Stay Posted for Updates on Companies Performing at 2009 SF Hip Hop DanceFest
2009 Worldwide Call for Submission & Auditions2008 Performers:
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Breaksk8 Dance Crew, Indiana Breaksk8, based out of Kokomo, IN was established in late 2000 and was created by Shannon Anthony and Jessy Nice . During the 2004 NBA season Breaksk8 became the Official Skate Team for the NBA, WNBA and NCAA.In 2005 the Motion Picture "Roll Bounce" starring Lil Bow Wow was being filmed at Tony's home rink in Illinois and Tony was asked to become a stunt skater for the movie. Before the movies release Fox Searchlight Productions created a nationwide skating competition called the "Roll Bounce Skate Off" to advertise for the movie. The competitions were held in 25 major cities and over 200 skate crews showed up to compete. Breaksk8 was declared the winner. Shortly after Shannon received a call from MTV wanting them to tryout for a new show called "Americas Best Dance Crew" . At the end of the 14 hour day Breaksk8 had made it to the Live Auditions along with 11 other crews. Over the next 9 weeks Breaksk8 lived in LA and dominated the TV Show. Judge Shane Sparks said Breaksk8 was the most versitile group on the show and during week 5 "Michael Jackson Thriller Week" JC Chasez said that Michael was a superstar and Breaksk8 danced like Superstars. Breaksk8 had finnaly made it in the limelight with over 95 Million people watching the show. |
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DS Players, San Jose We are a hip hop dance crew based out of Mission College in Santa Clara, CA. We focus mainly on funk styles, particularly popping and locking. We are also slaves to the almighty Nintendo DS. Harnessing its great power, we cannot help but bask in the glorified perfection that is Mario Kart. We strive for triple gold stars, seamless drifts, and blue shells. Basically, we love dancing and portable gaming consoles. dsplayers@gmail.com |
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Sunset, San Francisco link to come Sunset is a hip hop performing group from Sunset Academy of Dance in San Francisco. With the help of their teacher, Darnell Carroll they have competed and won numerous awards in competitions throughout the bay area. Sunset has won several gold place awards and have come in seventh place overall in a competition with fifty other entries. They have received special awards such as "Best Choreography" and "Most Entertaining". They have been competing and performing for three years. Performing with Sunset is Impact and Jr Posse (7 - 10 year old hip hop performing group.) They are very excited and honored to be performing in this great show! For more information about Sunset, Darnell Carroll's classes and more, contact Lisa Brown, owner of Sunset Academy of Dance (1337 Irving St. San Francisco) at (415) 731-9921. |
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Mind Over Matter, San Francisco Mind Over Matter is a dance group known for their unique interpretations of hip-hop. Originating in 1991, the members of Mind Over Matter were brought together because of their strong passions to dance and showcase their talents. Throughout the years, this top Bay Area dance group has performed in countless benefits, showcases and clubs all across California. Mind Over Matter's unique choreography and polished stage presence are what set them apart from all the others. This strong combination brings forth a surge of excitement and motivation never seen before. Audiences will agree that Mind Over Matter is an unparalleled group of dancers who pride themselves on their creativity, energy and commitment to the music and to each other. Visit www.dancemission.com for a listing of director Allan Frias's classes. |
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Mop Top Music and Movement, Philadelphia Believe it or not the Choreographer/Dancer who spent close to a decade creating the moves behind the world famous Mariah Carey, originally wanted to be an Astronaunt. Whether on video or live performances, Mariah soared to fame assisted by the moves of “Emilio Austin, Jr., p.k.a., “Buddha Stretch.” His dance crew, Elite Force provided the edge behind Mariah’s well known videos and live shows. Though being an Astronaunt was his dream, it ended when he first saw the television show Soul Train. His other influences included his cousin Charles, Michael Jackson (the early years), The Lockers and The Electric Boogaloos. