Urban Artistry

Education of Maren Cummings, Assistant Operations Director at Urban Artistry

2012-02-09T16:23:00.000-08:00

I have always loved learning; from staying late to sharpen pencils in fourth grade to drawing mental maps to connect texts in grad school (I’m dorky, I know).

… yes, that’s me on the far right with my 4^th grade Urkel glasses

So, it was a particularly hard decision for me to leave grad school in 2008 to dance. It was an emotional decision to leave the ivory tower, but as much as I tried to infuse dance into my studies (I did learn a lot from those Performance Studies books) and my schedule, I couldn’t do both and keep my sanity. And I knew that I needed dance in my life.

… my first year of college… minus the Urkel glasses

The tipping point for my decision – what made my choice stick was truly thinking about how Urban Artistry teaches. I was used to dance classes, but Urban Artistry’s teaching goes above and beyond classroom teaching. It’s not about teaching choreography, although that does happen; it’s about learning the history of the movements and the music, learning to apply concepts in your own way, learning from everyone in the class, and creating a space that’s safe enough to freely explore movement, but directed enough to make that movement dynamic.

Some of the most important lessons I have learned from Urban Artistry have happened outside of the dance studio. Urban Artistry encouraged me to get into my first cypher after 10 years of studio dancing and lurking on the sidelines (Thanks House!) Urban Artistry showed me how to build deeper friendships and how to truly push through character flaws to become the person I want to be (I’m still working on this .. but thanks for the guidance, Em).

Urban Artistry teaches me every day to be a student who is ready to learn. Those all-nighters from college turn into almost-all nighters in cyphers… riding the fumes of that inspiration to work a few hours later.

The research and thesis papers I wrote have paved the way for me to contribute to art grant proposals. My desire to learn to teach has been enhanced by being a student to such giving and patient artistic and operations directors.

I realize that I have surrounded myself with a dream team of educators to learn from and give back with- from music teachers, to SPED teachers, to life coaches and cultural ambassadors. Most recently, I realized how many layers of learning I was able to touch when I asked Urban Artistry to teach dance in my after-school program. I am used to doing homework help, art projects, and science projects with our youth, but to see them dance brings out a whole new side of them. Where they may hesitate to raise their hand to give an answer, they will raise it in a second to start a body wave. While they have down pat the dougie and the jerk, they had to learn to push themselves to learn old school hip hop moves. While they trust and test each other in the classroom, they had to re-explore that trust to get down with each other in cypher.

I am thankful everyday for having so many positive teaching role models and for being able to always be a student. Embrace all of who you are!

Inside the Headphones w/ DJ Mate Masie

2012-02-02T15:51:00.000-08:00

Join us for this week's blog featuring a video from Artistic Director, Russell Campbell aka DJ Mate Masie. In today's blog Russ gives us a look and a listen as to how it sounds to be:

INSIDE THE HEADPHONES...

http://youtu.be/cT5sDVVWE64

Thoughts from LaTasha Barnes of Imani Wellness & Urban Artistry

2012-01-26T10:30:00.000-08:00

Meet LaTasha Barnes, one of several Artistic Directors at www.urbanartistry.org.

Tasha has achieved many of her dreams this past year, winning the world championships for House Dance at Juste Debout w/ partner and dear friend Oluwatoyin Sogunro. It was a historical win because they were the first women and the first Americans to take home the title!

http://youtu.be/Z7Y9zCExqFE

http://youtu.be/aND-8nnzezc

She left her military "day-job" to pursue her long-standing wellness company (www.imaniwellness.com) full-time and got hitched to her "hunny bunny" Richard Hall last April. He has been a wonderful addition to the UA family!

Check out her blog below to learn more about what's behind this multi-talented artist:

"When I sat down to compose this week’s blog for my beautiful Urban Artistry family, I found myself completely overwhelmed with topics that I really wanted to write about. There were so many that I couldn’t pick one – until today.

While cleaning out my file cabinets, part of my New Year clean up J, I came across a letter I wrote to myself back in 2003. Being the hyper Type-A person I was then, I had documented everything that was going on when I wrote the letter: my mood – hopeful, excited & amped; my surroundings – my (then) newly purchased townhome in Fredericksburg; and my sounds – Musiq Soulchild – Album: Juslisen, Song: Future. I was immediately taken back to the moment I wrote the letter, filled with all the inspiration and motivation of that time in my life and all that I dreamed for myself. I immediately went to YouTube to listen to the song and sang along to my favorite part:

'Don't worry you can do it, baby (It's yours)

Ain't really nothing to it, baby (It's easy)

Take your time and you can do it cuz

Whatever you want, it's all up to you.

It ain't hard

I promise you can get it, but in order for you to get it, you gotta be in it.

(Alright)

And once you in it, you can win it, cuz whatever you want, it's all up to you

It ain't hard (word)'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnuDnNljpIQ

That song has always given me so much inspiration and energy; I had to share it with you guys. Every time I hear its bass line and the words of triumph come through the speakers, I feel as though I truly can take on the world – AND WIN! That feeling, that super splendifourlusly awesome ‘can-do attitude’ is what I needed to share more than anything else.

At this time of year, a lot of us are setting new goals. We are looking for inspiration, motivation and the faith to accomplish a laundry list of things, or maybe just one thing. With it being the beginning of a new year of competitions, shows, and events, many of us have set out to move beyond being spectators and engaging more in the competitive and creative arenas. I challenge everyone to share their goals with someone who inspires them and develop a plan towards actually achieving them. We should not allow ourselves to become discouraged by what life may place before us.

Refuse to lose, refuse to settle, and refuse to dream silently.

Give life to your dreams by talking about them – by building up those dreams in others, your dreams will come to life."

'1 mo round' aka Giovanni Galleno of CAB CRU

2012-01-19T12:18:00.000-08:00

When it comes to writing a blog I must admit it feels like the very first cypher experience. Itching to run in, cautious to not stumble and ruin your entire decade. a glimpse of your favorite dancer doing your favorite run from your favorite battle....you say to yourself...."I wanna do that!" Then you imagine the most sloppy looking run from the most annoying dancer from the battle you always fast forward on the tape....and you say "I hope I don't ever do that".

With that being said I would like to share my most favorite experience in an open cypher. As this is my first blog for Urban Artistry and I hope it will be memorable to others and not just me. Back in May of 2000 I attended 99.1 HFStival. This was a concert held at RFK Stadium. Throughout the entire day I was just groovin on my own and head banging and moshing and having a ball. There was a surprise guest this year...Run DMC. They came on after 311 and had a great set....I was on the side where it was clear and began to try to TopRock and do footworks... haha I was off beat like a mug. Anyway, after that Jimmy's Chicken Shack came on and it was game time! After the first track I managed to break into the mosh pit and decided to establish myself.... napoleon complex lol. I managed to stay on my feet and when the dust cleared and the hook of the song played...I decided to let these dudes know what else I could do. I started to do some tops and hit like 10 swipes and a quick backspin to a basic chair freeze... After that another bboy from Baltimore started to dance... we battled... can't remember who won, but it was hyped up by the innocent bystanders. The other bboy was bboy Avy, at the time he was a founder of Phusun Force Crew, now in Deadly Venoms Crew.

That moment was more memorable than any other in dance I have ever had, maybe ever will

Do you have a similar story?

Do you have similar interests in music?

Did you meet a dancer somewhere you never thought you would?

My name is Giovanni "1MoRound" Galleno of the Counter Attack Breakers Crew (CAB Crew) DC Chapter established 1997 and Artistic Director in Urban Artistry established 2005. I challenge you to share your thoughts on unexpected events and happenings in your chosen art form.

DJ Baronhawk Poitier - Baaad Assssss!

2012-01-11T12:54:00.000-08:00

Every time I post a mix publicly I want my audience to be surprised as to what they will hear. I never upload mixes back to back that are the same genre. The titles never hint at the genre of the mix. The name might be something I think has a little ring to it or its just an inside joke I've come up with during the process for my own amusement. I usually don't share any information about my mixes at all! However.. you're in luck. You get some background behind this mix (yay).

