5 Dance Videos that will Get You Pumped for Halloween

As an art form, dance has been on the rise in mainstream media and culture with how much more accessible it has become. With TV shows like So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars, and America’s Best Dance Crew, thousands of people are being brought into the world of dance more and more each day. That, and with the existence of media sharing websites like Youtube, Vevo, and more, aspiring dancers have had more opportunities to watch pieces by their favorite artists, and in turn be inspired by their capablities.

5. “Death Car” by Phillip “Pacman” Chbeeb

In what could be considered Jaja Vankova’s (Lady Tighteyez, IaMmE Crew) first introduction to mainstream hip-hop culture, Pacman (IaMmE Crew) creates a story that forewarns the dangers of texting and driving. Within the video, Di “Moon” Zhang (IaMmE Crew) has just received news that the woman he is in love with is cheating on him. To add injury to insult, he receives this text moments before dying in a car crash with the very same woman in the car he hits. The moment the characters get into their cars, it is clear that death has other intentions for them as Jaja and Pacman represent these spirits of death and provide a haunting performance that almost makes you want to text and drive to see the dancers yourself (Spoiler alert, that won’t happen). The choreography implements “strobing” which is a series of dime-stops used in quick succession. This, on top of the imagery used in the video makes the characters very convincingly appear ghostly. This video’s haunting music is accompanied very nicely by the eerie movements Jaja and Pacman deliver in this dance as well as their make-up and costumes.

4. “7 Deadly Sins” by Jaja Vankova

This piece earns its spot in the attention to detail around it. It very cleverly establishes each of the seven sins and gives them life through all of the characters’ dance moves. While the piece itself may not necessarily be absolutely “horror” themed, there is certainly something about it that can send chills up your spine.

Jaja’s piece is a concept video that went above on beyond in its set-up and execution. It starts with signs that point in different directions, kind of asking “What direction will you take?” She then goes on to explore each of these sins through a multitude of different dance styles. This piece is an excellent example of versatility in expression. There are many different emotions (sins) conveyed in this video and Jaja ultimately decided upon the best styles to accurately present it all.

The dancing starts with Greed (Jaja) asking Envy (Jessica) what she wants from her. Jaja is then portrayed as Pride, surrounded by chains held by Emilio Dosal and Robby “Lil Machine” Dominquez. The video progresses to feature Gluttony, Sloth, Lust, and Wrath in that order and seemingly represents society’s own struggle with such sins. Jaja cleverly portrays the extremes of each sin through her direction and videography.

3.”Haunted Mansion” by Academy of Villains

Established in 2009, the San Francisco and Los Angeles based crew is renowned for their story-telling, intense choreography, and trademark stunts. Their incredible dances are often highlighted with theatrics and costuming that only further unify their movement.

The supposed “Ghost host” introduces us to a world of clean dance moves and the amazing stunts that Academy of Villains bring to the table. The red gloves seem to hint that every one of their hands are covered in blood, but seeing as they are ghosts, would it be their own or the blood of their victims? Ultimately, the gloves are used to create a face at the 3:04 mark, an effect that is both ingenious and entertaining.

2.”The Hospital” by Quest Crew

This concept has it all. From the disheveled hospital rooms, faulty lighting, and sound effects, its one that can elicit screams just from watching. The film opens with a tender moment between a man and his pregnant wife, only to have him attempt to take an axe to her pregnant belly. We are then treated to a man that seems possessed or at least insane with bloody writing on the wall, the only discernible word is “Wake up”. While the film itself is not one shot, it feels like it with the smooth transitions and unified sound and music. The “Wake Up” really becomes prevalent as the POV shots makes it feel like we are in a nightmare and there is absolutely no way out.

Since their appearance and victory of Season 3 of America’s Best Dance Crew, Quest Crew has since shot to stardom over they ears, and their sharp choreography, performance, and astoundingly unique stunts set them apart from many other crews. The performance they give as disturbing (perhaps dead?) doctors is absolutely breathtaking and worth the watch. They are able to transition smoothly around the room as the camera effectively frames everything to implement jump scares and eerie reactions only to have the viewer “wake-up” presumably from surgery.

1. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson

It should be no surprise that Michael Jackson’s thriller has earned its place at the number one spot. The late King of Pop produced many music videos in the form of short-films but none so great as Thriller, which had a dance that people still perform around Halloween every year. For those who are not familiar with this video, it opens with MJ watching a film starring him while on a date. The girl he is on a date with becomes frightened and opts to leave and MJ teasingly sings a song about monsters coming out to get her, presumably to point out how absurd her fears are.

Darkness falls across the land. The midnight hour is close at hand. Creatures crawl in search of blood. To terrorize y’alls neighborhood. And whosoever shall be found. Without the soul for getting down. Must stand and face the hounds of hell. And rot inside a corpse’s shell. The foulest stench is in the air. The funk of forty thousand years. And grizzly ghouls from every tomb. Are closing in to seal your doom. And though you fight to stay alive. Your body starts to shiver. For no mere mortal can resist. The evil of the thriller.

Her fears soon prove true though as zombies begin to rise from the grave, sewage systems, and all over. They manage to capture MJ and turn him into one of the damned…with excellent dance moves. This video is brilliant in that it effectively captures the essence of horror, but also because MJ was sure to dance in such a way that seemed zombie like while featuring his signature style.

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