December 14, 2024 • 19 mins
Get ready to dance with Emily, Luis, and the amazing dancer Harry Shum Jr. on the Lingokids Podcast! In this fun-filled episode they learn cool dance moves and uncover the secrets of performing like a pro alongside Harry Shum Jr., former Glee star and author of Martee Dares to Dance! So, grab your dancing shoes and join the non-stop dance party packed with fun, laughs, and awesome moves.
***** Parents, in the Lingokids app, we have plenty of interactive activities, games, songs, and more that blend educational subjects and modern life skills to help get your kids ready for today's changing world! From math to making friends, reading to resilience, collaboration, creativity, and so much more, spark curiosity, imagination, and success with Lingokids! *****
A Lingokids Original podcast produced by Studio Ochenta
Starring Emily Calandrelli as Herself and Parker James Logie as Luis
With additional production support from
Head Writers: Maru Lombardo and Luis López
Production Coordinators: Catalina Hoyos
Editor: Luis López and Chiara Santella
Theme Song Written by: Fredrika Stahl
Theme Song Composed by: Fredrika Stahl
Music Production: Dimitri Peronno
Theme Song Performed by: The Angel City Youth Chorale directed by Heather Catalena
Recording Engineers: Bill Trousdale at Audiovisions and Jason Schimmel at Bunker Studios
Legal Services: Lisa Nitti, Ludye Nisol, Alix d’Argentré
Special thanks to: Harry Shum Jr., Triniti Management and Imprint
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
People boys say why do you dance so much? And
it always says, why don't you dance so more? There's
energy inside of you everyone as a kid, and when
you see kids moving around like they're getting energy out,
it's just a natural thing for people to do that.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Right there is the one and only Harry Shum Junior.
He's a fabulous dancer and actor known for his role
in the hit series Glee, among many other cool shows.
In this episode, we'll learn everything about how we got
into dancing, some of his favorite moves, and the power
(00:39):
of his imagination as he thinks of cool new dances
on the spot. Welcome to Growing Up, a Lingo kids podcast.
It helps kids discover how to be whatever they want
to be. Stick around as we learn about the amazing
world of dancing, from rehearsing and learning the right steps
(01:04):
to moving to the energy of a whole crowd.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
Why okay, Emily, let's try one more time?
Speaker 1 (01:31):
Five?
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Six, seven, eight?
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Oh oh wait, wait, wait wait? Did I have to
move my right foot or my.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Left foot, left foot front first, then to the side,
then turn the other way and do it again? Oh?
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Can you show me again? Please?
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Sure? Excuse me? Dance studio. Can you play that from
the top, of.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
Course, Louise, should I also roll out the red carpet
and introduce you as the magnificent dance again.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Nah, that's fine, okay play back one two three four,
two three four. Okay.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
I think I'm starting to get it. Oh, this is fun, Louise.
I didn't know you like dancing.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
I didn't know I did either, But then a school
for pe. Today we did dance glass and it was awesome.
We learned how to spin and flip and my favorite one,
do the wave.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Oh. I see why it's your favorite. You are good
at it and I'm glad we finished building the Go
Forward Labs Dance Studio just in time for you.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
That's me, I'm the Go Forward Labs Dance Studio.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
Yes, Emily, this is the best place to learn awesome
dance moves.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Good thing. We're talking to a real pro dancer today,
no way, I know, right, And we're not just talking
do any dancer. We're talking to Harry chum Junior. He's
a super talented dancer and actor who you might have
seen on TV.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Oh yeah, he was in Glee, right, My mom loves
that show.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
He was It was a wonderful musical comedy, and it
had cool music like disco or popp or even rock.
Dance Studio, can you play a disco song for us?
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Will do?
Speaker 4 (03:22):
By the way Glee ran for six seasons, you could
make a dance athon with all their songs.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Oh wow, that's a great idea. What, Emily, why don't
we do a dan pathon who?
Speaker 3 (03:37):
I like the sound of that. But what is it? Emily?
