Eisenthal...........Become a Dancing Queen

You may not be young and sweet or only seventeen, but don’t let that stop you! Get weird at your next party/dance/concert with these moves inspired by musicians and internet memes:

~The Lana del Rey Twirl~

Dramatic and great for slower moments and sad music, this one comes from Lana del Rey’s infamously bad SNL performance. Lean left, then dip your left shoulder down as you pivot counter-clockwise. Turn 180 degrees. Pause. Repeat. Keep your arms down and at your sides. Best done with your head and eyes turned down toward the floor like you are a “Sad Girl.” Bonus points if you are in a white dress.

~Thom Yorke’s “Not the Bees!”~

Another dance that became a beloved meme, “Not the Bees!” comes from the video for Radiohead’s “Lotus Flower,” in which Yorke moves in all sorts of funky ways while wearing a black bowler hat. The trick is to pretend you are surrounded by a swarm of bees. Actually, maybe don’t. That sounds terrifying. Step 1: Close your eyes. Step 2: Wildly shake and flail your arms.

~La Glace à Yelle~

Have you ever tried to dance like food? Perfect for waiting in line for Saturday Sundaes, this one’s real sweet. Pretend that you are soft-serve ice cream. Step 1: With both hands together above your head as the tip, snake your arms around from top to bottom, mimicking those soft-serve curves. Step 2: Hop 90 degrees to the right. Repeat. Keep going around in a circle, getting as weird and wiggly as you want. After a while, you can melt into a puddle on the floor. You can find more moves inspired by everyday objects in a series of videos that Yelle did for Reebok Everyday Club.

~Pussy Riot Punch~

This one is for when you’re really angry/really hyped. Great to punk or any music that makes you want to jump. Step 1: Jump up. Step 2: Throw an exaggerated punch downward with one hand, pulling the other back to your chest. Punch with your whole body, like you’re punching the Patriarchy in the dick. Repeat. Even better in a neon balaclava.

~M.I.A.’s “Step On the Cockroach”~

Once upon a time, M.I.A. had a guest spot teaching dance moves on a wacko kids’ show called Pancake Mountain. She teaches a bunch of 5- to 8-year-olds how to “Step On the Cockroach”—swing one leg forward and stomp your foot down as if you are crushing a cockroach. As you swing your leg out, swing both arms out. Swing your leg and both your arms back in. Alternate between stepping on the cockroach with your right and left feet. Optional: get Twist-like and really smush that cockroach. Make an “Ewww” face or look generally grossed out because cockroaches are nasty. 25