This mix serves three purposes. First of all its a promo mix for my monthly funkebration (yes, funk and celebration had a baby) called Bad Ass! Secondly, I wanted to mix music that I don't hear being spun very often in a way that I don't ever hear it spun. Most of the tracks are sped up to increase their intensity and power. Lastly, I wanted to tribute something to Rashaad and Ryan with a Strutting mix.

Check out the mix here: DJ Baronhawk Poitier - Baaad Assssss!

Check out the fan page: http://www.facebook.com/DJBaronhawk

Check out the event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/131671616943022/

A Musical Journey with Russell Campbell

2011-08-17T21:30:00.000-07:00

The torrential rain storm could not keep Russell Campbell’s fans from attending his set at 18th Street Lounge (ESL) this past Sunday evening. Also known as DJ Mate Masie, his entire two hour mix compelled us to feel as if we were all dancing on the edge of our own record. A record that Russell had brilliantly created with music he chose to play - or music that chose him.

One thing you should know about Russell is when you first see him on the dance floor, he exerts a radiant energy that puts you in a trance. Allowing for the music to move him, his motion is fluid. Once he stops to take a break and you have the chance to talk to him, you realize that not only is there deep sincerity, but patience and understanding as well. This appropriately explains Russells’ choice for the name Mate Masie, which originates from the West African Adinkra symbol and is interpreted as, “You understand what you hear.”

Much like a composer creates a story with her score Russell has created his own, bridging two of his many passions: music and dance. Humbly, he realizes that he was not alone in this creation; who he is today stems from his true roots.

Born in 1983 and raised in Silver Spring, MD, Russell was exposed to music from all genres at an early age. Coming from an extensive, talented musical family, Russell’s grandfather, Bill Campbell, played tenor with the legends (– The Intruders, James Brown and Etta James, to name a few), his grandmother, Pauline Campbell, sang at the Good Hope Methodist Church and also played the Hammond B-3 organ, and his father, Vincent Campbell Sr., is a vocalist who plays bass guitar.

Though Bill Campbell would not all allow for Russell to take part in his band (Russell recalls a conversation where Bill told him, “You aren’t old enough”), when it came to music, he was Russell’s greatest inspiration. A WWII veteran, he spoke very little and the two were able to communicate through music. Both playing the saxophone, his grandfather would play notes or patterns which Russell would then mimic. This was one of many lessons that Russell learned from his grandfather, and mimicking sounds would help him much sooner than he thought.

After learning from his grandfather that he was not allowed to play with his band, Russell was determined to make music a personal goal. He spent many hours in the family room, which was set up like a small studio, where he would play the piano, drum set and saxophone. In middle school he auditioned for the school band and for two years mimicked the sounds from those around him. He finally confided in his conductor that during all of this time he could not read sheet music. Instead of being upset, his conductor only challenged him more, asking him to play the bassoon. During his high school years, Russell was not only an incredible athlete on the field but simultaneously played percussion in the drum core.

Once Russell turned 16, he hit the ground dancing. “Music and dance, that’s what I did.” With his collection of records expanding along with an interest in becoming a DJ, Russell was soon introduced to house music. House music is a style of electronic dance strongly influenced by disco with elements of soul and funk. It originates from a Chicago nightclub, otherwise known as The Warehouse which was popular from 1977 to the mid-80's.

Russell received his first house record from DJ Black Caesar and being a B-Boy from Silver Spring who usually danced to funk, he assumed he would not care for it. However, when the needle hit the vinyl and the sounds of ‘We Lift Our Hands in the Sanctuary’ played by Una and DJ Oji and ‘Love and Happiness’ by India MAW rattled his eardrums, he was hooked.

In his early twenties, Russell started spending more time at Club Red, where the party ‘Underground Soul Solution’ was held. Each night, Club Red was a new experience for Russell. He was overwhelmed that there was a room full of people who were moving together and no one was stealing the spotlight, as b-boys have a reputation of doing. He suddenly felt the need to experience this feeling more and more – to see how other people lived their lives and why they danced the way they did. He soon came to accept that breaking was not the only dancing style. Those moments triggered a new energy in him, and soon he too was dancing with the wave of others. He was able to release his emotions through dance and accept his feelings, as well as accept what others were feeling. After all, the mentality of dancing with an open mind and spirit are vital to growth in the musical and dance world.

It was here at the Underground Soul Solution where Russell first met the infamous DJ Sam “The Man” Burns. Through the years, Russell had been influenced by Sam by watching and listening to him mix. Russell quickly learned that Burns had the musical ability to emotionally release those who were open, thereby allowing the music to take them for a ride.

The more time he spent listening to DJs and dancing, the more he learned how a crowd reacts to music. He now knows how to take control of the room and how to tell a story differently each time, even if the same track is played. Russell explains that house music is a way to express yourself and allows you to keep yourself in a place of understanding, hence DJ Mate Masie. As he explained, “the people are counting on you to keep the energy up and to keep them engaged.”

Advice Russell gives for those in the musical industry is that it is essential for musicians to do their research. “It’s your goal to actually be the researcher so you can play the songs or the tunes that people can feel parallel to.” This research will provide the knowledge that eventually helps musicians relate to the crowd as well as the ability to keep themselves in a place of understanding - that way, they are not solely playing but also teaching.

Russell embraces change. He sees this not only in the beat of music, but also in plants, animals, people and life. How fitting his response, when I asked him what his favorite season is and he replied with, "fall".

Russell has evolved since the beginning of his musical and dancing career and continues onward. And I for one am excited to watch this evolution – a man who not only lives a legacy but shares it.

A sample of DJ Mate Masie's music from last Sunday at ESL....

Russell Campbell is an acting artistic director, teacher, performer and producer of films with Urban Artistry.

-mea

First USA champs & first female champs at Juste Debout 2011- House Dance

2011-03-21T07:07:00.000-07:00

Urban Artistry (www.urbanartistry.org) is proud to announce Artistic Director's LaTasha Barnes and Oluwatoyin Sogunro as the first USA team and the first female team to take home 1st place in the world championship for House Dance in the 2011 Juste Debout competition (http://www.juste-debout.com). Led by mentor Junious "House" Brickhouse (Founder/Executive Director of Urban Artistry), these girls did an amazing job bringing home the title for the Assassins Crew/Urban Artistry family.

See their wonderful performance at the Paris de Bercy stadium in France March 7, 2011at the link below. http://canalstreet.canalplus.fr/danse/juste-debout-2011/juste-debout-2011-finale-house-dance

Tasha and Toyin can be found at Dance Bethesda on Thursday and Sunday evenings, along with the rest of the UA family who have taken up residency at the local downtown Bethesda studio since early Fall 2010. The dance company provides a range of urban dance education classes for all ages and all levels to enjoy at only $10 per class. Join them every Thursday at 8227 Woodmont Ave #2B, Bethesda, MD 20814 to learn more about these amazing dance styles, their history and the communities they serve.

6pm Breakdance (bboy/bgirl) w/ Russell "Ironman" Campbell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkcPFt77seM

7pm Hip Hop/Popping w/ Rashaad Pearson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ctuYjmFNRg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsQAfL-PCX0

8pm House Dance w/ Junious "House" Brickhouse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JU0wYIbOfc

International Soul Society Festival 2011

2011-01-18T23:06:00.001-08:00

Join Urban Artistry for the 3rd Annual International Soul Society Festival held April 10-17, 2011 at various venues throughout the Nation’s Capital, USA.

MISSION STATEMENT: The International Soul Society Festival is a global initiative to gather practitioners and enthusiasts from across the world in celebration of urban dance, music and arts culture.

