffers. The evening included choreography by Loyce to “D.M.S.R.” while Prince made history with the first live performance of his anthem “Purple Rain.”

..

During this period Prince used the MDT studios at Hennepin Center for the Arts to rehearse for his film debut. John Command, an actor and choreographer with a résumé stretching from Hollywood to the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, was teaching jazz dance at MDT when Loyce called with a unique offer."

He does this Move in Gett Off..Holding his guitar wearing his yellow Buttless lace number...

I dont know how to make gifs otherwise I would..

HerecomethePurpleYoda said:

Prince would have been a great jump roper!

LBrent said:

That's crazy cuz I saw this move and wondered cuz it looks so balletic (is that a word???)

Learning something new about him every day

briant said:

excerpt:

"While growing up, Prince had ballet training through an initiative called the Urban Arts Program. It connected students “who didn’t fit into the traditional academic world” with local arts institutions, explained Minnesota Dance Theatre (MDT) artistic director Lise Houlton.

..

Prince took classes with MDT in Dinkytown. Houlton’s mother, company founder Loyce Houlton, became a mentor and close friend.

“He was very good to her,” said Lise. “He would bring her out to Los Angeles for film premieres. They shared stories and dance information. He would bring people who influenced him to the sound checks of his performances, which were even more interesting than the shows. He really used everything he experienced in those dance classes.”

She continued with a catch in her voice, “It makes me so proud of my mother.”

..

Prince’s loyalty to Loyce continued as his star rose. He headlined a benefit concert for MDT at First Avenue in 1983 that rang up $23,000 for the company’s coffers. The evening included choreography by Loyce to “D.M.S.R.” while Prince made history with the first live performance of his anthem “Purple Rain.”

..

During this period Prince used the MDT studios at Hennepin Center for the Arts to rehearse for his film debut. John Command, an actor and choreographer with a résumé stretching from Hollywood to the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, was teaching jazz dance at MDT when Loyce called with a unique offer."

steakfinger said:

LBrent said:

P in a leotard and ballet slippers???

C'mon, we've all seen him in MUCH worse than that.

Worse?

Oh, no honey. That's very sexy!

Literally everyone who knew him, even briefly, mentions his work ethic. Prince got to where he was by working for it. He wasn't talented, he was obsessed.

LBrent said:

Dibblekins said:

If you find it, let me know...I might still remember the ballet terminology!

It's the side flutter leg thingy the prince does in Swan Lake.

You're going to have to give me a bit more than that, lol!

Video footage of Prince doing the 'side flutter leg thingy'???

Dibblekins said:

LBrent said:

It's the side flutter leg thingy the prince does in Swan Lake.

You're going to have to give me a bit more than that, lol!

Video footage of Prince doing the 'side flutter leg thingy'???

I'm looking. It would help if I remember where I saw him do it. I'm thinking it was Lovesexy cuz he had no facial hair and long hair and was with the Game Boyz.

This first move they're doing is sorta what he did:

https://youtu.be/T-VHt1Mr3Y0?t=179

LBrent said:

Dibblekins said:

You're going to have to give me a bit more than that, lol!

Video footage of Prince doing the 'side flutter leg thingy'???

I'm looking. It would help if I remember where I saw him do it. I'm thinking it was Lovesexy cuz he had no facial hair and long hair and was with the Game Boyz.

This first move they're doing is sorta what he did:

https://youtu.be/T-VHt1Mr3Y0?t=179

Well, depending on how many 'flutters', he's doing, I THINK that might be a cabriole (or a double cabriole)...

Check it out on YT and see what you reckon - and then report back, lol!

Dibblekins said:

LBrent said:

I'm looking. It would help if I remember where I saw him do it. I'm thinking it was Lovesexy cuz he had no facial hair and long hair and was with the Game Boyz.

This first move they're doing is sorta what he did:

https://youtu.be/T-VHt1Mr3Y0?t=179

Well, depending on how many 'flutters', he's doing, I THINK that might be a cabriole (or a double cabriole)...

Check it out on YT and see what you reckon - and then report back, lol!

Yes!

Here's an example, finally:

https://youtu.be/fsaEHnjy7r0?t=3

Now please understand, P's weren't as high or as dramatic, but still unexpected and impressive to me.

LBrent said:

Dibblekins said:

Well, depending on how many 'flutters', he's doing, I THINK that might be a cabriole (or a double cabriole)...

Check it out on YT and see what you reckon - and then report back, lol!

Yes!

Here's an example, finally:

https://youtu.be/fsaEHnjy7r0?t=3

Now please understand, P's weren't as high or as dramatic, but still unexpected and impressive to me.

OK - but now your task is to find Prince doing something along those lines - or we won't believe you...

.

Dibblekins said:

LBrent said:

Dibblekins said:

OK - but now your task is to find Prince doing something along those lines - or we won't believe you...

.

I'm watching Rio 1991 right now, but I don't think it's this show. He looks right but the show I'm thinking of was in daylight.

It's doing MY head in now - I've watched countless videos of him dancing, and I don't see him doing that particular move!

Blast you, LB!!!

Dibblekins said:

LBrent said:

Dibblekins said: I'm watching Rio 1991 right now, but I don't think it's this show. He looks right but the show I'm thinking of was in daylight.

It's doing MY head in now - I've watched countless videos of him dancing, and I don't see him doing that particular move!

Blast you, LB!!!

Ok.

I was looking for one of the SOTT concerts when he's in the peach outfi, around when he and Cat dance he does a modified cabriolet (up & down instead of sideways and no leap, just a short jump). Still looking.

Couldn't find it, but I did find a leap, karate style kick and pirouette from Cork 1990:

https://youtu.be/xar1Yn5fdF4?t=885

Not sure if this is an entrechant or a cabriolet. What do you think?

https://youtu.be/R9E5N0MUypI?t=57

And here are everal Barishnicov style pirouettes:

https://youtu.be/WQxF17zYQfw?t=635

https://youtu.be/WQxF17zYQfw?t=749