Youtube dancing sensation films at Terrace
By Emily Connor
On July 17th, Union members got a chance at Youtube stardom when dancing Internet sensation Matt Harding came to the Memorial Union Terrace to film a scene for his next “Where the Hell is Matt?” video.
Matt’s first dancing video became a huge hit in 2005 after he created a video of himself dancing badly around Asia. What started as just a silly way to document his travels became an Internet phenomenon and even captured the attention of major sponsors, like Stride Gum. Matt was then able to film more videos of himself dancing badly around the world. But while filming in 2006, Matt started dancing with other people and wanted to include more. “I realized dancing with other people was more interesting than dancing alone,” said Matt. “Since then, I’ve been dancing with groups all over the world, and it keeps evolving.”
Matt has visited many places around the world in the past few years, but had yet to make it to Wisconsin, which was the reason he decided to come to the Memorial Union Terrace.
“I hadn’t featured many midwest destinations in my last video, and I knew I would be coming to either Madison or Milwaukee,” said Matt. “Once we began researching destinations, the Terrace popped up right away. This location was just perfect with the chairs and the scenery.”
And the Terrace chairs were a big hit. Matt told a crowd of over a hundred prospective dancers on the sweltering Sunday afternoon that “chair dancing” would be a must for the video. Matt set a few rules before the fun could begin, but the most important were to always smile and keep dancing, no matter how badly.
After moving around some chairs and tables, the participants situated themselves in front of the Terrace Summer Stage and began practicing their moves. The audience gave dance move ideas while Matt worked on creating the final routine. Claps, kicks and hand waves were all part of the initial choreography, but it wasn’t until a crowd member suggested the polka that the dancing became truly Wisconsin-ized.
In the final routine, the front row turned their chairs around to feature the iconic Union sunbursts, while crowd members paired off and polkaed away in the background. The crowd even began to sing a rousing round of “Roll Out the Barrel” to complete the routine.
After the dancing had been filmed, people lined up to sign up for emails, buy “I danced with Matt” t-shirts and talk with the dancing guru himself. Matt graciously allowed every crowd member time to take pictures, autograph shirts and books and even record videos dancing badly together.
Crowd members were especially happy to be able to meet and dance with Matt. Out-of-town dancer Kate Early even traveled all the way from Chicago to participate in the video. “I came because I thought it would be an adventure, and it was!” said Kate, before enjoying her scoop of Babcock pineapple cake ice cream. “And the Terrace is such a beautiful and scenic place.”
Matt hopes that his upcoming video will be finished by the end of this year, but since he is without a sponsor this time, his deadline isn’t certain. Matt keeps busy traveling every day to his new destinations with a small crew, and their next stop was Detroit.
Despite the thick heat and humidity, crowd members stuck around afterwards to enjoy some Babcock ice cream, brats and beer on the Terrace. Matt and his crew also sat and enjoyed a beer while looking out at Lake Mendota. Even Matt, who had been all around the world and back, marveled at the beautiful lake, sun and incredible hospitality and friendliness of those at the Wisconsin Union.
To keep updated on Matt’s travels and find out when his next video featuring the Memorial Union Terrace will be released, visit Matt’s website.
Were you at the Terrace for the event? Be sure to post your photos on our Facebook page.
Check out Matt’s 2008 dancing video “Where the Hell is Matt?”
