Evolution of Dance Hits FSU

By Heather Adcock
Engl 336:002

All of us have surfed the internet. We’ve all browsed YouTube, sending links to friends of funny video’s we stumble across. There are even TV shows like Comedy Central’s Tosh.0 which feature videos pulled from the internet and the people that star in them. Internet stars such as Fred and Chris Crocker are born this way. This past week Frostburg State had the honor of having internet star Judson Laipply here on campus to speak to students and perform his viral hit the Evolution of Dance live in the Lane center.

At 182,950,908 views Evolution of Dance is one of the most viewed videos in YouTube history. The star of this video, Judson Laipply has been featured on a variety of different programs such as the comedy show Tosh as well as advertisements on the BBC. But what most don’t know is that the star of the viral hit makes a living as an inspirational comedian who speaks and performs his dance for audiences all over the world. “I feel very, very blessed to be able to do this for a living,” Laipply said with a smile on his face during his speech.

Laipply made it clear however that his dance is not all his engagements are about. His main goal is to show his audiences that “life is change” and the “power of choice.” The talk was a hit with the crowd, his clever and insightful jokes and stories had the audience rolling with laughter. Between the joking though Laipply emphasized that “the choices we make create the life we are living.” He stressed the importance of self-accountability in our actions; he wisely said “if you’re not happy with your life, you have no one to blame but yourself.” He urged the audience to think and reflect on whether they themselves are “changing for the better or worse?”

Laipply demonstrated thoroughly his ability to combine his unique sense of humor and his insight in a way that neither overplayed the other. “I was here to make you laugh and think,” Laipply said at the end of his talk. Having obviously made us laugh until our sides hurt, he confessed “if I can make you pause and think for even half a second then I’ve done my job.” Judson Laipply is a true entertainer and inspirational speaker. I cannot speak for everyone who was there, but I know for me at least, Laipplys message talk and message of change and choice rang stronger than his hit dance. Not to say that wasn’t a thrill to see as well.