Speaker 2 (03:40):
It's basically a very long dance party. We'll make a
playlist of different songs from all around the world that
we can dance to. How does that sound?
Speaker 3 (03:49):
I think it sounds groovy, Emily. I want to know
what dance style I should do? Should I do rock
and roll? Maybe hip hop? Or maybe even ballet? I can't.
I went to hear Harry's tips for our danceathon.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
Let's go ask him so we can get our feet
ready to dance all night long.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
Yes, let's go.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Hello, Hello, and welcome to our very own Lingo kids
talk show. And you better be ready to move a
lot today because we're talking to a world famous dancer.
And then we'll jump right on to our danceathon. Please
welcome mister Harry Chum junior.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Hey everyone, Hi Harry, I'm making a playlist for our danceathon.
It's gonna be so great.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
So let's start at the very beginning. Harry, how did
you first start dancing? Are you one of those people
who started dancing before they learned how to walk?
Speaker 3 (04:50):
No.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
When I was a kid, I was just a very
curious kid. I uh, you know. I moved to America
at a very young age for Costa Rica. So when
I was at Costa Rica, I was singing a lot,
dancing a lot. But when I came here, I became very,
very shy, and it was because I had to learn
new language, your culture.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
That sounds tough.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Yeah, it must have been hard to make friends when
you were still so new to a place.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
There's a big period of time when I was a
kid that I didn't dance much or or sing much.
And it wasn't until I started getting into sixth grade
seventh grade where I got to really express myself. And
you know, but during that time in between that, when
I wasn't doing it in public, I was pretending to
(05:36):
be a wrestler, pretending to be different animals, and just
finding ways using my imagination with movement, trying to figure
out how to like to move like a mime. I
remember watching a mime in like fifth grade and trying
to mimic him. So it was just mimicking things around
me when I was a lot younger.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
And then you just knew you wanted to be a dancer.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
So a funny thing happened. I actually got dared to
audition for a dance team.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Oh wow, how did that happen?
Speaker 1 (06:03):
So my friend dared me to audition and we went
and you know, we just said, you know, let's just
give it her all and whatever happens happens, and ended
up making it. It really changed my life because I
became passionate about dancing. It just taught me that you
sometimes never know what you're capable of if you don't
try it first, and not just have someone dare you
(06:26):
to do something, but dare yourself to try it.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
I think that's a beautiful lesson to share. If you
dare yourself to try something you've never done before, who knows,
Maybe you'll love it.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Yeah, I guess so, But Harry, dancing can be super hard.
Do you think I can learn some of the cool
moves you do?
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Yeah? I mean I think anything that takes a certain
skill set to try and learn and do for the
first time, it is always going to be hard. It
takes practice and doing it over and over again, and
to kind of also put your personal spin on it.
I think that's what makes it yours. It becomes you,
(07:06):
and it becomes something that is just part of you.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
Now.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Yeah, I totally get how that feels, Harry. When I
was doing science experiments for kids on TV, I also
felt like I got a lot better at it after
doing them over and over again. And that happens with everything,
doesn't it. What do you think, Louise, Yeah, I guess so.
But I have friends who've been dancing since they.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
Were like two years old. If I want to be
a dancer, what if I can never catch up to them?
Speaker 1 (07:35):
Watching someone dance joyfully is I think more interesting than
someone who danced really.
Speaker 3 (07:43):
Technically technically what do you mean, Harry, Like.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
You can do these you know, eight spins, eight pure
wets and and you know you can spin on your head,
but there's no joy behind it compared to someone who
can only do two or three. But there's just pure
joy coming out of them, and there's a confidence that
they can do those things very very well.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
Oh, so it's more fun to just enjoy the dance
than to worry about being perfect, right exactly, Louise.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
You still need to practice and try your best if
you want to become an awesome dancer. But in the end,
it's even better if you're having fun while dancing, don't
you think?
Speaker 3 (08:24):
Yeah? I love doing fun stuff me too.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Speaking of fun, Harry, what's the best part of being
a dancer?
