Electro dance
Encyclopedia
Electro dance, also called Milky Way and Tecktonik, is a frenetic and quirky form of street dance
which is typically performed to electro house music. It is based on, although is not limited to, a blend of different dance styles, such as Industrial, Disco
, Vogue
, Waacking
, Hip-Hop and Freehand Glowsticking
. It started in the 2000s and originated from the southern suburbs of Paris, France, mainly from the Metropolis nightclubs and has grown around the world. Fast-paced techno and electro house music imported from Northern Europe is the usual choice for Tecktonik dancing.
Electro dance is predominantly about arm movement, taking basic elements from glowsticking
such as the concept of Freehand, the Figure 8 and the idea of the Leading Hand (one hand geometrically following the other), while staying very much in a disco
tastes, by amplifying points and poses as a main aspect to this style. Down below Electro dancers tend to use their hips, knees and feet to gently shuffle across the floor in beat to the music, quite often in a random and jerky fashion. They also tend to include elements of toprock
, B-boy-like footwork, lending to the hip hop-like influences in a lot of the electro house music.
The term "Tecktonik" is a registered trademark that began in Paris, and this has created issues for dance events or other uses of the name. The creators of the Tecktonik brand (most notably, Cyril Blanc, the artistic director of Metropolis) sell official products, such as clothes, Matts CDs, and energy drinks.
two styles of music who originated in Belgium
and The Netherlands: hardstyle
and jumpstyle
. This project foresaw, in the Metropolis nightclub, the creation of three types of parties where DJs from the hardstyle genre would meet : Blackout evenings, Electro Rocker evenings and Tecktonik Killer evenings . Cyril explained that the name Tecktonik is a pun on the theory of tectonic plates
.
Along with tecktonik killer parties, Cyril and Alexandre created, with the help of designers and sales staff, symbols that would surround the phenomenon : neon colors, mittens, tight clothing, etc. . Given the success of these evenings, Cyril Blanc files the patents of "Tecktonik" and "TCK" marks at the National Industrial Property Institute
(INPI), and internationally in 2007 to prevent other clubs to promote their parties using those words . Many products derived from these evenings are then created including compilations, a clothing brand, energy drinks, etc. Two other clubs in Paris then took over the Metropolis club: the Mix Club and the Red Light.
Tecktonik has enjoyed increasing success and has spread to France
through gatherings in the street and videos available on the Internet. During 2007, the media became more and more interested in the phenomenon, further contributing to its spreading. The dance is known to the general public by appearing in videos, including Alive by Mondotek
, A cause des Garçons
of Yelle
, Sucker of Dim Chris or artists such as Lorie
. In September 2007, the Techno Parade has helped to establish the increasing visibility of tecktonik .
In November 2007, TF1
became the official international agency for Tecktonik, with the aim of promote the brand outside of France. .
Clubs must obtain permission from Cyril Blanc and Alexandre Barouzdin to use the term "Tecktonik" or "TCK" .
"Electro Dance" has seen radical change recently; the moves that once defined "tecktonik" are almost gone, changed due to innovators such as Vertifight [ref. needed] (a brand that promotes Electro Dance events all around the world) and also YouTube.
Street dance
Street dance, more formally known as vernacular dance, is an umbrella term used to describe dance styles that evolved outside of dance studios in any available open space such as streets, dance parties, block parties, parks, school yards, raves, and nightclubs, etc...
which is typically performed to electro house music. It is based on, although is not limited to, a blend of different dance styles, such as Industrial, Disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
, Vogue
Vogue (dance)
Vogue or voguing is a highly stylized, modern house dance that evolved out of the Harlem ballroom scene in the 1960s. It gained mainstream exposure when it was featured in Madonna's song and video "Vogue" , and when showcased in the 1990 documentary Paris is Burning...
, Waacking
Waacking
The Waacking style of street dance traces its roots back to gay and nightclub cultures. In the United States, at gay nightclubs, male performers dressed as women and performed to female songs on stage...
, Hip-Hop and Freehand Glowsticking
Glowsticking
Glowsticking is a form of dancing with glowsticks or other glowstick-like instruments that share the same qualities: durability, consistency in light, safety to toss around, and the material of which they are made, often a soft and pliant plastic....
. It started in the 2000s and originated from the southern suburbs of Paris, France, mainly from the Metropolis nightclubs and has grown around the world. Fast-paced techno and electro house music imported from Northern Europe is the usual choice for Tecktonik dancing.
