Street Dance
Street Dance is something that most people will be aware of, even if they don’t know much about it. It’s everywhere these days, from reality TV shows and inspirational teen movies to music videos and advertisements. If you’ve ever wondered what it was or were interested in giving it a go, you’ve come to the right place.
What is Street Dance?
Street Dance is the general umbrella title given to a variety of different styles of social dance that includes, but is not limited to, house, popping, locking, hip hop and breaking.
All of these styles, although used in combination in certain dances, are independent of one another and have their own foundations and history and while the casual observer may not notice it, are stylistically and visually different.
Six important elements dictate what street dance looks and feels like and they are:
- Social interaction
- Creativity
- Intention
- Originality
- Character
- Groove
A Step Back in History
During the 60s and 70s, Latino, Caribbean and African communities located in the American west coast faced a lot of oppression and the destruction of their communities. Young people did not have a way to express their frustration and anger. They found it hard to stay out of trouble, instead a lot chose to join gangs. However, along with the growing crime rates and graffiti culture, these communities would hold huge block parties with sound systems, for people to meet up and have fun. This was a chance for them to express themselves and hopefully stay out of gang culture.
The father of hip hop, DJ Kool Herc, played at many of these block parties and even clubs and was the first to use 2 turntables. This idea started a revolution and influenced the way DJs mix in the present. As he watched the crowds from behind his turntables, he noticed that people went wild on the dancefloor during the breakdowns and tried to find a way to extend and loop those breaks. Given the name the Merry Go Round, the dancers on the floor would respond to these breaks in kind with dancing that became known as breaking.
On the other side of the US, similar cultural and political movements were happening. However, in comparison to the breakbeats that came out of the West United States, it was funk that ruled on the East Coast and the dancing styles known as Locking and Popping.
It was Afrika Bambaataa that was responsible for spreading hip hop culture throughout the country, which saw it rise from the underground into the mainstream as a wider audience became aware of it. Which eventually resulted in street dance becoming the national, then international phenomenon it is today.
Where Can I Find Street Dance Classes Near Me?
If this post has whetted your appetite, or you were already interested, and are wondering where you can enrol your children in classes to learn this style of dance, you’ve come to the right place. Street Dance classes are available at through the United Arts Academy. The classes all take place at the Borderville Sports Centre on Ryhall Road in Stamford and are available for children of all ages.