Monkey (dance)

The monkey is a novelty dance, most popular in 1963. The dance was popularized by two R&B records: Major Lance's "The Monkey Time", and the Miracles' "Mickey's Monkey" both Top 10 Pop hits released during the summer of 1963.

The monkey is often referenced on the animated series Johnny Bravo (in every theme song in addition to many times in the actual show), although it may be a completely different dance. The TV series The Simpsons also referenced the dance at least twice (in seasons 4 and 8). The thrash metal band Exodus reference the dance in their song "The Toxic Waltz" (from Fabulous Disaster) with the lyric "Used to do the monkey, but now it's not cool". Characters in the anime series Overman King Gainer do the monkey in the opening animation and in the show itself.

The Monkey

Monkey Dance

Monkey Dance is a 2004 documentary film by Julie Mallozzi, a filmmaker based in Boston. The film follows three Cambodian-American teens growing up in Lowell, Massachusetts as they face the challenges of urban America, learn from traditional culture and dance, and reflect on the sacrifices of their parents, survivors of the Khmer Rouge.

The Angkor Dance Troupe in Lowell, and other artists of traditional Cambodian folkloric dance, play centrally in the film as a unifying peaceful, historical, and creative activity for the youngsters and community.

Monkey Dance premiered on public television in May 2005 and has shown at numerous festivals, schools, museums, and youth organizations.

Filmmaker's viewpoint

I work to capture an authentic voice in my films. I really wanted to portray what it feels like to be a teenager – not just a first-generation immigrant teenager, but any teenager. That’s why I also gave the three teens each a small video camera, so they could record their own lives. My intention was to make a film about growing up in America and how tough it can be to make the right choices – and how this dance troupe was lending a hand.