Take Them Out, and Let Them Shake That Stuff

[babylonsister]

Take Them Out, and Let Them Shake That Stuff
Oscar Hidalgo for The New York Times

The Manatees, Major League Baseball’s first all-male, plus-size dance troupe, rehearsing for opening day on Monday, when they will perform for Florida Marlins fans.


By CLAUDIA LA ROCCO
Published: March 30, 2008


FIFTEEN men auditioned. Fifteen made the cut. Few could tell an eight-count from a pivot turn, but no matter: Ladies and gentlemen, make some noise for the Manatees, Major League Baseball’s first all-male, plus-size dance troupe.

When the Florida Marlins play the New York Mets at Dolphin Stadium in Miami on Monday, they will embark on a new season laden with all of the comfortingly familiar characters and rituals. But on this opening day, and at every Friday night home game that follows, the Manatees will strut their stuff in front of a larger audience than most dancers dream about.

“Every now and then you’ve got to score one for the big guys,” said Angel Villarreal, who initially dismissed the Manatees as “a goof” when he received an e-mail message soliciting supersize Marlins fans. “I felt like that ‘Saturday Night Live’ skit when Chris Farley is trying out for the Chippendales.”

All too aware of their public and flabbergasted by international interest that has already prompted a film proposal from a Los Angeles production company, the Manatees — dreamed up by the Marlins marketing team — are taking their newfound craft seriously. They have been diligently practicing with their choreographer, the former Orlando Magic dancer Vanessa Martinez-Huff, and some are doing extra workouts on their own.

Film clips from rehearsals revealed many a sweaty brow furrowed in fierce concentration as the men mastered the not-so-intricate intricacies of short routines. The John Travolta finger point made an appearance, as did head nods, crouching, strutting walks, a chorus line that had the men hip-bumping — and, of course, the massaging of ample rear ends and bellies. Neither jetés nor back flips were in evidence.

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/arts/dance/30laro.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

[Fleshdancer]

1. kudos to the man in the front

doing the splits without breaking something is no easy task. :D

[SoFlaJet]

2. LOL

The Florida Marlins, the HRC of major league baseball teams