Speaker 1 (08:34):
The coolest part about being a dancer is that you
just forget about everything except for the dancing. The music
becomes part of you. You become part of the music.
You're almost into like a dream state when you're dancing,
and then when you're done, you're like, did I just
do that? What did I just do? I don't know, wow.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
So it's like you kind of forget where you are yes,
from being so caught up in the moment. Did you
always feel that way, Harry, Like from the first time
you ever danced.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
I just remember the first time I ever performed, when
I was eighteen. I went on stage and we performed
in front of five thousand people, and it was just
the energy that of people screaming, people giving you that
energy and then you're about to give them a certain
energy and it's just an exchange that you feel like
(09:28):
in your gut. You feel like you're doing something right,
you know, whatever that is. It just felt right and
it felt like this explosion of joy, you.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
Know, Harry. I just love moving and jumping and dancing
around all the time. But some grown ups don't like
it as much.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
People always say why do you dance so much? And
I always says, why don't you dance so more? You know,
like it should be a thing that everyone does. You
have to get the energy out.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
As a grown up myself, I one hundred percent agree. So, Harry,
you've been talking about how dancing helps you face your fears,
and you and your wife Shelby Rabara wrote a very
special children's book. It's called Marty Dares to Dance? Right?
Is that book about yourself?
Speaker 1 (10:20):
You know? It's a combination of all all families love
for dance in different ways. Even my wife Shelby, she
was very very shy growing up and dance really allowed
her to blossom. And even for our daughter, it was
so cool to write a children's book where she had
her ideas and threw it out there.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
I think it's a lovely lesson, Harry. Dancing is a
fun way to show how you feel.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
Yes, Oh, and Harry, Sometimes I just dance with my
dog Maxie and my parents. Do. Do you ever have
dance parties with your family? I think it's so much fun.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
Oh yeah, absolutely awesome picture. We were dancing to Whitney
Houston with a bunch of friends and our daughter. She
was I think three years old, and someone snapped the
picture and her face was like that face was looking up,
her eyes were closed. You could tell you feeling the music.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
Just imagining your daughter's face at that moment makes me
want to dance.
Speaker 3 (11:21):
Wait, who's Whitney Houston.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Oh, you're gonna love her, Louise. She's an iconic singer.
Her voice was so good people called her the voice.
Speaker 3 (11:32):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
I hope we can play one of her songs at
the Danzathon.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
You know, Emily, I just had an idea.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
What is it, Louise?
Speaker 3 (11:42):
I want to turn today's game show into the Dantathon,
and and we can invite Harry and whoever dances the
most wins.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
Ooh that does sound fun. Let's do it. Harry, would
you like to join us?
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Okay, I'll try my best.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
Yes, welcome, Welcome, everyone. I'm so glad you could join
us for today's extra special game show at our very
own dance studio with our special guest, the amazingly talented
dancer Harry Chum Junior. Woo hoo, Louise, how's this gonna work?
Speaker 3 (12:23):
So the dance studio will play lots of cool songs.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
Uh huh.
Speaker 3 (12:27):
You and me would dance them until one of us
just drops. Ooh. I like challenges, So whoever dances the
longest wins the danceathon. Harry is gonna be the judge.
Speaker 1 (12:39):
Awesome.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Ooh, I love that, Louise. I'd like to add something
else to this fun contest dance studio. Yes, Emily, how
about every time you play a song, you also fill
the ballroom with other people dancing?
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Oh wow?
Speaker 4 (12:56):
Oh yes, I can fill this room with more people
than are the party at a bouncy castle.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
That's great.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
We want to see how people dance to different songs
so we can learn from them.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Sounds like time traveling but staying here.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Yes, exactly. And I think we're just about to start.
Harry on your.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
Call in five, six, seven, eight.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
Oh it looks like we're starting with the waltz. How
fancy the waltz?
Speaker 3 (13:31):
I like how that sounds very elegant.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
It's a very oh dance style. Look you see how
all those men and women in very fancy suits and
dresses are dancing. You have to move from side to side,
and it always has three steps one two three one
two three one two three.