HISTORY: The International Soul Society Festival was founded by a society of soulful creatives in the Washington, DC Metro Area and their affiliates both locally and abroad. Initially sponsored by a small grant from the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County the event grew to serve over 600 local, national and international guests in the first two years alone. Bringing artists together from Memphis, Seoul, New York, Sofia, Stuttgart, San Francisco, Cape Town, Phoenix, Helsinki, Atlanta, Copenhagen, Montreal, Philadelphia, London, Baltimore, Stockholm and everywhere in between this unique festival creates an opportunity for cultural ambassadors from many backgrounds to find a mutual respect for one another through the competition, performance and education of urban dance, music and arts culture.

The festival is organized annually by a carefully chosen group of industry professionals who graciously donate their time and experience to help further this global initiative and the mission of the Urban Artistry Project.

Urban Artistry, an International Culture and Education Project based in the DC Metro Area is a 501(c)(3) non-profit collective of dancers, artists, historians, musicians, folklorists and documentary filmmakers on a mission to preserve and continue the practice of urban dance, music and arts culture. They are known for providing authentic, focused and professional events, competitions, performances and educational programming to those who seek knowledge and understanding of the rich traditions behind the ever-changing movement found in urban arts communities. Their works reflects on the roots of popular dances such as hip hop, house dance and breakdance by bringing attention to movements that came before these trends in genres such as Tap, Lindy Hop, Traditional Jazz, African, Latin and Martial Arts.

Noteworthy performances for the group include: The US Embassy, Sofia Bulgaria; SADE Festival, Helsinki Finland; World Dance Coliseum, Japan; The Conservatory of Korea, Seoul, Korea; Ill-reality Theater Productions, Philadelphia PA; House Dance International, NYC; The Kennedy Center, Washington DC; The Harman Center for the Arts, Washington DC and The BreakFestival in Los Angeles, California.

28th Annual CHOREOGRAPHERS’ SHOWCASE 2011

2011-01-07T12:12:00.000-08:00

28th Annual CHOREOGRAPHERS’ SHOWCASE 2011

This annual adjudicated showcase brings together leading young choreographic talents from Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC in an intriguing mix of original works.

Sponsored by the Clarice Smith Center in partnership with the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission.

Location: Dance Theater of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
University of Maryland Stadium Drive, College Park, MD 20742

Cost: $25

Time: 3:00pm and 8:00pm

http://claricesmithcenter.umd.edu/2010/c/performances/performance?rowid=11183

Hip Hop Jam w/ TWB & UA at THE ARC

2011-01-07T11:57:00.000-08:00

Hip Hop Party & Jam Session with Urban Artistry & The Washington Ballet at THE ARC

http://www.thearcdc.org/partners-programs/washington-ballet

Location: THE ARC 1901 Mississippi Ave SE Washington DC

Time: 7:30pm to 10:30pm

Cost: $10 adults and $5 for youth!

All ages and levels are welcome to attend, parents are encouraged to join in too!

KAGRO-DC's 22nd Annual Scholarship Award Banquet

2011-01-07T09:54:00.001-08:00

Urban Artistry will be performing at KAGRO-DC's 22nd Annual Scholarship Award Banquet in honor of the organizations many scholarships awarded to high school students this year.

When: Sunday January 23 at 8pm

Where: The Ukrainian National Catholic Shrine
4250 Harewood Rd. NE Washington, DC 20017

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Korean-American-Grocers-Association-of-Greater-Washington-DC-KAGRO-DC/177088485637259#!/event.php?eid=120935884638306

The event is free but you must pre-register by January 15th. Each year over 500 guests show up to join our celebration and unfortunately we've had to turn people away in the past without proper registration, so please get your registration in early as possible as seating is limited.

Please RSVP with Peter Cho, our Executive Director or Gary Cha, our President.

Peter Cho: packcorp@comcast.net or 202-725-5940
Gary M. Cha: Yesorganic@aol.com or 703-927-9507

If you're interested in sponsoring our event, please contact Song Park, at sparktrek@hotmail,com or 703-717-5058 to request our sponsorship kit.

On behalf of the 22nd Annual Banquet Steering Committee, Executive Directors of KAGRO-DC, we look forward to having a ton of fun with you.

Please join KAGRO’s page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Korean-American-Grocers-Association-of-Greater-Washington-DC-KAGRO-DC/177088485637259

Mighty 4 Harrisburg Pennsylvania 1-vs-1 "1,000"

2011-01-07T09:52:00.000-08:00

Urban Artistry is headed to MIGHTY 4 PA... 1/16/2011

Mighty 4 Harrisburg Pennsylvania Bboy/Bgirl "Break Dance Competition

Judges: Trac 2- Star Child La Rock
Aby- The Bronx Boys Crew (TBB)
JoJo-C0-Founder of Original Rock Steady Crew
...
Hosted By: Guerrilla Funk (Will) Zulu Nation Va

Dj Skeme Richards

Place of Event:
Camp Curtain Gymnasium
2900 N 6th St
Harrisburg, PA 17110-2106

Cost: $10.00

Time:
3pm- 9pm

Any More Mighty 4 Update go to
www.mighty4.com
www.harrisburgcitybreakers.com

Dr. MLK Performance Celebration in Rockville 1/17/11

2011-01-07T09:47:00.000-08:00

The Mayor, Council of Rockville
Rockville Human Rights Commission
in celebration of:
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday on Monday, January 17, 2011

Richard Montgomery High School
http://www.rockvillemd.gov/parks-facilities/rmhs.htm

12:00pm

Featured Guest:
Maureen Bunyan, news broadcaster and anchor for ABC 7, 6 p.m. weeknight news.

Performances:
Vocalist Desiree Ellis
Urban Artistry
Soul in Motion and Body Moves Contemporary Dance Company
Capital Focus Jazz Band
Yellow River Art Ensemble
Soulfuldisiac

A community reception will follow the program.

Admission is FREE.

Wheelchair Accessible.
Sign Language Interpreted.

Call 240-314-8316 for more information.

http://www.rockvillemd.gov/events/MLKday.htm

NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo Jan 15/16 2011

2011-01-07T09:41:00.001-08:00

http://www.nbcwashington.com/station/community/NBC4-Health-And-Fitness-Expo-2011.html

Join Urban Artistry at the Dance MetroDC booth at this year's NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo 2011. Admission is FREE to the public both Saturday and Sunday at The Walter E. Washington Convention Center – Halls B & C 801 Mount Vernon Place NW Washington, DC from 9am to 5pm.

Performances by Urban Artistry both days at 3:30pm or stop by the booth to meet the artists and pick up fliers for upcoming classes, performances and events!

DCist Article about recent show at BlankSpace SE

2011-01-07T09:23:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Urban Artistry started off the new year with a new work by Artistic Director Toyin Sogunro and performers Rizqi Rachmat, Baronhawk Williams, Kaye Love and Russell Campbell. Check out the recent article in DCist about the event and other arts events here in DC!

http://dcist.com/2011/01/arts_agenda_170.php

Performance at BLANK SPACE OPEN HOUSE in SE, Washington DC

2010-12-29T13:01:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Lisa Bacon
Program and Outreach Coordinator
Phone: 202-365-8392
Fax:202-889-5035
Mailing Address: 1227 Good Hope Road SE
Washington DC 20020
lbacon@archdc.org
www.blankSPACEse.com
New Blank Space Arts Venue to Host Open House

December 9, 2010 (Washington, DC) -- Blank Space SE, a new permanent creative pop-up space in Anacostia, will be hosting its first ever Open House event since its inception in October. The Open House will be held Wednesday, January 5, 2011 from 11am-7pm with a performance portion from 5-7pm.

The event will include a special performance by Urban Artistry, a non-profit collective of dancers, artists, historians, musicians, folklorists and documentary filmmakers on a mission to preserve and continue the practice of urban dance, music and arts culture. As well as a one-day only, special photo exhibition by Critical Exposure, a non-profit organization founded in 2004 that teaches youth to use the power of photography and their own voices to become effective advocates for school reform and social change.

Blank Space SE welcomes all professional, experimental, visionary, original artists and organizations to use the space as their own temporary creative home, as it is meant to be the ideal rental venue for all forms of creative projects and outlets. Community members are invited as well as local organizations and schools. This event is free and open to the public.