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York with three sisters and one younger brother, Stretch was influenced by his dad Emilio Austin, Sr.. His Dad danced as a youth and provided Stretch with discipline, inspiration, support and motivation and remained by his side to guide him throughout his career. This foundation carries Stretch, a father himself, throughout his personal and professional career today. Stretch heavily impacted the dance world by bridging the gap between what was termed, Ol’ Skool and New Skool. His dance style, known as “Freestyle Hip Hop” draws from all aspects of hip hop culture, music and dance. These moves during the early days of music videos helped to launch the popularity of dance in this medium as well as live shows. Stretch’s first audition was for “The Dance Theater of Harlem”however, he left after seeing dancers in leotards and tights. His first video was with Eric B & Rakim, “Eric B for President.” He met the members of his first dance crew “Mop Top” at a music video audition they booked for Diana Ross, “Working Overtime.” They began to hang out at New York’s night spot, The Tunnel and later formed their crew. He later formed a crewed called “Elite Force” who pre peared in documentaries, music videos, live shows and in countless projects overseas. His first choreography job was for Joeski Love (Pee Wee Dance) and went on to work with the likes of Rosie Perez, Will Smith in the “Men In Black” and “Miami” videos; Michael Jackson’s “Remember The Time” video (his most memorable experience) and more.He was nominated for two MTV Awards for ‘Best Choreography’ for the Will Smith videos “Men In Black,” “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It”, and “Miami”. Recent credits include choreography for “Virgin recording artist ‘Thalia’ ( on Good Morning America) ,” “Aida,” Tony Award Winner, “Heather Headley,” “Hot ’97 Air Personality, “Angie Martinez and rapper Rah Diggah.” In 1989, Stretch was the first Hip Hop dancer to teach Hip Hop in a mainstream dance studio – New York’s Broadway Dance Center. Stretch is no stranger to music. An MC and writer himself, he recorded an underground hit called “It Don’t Matter” by Ten Thieves and continues to make music today. His versatility is also displayed by his participation as a dancer and contributing choreographer for the Dance Theater crew “Full Circle and Co-Artistic Director of the Dance Theatre Company “MiddleGround.” His trend setting style keeps him in demand as a choreographer, dancer, teacher and performer. His passion for dance is exhibited every time you experience his work.Stretch believes “music is the universal language; dance is it’s interpreter.”. moptopmusic@aol.com |
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Neoploitan, Oakland The raw street flavor of Dahrio Wonder Hutton and the impeccable technique of Robert D. Lupo creates the eclectic style of dance that Neopolitan brings to the dance world. These dancers and choreographers are multi-flavored , layered, and complex, just like the flavor that Neopolitan represents. Hutton and Lupo meld Hip Hop, Jazz, Modern, Ballet and African dance in a way that no other has done before. Neopolitan epitomizes the result of that unique and powerful metamorphosis: innovative choreography and dynamic dancing. Contact email: neopolitan211@yahoo.com |
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O.T.I. - Over the Influence (featuring Kinetic Philosopher), Vancouver, Canada www.overtheinfluence.net Over The Influence is proud to be at the forefront of Vancouver’s hip hop dance scene. Created in 2002, they started dancing at small nightclubs and any venue that would give them a chance to showcase their talents. Five years later, with hard work, persistence and their passion for dance and hip hop, they have become one of the most recognized and respected dance crews Vancouver has ever conceived. OTI consists of Jojo Zolina, Tal Iozef, Stewart Iguidez and Marc Generoso.OTI displays a variety of dance styles in every performance, with fluency in stylized hip hop, break dancing, locking, popping, krumping, house and waving. Individual members excel in other dance styles such as jazz, jazz-rock, dance hall, salsa, contemporary and whacking. Above all else, what separates OTI from other urban dance affiliations is that all the members of this group are amazing in the art freestyling (or dance improvisation). In regards to their performing and creative capabilities, their pieces are always evolving through newfound inspiration and constant drive to make every performance better than the last.They have performed for various artists such as ‘Nelly Furtado’, ‘Black Eyed Peas’, ‘The Roots’, ‘K-Os’, ‘Grandmaster Flash’, and ‘Swollen Members’. Individually and collectively, their talents have taken them beyond Vancouver, sharing their knowledge and skills in China, Germany, Brazil, Bosnia, Afghanistan, the Philippines and Los Angeles. For Over The Influence, this is only the tip of the iceberg. The constant love and support they receive from their fans and students only fuels the growing inspiration and passion for dance, leaving limitless possibilities for the future. info@overtheinfluence.net |
