FAME!
FRIENDS!
Last week I encouraged you to DANCE IT OUT and while I hope you took that to heart, today I’ve decided to give you the gift of dance in the form of a DEBBIE ALLEN celebration!
WHAAAAAAT?! WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG, PATTY?!
I know! That’s what I'm saying! I’ve been so distressed by the news I almost forgot to provide you with some pure inspiration in the form of a dancer, actress, singer, teacher, director, activist…I mean, truly, what doesn't she do??? If you don’t know who Debbie Allen is
1.0 I forgive you
2.0 READ THIS NOW!
When I was a kid, I had a babysitter who let me watch Fame as a special occasion treat – a television show about a bunch of kids attending the NYC High School for the Performing Arts? Yes, please! I was a pig in slop as I watched all of that 80's choreography and off-the shoulder sweater magica. The star of that show, hands down, was Lydia Grant, the tenacious dance instructor portrayed by Debbie Allen. I was in awe of her (and Leroy Johnson, if we are being honest, THE hottest dancer on the show in my childhood mind).
And so, as a special occasion, TGIF-Yeah! TREAT, I present: 5 AMAZING DEBBIE ALLEN VIDEOS! These are so joyful, hilarious, and inspiring I had to share.
Watch them and notice how your mood shifts.
If you want to feel joy and laugh hard watch this one first...
If you want to laugh and then go shoe shopping with me start here...
Dance nerd? This one featuring Gwen-liquid pelvis-Verdon is your jam...
All in on celebrating Debbie Allen? Go deep with this live performance on a Christmas spectacular! The lip sync alone is worth the price of admission. She makes the gig look so fun it's ridiculous - true professionalism...
And, lastly, if you have never seen Fame you must watch this so you can at least be educated on such matters...
Have a great weekend, friends! And next week, I've promised one of my clients to write a bit about bones so fear not: you'll get your body nerd fix soon enough. In the meantime? Go shake it!
XO!
- P.
P.S.: If you're still reading, I feel inclined to mention that my favorite part of Debbie Allen is not just FAME - it's that she's a 100% bad ass who has spent just as much time crushing it behind the camera as in front of it. That’s right, friends, not only was she Lydia Grant on Fame, she's also a kick ass director! In Hollywood! Since the eighties! If that doesn’t make her an actual wonder woman then I don't know what does. Oh, and in her spare time she has a thriving dance studio in Los Angeles, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. Can you handle this? Barely, I know. Now, get (back) to those videos! And LIVE!