Blank Space SE, located at 1922 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE, is available for many different projects, including (but not limited to): the production of your own art exhibit, a dance or theatre event, a workshop or classroom, a short term studio, a think tank, a creative crucible, a pop up boutique, or business.

Blank Space SE is a project of the ARCH Development Corporation (www.archdevelopment.org), a twenty year old not for profit dedicated to the creative revitalization of the Historic Anacostia community in Washington, D.C.
For further inquiries, please contact Lisa Bacon at lbacon@archdc.org. Be sure to visit the Blank Space SE website for details: www.blankspacese.com

BBOY Workshop w/ Hannibal from Philly

2010-12-29T12:56:00.000-08:00

Urban Artistry Presents:
A Bboying Workshop with Hannibal from Philly

When: Sunday, January 2, 2011 from 4:00pm-7:00pm
Where: Dance Bethesda: 8227 Woodmont Avenue #2a, Bethesda, MD 20814

RED LINE METRO- Bethesda Station
FREE PARKING avaliable in Woodmont Garage

Cost: $20 (2 hour workshop)
4pm Warm up cypher
5pm to 7pm Workshop

Brian “Hannibal” Newby was born and raised in North Philadelphia. He grew up in a neighborhood where he was exposed to many block parties and house parties. Being in this environment led to his first attraction towards dance. He started popping in 1998 after he began watching and mimicking his mother dance. Six years later Hannibal started breaking and also became an influence and teacher to others around him. He was quickly recognized as a dancer with tremendous talent and style. He started his own movement, 360 Flava, where he strived to teach and share the knowledge and full aspect of Hip-Hop. Along with entering and winning b-boy battles, he stepped foot into the commercial business. He danced promotionally for BET and Adidas to name a few. Hannibal was personally sought out and asked to join Rennie Harris Puremovement, allowing him to fully enter the theater world. With the company he has performed at numerous places including Jacob’s Pillow, the San Francisco Hip-Hop Dance Fest, and Apap in New York. His enormous talent has also allowed him to tour internationally to Mexico, Switzerland, and Bolivia where he did work for the U.S. government. With the combination of his talent, knowledge and intelligence, Hannibal has become an outstanding figure in the Hip-Hop community not only in Philadelphia. He is a leader who understands his role and chooses to continue working, learning and inspiring everyday.

Get some new techniques for the New Year!

For more information check out www.urbanartistry.org or follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/urban.artistry

MODERN LUXURY named UA #3 in the Top Ten Artists to Watch in 2011

2010-12-02T07:41:00.000-08:00

A special thanks to Philippa P.B. Hughes for recommending us!!

#3 in their list of the top ten DC based artists to watch in 2011

http://media.modernluxury.com/digital.php?e=WASH

Washington Area Grantmakers FLASH MOB!

2010-12-02T07:27:00.000-08:00

...the once-a-year opportunity for the region's social profit community to gather, network and collectively explore some of the most exciting topics and difficult challenges affecting our region and the field of philanthropy. Join us this year as we explore "Opportunities for Impact."

Thursday, November 18, 2010:

URBAN ARTISTRY, Dance MetroDC and the Teen Exchange crashed the WRAG Business meeting to ask for a little bit of HELP! They got together with some secret foundation representatives that learned the FLASH MOB choreography created by Baronhawk Williams of Urban Artistry and jumped up from their luncheon seats to perform with the dancers. The crowd was overwhelmed to see their collegues getting down to the funky sounds and everyone had a great time performing together.

WATCH OUT you never know where we will hit with this years FLASH MOB!

www.danceistheanswer.com/flashmobs

Business Meeting (for members only)
Time: 9:00am to 11:30am | Location: Ronald Reagan Building
Speaker: GABRIEL KASPER, Monitor Instituteand co-author of What's Next for Philanthropy: Acting Bigger and Adapting Better in a Networked World
* Sponsored by the Vradenburg Foundation

Luncheon & Keynote Speaker
Time: 12:00pm to 2:00pm | Location: Ronald Reagan Building
Speaker: MANUEL PASTOR, JR., co-author of This Could be the Start of Something BIG: How Social Movements for Regional Equity Are Reshaping Metropolitan America
* Sponsored by Freddie Mac and the Freddie Mac Foundation

URBAN ARTISTRY has MOVED!!!!

2010-10-26T14:23:00.000-07:00

The Urban Artistry family has moved to a new location.

Please visit our new classes at:

DANCE BETHESDA
8227 Woodmont Ave #2a
Bethesda, MD 20814
(202) 431-4202 for more information or visit our website at www.urbanartistry.org/education

Classes are offered every Thursday

6:00pm Breakin with Russell Campbell
7:00pm Hip Hop with Rashaad Pearson
8:00pm House Dance with Junious Brickhouse

All classes are $10 drop in and are open to all levels and ages- no prior experience is required for any of these classes.

Correctional Facility Promo

2010-10-25T17:14:00.000-07:00

New partners, new battles, new beefs, new artists...coming soon in 2011

THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY - Urban Artistry

Dance/MetroDC Kick-Off Party

2010-10-25T17:06:00.000-07:00

Urban Artistry's youngest current member Kalik Mumean performing some toprock to the sounds of DJ Baronhawk Poitier at the MetroDC Dance Kick-Off Party at SkyBar in Washington DC.

Iron Man vs Meen187| UNBREAKABLE III

2010-10-25T17:01:00.000-07:00

Battle between Artistic Director Russell Cambell and MEEN187 of Dynamic Rockers at UNBREAKABE 2010... see what's in store for 2011.

Community Day @ The Smithsonian National Museum of African Art

2010-10-25T16:39:00.000-07:00

Highlights from The Smithsonian National Museum of African Art- Community Day!
September 18, 2010 @ 3:00pm
950 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20560
http://africa.si.edu/

National Urban League Centennial Exhibit - Video Wall Excerpts

2010-10-25T16:36:00.000-07:00

The National Urban League Centennial Exhibit - Video Wall Excerpts by STUDIOUP!

Featuring Executive Director Junious Brickhouse
Apprentice Director Desmond Howard
Performers: Natalie Hoffman, Manuel Iglesias, James Draney and Gabe Lipton Galbraith

Part of The National Urban League Annual Conference whih took place at The Washington Convention Center during the Summer of 2010.

Funk in Focus Workshops

2010-10-25T16:29:00.000-07:00

This video is a sample of the Funk in Focus Workshops with Urban Artistry's Artistic Directors Rashaad Pearson and Ryan Webb. Their partner work has traveling the globe spreading the knowledge, culture and education of the urban dance styles of popping, strutting, boogaloo and the robot among other funk, soul dance and hip hop dance styles that these amazing artists have the ability to teach. Their choreography, performances and workshops never fail to impress and their ability to bring this knowledge in an age appropriate manner to students of all ages sets them apart from their competition every time.

Their workshops and performances have been featured at Jam On IT in Smolyn, Bulgaria, IllReality in Philadelphia, PA, The World Dance Coliseum in Japan, various events throughout Korea, Canada and the West Coast of the United States.

Performances entitled "Funk In Focus" have also appeared at the above listed venues and at the 2010 VelocityDC Festival (see article here http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/08/AR2010100806271.html), The Kennedy Center Open House Arts Festival for 2009/2010, The Smithsonian Musuem of African Art, various school shows with Class Acts Arts and many other locations throughout Washington DC where they are currently based.

For more information they can be contacted at:

rashaad.pearson@urbanartistry.org
ryan.webb@urbanartistry.org

Winner of Dance metro DC Award 2011 for Excellence in Costume Design

2010-10-24T09:09:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Urban Artistry costume designers for winning the Dance Metro DC Award in 2010 for excellence in Costume Design for their hand painted graffiti suits featured in the production "DIGITAL FUNK 5002."

INTERSECTIONS: A New American Arts Festival 2011

2010-09-20T22:08:00.001-07:00

"Break Boundaries. Create Connections. At INTERSECTIONS.