Speaker 3 (13:52):
Oh, I see left right and left right and left.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
You got it. Now the fun part is spinning. Okay,
so keep doing your steps from side to side. I'll
grab your hand and ready, here we go.
Speaker 3 (14:10):
Whoa. Okay, I've always seen that in movies, but I
hadn't tried it myself. It was fun, it is.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
The waltz is a dance that comes from Germany. It
became popular all over the world, especially at big parties
called balls, and at these parties, rich people wore their
best clothes.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
Well, this is very proper. Indeed, I do believe a
good night must know how to waltz.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
It is true, good sir.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Okay, don't wear yourselves out, guys. The fun is just
getting started. Now.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
Changing track.
Speaker 2 (14:47):
Oh, we're changing dances now. It sounds like we're switching
to salsa.
Speaker 3 (14:53):
Salsa. That's a Latin dance, right.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
Yes, very very important for so many Latin cultures. And
look we are now in the streets of San Juan,
Puerto Rico, and everyone's having a blast.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
Whoa, it's a lot faster, it is, but you'll get
the hang of it.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
Look see how they're moving their feet. It's all about
following that pattern. Left foot in front, then bring it back,
then the right foot goes back, and then again to
the front and one, two, three, four, Oh.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Okay, I think I'm getting it now.
Speaker 1 (15:32):
Ooh.
Speaker 3 (15:32):
And this music is fun, I know, right.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
A good salsa band makes it impossible not to dance.
It's an absolute pride and joy for Latin culture to
be good at salsa. By the way, the form of
salsa we're dancing today comes from Cubans and Puerto Ricans
and New York, but it also has so many other styles.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
And can we spin here too?
Speaker 2 (15:56):
Of course, that's actually one of the most popular moves
in salsa. It's not too different from the waltz. Actually, here,
take my hand, keep moving your feet the same way,
and now here we go.
Speaker 3 (16:11):
Whoa, it's a lot faster.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
Are your feet wabbly?
Speaker 3 (16:15):
Luise I'm not tired yet.
Speaker 4 (16:18):
Let's keep going now changing track.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
Uh oh, if you thought salsa was fast, then this
one's really gonna surprise you.
Speaker 3 (16:28):
Why what's next?
Speaker 2 (16:29):
We're doing Irish dance, a traditional dance from Ireland. In fact,
it's one of those things people all over the world
know Ireland for hm, I don't think i've ever seen
it before. Well, just look at them a bit.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
Check out what.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
They're about to do with their feet.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Oh wow, the jumping so quickly, and is that tap dancing?
Speaker 4 (16:54):
Yes, you're gonna need the right shoes for that.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
Look stomp your foot on the ground.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
Oh wow, how did that happen?
Speaker 2 (17:06):
See, tap shoes have metals, so dancers can do that
very cool click andy clock sound with their feet on
the ground.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
But it's super fast.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Oh yes, a lot of Irish music is full of energy.
Speaker 3 (17:20):
It's really beautiful it is. But I don't know if
I can keep up much longer. Emily, it's a whole
lot of tap dancing.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Oh don't worry, Louise. Let's take a break, and the
winner is.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
Me because I didn't break a sweat.
Speaker 2 (17:41):
Fair enough, Harry, thank you so much for joining us.
Speaker 3 (17:44):
Oh this was a lot of fun.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
Thank you for having me. I loved it.
Speaker 3 (17:50):
Huh. I'm so tired, but I had so much fun.
I hadn't tried any of these dances before.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
I'm glad you liked them. Louise, what's your favorite thing
you learned today about dancing?