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SoulForce, San Francisco www.myspace.com/soulforcedance SoulForce Dance Company was created in 2001 by legendary choreographer, teacher and SF Hip Hop DanceFest producer Micaya. Not your average hip hop dance company, SoulForce is a company not afraid to take artistic risks and fuse other dance styles and theatre into their repertoire. Micayas’ choreography and SoulForce dancers have been featured in music videos, touring productions, nightclubs,cabarets, festivals, corporate events, colleges, theatres and commercials. Described as "witty, dramatic and emotionally nuanced" by Dance Magazine, this dynamic group brings together dancers of diverse backgrounds to create inspiring works on stage. For more information about SoulForce, Micaya's classes, and more, please visit her website at www.micaya.com. |
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Diamond / Sparkle, Oakland Diamond/Sparkle Youth Dance Program was established in 2002 by Corey Action and Teela Shine-Ross, Directors of New Style Motherlode (NSM) Entertainment. The purpose and foundation of NSM’s Diamond/Sparkle Program is to provide young, talented artists with the tools and experience needed to pursue a career in any artistic field. The Directors stress the importance of persistence, consistency and training. As directors the dynamic duo envisioned a company that fused hip-hop, jazz, modern, and theatrical themes to present a realm of dance never seen before. Auditions are twice a year for the program and the group performs throughout the Bay Area and West Coast venues. This years Hip Hop Fest will have the pleasure of witnessing the entire youth program on stage as one unit. CONTACT INFO: info@newstylemotherlode.com |
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Funkanometry SF, San Francisco (Winner of 2006 Goldie Award)
Funkanometry San Francisco is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, performing arts organization renowned for their cutting-edge choreography, stylistic versatility, and professionalism. Through performances, company classes, and youth mentorship, company members share their talent and passion for dance. In addition to dancing, Funkanometry SF prides itself on the strong family atmosphere that is present among its members and the entire Funkanometry family with additional branches in Los Angeles and San Diego. In 2005, Funkanometry SF expanded their reach to a younger generation of dancers with their first Funksters Dance Company, which provides training for aspiring dancers under the age of 21. Be sure to join us at Company Class every Sunday at 7pm at City Dance Studio in San Francisco. See www.funkanometrysf.com for more details. |
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Loose Change, San Francisco Loose Change Dance Company was formed in 1999 to explore and fuse different styles of movement ranging from hip hop and modern to lindy hop, tap, martial arts and African. Under the leadership of choreographer Eric Fenn, and co-directors Elliott and Owen Donnelley the company has become a San Francisco Bay Area favorite that inspires, provokes and entertains audiences with its fresh and exciting approach. Loose Change has been featured annually at the San Francisco Hip Hop Dance Festival since 2000 and at other dance shows and festivals in the Bay Area and beyond. Their first evening length performance, QUEST, premiered to sold out audiences at San Francisco's Cowell Theater in June 2005. Their second full length performance, HUMAN NATURE, premiered at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in February 2007 and in September 2007 travelled to the Rose Wagner Center for Performing Arts in Salt Lake City. Eric Fenn, the company's primary choreographer, has been contributing to the Bay Area dance scene for over fifteen years. He was the founding artistic director of the hip hop group, San Francisco Culture Shock and he continues to teach dance locally and in studios throughout the U.S. and Europe. Eric Fenn, directors@loosechangedance.com |