The Atlas' second annual all-arts festival celebrating the dynamic artistic and cultural crossroads of our community and world."

March 12, 2011 at 8:00pm in the Lang Theater
March 13, 2011 at 2:00pm in the Lang Theater

Urban Artistry (www.urbanartistry.org) and Coyaba Dance Theater (www.coyabadance.com) present their new collaborative work showcasing choreography from Sylvia Soumah and Junious Brickhouse.

Join these established artists as they journey to nightclubs throughout the world, only to find that these traditions although evoloved have not abandoned their roots from Africa. Focused on the stories behind these dances and on the similarities between House Dance Footwork and in the Footwork seen in West African Traditional dances- this is a story you do not want to miss!

Tickets will be avaliable soon at www.intersectionsdc.org and stay tuned for upcoming events and specials throughout the holidays!

Velocity DC Festival 2010

2010-09-14T22:15:00.000-07:00

The VelocityDC Dance Festival is an annual event produced by a consortium of leading arts organizations in the Washington, DC region, including the Washington Performing Arts Society, the Shakespeare Theatre Company and Dance/MetroDC.

Urban Artistry opens the house for this year's VelocityDC festival with their performance "FUNK IN FOCUS" by Lead Artistic Director: Rashaad Pearson (nominated two MetroDC Dances Awards in 2010).

Harman Ceter for the Arts
Chinatown/Gallery Place

Thursday, 10.7.2010 at 7pm
Friday, 10.8.2010 at 7pm
Saturday, 10.9.2010 at 2pm & 7pm (two shows)

Tickets on SALE now! Only $18- catch this great deal now at:
http://velocitydc.org/tickets/

Arlington Arts Center Artisphere Opening!

2010-09-14T22:11:00.000-07:00

Event Details | Arlington Arts Artisphere Opening!

Join Urban Artistry at the grand Opening for ARTISPHERE in Rossyln, Virginia on 10.10.10 at 11:00am. Groove to the sounds of DJ Mate Masie and DJ Obeyah along with Urban Artistry performers getting down to those funky sounds!

2010 DMV Soul Exchange 9/11 & 9/12

2010-09-14T21:57:00.001-07:00

A big thanks to Kim Talley for taking these great photos of the event and to The Zulu Nation Chapter, The Mambo Room and Urban Artistry's great instructors!

Urban Artistry performs at SKY BAR/Beacon Hotel

2010-09-14T21:44:00.000-07:00

Join us on September 15th, 2010
5:30pm to 8:00pm
The Beacon Sky Bar
1615 Rhode Island Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 296-2100

http://www.capitalhotelswdc.com/MartiniSkyBar_com/index.htm

Metro DC Dances Kick-Off Party and Dance-off with
DJ Baronhawk Poitier and Urban Artistry!

"DIGITAL FUNK" nomination for Dance Metro DC Awards in 2010

2010-09-02T10:28:00.001-07:00

"DIGITAL FUNK" Directed by Rashaad Pearson of Urban Artistry was nominated for Best New Work at the Dance Metro DC Awards 2010!

The awards ceremonies and showcases will be held: Sunday, October 3, 2010 at the Millenium Stage- Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Wednesday, October 6, 2010at the Harman Center for the Arts in Chinatown/Gallery Place.

FYI- stop by on the 6th for a special opening show by Urban Artistry and Next Reflex!

Additionally, "DIGITAL FUNK" was nominated for Best Costume Design. Concept and construction by Rashaad Pearson, LaTasha Barnes and Reed Griffith, these costumes were hand painted just days before their debut at the MRP, Hip Hop Festival which took place February 20 & 21, 2010 at the Takoma Park/ Silver Spring Montgomery College Theater.

We are grateful to all who helped make this achievment possible and look forward to celebrating everyone who was nominated.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL FOR A JOB WELL DONE!

http://www.dancemetrodc.org/front/mdcda_nominees.php

HELP Flash Mob Performance for Soul Society 2011 and Dance Is The Answer!!

2010-09-02T10:26:00.000-07:00

Check out the awesome video of last years Flash MOB "Help" which took place at The INTERNATIONAL SOUL SOCIETY FESTIVAL 2010 during www.danceistheanswer.org and www.hiphopsoulsociety.com

Urban Artistry, An International Culture and Education Project partnered with, Dancemetro Dc, Knock On Wood Tap Studio, Liz Lerman Teen Exchange, Tappers With Attitude, local community members who learned the dance online and our international guests who jumped in to join the fun!

Thank you to Dance Metro DC's Peter DiMuro, choreographer Baronhawk Poitier Williams and Junious Lee Brickhouse for making this possible and so much fun!

Who knows what will go down in 2011...

stay tuned at www.hiphopsoulsociety.com

"The House That Jack Built" performance in Bangor, Maine

2010-08-29T09:36:00.000-07:00

http://www.bangordailynews.com/story/Living/Urban-Artistry-mixes-culture-stirs-Folk-Festival-crowd,152473

RESTRICTION collaboration with Bluebrain and Urban Artistry, presented by The Pink Line Project

2010-08-26T11:14:00.001-07:00

PHOTO CREDIT: facebook.com/jason.mccool

Check out the recent collaboration with Bluebrain and Urban Artistry presented by the Pink Line Project.

For more info visit:

http://pinklineproject.com/article/dancers-park

Restriction from The Pink Line Project on Vimeo.

DMV Soul Exchange in Virginia Beach September 11/12

2010-08-26T11:06:00.000-07:00

The National Urban League's Cenntenial Exhibit in July 2010 at The Washington Convention Center

2010-08-17T08:25:00.000-07:00

Executive Director Junious Brickhouse, his apprentice Desmind Howard were among a few of the Urban Artistry performers that were selected to participate in the National Urban League's Centennial Exhibit here in Washington DC during July 2010. The exhibit also featured Natalie Hoffman,James Draney, Manuel Iglesias and gabe Galbraith- who are all apprentices of various Directors here at Urban Artistry.

The National Urban League Centennial Exhibit featured 100 years of history of American Civil Rights and finished with a video display created by Studio UP! We were proud to participate in this historic event and want to thank the families of our young talented dancers who participated in the event!

Asian American Leadership Organization and Urban Artistry

2010-08-16T21:47:00.001-07:00

FREE Hip Hop and Breakin WORKSHOPS for TEENS!

Urban Artistry teamed up with AA-LEAD this summer to provide free workshops for teens in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington DC in July and August! Photographer SERLi joined us to document the experience these instructors and kids had over the two days of classes with Sarah Baker (Urban Artistry guest instructor from Cambridge England), Russell Campbell and Emily Wessel.

http://www.aalead.org/

10th MetroDC Dance Awards Showcase: October 6, 2010

2010-08-16T21:43:00.000-07:00

10th MetroDC Dance Awards Showcase
October 6, 2010

Harmen Center for the Arts
610 F Street NW Washington, DC 20004-2207

http://www.dancemetrodc.org/front/mdcda_main.php

Smithsonian National Museum of African Art- Community Day!

2010-08-16T21:42:00.001-07:00

Smithsonian National Museum of African Art- Community Day!

September 18, 2010 @ 3:00pm

950 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20560

http://africa.si.edu/

Kennedy Center Open House Arts Festival September 11, 2010 at 3:00pm

2010-08-16T21:40:00.000-07:00

Kennedy Center Open House Arts Festival
September 11, 2010 @ 3:00pm
2700 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20566
http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/?fuseaction=showEvent&event=ZKAOZ

DMV Soul Exchange: workshops in VA beach September 11-12, 2010

2010-08-16T21:37:00.000-07:00

Urban Artistry and Zulu Nation DMV Chapter 757 proudly present:

THE DMV SOUL EXCHANGE!

September 10-12, 2010 Workshops held in Ghent at The Mambo Room!