Speaker 3 (18:01):
Oh? So many things. That it's good to have fun
while doing it, and that one of the best things
about dancing is doing it with other people.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Definitely, And I learned that if you're going to host
a dance athon, it's best to dance with someone with
a great imagination.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
Yes, especially if they're a great dancer too.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
You know what I learned from the dance athon as well,
Luis what Emily. Music and dance can transform you from
one culture to another, and each one brings you to
a whole different world, like the feisty Irish rite salsa
or the romantic waltz. Thanks for joining us on this
(18:40):
episode of Growing Up. I hope you enjoyed learning about
how fun dancing can be and how it can be
a great way to appreciate different cultures around the world. Remember,
little listener, dream big, and always stay curious. Luise, are
you ready for more adventure?
Speaker 3 (18:57):
There's more sure is.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
There's loads more to explore on the world's number one
kids learning app, Lingo Kids. It has tons of videos, games,
and podcasts just like this one, and every single one
is fun and educational. Download the Lingo Kids app today
for free.
People boys say why do you dance so much? And
it always says, why don't you dance so more? There's
energy inside of you everyone as a kid, and when
you see kids moving around like they're getting energy out,
it's just a natural thing for people to do that.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Right there is the one and only Harry Shum Junior.
He's a fabulous dancer and actor known for his role
in the hit series Glee, among many other cool shows.
In this episode, we'll learn everything about how we got
into dancing, some of his favorite moves, and the power
(00:39):
of his imagination as he thinks of cool new dances
on the spot. Welcome to Growing Up, a Lingo kids podcast.
It helps kids discover how to be whatever they want
to be. Stick around as we learn about the amazing
world of dancing, from rehearsing and learning the right steps
(01:04):
to moving to the energy of a whole crowd.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
Why okay, Emily, let's try one more time?
Speaker 1 (01:31):
Five?
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Six, seven, eight?
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Oh oh wait, wait, wait wait? Did I have to
move my right foot or my.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Left foot, left foot front first, then to the side,
then turn the other way and do it again? Oh?
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Can you show me again? Please?
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Sure? Excuse me? Dance studio. Can you play that from
the top, of.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
Course, Louise, should I also roll out the red carpet
and introduce you as the magnificent dance again.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Nah, that's fine, okay play back one two three four,
two three four. Okay.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
I think I'm starting to get it. Oh, this is fun, Louise.
I didn't know you like dancing.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
I didn't know I did either, But then a school
for pe. Today we did dance glass and it was awesome.
We learned how to spin and flip and my favorite one,
do the wave.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Oh. I see why it's your favorite. You are good
at it and I'm glad we finished building the Go
Forward Labs Dance Studio just in time for you.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
That's me, I'm the Go Forward Labs Dance Studio.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
Yes, Emily, this is the best place to learn awesome
dance moves.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
Good thing. We're talking to a real pro dancer today,
no way, I know, right, And we're not just talking
do any dancer. We're talking to Harry chum Junior. He's
a super talented dancer and actor who you might have
seen on TV.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Oh yeah, he was in Glee, right, My mom loves
that show.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
He was It was a wonderful musical comedy, and it
had cool music like disco or popp or even rock.
Dance Studio, can you play a disco song for us?
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Will do?
Speaker 4 (03:22):
By the way Glee ran for six seasons, you could
make a dance athon with all their songs.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Oh wow, that's a great idea. What, Emily, why don't
we do a dan pathon who?
Speaker 3 (03:37):
I like the sound of that. But what is it? Emily?
Speaker 2 (03:40):
It's basically a very long dance party. We'll make a
playlist of different songs from all around the world that
we can dance to. How does that sound?
Speaker 3 (03:49):
I think it sounds groovy, Emily. I want to know
what dance style I should do? Should I do rock
and roll? Maybe hip hop? Or maybe even ballet? I can't.
I went to hear Harry's tips for our danceathon.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
Let's go ask him so we can get our feet
ready to dance all night long.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
Yes, let's go.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Hello, Hello, and welcome to our very own Lingo kids
talk show. And you better be ready to move a
lot today because we're talking to a world famous dancer.
And then we'll jump right on to our danceathon. Please
welcome mister Harry Chum junior.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Hey everyone, Hi Harry, I'm making a playlist for our danceathon.
