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Features
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Meet Bonnie and Lynz — members of the Twisted Bliss dance agency
Reported by e99
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Submitted 30-08-06 03:03
Twisted Bliss is the dance agency that provides dancers for the likes of Tasty, Freeformation, Raindance and Terminal and is fast becoming one of the most prominent groups of its type in the hard music scene. Run by Bonnie, an enterprising young lady who dabbled in modelling before deciding to make a concerted effort at setting up her own group of dancers, the agency is expanding all the time and attracting new clients every month. When you want more than just a dj, some lights and some décor — Twisted Bliss is the answer!
Bonnie has always had a passion for dancing and the work that goes with it: she used to choreograph plays and musicals at her school when she was younger, and learnt classic dance styles such as tap and ballet until she was 15, as well as more contemporary ones. With Twisted Bliss she has kept her passion going, and turned it into something more than just a hobby. After building up an impressive client base, she has now forged a relationship with Nu Religion, and she will be performing with one of her dancers Lynz at their next event at Hidden on Saturday 9 September. We got the pair in for a chat about what it takes to be a club dancer and to tell us more about the work Twisted Bliss does. You dancin’?
Lynz
When did you decide that you wanted to dance in clubs? How did you go about getting involved in it?
Bonnie: When I went to my first club I was astonished about the moves that the dancers they had were doing, and what they got away with. I believe in one thing and that’s if you are a dancer you should dance and not imitate certain things on stage. At the time I was working for a nightclub and I got stage work though them and I also did bar dancing in a late bar that I used to work in. When I went to my first rave I just knew that I wanted to be on the stage, I got to know the people behind Raindance and a couple of other small events — Strategy and Invasion — in the area where I lived. They helped me get the break that I needed and through that I started two dance crews.
Lynz: I first decided I wanted to dance in clubs when I went to a local event called Pam’s House and saw the girls on stage. I was like “I want to do that” and if I want to do something then I do it!
When did you first perform in a club? Were you nervous or do you feel relaxed when you are in your elements?
Bonnie: I first performed in a club when I was 18. It was for a friend of mine, DJ Drew, who was doing a set where I was working and we decided to team up and make a show out of it. Before I got on the stage I felt so nervous, and I do still before I get on any stage. I am always nervous. But once I am up there the nervousness disappears and I really am in my element.
Lynz: My first podium dance was in November 2005 for a local hardcore event. I was so nervous before it as I had never even listened to the music before (I have to admit I was a commercial girl through and through), but once I was on the podium the buzz I got was amazing, and was what made me realise that this was what I wanted to do.
So do you practise your dancing or do you just rock up on the night and go for it?
Bonnie: I do practice some of my moves and routines . . . well they aren’t really routines, more different styles. As I believe I am a freeform dancer I will always a few days before the booking listen to music I’ll be dancing to that night and see what moves come into my head. Really I think that when I get on that stage and that first beat of a tune comes on I just go for it, and let the music take over my body.
Lynz: I don’t have much time to practise but with dancing every weekend I’m always learning and I watch other dancers for new ideas.
Which other clubs/promotions do you think have really great dancers? What makes a good dancer in your eyes generally?
Bonnie: I have to admit there are a few really good dancers out there. I really don’t think I could name just one. Well if I had to choose one I would be biased really and say the Twisted Bliss girls, but that’s only because I love the girls so much and they put everything they have got in to each performance. I love being part of Twisted Bliss. But obviously that doesn’t count. The Contagious Girls are good from what I have seen though.
To me a good dancer is some one who can actually dance, not rely on their looks or sexual movements to get the crowd going. Confidence is another thing that I think stands out in each dancer; if you are don’t have confidence in yourself when you are on stage it will show in your moves.
Lynz: I have great respect for anyone who has the confidence and talent to get up on stage. I couldn’t name just one dance group. I think a good dancer is someone who is enjoying what they are doing but also takes it seriously. You’ve got to get the balance right — someone who can really feel the music.
Do you think it’s important to have your own “style” so to speak?
