HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-12-16, Page 19Celebre inspires dancers of all a
Oerard Craw:
signal -star staff
Toronto-based dancer Daniel Celebre (pro-
nounced Chel-ee-bray) was in Goderich this
weekend, teaching aspiring dancers the his-
tory of locking, popping and sharing stories
from his time spent with the King of Pop.
Celebre was a principal dancer on Michael
Jackson's This Is It tour, hand-picked from
more than 5,000 auditioners to dance on stage
with the Gloved One for his comeback tour.
Speaking to a close group of dancers at the
YMCA Saturday, Celebre mixed personal sto-
ries with a history of music, dance and soul.
From the development of funk and soul danc-
ing on Soul Train to the Electric Boogaloos to
the present day mishmash of styles and influ-
ences, Celebre said dance has evolved with
music, and in some cases, homogenized. •
"If you think about pop music," he said to
the rapt crowd. "It's all these types of styles
smashed into one music. People don't know
what they are dancing to."
Anyone who wants to make it as a dancer,
he said, needs to look at the roots of not only
dance, but music as well. Ballet, he said, is
vital for dancers to gain balance, composure
Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - Page 19
es at YMCA Saturday
"At first, I wasn't going to go," he said.
However, his family encouraged him and af-
ter seeing the 5,000 whittle down to 500, 250
and finally 10 dancers, Celebre was
notified he made the cut.
"It was the last call," he said.
Unfortunately, the June 25
death of Jackson ended the tour,
but not before making some last-
ing memories for Celebre - includ-
ing being dubbed a "badass Gene
Kelly" by Michael Jackson himself.
Rick Petherick, owner of Casablan-
ca Dance Studio said the special guest
was nothing short of amazing.
"Just talking on the phone before we
met we were kindred spirits," he said.
"He's doing now what I did when I was
his age. "
Petherick said it is encouraging to see
someone with Celebre's passion and talent
spreading enthusiasm for dance.
Celebre taught the group at the YMCA a
dance routine and before the day was done,
and took in the sights and sounds of Goderich
before heading back to visit with his family
in Nobleton.
Photos by Gerard Creces
Dancer Daniel Celebre shared his passion with
Casablanca students and guests December 12.
and posture. Once the basics are covered, it's
time to add in the funk, he said.
'Dance is a product of music," he explained.
"What's going to happen to i iusic in the next
75-100 years? It's going to get lost. You have
to put your own funk into it."
The 24 -year-old dancer has
been studying the art since age four, and said
he was ready to call it quits and prepare to
take over his father's Toronto deli when the
call came to audition for Jackson's comeback
tour.
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