Breakin: Meen 187, Russell "Ironman" Campbell & Emily Wessel
Popping: Rashaad Pearson & Ryan "Future" Webb
House Dance: Junious Brickhouse
Waacking: Sopheye Richard & Toyin Sogunro
Hip Hop: LaTasha Barnes
Locking: Baronhawk Williams
DJ Baronhawk Poitier, DJ Mate Masie, DJ Obeyah

Afterparty and Cypher Jam event info coming soon!

For more info contact: guerillawill@gmail.com

CAPETOWN to DC Hip Hop Exchange with Emile YX?, DJ THEE ANGELO, Russell "IRONMAN" Campbell, DJ RBI and KOKAYI

2010-08-16T21:35:00.000-07:00

Two weeks of events are scheduled as part of this amazing exchange between DC and South African Hip Hop Artists, including performances by MC's, DJ's, bboys and dancers at various venues throughout Washington DC in July 2010. Hosted by Nomadic Wax, Urban Artistry, the DCCAH, Heal the Hood, Black Noise, Busboys & Poets, DC Rap, VOICES, Words, Beats & Life, Hillyer Arts Space, Fusicology, Magee Films,Sankofa, Modern and More!

http://nomadicwax.com/ http://healthehood.org.za/site/ http://blacknoise.co.za/site/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Chiro-on-the-GO partnership with Urban Artistry

2010-08-16T21:30:00.000-07:00

In keeping with their mission to create healthy enviroments for artists, Urban Artistry and the Soul Society Festival partner with Dr. Jen Faber to provide chiropractic services that are cost effective and portable!

We believe that giving dancers the knowledge of how to care for thier bodies enables them to progress in their movement careers with less chance of pain and injury. To live and dance without pain is truly a form of freedom, that anyone who has suffered can really relate too. Dr. Faber truly understands that dance is a way of life for us here at UA!

Check them out at: www.chiroonthego.com

Urban Artistry partners with The Beat Refinery

2010-08-16T21:28:00.001-07:00

www.beatrefinery.com

Urban Artistry announces their newest partnership with local DJ school at Bach 2 Rock Music School in Bethesda, Maryland. Look out for upcoming events- coming soon!

Nsoroma Fundraiser in Baltimore, Maryland August 21, 2010

2010-08-16T21:26:00.000-07:00

Nsoroma School Fundraiser
August 21, 2010 at 1:00pm
Baltimore, Maryland

Join us in fundraising for this great cause!

http://www.nsoromaholisticlearning.org/4.html

Premier: The House That Jack Built

2010-08-16T21:15:00.000-07:00

Urban Artistry presents their premier performance of the new work: The House That Jack Built in the summer 2010. This year the Artistic Directors wanted to bring focus to the dances associated with House Music Culture, because it was im house music night clubs that many of the Urban Artistry Faculty initially met.

This performance traces house music and house dance back to the roots in African and Latin dances, as well as Martial Arts through live story-telling, dance, DJ, Drumming and vocal performances by Urban Artistry performers and directors. The show premiered locally from July 20-23, 2010 at The Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC and Nationally at The American Folk Festival in Bangor, Maine August 27-29, 2010.

For more information on these performances please visit:

http://discoverytheater.org/

http://www.americanfolkfestival.com/

Look out for International Performances and a short documentary of this new work coming soon!

Korean Friendship Night in support of ASIA-all services June 19th 2010

2010-08-16T21:09:00.000-07:00

Korean Friendship Night!!

Urban Artistry joined several amazing artists to raise money for an adoption support organization bringing authentic Korean culture to youth adopted by American families. Director Grace Song works very hard to create opportunities for youth growing up in the states to celebrate and appreciate their native culture.

http://www.asia-allservices.org/2010-korea-friendship-night.html

NPR interview with Washington Post Magazine Writer about her experience with Urban Artistry

2010-06-04T08:28:00.000-07:00

Follow this link to the NPR website to listen to the interview from Sarah Kauffman regarding her experience writing an article about Urban Artistry's new program at The Dance Institute of Washington in 2010.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126532780

THE DANCE INSTITUTE OF WASHINGTON CLASSES ARE NO LONGER OFFERED

2010-06-03T17:33:00.000-07:00

Classes at the Dance Institute of Washington 3400 14th Street, NW DC on the Green Line Metro Station Columbia Heights- street parking avaliable.

Tuesdays
Hip Hop with LaTasha Barnes - 7pm - no longer offered
House Dance with Junious "House" Brickhouse - 8pm- no longer offered
Thursdays
Breakin with Russell "Ironman" & Gabe aka "Shamrock" - 7pm - no longer offered
Popping with Rashaad Pearson & Ryan "Future" Webb - 8pm - no longer offered

All classes are drop in and only cost $10 each. All ages and levels are welcome to join us, no experience necessary to attend. Wear comfortable clothing and sneakers.

OPEN PRACTICE ENDED 9/26/2010
FREE OPEN PRACTICE sponsored in part by grant by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities every Sunday from 3:00pm to 6:00pm except major holidays!

Issac iOkoba Photography

2010-06-03T17:26:00.000-07:00

www.iOboka.com

Class Acts Arts 2010/2011 Directory

2010-06-03T17:21:00.000-07:00

Visit www.classactsarts.org and book Urban Artistry to come to your school or community center for a show or workshop next school year!

American College Dance Festival Association 2010

2010-06-03T16:56:00.000-07:00

http://www.acdfa.org/

A special thanks to www.dancemetrodc.org for inviting us to join them as a guest at the ACDFA Conference here in DC last week. Founder/Executive Director Junious Brickhouse was accompanied by Scott Rink of DanceRink another MSAC award winner for Dance Solo in 2010, along with Dance/USA and Dance Metro DC Staff for a panel discussion on working in the professional dance community as a Director and as a Performer.

Later thank night Urban Artistry joined the young dancers at an after-showcase party at The infamous Watergate 660 Restaurant across from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to dance to the sounds of Urban Artistry's DJ Baronhawk Poitier.

Peter DiMuro, Toyin Sogunro, Ryan Webb, Emily Wessel, Phillip Chang and Junious Brickhouse all came out to perform solos and get down with the visting dancers from all over the country.

National Tap Dance Day- May 2010

2010-06-03T16:48:00.000-07:00

Urban Artistry Guest Performance for National Tap Dance Day in honor of Bill "Bojangles" Birthday with our dear friends from Tappers With Attitude and Knock on Wood Dance Studio in Silver Spring, Maryland www.knockonwood.org

See the full length performance on the Millenium Stage at The Kennedy Center!

http://kennedycenter.com/explorer/videos/?id=M4254&type=A

Washington Post Magazine Article: Urban Artistry in The Fitness Issue

2010-06-03T16:44:00.000-07:00

Check us out in the Washington Post Magazine!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/26/AR2010042603300.html

MSAC Award for Excellence in Dance Solo: Founder/ Executive Director Junious "House" Brickhouse

2010-06-03T16:37:00.001-07:00

http://www.msac.org/

CONGRATULATIONS, to our Founder/Executive Director Junious "House" Brickhouse for winning the Maryland State Arts Council Award for Excellence in Dance Solo for 2010!

World Dance Colosseum in JAPAN

2010-06-03T16:33:00.000-07:00

http://wdc.feelin-co.jp/wdc2010/info_wf.html

Rashaad Pearson and Ryan "Future" Webb have been invited to compete in the World Dance Colosseum in Japan June 11th thru 15th 2010. Check out their website for details!

MONTREAL CLASSES with Urban Artistry 2010

2010-06-03T16:25:00.000-07:00

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=105485232833009#!/group.php?gid=297853453230

New Dance Party @ MOVA Lounge in Logan Circle

2010-06-03T16:21:00.000-07:00

Every Tuesday in June, DJ Baronhawk Poitier is layin the funky smackdown @ Mova Lounge!

1435 P Street NW
Washington, DC (near Dupont Metro Station)

Baaad Assssss!!!
7pm - 12am
No Cover
No Dresscode
21+

Hip Hop, Funk, Soul, House, RnB, Jazz, 80s Boogie.. dont sleep!

