Yey! The snow may have stopped the auditions yesterday but we have  a new date and time!!!!  Sunday 17th (this Sunday) at 9.30am at The Misbourne School, Great Missenden. The auditions will be in the main hall not the dance studio. See you there and fingers crossed for no more snow!!

Yo yo,

Here is the opportunity you don’t want to miss out on: the official dance crew auditions on Sunday 10th January at Misbourne.  If you are interested in performing with one of the most successful street dance crews in the UK you need to come and strut your stuff at the audition.  We are looking for dedicated, dancers with a raw performance edge who want to have the time of their lives with a strong family unit.  If you want to take your dance to the next level, gain unrivalled performance opportunities and become part of a team, then the official dance crew is for you.

Being part of the dance crew entitles you to the following benefits:

·         15% off all Streetwear and DVD’s

·         Big discounts on Hip Hop don’t Stop

·         Valuable training from top choreographers

·         Paid performance opportunities + the chance to perform on huge arena stages such as the 20′000 seat 02 arena

·         Personal development, team working skills and choreographic opportunities 

The layout of the audition is as follows: you learn a short combination in groups of 15-25 just like in a class.  The only people watching you will be a judging panel made up of artistic director Andy and some guest instructors.  You will then be selected on how you do but will also be given an opportunity to freestyle if you want it, you will not have to do anything you do not feel comfortable with.  If you have any additional skills you will be given the opportunity to show it. 

We normally take 27 dancers, we look for potential so if you want to have life changing opportunities and could see yourself performing in front of 20 000 get yourself down to The Misbourne School on the 10^h, who knows it could be you!

The Urban Strides Official Dance Crew is regarded as one of the most successful Street Dance Crews in the UK credits have included:

• Opening the Royal Variety Performance in the Presence of Her Majesty the Queen
• Filming and creating the Pure Street Dance DVD
• Performing alongside artists such as:
• Dizzee Rascal
• Sean Paul
• Alexandra Burke
• VV Brown
• Apearing on 36 TV Channels including BBC 1, ITV, Channel 4, and MTV
• TV appearances in 128 countries worldwide
• 3 sell out arena tours, perfroming in 45 arena shows including performances at:
• London 02Arena
• Manchester MEN
• Birmingham NIA
• Royal Albert Hall
• Sheffield Arena
• Belfast Odysey Arena
• Dublin RDS Arena

As well as commisioned works by Breakin Convention.

The 02 arena on the night of an Urban Strides performance.

 The crew!

Am I elegible:

• Do you have over 1 yrs street dance experience?
• Are you willing to commit your time and energy for something exceptional?
• Are you serious about taking your level of dance to exceptional standards?

Here is the story of Cyrus one of the crew members on how he got involved in the crew:

 Cyrus during rehearsals at the 02 arena

I had the Urban Dance Explosion CD and DVD that Andy presents and already had a love of street dance and hip hop culture.  Then I came to watch Urban Strides at Activate I realised that is what I wanted to do.  The power and energy that came off the crew really connected with me, and I knew that I wanted to be a part of that. I enrolled at Aylesbury high school classes and did as well as jamming and practicing in between classes.  The classes gave me a huge inspiration.  It was the platform of real technique and performance training that I needed.

I was really nervous the day before the audition because I was unsure about whether I was good enough. Then I thought, there is nothing to lose if i dont go. The worst that can happen is I don’t get in, but because I wanted to be part of the crew so much I knew that even if I had to audition 10 times it would be worth it. When I knew I got in I was overwhlmed because it was the culmination of so much hard work.  When I first started  at the rehearsals I was still nervous but the energy was so positive and everyone was so friendly and lovely.  Being in the offical crew was even better than I thought, everyone was so welcoming it felt like I had been adopted by a new family, everyone was so lovely. 

The amount of knowledge and experience I have got from the crew has been incredible, dance wise and the knowledgde about hip hop dance culture.  Words cannot explain the improvement Urban Strides has made to my dancing.  When I first went on tour with the crew it opened my eyes to a whole new world and I realised this is what I want to do for a living.  Urban Strides has shown me what I really want and how i can achieve my dream.  Don’t worry if you have never been to an audition before. Going along to the audition and being part of the crew was a life changing experience for me, it could be the best decision you ever make. Give it all you’ve got and don’t be scared, there is nothing you can lose.  