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Soul Sector, San Francisco Soul Sector is an all style, all star dance crew founded by Mikey Disko in 1998 that focuses on Bboying, Popping, House Dance, Locking, and Hip Hop Freestyle. Soul Sector is a family based collective. Membership is based on longtime friendship and chemistry. As a collective and individually, members of Soul Sector have performed, competed, judged competitions, and taught classes across the USA, France, Japan, Switzerland, Germany, Singapore, Holland, Philippines, Australia, and Russia. Almost every member of Soul Sector has been selected by Red Bull to participate in their Red Bull Beat Riders program. SoulSector’s motivation is to studying the history and foundation of each hip hop dance form and implementing it in the evolution of their individual style, learning directly from the dancers who have founded and revolutionized these genres of urban dance. Soul Sector has organized monthly club events, workshops with guest teachers (w/ founders and innovators of all the urban dance forms), and major dance competitions. The purpose of the group is to continue to share with the community and they stand behind one group principal, keep it family. mikeydisko@yahoo.com www.myspace.com/soulsector |
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U.F.O. Movement, San Francisco www.myspace/theufomovement The U.F.O Movement originated in January 2007 by the tag-team duo and family cousins, Taina Larot and Algin Sterling. These two young choreographers have worked on numerous projects the past few years ranging from workshops, classes and up in coming artist work as well as current. The UFO Movement is a small and unique group of individuals brought together through their addiction for all arts; music, graffiti and expression. Dance, being their first love, allows them to be free and express their individuality. The U.F.O's bring the Modern dance style to Hip-Hop culture; presenting a groove beyond this planet. They are young, fresh and new, introducing the audience into their world. With one goal in mind "to inform the public", together the U.F.O's are not just a dance company, but a movement. Contact email: theufomovement@yahoo.com |
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Popin Pete (of the Electric Boogaloos) http://www.electricboogaloos.com Popin Pete is currently working alongside some of this generation's brightest and most talented music artists. Artists such as: Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, Mya, The Black Eyed Peas and Janet Jackson just to name a few. Most recently, Popin Pete performed on Fox's So You Think You Can Dance! As a kid growing up in Fresno, California, a young Pete started down his road as a dancer by watching Soul Train and doing the robot. In 1978 Pete started to learn the popping style from his older brother Sam who he would always watch dance. "I had to learn how to pop first because boogaloo was too difficult for me". Popin Pete has gone on to innovate styles/moves like crazy legs, ET, spider man and sleepy style. Currently Pete is helping spread popping and boogaloo knowledge all over the world with the other EB members. Photos by Ghislain Malardier. |
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Flawless, United Kingdom Life can be seen as one big battle for power and control, but the fight is within the individual. We tend to manipulate situations to catch the other off guard in order to get what we want but it's not always that easy. Manipulation takes you through that journey. As a duo, Paul 'Breaker' and Simon 'Shock' have a unique style which is made up of Hip Hop and Funkstyle dance techniques such as Waving, Boogaloo, Popping, Locking and Breaking. The two dancers train within Flawless, a company that is very versatile and has a huge experience base, both in Hip Hop and Funkstyle techniques, and in different dance styles like ballet, contemporary and Jazz. The name Flawless was chosen deliberately; a title like that gives a standard to live up to whether performing as a company or representing as an individual. Flawless began their journey as a dance group in February 2005 and since then have been known for winning an outstanding amount of Championships and awards for the work they have produced including appearing in music videos for major artists. Flawless have gone from being one of the UK’s top dance groups and now proudly one of the worlds after becoming world class hip hop dance champions in 2006. Flawless humbly continue to go from strength to strength and are very proud of their international reputation. |