Electro dance is predominantly about arm movement, taking basic elements from glowsticking
Glowsticking
Glowsticking is a form of dancing with glowsticks or other glowstick-like instruments that share the same qualities: durability, consistency in light, safety to toss around, and the material of which they are made, often a soft and pliant plastic....
such as the concept of Freehand, the Figure 8 and the idea of the Leading Hand (one hand geometrically following the other), while staying very much in a disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
tastes, by amplifying points and poses as a main aspect to this style. Down below Electro dancers tend to use their hips, knees and feet to gently shuffle across the floor in beat to the music, quite often in a random and jerky fashion. They also tend to include elements of toprock
Toprock
Toprock is a major element of b-boying. It generally refers to any string of steps performed from a standing position, relying upon a mixture of coordination, flexibility, rhythm, and most importantly, style. It is usually the first and foremost opening display of style, and it serves as a warm-up...
, B-boy-like footwork, lending to the hip hop-like influences in a lot of the electro house music.
The term "Tecktonik" is a registered trademark that began in Paris, and this has created issues for dance events or other uses of the name. The creators of the Tecktonik brand (most notably, Cyril Blanc, the artistic director of Metropolis) sell official products, such as clothes, Matts CDs, and energy drinks.
History
In 2002, Cyril Blanc and Alexandre Barouzdin organize "Tecktonik Killer" parties under their project called "Tecktonik Events" whose purpose was to promote in FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
two styles of music who originated in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
and The Netherlands: hardstyle
Hardstyle
Hardstyle is an electronic dance genre mixing influences from hardtechno, hard house, hard trance, hardcore and rave music. It is between 148 and 157 bpm in speed and is written in 4/4 time....
and jumpstyle
Jumpstyle
Jumpstyle is a rave dance and electronic music genre mainly practiced in Europe, specifically Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, northern France, and a few parts in the United States, specifically Indiana. The dance is also called Jumpen...
. This project foresaw, in the Metropolis nightclub, the creation of three types of parties where DJs from the hardstyle genre would meet : Blackout evenings, Electro Rocker evenings and Tecktonik Killer evenings . Cyril explained that the name Tecktonik is a pun on the theory of tectonic plates
Tectonic Plates
Tectonic Plates is a 1992 independent Canadian film directed by Peter Mettler. Mettler also wrote the screenplay based on the play by Robert Lepage. The film stars Marie Gignac, Céline Bonnier and Robert Lepage.-Plot summary:...
.
Along with tecktonik killer parties, Cyril and Alexandre created, with the help of designers and sales staff, symbols that would surround the phenomenon : neon colors, mittens, tight clothing, etc. . Given the success of these evenings, Cyril Blanc files the patents of "Tecktonik" and "TCK" marks at the National Industrial Property Institute
National Industrial Property Institute (France)
The National Industrial Property Institute is the national intellectual property office of France, in charge of patents, trademarks and industrial design rights. Until becoming the head of the European Patent Office, Benoît Battistelli was directeur général of the INPI...
(INPI), and internationally in 2007 to prevent other clubs to promote their parties using those words . Many products derived from these evenings are then created including compilations, a clothing brand, energy drinks, etc. Two other clubs in Paris then took over the Metropolis club: the Mix Club and the Red Light.
Tecktonik has enjoyed increasing success and has spread to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
through gatherings in the street and videos available on the Internet. During 2007, the media became more and more interested in the phenomenon, further contributing to its spreading. The dance is known to the general public by appearing in videos, including Alive by Mondotek
Mondotek
Mondotek is a house & electro group from Germany which started its career in France. Its members are Danny Daagard and Steve Morane. Their most popular hit is Alive. They are also known for their remix of One Desire by Jakarta.-Singles:...
, A cause des Garçons
À cause des garçons (song)
"À caus' des garçons" or "À cause des garçons" is a song first released by the French duo À Caus' des Garçons comprising Laurence Heller and Hélène Bérard in 1987...
of Yelle
Yelle
Yelle is a French band founded by lead singer and namesake, Yelle and GrandMarnier . A third member, Tepr , joined the band before the recording of their debut album. Budet and GrandMarnier began working on music together in 2000...
, Sucker of Dim Chris or artists such as Lorie
Lorie
Laure Pester, professionally known as Lorie, is a French singer. Her fame can be attributed to producer, songwriter and composer Johnny Williams and her father–manager Dominique Pester...
. In September 2007, the Techno Parade has helped to establish the increasing visibility of tecktonik .
In November 2007, TF1
TF1
TF1 is a national French TV channel, controlled by TF1 Group, whose major share-holder is Bouygues. TF1's average market share of 24% makes it the most popular domestic network...
became the official international agency for Tecktonik, with the aim of promote the brand outside of France. .
Clubs must obtain permission from Cyril Blanc and Alexandre Barouzdin to use the term "Tecktonik" or "TCK" .
"Electro Dance" has seen radical change recently; the moves that once defined "tecktonik" are almost gone, changed due to innovators such as Vertifight [ref. needed] (a brand that promotes Electro Dance events all around the world) and also YouTube.