Bonnie: I believe to make it in any industry you need your own style to make you stand out from the rest, which is why I don’t do routines. In a routine everyone looks the same, but if you are freestyle then each dancer brings their own individual style to the performance and each dancer can work off each other’s energy.
Lynz: Yes I think everyone has their own unique style which makes you different from the next person. If we were all the same it would be pretty boring.
Bonnie
Female dancers often have to suffer at the hands of unwanted male attention, what with being up on a podium in skimpy outfits and so on! What do you do to deflect it?
Bonnie: Like with any career/job they all have their down sides. Having unwanted male attention is part of the job which to become a dancer you must understand and be able to handle. I am a friendly flirtatious person but that is just me as a person — not only as a dancer. I will talk to people all the time. When Twisted Bliss get a booking for events we like to take pictures of the crowd and ask the crowd what they think, but if I believe someone was going to far I can’t really say what I would do, because it would all depend on the situation. I don’t give anyone the ‘come on’ as I am not that sort of person, but I will always say to someone when they have overstepped the mark as the case may be. Like I said before though, it would depend on the situation. I like to remind people that I am there to dance.
Lynz: I try and be nice to everyone and have a chat. I’m a friendly person but if someone pushes it too far then I will tell them, but in a nice way.
What about other club performers? What have been some of the most captivating performances you’ve seen over the years?
Bonnie: As Lynz has said, I love watching the rest of Twisted Bliss and seeing what different styles we all do. Each of us I believe do some of the most captivating moves. One other performer that I have to mention is of course Vinny, the one and only NEC Demon. He has danced for so many things over the years and still has the same amount of energy and technique that he had when he started. When he is on stage all I can do I watch him. He has some moves that I would love to learn but I think if I did it wouldn’t look right, only certain people can pull off certain moves.
Lynz: I love watching the other Twisted Bliss girls as they are all different in their own way and really know how to get the crowd going. I like the energy they bring.
What styles of music do you most enjoy dancing too and why? Do different styles allow you to flex some different moves?
Bonnie: Over the years I have danced to many different styles, everything from pop to R&B (please don’t mention that again!). The main styles that I get bookings for are old skool, hardcore and hard dance. I am currently getting in to electro, funky house and breakbeat. So I suppose really I love dancing to all styles, fair enough I probably have stronger moves to some styles better than others, but I will always try and dance the best I can to any style.
Lynz: I love dancing to hard dance, hardcore, drum ‘n’ bass, breaks and electro mainly. I would say my favourites are hard dance or electro as you can hit the moves harder without looking rushed.
Which dj has made you dance the hardest since performing for Nu Religion and why?
Bonnie: I have to admit there has been many djs that can make me dance hard. I have to admit though Ajay played a wicked hard set a few weeks ago that made me want to dance all though his set, even when I knew that all I wanted to do was sit down I just couldn’t. But then another dj on the same level as Ajay that makes me want to dance is Raf. I believe that he will be a big name over the next few months, so watch out!
But then on the other hand there is really only 2 djs that can make me dance harder each time I hear them and that has to be Andy Whitby and Kevin Energy! Need I say more!
Lynz: I haven’t yet danced for Nu Religion but I look forward to it in the very near future!
The next Nu Religion is coming up soon, on Saturday 9 September at Hidden — a classics edition no less! Who are you really looking forward to stomping to and what one track will get you going more than any other?
Bonnie: I have to admit nothing makes me stomp as much as certain classic tunes. I am not going to name them as some of them are really cheesy, but you’ve got to love the cheesy tunes to appreciate the harder darer side of the different styles of music.
How did you first get involved with Damo and his Nu Religion types? Did you know him before he started Nu Religion or is it more of a recent thing?
Bonnie: I met Damo though Jason Blayde when he wanted to book Twisted Bliss for the Summit vs. Nu Religion event that they did a while ago at Hidden. He is a wonderful person and I can see that he loves what he does and he outs loads of time, energy and effort in to all of his events and ones he has been involved in (don’t worry Damo you can pay me later lol).
Lynz: It is a recent thing, he became a buddy on DSI. The bookings were then sorted through one of my dance partners.