It's gonna be so great.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
So let's start at the very beginning. Harry, how did
you first start dancing? Are you one of those people
who started dancing before they learned how to walk?
Speaker 3 (04:50):
No.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
When I was a kid, I was just a very
curious kid. I uh, you know. I moved to America
at a very young age for Costa Rica. So when
I was at Costa Rica, I was singing a lot,
dancing a lot. But when I came here, I became very,
very shy, and it was because I had to learn
new language, your culture.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
That sounds tough.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Yeah, it must have been hard to make friends when
you were still so new to a place.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
There's a big period of time when I was a
kid that I didn't dance much or or sing much.
And it wasn't until I started getting into sixth grade
seventh grade where I got to really express myself. And
you know, but during that time in between that, when
I wasn't doing it in public, I was pretending to
(05:36):
be a wrestler, pretending to be different animals, and just
finding ways using my imagination with movement, trying to figure
out how to like to move like a mime. I
remember watching a mime in like fifth grade and trying
to mimic him. So it was just mimicking things around
me when I was a lot younger.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
And then you just knew you wanted to be a dancer.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
So a funny thing happened. I actually got dared to
audition for a dance team.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Oh wow, how did that happen?
Speaker 1 (06:03):
So my friend dared me to audition and we went
and you know, we just said, you know, let's just
give it her all and whatever happens happens, and ended
up making it. It really changed my life because I
became passionate about dancing. It just taught me that you
sometimes never know what you're capable of if you don't
try it first, and not just have someone dare you
(06:26):
to do something, but dare yourself to try it.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
I think that's a beautiful lesson to share. If you
dare yourself to try something you've never done before, who knows,
Maybe you'll love it.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
Yeah, I guess so, But Harry, dancing can be super hard.
Do you think I can learn some of the cool
moves you do?
Speaker 1 (06:46):
Yeah? I mean I think anything that takes a certain
skill set to try and learn and do for the
first time, it is always going to be hard. It
takes practice and doing it over and over again, and
to kind of also put your personal spin on it.
I think that's what makes it yours. It becomes you,
(07:06):
and it becomes something that is just part of you.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
Now.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Yeah, I totally get how that feels, Harry. When I
was doing science experiments for kids on TV, I also
felt like I got a lot better at it after
doing them over and over again. And that happens with everything,
doesn't it. What do you think, Louise, Yeah, I guess so.
But I have friends who've been dancing since they.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
Were like two years old. If I want to be
a dancer, what if I can never catch up to them?
Speaker 1 (07:35):
Watching someone dance joyfully is I think more interesting than
someone who danced really.
Speaker 3 (07:43):
Technically technically what do you mean, Harry, Like.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
You can do these you know, eight spins, eight pure
wets and and you know you can spin on your head,
but there's no joy behind it compared to someone who
can only do two or three. But there's just pure
joy coming out of them, and there's a confidence that
they can do those things very very well.
Speaker 3 (08:05):
Oh, so it's more fun to just enjoy the dance
than to worry about being perfect, right exactly, Louise.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
You still need to practice and try your best if
you want to become an awesome dancer. But in the end,
it's even better if you're having fun while dancing, don't
you think?
Speaker 3 (08:24):
Yeah? I love doing fun stuff me too.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Speaking of fun, Harry, what's the best part of being
a dancer?
Speaker 1 (08:34):
The coolest part about being a dancer is that you
just forget about everything except for the dancing. The music
becomes part of you. You become part of the music.
You're almost into like a dream state when you're dancing,
and then when you're done, you're like, did I just
do that? What did I just do? I don't know, wow.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
So it's like you kind of forget where you are yes,
from being so caught up in the moment. Did you
always feel that way, Harry, Like from the first time
you ever danced.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
I just remember the first time I ever performed, when
I was eighteen. I went on stage and we performed
in front of five thousand people, and it was just
the energy that of people screaming, people giving you that
energy and then you're about to give them a certain
energy and it's just an exchange that you feel like
(09:28):
in your gut. You feel like you're doing something right,
you know, whatever that is. It just felt right and
it felt like this explosion of joy, you.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
Know, Harry. I just love moving and jumping and dancing
around all the time. But some grown ups don't like
it as much.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
People always say why do you dance so much? And
I always says, why don't you dance so more? You know,
like it should be a thing that everyone does. You
have to get the energy out.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
As a grown up myself, I one hundred percent agree. So, Harry,
you've been talking about how dancing helps you face your fears,
and you and your wife Shelby Rabara wrote a very
special children's book. It's called Marty Dares to Dance? Right?
