Chic-a-Go-Go is a public-access television cable television children's dance show that airs on Chicago Access Network Television (CAN-TV). The show bills itself as "Chicago's Dance Show for Kids of All Ages".

Chic-a-Go-Go
Chic-a-Go-Go logo
Created byJake Austen
Jacqueline Stewart
StarringJake Austen
Mia Park
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodesover 1,000
Production
ProducersJake Austen
Jacqueline Stewart
Running time30 Minutes
Original release
NetworkChicago Access Network Television
ReleaseMay 1996 (1996-05)

Show description

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Mia Park and Ratso hosting Chic-A-Go-Go

The show invites members of the public to participate in tapings at CAN-TV studios. A typical episode features dancing to prerecorded music, as well as musical guests lip syncing to their own songs. Each show is hosted by Jake Austen, who portrays Ratso, a teenage puppet rat, and Mia Park as human sidekick Miss Mia.[1]

Among the show's regular features are the "El Train Line" (based on Soul Train's "Soul Train Line"), the "Fantasy Dance" (which features dancers in front of a green screen), and videotaped interviews with guests.

History and influences

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Austen got the idea for the show when he published a story in his magazine Roctober about Kiddie-a-Go-Go, an all-kids dance show produced in Chicago between 1963 and 1970. Austen and Stewart met the show's creators, Jack and Elaine Mulqueen, and were inspired to complete a certification course that would allow them to use the facilities of Chicago Access Corporation. They shot the first episodes of the show in March 1996.[2]

In addition to Kiddie-a-Go-Go, the show is influenced by well-known dance shows such as Soul Train, American Bandstand, and Solid Gold.

In the 2004 movie The Big Bounce, Morgan Freeman's character is seen watching the show.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ About Chic-a-Go-Go! Archived May 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "CHIC-A-GO-GO: Building Their Own Bandstand", Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader, June 12, 1998
  3. ^ "Chicago Reader". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
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