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FORMALity, San Diego www.eketc.com Established in 1996 by Erik Saradpon, FORMALity began with the vision and desire to set standards while inspiring audiences. From the beginning, the objective was to create effective entertainment that would provide a platform for young indivuals to perfect their craft . Through the years, FORMALity has established an active role in the community serving as ambassadors of hip-hop dance. They are committed to promoting the arts and spreading messages of healthy alternatives and positive lifestyles. National Hip-Hop Champions, FORMALity has had the privilege to perform for thousands and open for such artists as Ashanti, 3LW, Mario, and Ashlee Simpson. FORMALity has made appearances on such mediums as The San Diego Union-Tribune, Filipinas Magazine, San Diego Insider, and The Ellen Degeneres Show. Their industrial experience includes work for Pepsi, Sea World, Panda Express, and Paul Mitchell. FORMALity has won championships at Vibe, Ultimate Brawl, Fusion, Bust A Groove, Battlefest, Prelude and the US & World Hip-Hop Championships. |
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The Human Toy, Santa Rosa http://www.myspace.com/thehumantoy With 23 years of Street Dancing, Popping and Locking, combined with 20 years of teaching, Rauly Dueñas is a professional street dancer with a great understanding of movement. Rauly is currently founder and creative director of F I E R C E Dance Company. A seasoned performer, choreographer, and master class presenter, he is an Alumni member and one of the first to be a part of San Francisco's "Culture Shock." He has taught workshops in more than 17 different countries. He has worked with and choreographed for artist such as Earth, Wind, and Fire, Jocelyn Enriquez and the Grammy award winning producer Narada Michael Walden, as well as Mariah Carry and 98 Degrees and the “Blue Man Group”. Rauly combines explosive movement, fierce style and “Old School Flavor.” Rauly currently performs his new popular solo act "The Human Toy", all over California and Abroad. |
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Shadow Optix, Santa Rosa http://www.myspace.com/shadowoptix Shadow Optix is a diverse hip hop crew from the north bay. They strive to represent all forms of hip hop. Their biggest inspiration is the legendary Gary Kendall. Gary's incredible musicality and movement style has impacted today's hip hop tremendously. The crew aims to inspire, and entertain all audiences. The choreographer has trained and performed all over the U.S. and overseas in China and S. Korea. Shadow Optix is 6 months young and 9 members strong. They will continue to grow, perform, innovate, and promote hip hop for years to come. |
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Human Creature, San Francisco http://www.myspace.com/humancreaturedancetheatre Human Creature is an experimental dance/physical theater company based out of San Francisco California. We incorporate an eclectic blend of dance styles in conjunction with music, multimedia, and concepts of philosophy and psychology in an attempt to blur the lines between the real and surreal, beauty and the grotesque, the comedic and tragic. We strive to obtain knowledge and build an experience by embarking on a journey into the unknown and hope to share with others what emerges from within through an outward expression of creation. The intention of our work is to stimulate and heighten the senses, opening the doors of perception by deconstructing the human condition and expressing original ideas through art. Human Creature exists under the artistic direction of Derek Harris and is accompanied by dancer and long time friend Meegan Hertensteiner. Human Creature will be premiering it's debut work, "The Companion Experiment" at SF Hip Hop DanceFest. Contact: contacthumancreature@gmail.com |
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Plague, United Kingdom
Plague were formed in 2000 by director and choreographer Mukhtar OS Mukhtar, and since then have become trend setters in the UK in terms of technique and style and known by many as one of the biggest crews to represent the UK. They gain Respect not only from crowds they perform in front of but also from dancers too.Plague have won and performed in numerous Competitions and top shows. They are 3 time UK champions and 1 time world champions. They are students of dance who train in different dance styles such as Popping, Locking, boogstyle, New style, House, Punking, Gumboots, tap, hype, and many more. They recently blew the roof off at breakin convention 08 in Sadlers wells London with their versatility and performance ability. and are always looking to strengthen their ability by learning from the founders/innovators of the particular styles. Photo by Paul Hampartsoumain. |