Where is it?

The Misbourne School, Great Missenden, Bucks, click here for a map: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=489619&y=200782&z=0&sv=hp16+0bn&st=2&pc=hp16+0bn&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf 

 registration starts at 10.30 am go through the main gates past the main building and the dance studio is on your right.

Should you be successful you will be needed until 6 pm there will be lots of waiting around so bring a book or an ipod!

Please be aware the audtions will be run round by round so we have no way of predicting when you will finish please be prepared to stay all day if neccesary.

AUDITION FEE :£3 payable at registration-please bring change.

 The official dance crew dance captain Alex has 3 top tips for auditionees; 

·         Have confidence

·         Enjoy yourself if you’re having fun it will show in your performance

·         Relax everyone wants you to do your best

to find out more crew click here: www.urbanstrides.com/dance_crew.php  

To watch videos of the crew click here: http://blog.urbanstrides.com/category/videos/ 

Tell your friends and we look forward to seeing you there!

When is it?- Sunday 10th Jaunary at 10.30am

Where is it?- The Misbourne School, Misbourne Drive, Great Missenden, Bucks, HP16 0BN

The Urban Strides team x

p.s. here is a clip of the crew opening the arena tour at the Manchester MEN arena to give you a taste of some of the incredible experiences you could have:

Yo Yo,

Sorry I haven’t posted for a while been crazy busy with some sick shizzle! I just wanted to say what a dope term I have had with all the classes big shout out to the Mk crew, Wycombe HIgh peeps, A-town and misbourne massive, Sams tring crew and the GKCS and Holmer Green fam, as well as my new super saturday ninjas in training at the official Dance Crew Training class™.  We have covered a lot, firstly welcome to all the new members of the family.  Your confidence is growing week by week and I love seeing the extra energy you find each week to pump into the routines.  Those of you who want to step it up and are coming to intermediate classes well done for stepping up,  you won’t regret it! I have to say our freestyle sessions have been dope and to see everyone improve so drastically has really been my soul food i hope i can continue to inspire you and help you to reach your full potential. This blog was created to help us all learn as a family and it’s so good to see you using it so well sharing our learning will help all of us improve I feel like I get an education everytime I check the comments! There has been some super insightful messages left on the blog, and I really appreciate everyone of you who have left a comment your a seriously valued member of the family. I have picked a few of my favourites and have added them below;

here is Segun with a brilliant insight into his personal freestyle journey:

1. Segun Says:
   February 12th, 2009 at 3:01 pm   edit

   Hey people its bin a while since i jumped on the sacred message board so i thought id drop a lil freestyle knowlegde. People have different ways of interpreting freestyle. There are 3 different categories;
   Some do it to impress
   Some do it get attention
   Some do it becuase they love music !!!
   Which one do you fall into ?
   I see freestyle as a way to express yourself (and in the process of this you become a better dancer). Sometimes i’l freestyle a certain style, sometimes ill switch styles and sometimes i’l freestyle a move !
   Some words i learnt from a wise man (Andy Instone) when you freestyle be sure to take your self through a journey in the music and through your dance.
   Sometimes i like to look at my journey as a road trip. For example i could start the journey in a grooove making my way to the motorway. Then i turn up the pace hittin gear 4 and 5 with some rawness. Then ill stop at the shop for a break add some pauses, contrast and dynamic then carry on the journey back to the groove. Finally im hittin the end of the road trip and im takin a left into the lyrics then a right in to the beat then a roundabout into some syncs then maybe a change of pace and mixing all 3 (beats,lyrics,and syncs). Im at the end Of my journey and how do i know that ? ……………
   The musics stoped!!!!!
   Thank you guys that was my road trip hope you enjoyed it !!!!
   Love dance xxxx

I think this really captures some of the work we have been doing in the inter classes this term, here is Jiris energy saving tip:

1. Jiri Says:
   February 12th, 2009 at 1:57 pm   edit

   HELP US SAVE THE PLANET

   Next time you get home feeling all cold and miserable try this. Don’t switching on the heating, switch on the freestyle. Turn on the volume up and get cracking soon you’ll be on fire and you’ll save some pennies(as well as the polar bears) on your next utility bill.