Is that book about yourself?
Speaker 1 (10:20):
You know? It's a combination of all all families love
for dance in different ways. Even my wife Shelby, she
was very very shy growing up and dance really allowed
her to blossom. And even for our daughter, it was
so cool to write a children's book where she had
her ideas and threw it out there.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
I think it's a lovely lesson, Harry. Dancing is a
fun way to show how you feel.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
Yes, Oh, and Harry, Sometimes I just dance with my
dog Maxie and my parents. Do. Do you ever have
dance parties with your family? I think it's so much fun.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
Oh yeah, absolutely awesome picture. We were dancing to Whitney
Houston with a bunch of friends and our daughter. She
was I think three years old, and someone snapped the
picture and her face was like that face was looking up,
her eyes were closed. You could tell you feeling the music.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
Just imagining your daughter's face at that moment makes me
want to dance.
Speaker 3 (11:21):
Wait, who's Whitney Houston.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Oh, you're gonna love her, Louise. She's an iconic singer.
Her voice was so good people called her the voice.
Speaker 3 (11:32):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
I hope we can play one of her songs at
the Danzathon.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
You know, Emily, I just had an idea.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
What is it, Louise?
Speaker 3 (11:42):
I want to turn today's game show into the Dantathon,
and and we can invite Harry and whoever dances the
most wins.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
Ooh that does sound fun. Let's do it. Harry, would
you like to join us?
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Okay, I'll try my best.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
Yes, welcome, Welcome, everyone. I'm so glad you could join
us for today's extra special game show at our very
own dance studio with our special guest, the amazingly talented
dancer Harry Chum Junior. Woo hoo, Louise, how's this gonna work?
Speaker 3 (12:23):
So the dance studio will play lots of cool songs.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
Uh huh.
Speaker 3 (12:27):
You and me would dance them until one of us
just drops. Ooh. I like challenges, So whoever dances the
longest wins the danceathon. Harry is gonna be the judge.
Speaker 1 (12:39):
Awesome.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
Ooh, I love that, Louise. I'd like to add something
else to this fun contest dance studio. Yes, Emily, how
about every time you play a song, you also fill
the ballroom with other people dancing?
Speaker 3 (12:55):
Oh wow?
Speaker 4 (12:56):
Oh yes, I can fill this room with more people
than are the party at a bouncy castle.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
That's great.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
We want to see how people dance to different songs
so we can learn from them.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Sounds like time traveling but staying here.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Yes, exactly. And I think we're just about to start.
Harry on your.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
Call in five, six, seven, eight.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
Oh it looks like we're starting with the waltz. How
fancy the waltz?
Speaker 3 (13:31):
I like how that sounds very elegant.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
It's a very oh dance style. Look you see how
all those men and women in very fancy suits and
dresses are dancing. You have to move from side to side,
and it always has three steps one two three one
two three one two three.
Speaker 3 (13:52):
Oh, I see left right and left right and left.
Speaker 2 (13:57):
You got it. Now the fun part is spinning. Okay,
so keep doing your steps from side to side. I'll
grab your hand and ready, here we go.
Speaker 3 (14:10):
Whoa. Okay, I've always seen that in movies, but I
hadn't tried it myself. It was fun, it is.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
The waltz is a dance that comes from Germany. It
became popular all over the world, especially at big parties
called balls, and at these parties, rich people wore their
best clothes.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
Well, this is very proper. Indeed, I do believe a
good night must know how to waltz.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
It is true, good sir.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Okay, don't wear yourselves out, guys. The fun is just
getting started. Now.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
Changing track.
