Missing you guys over summer, as always we have some action for you dance junkies! i have been working with the swan on a new piece of hip hop theatre which is on next friday and Saturday 21st and 22nd August. The crew im working with are dope and I have my urban Strides Family with me to make the week even better! The swagger massive have been killing it this week working super hard and improving every day, I have been really enjoying the week and creating some work on some super dope focussed individuals, if your in DP5 drop a message and spread some love, if you want to come down it will be a wicked show you can get tickets at the box office on 01494 512000 or check the website THE TICKETS ARE FREE FOR THOSE UNDER 26! check the link for full info http://www.wycombeswan.co.uk/wrt-productions_details.asp?pid=2932 Big love if your in the project or you are coming down, leave a message and lets us know what your thinking, if your in the swagger crew leave a comment letting everyone know how its going. If you are going to watch and support leave a message and let us know which night you are coming so we can look out for you in the bar afterwards.
What can I say this week has been next level! The difference in your levels of dance has been awesome even after 3 days I could see a massive improvement, that is very impressive given the short space of time you should be v. proud of yourselves. The level of real authentic funk has been dope, all the instructors have been so impressed at your brilliant attitudes and what a pleasure it has been to share their knowledge with you, nice work! I would love to hear what you guys think of the week so far, hit me up and let me know what has been your highlights of the week and what you feel has been most beneficial to your development.
Hope your all cool and enjoying classes. I have some sick news! Every two years we are privelaged to have the worlds finest hip hop crews perform at the High Wycombe Swan at the worlds leading hip hop festival! It only happens once every two years and I have to say the calliber of artists we have is awesome. Breakin convention is an awesome experience showcasing the worlds finest street dance crews, Urban Strides are performing on both days (represeeeeent!) and we are doing a world exclusive on the wednesday night, I dont want to say too much but I can guareentee it is a world first!
The shows are on Tuesday 5th May at 7.30 pm and
Wednesday 6th May @ 7.30pm
For all Urban Striders it is an absoulte must, we only get this talent every two years please do not miss out, plus there is also a special offer for peeps under 26 who can get free tickets for tuesday night under the “a night less ordinary” scheme call the box office on 01494 512000 for more details or follow this link http://www.wycombeswan.co.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=1072 But please hurry as there is a limited allocation.
Here is the breakin convention video check it out!
We are proud to announce that the Official Urban Strides Dance Crew have been selected to perform on BOTH nights of the Breakin Convention Tour at the Wycombe Swan!
On Tuesday 5th May, Andy and our youngest dance crew member James have been asked to perform their locking duet and on Wednesday 6th, the Crew are performing an innovative and extremely exciting new piece. We would love to hear what you think of it so if you can make it come and see us and then hit us up with a message. Tickets are available from www.wycombeswan.co.uk and check this out….if you are under 26 you can apply for a FREE TICKET!!!!!
Tuesday 28th April sees the Official Urban Strides Dance Crew closing the show for Grove Dance No 1, a spectacular evening of dance presented by performers aged between 4 and 24. The show features a wide variety of dance forms of an exceptional quality and takes place at the Grove Theatre in Dunstable on Tuesday 28th Apil at 7.30pm www.grovetheatre.co.uk 01582 60 20 80. Tickets are only £10 so come and support!!
This Sunday 29th March sees the Official Urban Strides Dance Crew closing the show at Activate at the Aylesbury Civic Centre. The show starts at 7pm and tickets are available from www.aylesburycivic.org or by calling the box office on 01296 486009.
We look forward to seeing some of our Urban Strides family supporting us in the audience!
See you there!
The Urban Strides Team
PS If you go to the Show, don’t forget to come back and post a coment on the blog on Monday and let us know if you enjoyed the performance.
This weekend Urban Strides are at Move It! in Olympia. It is the biggest Dance Exhibition in the UK and brings together every style of dance under one roof for three fantastic days, starting on Friday. At Move It you can watch 100 live performances, take your pick of 250 dance classes from every genre and meet up to 160 dance suppliers.
Urban Strides are exhibiting, teaching and performing. Our performance times are;
Friday 14.15pm
Saturday 14.15pm
Sunday 16.15pm
You can buy tickets to the event online at http://www.moveitdance.co.uk/ or on the door and I have a special offer for you! You can get 10% discount off your entry ticket by entering the discount code MTE2 when you book your tickets online. Its easy!
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:
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:
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:
“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.
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,
Every year the standard of the crew gets better and better and this year we realised that a focus on performance technique and more advanced skills would benefit you massively. So we decided to help, we have created a training class for those of you who are serious about the Offical Dance Crew™. It trains you in the same way we train the official crew, with a focus on developing your skills so when you audition you have the confidence ready to perform at your full potential, most importantly optimising your chances to be part of the Official Dance Crew™ If you are serious about getting better read on to find out how…..
*Brand new* Official Dance Crew™ Training Class
Doyou want to?
·Learn advanced skills that will help you audition for the Urban Strides official Dance crew™?
·Radically improve your dancing and take it up to the next level?
·Learn the “secrets” of freestyle and how a few changes can transform your dance ability?
The brand new official dance crew training class will totally prepare you for auditioning for the Urban Strides Official Dance Crew™ .You will learn all of the advanced master class techniques you want to know including:
Individual advanced techniques such as:
·Poppin-how to hit
·Waving-basics plus combinations
·Glides-from the basic how you can glide in a variety of ways
·Freestyle: How to develop your freestyle so you never run out of move
This class will also focus on the individual skills you need to become an exceptional freestyler.It will offer you a warm and nurturing environment where you will be personally guided to develop your freestyle how you’ve always wanted.Over the year you will receive one to one comments helping you improve your technique quicker as well as regular personal corrections should you want them.The class is the natural progression from the intermediate class and will challenge you even more.The class will also cover Individual master classes in street dance styles:
·House
·Locking
·Bboying (breakdance)
·Boogaloo +Poppin
If you are unsure about the different styles listed above check out this video of the freestyle circles @breakin convention last year featuring members of the crew!
Imagine how great it will feel when YOU can freestyle with confidence!
Plus you will also learn master class level choreography and routines every week, improving on your level of performance and ability to connect with both the music and the movement. We want to help you become the best you can be, we understand how you need to improve and in what areas.
To ensure this class will be right for you we have some guidelines to help:
·Have you at least one year’s street dance experience?
·Have you attended at least one term of intermediate classes?
·Are you committed to improving your technique and performance skills?
Where: Wycombe High SchoolWhen: Saturdays 2.30-4 pm Cost: £10 per class (payable per 1/2 term in advance)
If you answer yes to the guidelines then the Official dance Crew training class is for you! If you have any doubts about whether you are suitable for this class call now to talk to someone who will be more than happy to help you 08448 488825
SPECIAL OFFER! We are serious about helping you improve so if you made the effort and attended the audition or currently attend an intermediate class we will give a you £5 discount when you book your first term (offer closes before class on Saturday 17th Jan
WARNING: Please be aware places are limited and in order to be fair to everyone we will allocate on a first come first served basis, please book early to avoid disappointment. BOOK NOW ON 08448 488825 and ask for a booking form. 1st class starts this Saturday
