The NYC underground scene has given birth to a new Hip-Hop dance movement!
The Counter Culture Collective, a dynamic hip-hop hybrid dance company, has opened its arms to many dancers and performance artists, typically without a social niche.
Spearheading what they refer to as "a movement dedicated to movement," their mission statement makes their intentions clear: "We hold the belief that it is the social responsibility of our dance artists to build support networks and spread knowledge of current events and cultural awareness through our performances. We mean to detach ourselves from the misrepresentations of Hip-Hop dance, from the stereotypes attributed to go-go, and the silliness of circus arts. By integrating a theatrical element with the genuine street edge of our many dance genres, The Collective will serve as a bridge between those highly respected classical dance forms and the heart and soul that has come out of the urban youth." This coupled with the fact that they seem determined to make "open source" the sixth element of hip-hop, makes the Counter Culture Collective a leader in the current entertainment and education spheres - sharing and cultivating a knowledge of craft and insisting upon both revolution and evolution within their respective arts communities.
Founder and choreographer :MoJo: has been dancing professionally in various genres for close to 8 years. Having trained with the Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory and such modern/contemporary greats as Stanley Love, Edisa Weeks, and Fiona Marcotty-Dolenga - it seems like she has always been on the fast track to creating such a focused and thoughtful mash-up.
The Collective will be helping the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival kick off its first ever Brooklyn Hip-Hop Family Day during its main event day at the Empire Fulton Ferry State Park in DUMBO, Brooklyn. The event is a block party for the hip-hop family where the collective hopes to teach hip-hop history, hip-hop dance elements, and host face painting and contests.
These urban gypsies are determined to make worlds collide, bringing circus arts, modern contemporary movement, and technical hip-hop choreography to the world's attention - all on the same stage! All the while, these revolutionaries consistently support the endeavors of fellow local artists and collectives. Stay tuned for up and coming collaborations with some very exciting names in both the NYC and CA circles. The Counter Culture Collective has already brought such rising stars as Mad Zach (producer/dj)
Their blog - run separately by the members of the collective, can be found at http://thebodyjerk.blogspot.com.
