My Solo at Rock That Swing Festival 2020, Munich, Germany
This is one of my most famous performances that has been flying around the internet for the last two years. Many people “stole“ it, put their own tunes (for monetisation) and used for the promotion and earnings on their channels.
To me this particular dance was extremely special.
It was my first and only time dancing completely alone on the stage. I usually perform with the partners or in the groups (I used to dance jazz modern as well). To come out alone on such a huge stage of Deutsches Theatre in front of more than 2000 people was a challenge! The very idea came to me already in 2017, but I have been a coward to do it and it wasn’t ever a good time to prepare. At the same time, I am very much relying on my intuition - it must feel good and the inspiration has to be 100%. And it wasn’t there until I heard that tune at some point.
In 2018 I suggested Flora (the partner of Thorbjorn) to make a showcase together. We started choreographing it to a Charleston tune, but it was hard to practice online and somehow the idea died out.
In 2019 I heard the tune of Bob Seger “Old Time Rock’n’Roll“ and the picture got clear! I had to perform it! Also the whole image was there at once - Tom Cruise in “Monkey Business“ dancing to the same tune got me! It wasn’t the first time I heard that tune, but it was that exact moment when all puzzles get into one piece.
I was lucky to make it right before pandemics started. Right after that edition of Rock that Swing in February 2020, the whole world went for a 2 years long lock down. Sondre helped me to prepare being my judgemental audience and I am forever thankful for it.
Now imagine: Detsches Theatre full of glamorous people dressed up in a very elegant vintage style. Most of the performers were keeping that style. And me - in the old beach shorts, men sports socks, my school shirt and a top. Being backstage made me doubt, but it was too late :) I had to kill it. The whole performance has tons of mistakes, but I felt so free and so funny during this dance, that it had probably infected the audience. I never forget one of the known swing dance teachers from the USA telling me it was the best solo he has ever seen in his life! Of course, it can’t be true, but it speaks for the energy people got from it. It was the one and only time I have ever performed this routine. I am thankful people liked it. If I ever make another solo, it will most probably be dedicated to my romantic part. Or not... You never know with the inspiration :)