And the choreography recalled the eccentric dances featuring gymnastic movements that Pilobolus created in the 1970's.

Successful fantastic or eccentric dances involve more than an assortment of strange steps or crazy notions.

He frequently was the highlight in otherwise-mediocre productions, and a critic for the Daily News noted, "Whenever the book failed him, he shuffled into one or more of his eccentric dances."

Lambranzi anthologized a host of eccentric dances and Ms. Turocy brought three to life.

He has been making cerebral, eccentric dances for the last 25 years, yet he has deliberately remained aloof from the dance scene, refusing to network or to promote himself.

"There was the Charleston left over from the 20's and the beginnings of swing and jitterbug as seen in the Lindy and 'eccentric dance,' foreshadowing the 40's."

With its whimsical, eccentric and poignant dances, "Cotillon" is a reminder of how varied a choreographer Balanchine could be.

Badboy said, shuffling by in an eccentric little dance.

The choreography, by Pepsi Bethel, recaptures the smart stepping of the time, including some performances of "eccentric dance" by the rubber-legged Mr. Bagneris.

The surprising and eccentric dance began in darkness.