Why do you rate the Nu Religion parties? Why do you think they have been so successful so quickly?
Bonnie: I think the Nu Religion parties are really good because not only do they have some one behind it who is doing something he loves, not just for the money unlike some promoters out there, he is actually putting his heart and soul into it, as I do with The Mad Hatters Hard House Party and Twisted Bliss. And I think that shows in all the events that Nu Religion is involved in.
Plus you won’t find the same djs playing there — fair enough it’s got its residents like all parties do, but it also gives people who need that small break in to the scene a chance and without parties like that we wouldn’t have scene to go out to. (I do hope that makes sense).
Lynz: I am new to London clubbing but I will be experiencing one of these parties soon as I’ve heard great things!
And finally — will you be wearing any special outfits on the night or will it be the Nu Religion uniform all the way?
Bonnie: Now when it comes down to outfits this is where things start to get a little complicated. I will always try and incorporate the colours of the event, like the Nu Religion colours are pink and white, Summit are black and white etc. I will always let people know what colour I am wearing but to be perfectly honest even I don’t decided till the day what I am wearing as like any normal woman I will change my mind several hundred ‘til I finally choose what to wear. But let’s just say the outfit for Friday . . . I think it’s gonna look fantastic. Let’s just hope everyone else thinks so!
I use my imagination for all my costumes as I always want to look different so I stand out. When you are a on a stage in a packed room, which I am sure whichever room we are dancing in at Nu Religion will be, I want to stand out so people remember the dancers and hopefully if other promoters are there and like what they see, hopefully future bookings will come out of it. In the dancing/promoting industry first appearances count for everything.
Lynz: I like to keep my outfits a surprise but I always dress to impress!
Photos courtesy of Twisted Bliss. Not to be reproduced without permission.
NU RELIGION Pres Past/Present/Future PT1
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On:
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Saturday 9th September 2006
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At:
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Hidden [map]
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From:
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10.00 TILL 6.00
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Cost:
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Tickets 10.00 MOTD
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Ticket Info:
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VERY Limited £6.00+BF Early Bird Tickets on sale Monday 24th July
From www.thetickettout.com
We expect all Early Bird Tickets to sell out within 7 days!
Standard Tickets £10.00+BF
More on the Door
Paying guest text your name to: 07711795909
Call Ticketweb on 08700 600 100
or book online at www.ticketweb.co.uk
or alternatively www.thetickettout.com
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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NU RELIGION - PAST / PRESENT / FUTURE PT1
Saturday 9th September 2006
2200 - 0600
Hidden, 100 Tinworth Street, Vauxhall, London SE11 5EQ
www.hiddenclub.co.uk
Part One - The Classics!
Hot on the heals of their huge event with Summit, London\'s future hard dance force are proud to introduce a new concept: Past, Present & Future. Over the coming months, Nu Religion will deliver a party to represent each tense, ranging from the vintage anthems of yesteryear to the forward-thinking future favourites of tomorrow; from the retrospective to the outrospective... and plenty in between!
First up is both a brief history lesson and a trip down memory lane, as Nu Religion team up with a plethora of other respected clubbing brands to deliver a nostalgic glance into the past. Already confirmed for the main room are legends ORGAN DONORS and the CALLY & JUICE, alongside the legend that is DIGITAL KID, with many more to be announced!
Taking the reins in the middle room, FUNK DELUXE & PREHAB come together, delivering only the best in classic house & oldskool flavours. Finally in room 3, a classics night just wouldn\'t be complete without a visit from the TRANCE GENERATION boys, firing out anthem after trance anthem all night long!
With a music policy as diverse as this & guarenteed top-banana classic tuneage all night long, there really is NO EXCUSE NOT TO BE THERE!!!
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Other Features By e99:
Fergilcious: PunchFunk & Excentrik take over The Key
Baklash take over the IceBox at HeatUK Aftermath '07
Goodgreef take on Frantic at NYE-NEC
Trevor Rockcliffe — Proactive — HeatUK & The Gallery NYE — 'nuff said?
HeatUK Evolution: Natural Selection — a look at dance music’s gone-but-not-forgottens
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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