STREET DANCE CLASSES AT CHURCHFIELD SCHOOL

What is Street Dance & how did it originate?

Street dance is an umbrella term used to describe dance styles that evolved outside of dance studios at more everyday spaces such as streets, school yards and nightclubs. They're often improvisational and social in nature, encouraging interaction and contact with the spectators and the other dancers.

Today, street dance is commonly used specifically for the many hip hop dances and funk dance styles that began appearing in the United States in the 1970's, and are still alive and evolving within the hip hop culture of today. Most of these styles are considered African American vernacular dances as they first appeared within African American communities.

Many street dance styles were formed as an answer to needs among youths of various urban areas, such as the lack of affordable dance studios. They also offered an alternative lifestyle to gang violence, opening up new ways to form social bonds and expressing their feelings through non violent and creative methods.

More recently, new street dance styles are emerging that are further inspired by hip hop and its music. Krumping, with its focus on highly energetic battles and movements, is an example of such a style that just recently became publicly known. It's also common to see some characteristics of street dance being mixed with other more traditional dance forms, creating styles such as street-jazz, a hybrid of modern hip hop styles and jazz dance. Such styles are generally focused more on choreography and performance, most frequently seen in modern music videos and less on improvisation and battles, and are not always considered pure street dances.

Urban.K (The Urban Dance Krew) has been formed for individuals of all ages in order to provide a positive and fun way to build confidence, develop social skills and stimulate creativity whilst encouraging fitness and discipline.

What can I expect at an Urban.K dance session?

Sessions are designed to be fun with a dynamic warm up followed by an opportunity to learn a number of routines and techniques led by skilled choreographers.

Our sessions are tailored towards specific age groups and is open to both male and female dance enthusiasts.

Each week we will focus on developing new sections of a choreographed piece whilst revisiting material already learnt so you can join at any time. There is pressure to attend each week although it is encouraged and is an advantage.

As the group develops we would are looking to work towards performances although this would be at your own discretion.