   Another awesome tip from
   JIRI Ltd.
   YOUR ENERGY PROVIDER

He cracks me up! but its true!!! dance more and save your pennies!

I am really looking forward to next term if you are new to the family drop me a message and let me know what you loved the most and what you benefitted from this term so I can keep doing the classes that you love, your feedback and time is really appreciated x

I’ll leave you with a comment from Micheala from our Wycombe High school class who has improved massively from learning with the Pure Street dance DVD in between classes:

Michaela Greene Says:
February 12th, 2009 at 6:04 pm   edit

“have been going to street dancing for a year and I am totally addicted, its brilliant! I really wanted to improve on my dancing and Andy recommended that I got the Urban Strides DVD. Buying the DVD was the best decision ever, totally worth the money, its excellent! I get to practice everything that is taught in class, plus many extra skills. All the moves are broken down which enables me to learn at my own pace. The DVD is helping me to move my dancing onto the next level and my confidence has grown. I would definitely recommend buying it and if I was to describe it in three words it would be: fun, funky and fresh!”

If your like me I know you will miss dance like crazy over the half term , if you want to keep the atmosphere of the class alive when your at home you can get your own pure Street dance DVD here http://street-dance-store.com/store/gbu0-prodshow/15.html 

These are the top 5 things I learnt and shared this term:

1. Confidence is everything put it into your dance and you will feel much better and exceed your expectations.

2.Dance like no one is watching 

3. Feel the music

4.dance whenever and wherever you can the more you do it the better you’ll get.

5.Bitch slap fear! it is in your head and is the only thing standing between you and dancing with the heart and soul you know you have.

see you in two weeks

keep dancing

big love

Andy x 

Hey guys,

All Classes are cancelled today -Tuesday 3rd of feb- cos of snow shizzle. Have fun in the snow will see you next week, I know you will miss class tonight, me too! So if you want to check our you tube videos at least it will keep you going till next week! check em here http://uk.youtube.com/user/urbanstridesdance big luv, hope you’re all cool,

peace

Andy x

Yo yo,

Here is the opportunity you don’t want to miss out on: the official dance crew auditions on the 11th January at Wycombe High School.  If you are interested in performing with one of the most successful street dance crews in the UK you need to come and strut your stuff at the audition.  We are looking for dedicated, dancers with a raw performance edge who want to have the time of their lives with a strong family unit.  If you want to take your dance to the next level, gain unrivalled performance opportunities and become part of a team, then the official dance crew is for you.

Being part of the dance crew entitles you to the following benefits:

·         15% off all Streetwear and DVD’s

·         Big discounts on Hip Hop don’t Stop

·         Valuable training from top choreographers

·         Paid performance opportunities

·         Personal development, team working skills and choreographic opportunities

 The 2008 crew on the set of their dvd, PURE STREET DANCE

The layout of the audition is as follows: you learn a short combination in groups of 15-25 just like in a class.  The only people watching you will be a judging panel made up of artistic director Andy and some guest instructors.  You will then be selected on how you do but will also be given an opportunity to freestyle if you want it, you will not have to do anything you do not feel comfortable with.  If you have any additional skills you will be given the opportunity to show it.  REMEMBER, we want you to do well so just relax and have fun!  Here is a video of one of the funny clips the crew did for James Corden and Big Brother check it out!

Segun is one of our students who started off at our beginner’s class in Aylesbury and has just completed our 13 date arena tour including performances at the 20000 seat o2 arena tour sharing a stage with X factor winner Alexandra, not to mention performing in the Pure street Dance DVD. He recalls how he felt before the audition:

“I was all set to come to the audition, I had plucked up the courage and was really looking forward to it, but then I saw some footage on YouTube of the 07 arena tour and was blown away by the quality of dance. I was really nervous and nearly didn’t attend the audition. However I thought I would go anyway and in the end I got in, it was a big shock but Andy said he saw the potential in me, this year has been incredible and auditioning for the crew was the best decision I have ever made I have had opportunities that I would never have normally got, become part of a close team and learnt loads….and to think I wasn’t going to turn up!”