THESE CLASSES ARE NO LONGER OFFERED

2010-06-03T08:00:00.001-07:00

Funk in Focus: Popping and other funk style influences - these classes are no longer offered

Instructors: Rashaad Pearson and Ryan "Future" Webb (Assassins Crew)

The Dance Institute of Washington 3400 14th Street, NW Washington DC.

Born and raised in New York City, Rashaad Pearson grew up watching many urban dance forms and listened to a variety of music. When he moved to the Washington D.C. Metro area in 2003, he took dance more seriously and met people who taught him foundation at The D.C./Baltimore Pop Shop. Rashaad’s styles of dance are Popping, House, Hip Hop, Locking, and Waacking. Rashaad has competed in and won various dance competitions around the country, such as Unity & Respect in Boston (2006), Step Ya Game Up in NYC (2007), and All the Way Live in the San Francisco Bay Area (2008). He was also a battle guest at 4 Da Next Level 2 in Busan, Korea (2008). Rashaad currently dances with The Assassins Crew and is the Artistic Director for Popping in Urban Artistry Dance Company.

Dance/USA Conference Showcase in Washington, DC om June 17th 2010

2010-06-03T07:50:00.000-07:00

"DANCE BEYOND BORDERS"
June 16-19, 2010
Washington, DC
Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City

REDEFINE your borders!
https://www.danceusa.org/EventDetails?EventID=28

Dance/USA’s 2010 Annual Conference in Washington, DC is your opportunity to spend four days with arts leaders and colleagues in the field examining and eliminating the borders –- real or imagined -– that define us.

Join Urban Artistry and Coyaba Dance Theater for their collaboration perform ace alongside other great DC based companies such as The Washington Ballet, Daniel Phoenix Singh, CityDance Ensemble and more for the Dance/USA Showcase - Thursday, June 17th 2010 at The Lansburg Theater, 7th Street NW, DC near the Chinatown/Gallery Place Metro Station (Green Line).

Tickets can be purchased through Dance Metro DC at www.dancemetrodc.org

2010-03-23T14:59:00.000-07:00

www.hiphopsoulsociety coming April 15th to April 18th!

2010-03-23T14:58:00.000-07:00

Programmed to Please

Montgomery College offers diverse entertainment in its Rockville and silver spring performing arts centers: story by Karen Schafer Staff Writer |

Whether students are performing in their pajamas, local urban dancers are "popping" or a Ukrainian philharmonic orchestra is stopping by on its world tour, Montgomery College is all about Entertainment 101.

This week the razzmatazz begins with MC's performing arts students presenting the romantic musical comedy "She Loves Me" at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center in Rockville today through Sunday. Just three days later, Parilla takes an international turn, with the 78-piece Ukrainian-based Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra performing Franz Schubert's Suite of Waltzes and Symphony No. 8 in B minor and selected waltzes, marches and polkas from Johann Strauss.

Meanwhile some 15 miles away, the dance company Urban Artistry will host a tutorial and performance at MC's Takoma Park/Silver Spring Performing Arts Center on Saturday.

While communing with the community, along with making moolah by renting out space may be on the school's agenda, "educating Montgomery College students comes first," explains Dr. Brad Stewart, Vice President & Provost Montgomery College -Takoma Park/Silver Spring.

And to that end, Karin Abromaitis has been hired to direct students in "She Loves Me." She calls the play a "breath of fresh air" completing a "blood and guts production" as an adjunct professor at George Washington University.

After working on four productions at MC, she has "watched as the students discover and connect with the script, a light bulb goes off, and it's fun. Anyone worried this is just a school show will be astonished."

For most folks, "She Loves Me," is best known for its contemporary movie adaptation, "She's Got Mail," starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. Meg and Tom may have been "aw shucks" adorable, but MC is sticking to the original 1930s script, written by a Hungarian playwright Miklos Laszlo. Set in a European perfumery, two feuding clerks secretly find comfort in their anonymous romantic pen pals. Of course, they don't realize that they are each other's correspondents. With a 12-piece orchestra, Abromaitis categorizes the two-act play as "old school" with plenty of physical comedy.

The fast-paced romantic comedy was a staple in the 1930s, but Abromaitis has learned that today's audiences "can be fickle, looking for mindless entertainment, but also seeking out what is the meaning of life."

Regardless of whether MC is promoting something serious or a lighthearted screwball production, its live theater "offers a sense of the community," Abromaitis observes.

Figuring out how to manage the Parilla Performing Arts Center, built in 1984, along with the recently opened Takoma Park/ Silver Spring Performing Arts Center is being debated by a steering committee led by Deborah Preston, the instructional and college dean of the fine performing and visual arts. After the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Center with 500 seats and educational classrooms was completed, it became important to determine how to enhance each center's uniqueness but also unify the two campuses through its performing arts centers.

While the college grapples with making connections, Odessa's Maestro Hobart Earle wants to introduce another important connection to his audience. He hopes to show how "Strauss' polka is similar to jazz with its rhythmic freedom."

Speaking from his home in Odessa, the American "ex-pat" also is excited to show how the "waltz, if played properly, is completely unique."

Earle has learned that overworked European and American audiences appreciate hearing a lot of "short numbers;" thus, the concert's second half will be fast paced.

The maestro came to the Ukraine in a roundabout way. Raised in Venezuela by American parents, he spent his childhood at a London boarding, spent four years at Princeton University — his only time in the U.S. — and many more years honing his craft in Vienna, Austria. Some 18 years ago, Earle was asked to guest conduct the Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra.

"I spoke no Russian, but fortunately the orchestra had a Cuban violist and he translated Spanish to Russian," he recalls. A real connection evolved and he became the orchestra's permanent conductor.

In these years, Earle has seen vast changes in what he describes as an "international city." His musicians knowledge of other musical forms was once limited. Now they "have traveled the world and are familiar with many music styles."

Pop culture has taken a bite out of classical music, especially in the U.S.

"People have so many more entertainment options and less time," Earle observes.

Bringing the Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra to MC was important, insists Debra Fyodorov Rockville campus programmer. "With 78 members, it is a huge orchestra and was first sponsored by Georgetown University a decade ago."

Earle may be working his hardest to keep classical music in the forefront, but for the moment, urban dance is winning out. Even so, Urban Artistry artistic director Junious "House" Brickhouse is all about the correct dance definitions. Tired of people using the term "hip-hop" when referring to any and all urban dance styles, he seeks to clarify the differences between popping, locking, lacking, hip-hop and free style. While audience members will be entertained by his 12-member troupe, they also will learn about the history of urban dance.

The 1960s was a pivotal decade for urban dance, explains Brickhouse, 38, a logistical manager by day.

"James Brown and Aretha Franklin were speaking about issues and soon the community was interpreting these issues in dance," he says.

Influences can be traced first to Africa and then slavery, and Brickhouse also credits mime Marcel Marceau and even the robot on the television show "Lost in Space." Ultimately, the 1970s funk and disco explosion kick-started the urban dance movement.

While the steering committee ponders the future, Montgomery College's performing arts centers are hopping — literally.

Urban Artistry will host a tutorial and performance at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Performing Art Center, Montgomery College, 7995 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring. Tickets are $7; $6 for students and seniors. Call 240-567-5775.

The musical comedy "She Loves Me" by Miklos Laszlo will be performed at 8 p.m. today through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10, $8 for seniors and students. Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra will perform at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 10. Tickets are $30, $28 for seniors and students. Both events take place at the Robert E. Parilla Performing arts Center, Montgomery College, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville. Call 240-567-5301. www.montgomerycollege.edu/PAC

See the full article at: Programmed to please: "Programmed to please
Montgomery College offers diverse entertainment in its Rockville and silver spring performing arts centers story by Karen Schafer Staff Writer |"

2010-03-23T14:46:00.000-07:00

Urban Artistry to Honor Black History Month in Sofia
For Immediate Release
February 24, 2010

Returning to Bulgaria after a series of successful performances with their
troupe last year, two key members of the American hip-hop dance troupe
“Urban Artistry” will be in Sofia from February 25th to February 28th where
they will host workshops and give performances in honor of Black History
Month. Junious “House” Brickhouse, the Founder and Executive Director of
Urban Artistry and the Artistic Director Russell “Ironman” Campbell will arrive to Bulgaria from Washington, DC and will participate in events both in and outside of Sofia.

