Street Dance

The term street dance covers lots of different urban dance styles. It describes dances that people have created outside studio settings. The dance style originally started literally in the street. This type of dance wasn’t originally called street dance it covers lots of styles of dance such as
- popping
- locking
- hip hop
- break dancing

Street dance and hip hop are now recognised as styles of dance and dance school and studios offer classes where you can be taught.  Traditional street dance doesn’t have set steps so anything goes, this is the same as contemporary dance. However some street dance that is taught in classes does follow set steps and moves. The two different styles are often called just ‘street dance’ and the more formal style that is taught is known as ‘commercial street dance’.

Street dance is so popular because anyone can join in and develop their own style. Even street dance troupes performing a routine well often have a section which lets individual dancers to freestyle. Street dance became popular because not everyone can afford dance classes so crews that started dancing on the street offered a free alternative. Dance street is often showed as a battle between dancers so by doing this dancers can express themselves and battle with other crews through dance without actually fighting.       

This is a quote from the idance website-
‘At idance, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to express themselves through dance.  Whether to exercise, socialise, improve technique, relieve stress, or simply for the love of it, dancing encompasses so many benefits from building confidence and self-esteem to increasing fitness, physique, and improving your moves on the dance floor!’ (2)   I decided I would use this dance group as my example because we have worked with them in the past on projects, also they are a local group and I like to encourage and support local based groups. I also use some of their dances for inspiration in my own work.

idance is a dance group in Watford that has been running since 2007. It started as an informal group of street dancers from the Codicote Youth Project. They only met to train when they could and they just experimented with moves and did some choreography. Unfortunately their original venue flooded and they didn’t have enough money to get another venue so they applied to North Herts District Council for help. They accepted their application and got a lot of help to get a new venue. After this idance developed a lot and became very popular. It now offers lots of different classes of many different varieties of dance. It offers classes for young people and adults.

Street dance started in the 1970’s so although it’s 30 – 40 years years old it’s still now compared to other forms of dance. Influence of street dance has even had an impact on Bollywood.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPzj8W_EPdQ&feature=player_embedded
I liked this dance by Hrithik Roshan because it was very original and had a western twist to it but also has very traditional Bhangra dancing in it. It made the dance look modern and a bit different the traditional Bhangra. It was a party and a celebration so all the moves were very big and over the top. It was also an upbeat dance to reflect the mood of the party. The western twist made the dance original but it also looked very good with the traditional Bhangra. The dance was also telling a story because you can see a connection between Hrithik Roshan and the girl watching. This is telling us that they like each other and he is trying to impress her. In our Bhangra dance we decided that we were going to put a western twist to our Bhangra. This meant twisting our Bhangra moves and making them more street like. This made it our own but also made it easier for us because we know street dance a lot better than we do Bhangra. 

Major movies have been made based around the street dance style. One of the most popular being Step up. Three movies have been created and have been a massive hit with all ages. Personally my favourite is Step Up 2 The Streets. The blurb on the back of the DVD reads – “The follow-up to the smash hit STEP UP is an electrifying tale of bodies, hearts and dreams in motion. Rebellious newcomer Andie (BRIANA EVIGAN) is an outcast street dancer trying to fit in at the elite School of the Arts. Chase (ROBERT HOFFMAN) is the school’s red hot talent and a rising star. Both want to win the biggest, baddest street dancing battle, “The Streets”, and they might just do it if they team up. As the gifted dancers clash and sizzle, Andie must learn to build a bridge between love and loyalty, between who she is and who she believes she can be. It’s time to Step Up.

The dancing in the film is amazing and must of taken ages to choreograph and make perfect. This film made street very popular and encouraged a lot of people to start after seeing the film. My favourite dance is the end dance they do in the streets. It’s raining at this point and it gives it a really good effect. I really like the part where they dance with lights in their hands. As it’s dark they really stand out, it’s gives the dance the wow factor. The only bit I could criticise it that because it’s dark you can’t always see very well a bit more light would have complimented the dancing more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv-cQrD4MS0

I have taken part in Street dance showcases before at Watford Palace Theatre. This is a showcase of talents that blends contemporary, hip hop and street dance. Previous guests have been - 

- World Hip Hop Champions Plague
- Sin Cru
- Former UK Champions and Britain’s Got Talent finalists Nemisis
- UK Hip Hop Junior Varsity Bronze Medalists Dance Nuvo
Plus local groups such as -
- idance
- T21 Collective
- Alter Ego
- R-te Crew
- XenZam
- the best of work from local dance groups and schools
The two times I have done I have really enjoyed myself and it’s been a great experience. The dancing is always up to such a high standard. One year we mixed a soundtrack and created a dance with a mix of street dance and contemporary. This went down a real hit and the dance troupe Peridot loved it. Seeing and performing in this performance has encouraged me to take up street dance as a hobby.

Street dance has become very popular especially on talent shows such as Britain’s got Talent. There has been many successes with the street dance groups such as –

- Diversity
- Flawless
- Twist and Pulse
- Peridot
- George Sampson
Diversity won Britain’s Got Talent in 2009. 2 million viewers tuned in to watch the troupe win the competition. The troupe formed in 2007 in memory of a friend. There are eleven members in the troupe all from East London and Essex. The ages range from 13 – 26. Diversity’s members think of each other as family. The troupe also consists of a number of brothers. The leader of the group is Ashley Banjo who also choreographs the pieces for the troupe. He has been dancing since the age of 5. Simon Cowell described the troupes performances as “sheer and utter perfection”. The troupes motto is ‘Dream, Believe, Achieve’.
      

I have just started doing street dance classes and I am really enjoying them. I find it very hard but I’m determined to learn the style and be able to do it well. Since starting I have learnt how to baby freeze. I got taught how to do it and did it first time. Since then I have developed it trying to use one hand and not resting my legs on my arms. I’ve done it a few times but haven’t mastered it properly yet.