{"id":318,"date":"2024-03-11T20:21:52","date_gmt":"2024-03-11T21:21:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thetravelingyogi.com\/?p=318"},"modified":"2024-07-19T14:47:13","modified_gmt":"2024-07-19T14:47:13","slug":"the-most-memorable-dance-moments-from-the-2024-academy-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thetravelingyogi.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/11\/the-most-memorable-dance-moments-from-the-2024-academy-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"The Most Memorable Dance Moments From the 2024 Academy Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"

2024 was a big year for dance<\/a> at the Oscars, including a history-making performance, a heart-pumping ensemble number, and a surprise addition to the \u201cIn Memoriam\u201d segment.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re still rooting<\/a> for a \u201cBest Choreography\u201d category as dance continues to be an integral part to each year\u2019s nominated films. But until then, we still enjoy seeing our beloved artform on the Dolby Theater stage.<\/p>\n

“Wahzhazhe” from Killers of the Flower Moon<\/em><\/h3>\n

Eight Osage Nation dancers joined Scott George and the Osage Tribal Singers in a historic performance of “Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)” from Killers of the Flower Moon<\/em>. George made Oscars history as the first Native American to receive a nomination for best original song with “Wahzhazhe.\u201d He is also the first member of the Osage Nation to be nominated by the Academy. <\/p>\n

As the dancers and singers followed the drum<\/a> against a sunset backdrop, they invited the international audience to witness a simultaneously intimate and boundless celebration. A groundbreaking performance, it marked the first time members of the Osage Nation, or of any indigenous community, has danced on the Oscars stage.<\/p>\n

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https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=dn4krzAKRfQ&feature=oembed<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

“I’m Just Ken” from Barbie<\/em><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s safe to say that the Oscars felt the \u201cKenergy\u201d after Ryan Gosling and his ensemble of Kens took to the stage with Barbie<\/em>\u2019s tongue-in-cheek power ballad, \u201cI\u2019m Just Ken,\u201d which was also nominated for best original song. The number, choreographed by Mandy Moore<\/a>, featured several members from the film\u2019s original cast, including Simu Liu and Kingsley Ben-Adir, and was complete with a kickline, unapologetic melodrama, cardboard cutout\u2013ography, and on-the-nose references to Jack Cole\u2019s choreography for \u201cDiamonds Are a Girl\u2019s Best Friend.<\/a>\u201d Oh, and Slash.<\/p>\n

Best Actress winner Emma Stone<\/a> later pointed to the performance as the culprit behind her tearing her dress. (Don\u2019t worry, Emma, we were dancing too.)<\/p>\n

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https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=wmG0983hPUs&feature=oembed<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

The \u201cIn Memoriam\u201d Segment<\/h3>\n

A welcome surprise for some and an irritating visual distraction for others, this year\u2019s \u201cIn Memoriam\u201d tribute featured an ensemble of dancers that accompanied Andrea and Matteo Bocelli as they sang the former\u2019s hit \u201cTime to Say Goodbye.\u201d This was not the first time dance has appeared in the segment; in 1996, Savion Glover<\/a> tapped to “Singin’ in the Rain” in a tribute to the late Gene Kelly, who passed away that year. This year\u2019s performance included a subtle and touching moment for the late Chita Rivera<\/a>, who died on January 30\u2014a simple weight shift and slow-motion hip sway, facing Rivera\u2019s photo on the projection screen.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While the dancers brought stunning synchronicity and reverent artistry to Moore\u2019s second choreographed work of the night, the performance has earned pushback<\/a> from audience members who found them and the Bocellis distracting. <\/p>\n

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