Speaker 2 (14:47):
Oh, we're changing dances now. It sounds like we're switching
to salsa.
Speaker 3 (14:53):
Salsa. That's a Latin dance, right.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
Yes, very very important for so many Latin cultures. And
look we are now in the streets of San Juan,
Puerto Rico, and everyone's having a blast.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
Whoa, it's a lot faster, it is, but you'll get
the hang of it.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
Look see how they're moving their feet. It's all about
following that pattern. Left foot in front, then bring it back,
then the right foot goes back, and then again to
the front and one, two, three, four, Oh.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
Okay, I think I'm getting it now.
Speaker 1 (15:32):
Ooh.
Speaker 3 (15:32):
And this music is fun, I know, right.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
A good salsa band makes it impossible not to dance.
It's an absolute pride and joy for Latin culture to
be good at salsa. By the way, the form of
salsa we're dancing today comes from Cubans and Puerto Ricans
and New York, but it also has so many other styles.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
And can we spin here too?
Speaker 2 (15:56):
Of course, that's actually one of the most popular moves
in salsa. It's not too different from the waltz. Actually, here,
take my hand, keep moving your feet the same way,
and now here we go.
Speaker 3 (16:11):
Whoa, it's a lot faster.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
Are your feet wabbly?
Speaker 3 (16:15):
Luise I'm not tired yet.
Speaker 4 (16:18):
Let's keep going now changing track.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
Uh oh, if you thought salsa was fast, then this
one's really gonna surprise you.
Speaker 3 (16:28):
Why what's next?
Speaker 2 (16:29):
We're doing Irish dance, a traditional dance from Ireland. In fact,
it's one of those things people all over the world
know Ireland for hm, I don't think i've ever seen
it before. Well, just look at them a bit.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
Check out what.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
They're about to do with their feet.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
Oh wow, the jumping so quickly, and is that tap dancing?
Speaker 4 (16:54):
Yes, you're gonna need the right shoes for that.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
Look stomp your foot on the ground.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
Oh wow, how did that happen?
Speaker 2 (17:06):
See, tap shoes have metals, so dancers can do that
very cool click andy clock sound with their feet on
the ground.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
But it's super fast.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Oh yes, a lot of Irish music is full of energy.
Speaker 3 (17:20):
It's really beautiful it is. But I don't know if
I can keep up much longer. Emily, it's a whole
lot of tap dancing.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Oh don't worry, Louise. Let's take a break, and the
winner is.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
Me because I didn't break a sweat.
Speaker 2 (17:41):
Fair enough, Harry, thank you so much for joining us.
Speaker 3 (17:44):
Oh this was a lot of fun.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
Thank you for having me. I loved it.
Speaker 3 (17:50):
Huh. I'm so tired, but I had so much fun.
I hadn't tried any of these dances before.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
I'm glad you liked them. Louise, what's your favorite thing
you learned today about dancing?
Speaker 3 (18:01):
Oh? So many things. That it's good to have fun
while doing it, and that one of the best things
about dancing is doing it with other people.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
Definitely, And I learned that if you're going to host
a dance athon, it's best to dance with someone with
a great imagination.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
Yes, especially if they're a great dancer too.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
You know what I learned from the dance athon as well,
Luis what Emily. Music and dance can transform you from
one culture to another, and each one brings you to
a whole different world, like the feisty Irish rite salsa
or the romantic waltz. Thanks for joining us on this
(18:40):
episode of Growing Up. I hope you enjoyed learning about
how fun dancing can be and how it can be
a great way to appreciate different cultures around the world. Remember,
little listener, dream big, and always stay curious. Luise, are
you ready for more adventure?
Speaker 3 (18:57):
There's more sure is.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
There's loads more to explore on the world's number one
kids learning app, Lingo Kids. It has tons of videos, games,
and podcasts just like this one, and every single one
is fun and educational. Download the Lingo Kids app today
for free.
Host
Emily Calandrelli
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