Jumpen is a Central European dance phenomenon and electronica music genre that has also had a huge presence on YouTube and other video sharing communities. Also called Jumpstyle, the dance looks like a cross between the German Schuhplattler folk dance and The Charleston. Jumpstyle music can be described as an appropriately harsh and rapid thump, accompanied by a repeating, metallic weaving sound. But enough of the descriptions. Check it out for yourself:
Beyond being a highly contagious dance fad, the memetic potential of Jumpen is enhanced by the tendecy for teenagers to post footage of each other jumping at a schoolyard, at the grocery store, or at interesting landmarks. Some of these videos feature dozens of people performing the dance. There are also a large number of instructional videos describing the correct form for individual and paired forms of the dance.
Jumpen has also led to the emergence of numerous, highly developed "duojump" dances. These can be performed for audiences and are communicated much in the same way as line dances and hip hop dances: at the club and, now, over the internet.
Wikipedia: Jumpstyle
