I've just fallen down a most inescapable rabbit hole and I fear I will never escape.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

It's a Twitter account.

But not just any Twitter account, but a Twitter account featuring archival footage of Red Army soldier dance performances, set to various different American pop music favorites.

It brings out so many conflicting emotions. Sights and symbols of an oppressive regime that my own family was forced to flee...but on the other hand, at least they look happy...and the songs are all very catchy and fun...so....

I fear I may never be able to escape. I cannot look away.


Anyways, enjoy. If you so dare....

https://twitter.com/communistbops

[tblue37]

1. Those children are fantastic. nt

[Karadeniz]

7. Either they also go to ballet class or their instructor knows ballet technique. They're good!!❤

[tblue37]

2. Now you've got me trapped in the same rabbit hole, darn you! nt

Last edited Wed Jun 24, 2020, 03:45 PM - Edit history (1)

[fleur-de-lisa]

3. I follow that account too. It's pretty wild.

[handmade34]

4. oh my....

and the spotify music...

[Lisa0825]

5. That was weirdly awesome!

[Wounded Bear]

6. Wait, whut? I thought we invented break dancing...

[maineac]

8. This was my life

Thanks so much. I saw the Moiseyev in the 60s. These guys were also on TV when there were arts on the networks. I studied ballet with the Eglevsky's in the 50s and 60s. This was a required style... every Tchaikovsky ballet has character dances including a required Russian folk variation. We also did a ballet called the Russian Doll with the lovely hand movements. I am now following as well.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

9. Wow, how cool!!

I’d love to hear more!

[maineac]

11. I studied with Russian emigres in NYC, it was a trip

If you know about ballet in the 50s and 60s here are a few of my teachers: Andre Eglevsky, Alexandra Danilova, Vitale Fokine (Michel"s son), Mme Slavenska (for Russian character parts), Vincenzo Celli (not Russian but studied with Pavlova and master of the Cecchetti method).

The Russian dancers were the children of the Bolshevik Rev., who had escaped to France. Their parents and mentors brought ballet to the US through mostly the Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo. They then became founding members of the NYC Ballet under Balanchine.

My cousin was also a student then and she has said we were all now basically suffering PTSD from the experience class and performing. It definitely has tinted everything in our lives.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

12. Amazing!

I only have a few movies to give me any concept of the Ballet life! One was about Nureyev and his defection to the West; that was a fascinating and heart racing film. I wish I could remember the name.

The other film that comes to mind is the Black Swan. Which gives me some hint at PTSD.

[Tipperary]

10. I always remember that part of the Patton movie when the Soviet soldiers dance.

Great scene.