Segun performing at the NIA in front of 14000 people

We normally take 27 dancers, we look for potential so if you want to have life changing opportunities and could see yourself performing in front of 20 000 get yourself down to Wycombe High school on the 11^th, who knows it could be you!

Am I elegible:

• Do you have over 1 yrs street dance experience?
• Are you willing to commit your time and energy for something exceptional?
• Are you serious about taking your level of dance to exceptional standards?

Where is it?

Wycombe high for Girls High wycombe click here for google maps: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?sourceid=navclient&hl=en-GB&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4PBEA_en-GBGB275GB275&q=wycombe%20high%20school%20for%20girls&um=1&sa=N&tab=wl 

registration starts at 10.30 am go thorugh the main gates in to the main reception and turn right to register

Should you be successful you will be needed until 5 pm there will be lots of waiting around so bring a book or an ipod!

Please be aware the audtions will be run round by round so we have no way of predicting when you will finish please be prepared to stay all day if neccesary.

AUDITION FEE :£3 payable at registration-please bring change.

·         Have confidence

·         Enjoy yourself if you’re having fun it will show in your performance

·         Relax everyone wants you to do your best

A photo of the 2008 dance crew before their headline performance at the 02 arena

to find out more crew click here: www.urbanstrides.com/dance_crew.php  

To watch videos of the crew click here: http://blog.urbanstrides.com/category/videos/ 

Tell your friends and we look forward to seeing you there!

The Urban Strides team x

I am so excited my face nearly fell off this morning. Our new Pure Street Dance DVD is coming!  It’s been over 1 yr in development and it’s the definitive guide to anyone wanting to learn real deal authentic street dance. It was created with the sole purpose of dramatically improving your dancing. It’s totally unique as it breaks down all of the sik moves the Urban Strides instructors teach in class so now you can get the same dope atmosphere of an Urban Strides workshop in the privacy of your own home.  

It will work as a perfect compliment to those of you currently at class, significantly improving the speed at which you improve.  If you can’t make it to class it is the perfect solution to make sure you become the dancer you’ve always wanted to be.  The steps are all broken down piece by piece to make sure you have them down and giving you a greater feeling of confidence.  Plus we have four different routines with four different levels so that you can progress with the DVD at your own pace. So not only do you learn the foundation steps to help your freestyle you also get over 2 hrs of routines, woop woop! If you want to improve your dancing and how to bust out the most desireable street dance moves than this is it.

There is also over 90 mins of extras including interviews with all the crew plus all of the backstage footage from last years tour!  This is the DVD we have always wanted to make, it is made by dancers for dancers.  The release date is November 3rd! We have limited stock but to ensure you are not dissapointed you can pre order your dvd here  http://street-dance-store.com/store/gbu0-prodshow/15.html 

If you have seen the official dance crew perform, go to a class, been to a workshop, or wanted to be in the crew yourself this is the ultimate training tool, or if you just want to improve your freestyle but don’t know where to start, this is it!

p.s. Cos you are part of the Urban Strides family we are offering a special offer to you guys, it is selling in the shops for the RRP of £20 but we are offering to you for just £14! sssshhhhh don’t tell no one!

http://street-dance-store.com/store/gbu0-prodshow/15.html

Keep on dancing

Andy

Yo peeps,

It’s good to be back, the first week of classes is upon us and I have to say myself and the team are really looking forward to bringing the rawness!  If tonight was your first class with us - welcome! You’re now an official Urban Strides family member! We always want to her what you think and how your feeling so if tonight was your first class and your first experience of Urban strides let us now what you thought. If you are already an old skool Urban Strider let us know how good it feels to be back. I also have to say a big welcome to the Tring crew who are new additions to the family, let us know how much fun you had with Sam, she is a fierce teacher and a lot of fun. Your opinion matters to all of us, as always we want to hear what you have to say, hit us up famx

peace

Andy x