The two men previously traveled to Bulgaria during the 10th edition of the “Jam on It” Festival in Smolyan in September of 2009. “Urban Artistry” is a group of dancers, musicians, and historians who work as ambassadors of urban art and dance culture, and are here in Bulgaria through sponsorship by the U.S.
Embassy to help highlight contributions of African-Americans to American Culture during Black History Month which is celebrated during the month of February in the United States.

House and Ironman will conduct a series of workshops on the African-American influence on dance and culture, and will visit three high schools where they will give performances and interact with students. They will also give a workshop on break-dancing and other urban dance styles at the American Corner in the City Library at 4A, Slaveykov Square in Sofia on Saturday, February 27th from 3 pm to 4:30 pm where they will be accompanied by the well-know Bulgarian troupe Sleepwalkingz.

Since its establishment in 2005, Urban Artistry has presented the international dance and arts communities with a renewed perspective on urban dance and arts. They believe that Urban Artistry has grown from the vision of one to the mission of many.

2010-03-23T14:38:00.000-07:00

Bringing the city beat back to Discovery Theater this summer, Urban Artistry will teach you to groove! With a sampling of today’s hottest dance moves, Urban Artistry celebrates diversity and unity with the universal language of dance.

All Ages Welcome!

Everyone must have a ticket to enter.

Children under 2 are free, but please include them on your ticket order.

LOCATION:
S. Dillon Ripley Center
Discovery Theater, 3rd Sublevel
1100 Jefferson Drive, SW
Metro: Smithsonian (Blue/Orange Lines)

Visit the website below and use this code: Quick Tix Code: DT84212

http://residentassociates.org/ticketing/tickets/reserve.aspx?performanceNumber=219873&utm_source=RAad&utm_medium=OAtsa&utm_content=mwX&utm_campaign=MayWe

http://www.discoverytheater.org/shows/jul/urban-artistry.shtmhttp://events.nbcwashington.com/washington-dc/events/show/94656165-urban-artistry

Roosee from the SLEEPWALKINGZ Crew visits Urban Artistry in Washington DC

2010-01-28T11:00:00.000-08:00

Urban Artistry was pleased to welcome Bulgarian Bboy, Dancer and DJ; Roosee (Rusi) Yusifov of the famous SLEEPWALKINGZ CREW, http://www.kination.com/Welcome.html to the United States for the past three months. The folks at Urban Artistry met Roosee and some other members of his crew at one of the local events held by UA called THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, during their visit to the States in 2008.

The jam made history that night as members of the Sleepwalkingz Crew decided to call out the judges for battle. This particular night the judges chosen happened to be some of DC's BBOY Legends including, Brent "VORTEX" Talley of Natural Elements Crew; Sonny "GHOST" Tran of Lionz of Zion and Joe "FATRAWK" Nguyen of Arrive to Defy. This battle would be one of the first and only times Sonny and Brent had battled together since they were both in Natural Elements over 10 years ago! For those of us who have been around the scene for awhile or have simply been fans of the bboy scene in DC, this night will be remembered for a long time!

(Judges Call Out Battle Part 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuIeQ2BElYE

(Judges Call Out Battle Part 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaiADLhrEoo

In September 2009 the Sleepwalkingz got together with the United States Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria to bring Urban Artistry to their Annual Hip Hop Festival JAM ON IT.

http://www.jamonit.bg/

During the festival Urban Artistry members:

Junious, Rashaad, Russell and Rizqi all gave workshops in various urban dance styles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FbbYp6OuEg

Russell and Gabe judged the bboy footwork battles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmvs1hIyMnI

Rashaad won the 1 vs. 1 popping battle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvLo8zZBIGI

The group performed of their popular piece "ONE DREAM."
http://www.youtube.com/user/SofiaPAO

Attending this event allowed the two groups to continue growing the urban artist exchange program they have been developing between Bulgaria and the United States over the past few years. Bringing Roosee here to the States was part of a series of exchanges we hope to get funding for in the future.

Next, Urban Artistry Founder/ Executive Director Junious "House" Brickhouse will visit Sofia again in February 2010 to give a series of workshops on urban dance and culture in collaboration with the United States Embassy in Bulgaria and their efforts to educate the Bulgarian community on the importance of Black History Month in American Culture.

The two crews hope to find funding to bring the Sleepwalkingz Crew out for Urban Artistry and Rogue Squirrel's Annual Urban Dance Festival www.hiphopsoulsociety.com which takes place throughout the DC Metro Area the weekend of April 15th-18th in 2010.

In October 2009, Roosee obtained a work VISA to visit the States and work with Urban Artistry as a fellow, dancer, performer and musician (DJ). During his stay he participated in several shows and performances with the members of UA. He also served as a International Guest Judge alongside, DC's own Ironman (CAB CRU) and PAULSKEE (Rock Force Crew, MIGHTY 4, OUT FOR FAME) from the San Francisco Bay Area at THE ILLEST INGREDIENT, a local 2 vs. 2, Odd Couple bboy/bgirl battle held in Dupont Circle on December 12, 2009.

(Illest INGREDIENT GROUP PAGE)
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=342309905332

(JUDGES SHOWCASE- BBOY)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ekfcxw0YK4

During his visit to DC, Roosee also collaborated with:

DJ Obeyah, http://twitter.com/obeyah
DJ Mate Masie, http://www.myspace.com/ironmancabcru
Halfstep http://www.myspace.com/bboyhalfstep
DJ Baronhawk Poitier http://twitter.com/DJBaronhawk

on several music projects, including an International Guest DJ spot presented by YEAH CLASS at GAZUZA, a well-known Hooka Bar and Lounge in Dupont Circle. He also helped as a DJ at the Artist in Residency Preview Celebration for Urban Artistry's Open House at their new home in Columbia Heights, The Dance Institute of Washington. http://www.danceinstitute.org/

Throughout the month of Janaury 2010, Roosee taught often during the Urban Artistry Open Practice Session which takes place every Sunday at The Dance Institute of Washington. This free open practice is funded in part by a Hip Hop Initiative grant from the DC Commission for the Arts and Humanities. http://dcarts.dc.gov/dcarts/cwp/view,a,3,q,638459,dcartsNav,%7C31624%7C.asp

In December 2009 he taught a beginners workshop in the Urban Artistry Education Program presented by Emily "Incognito" Wessel and Russell "Ironman" Campbell at their past home in Tenleytown, The DC Dance Collective. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2mwsjlHICE

Roosee also placed in the TOP 8 at the 3 vs. 3 battle at the Breakers Delight Jam, "WHO'S HUNGRY 2010" along side Russell "Ironman" Campbell and Emily "Incognito" Wessel, which took place at The hearts in Motion Dance Studios in Springfield, Virginia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kw_d6YJQX4 (PRELIMS)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtY9CRwEQWE (TOP 8)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stYyq3gu_J0 (HD Version TOP 8)

For his last weekend here in DC, Roosee will enter Schoolin' Sessions II, a local 3 vs. 3 battle with friends Russell "Ironman" Campbell and Carlendra "Shyrock" Frank both members of the Maryland Chapter of CAB CRU before heading up to NYC on his way back to Sofia, Bulgaria, 2/10/2010.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=239568581895&index=1 (Facebook Event Page)

From all of us at Urban Artistry, we want to take a moment to thank Roosee for visiting us to share his gift of art, dance, music and culture. We will see you in the cypher again very soon my friend...

- The Urban Artistry Family-

URBAN~POINTE brings Urban Artistry to The British School of Washington

2010-01-06T14:06:00.000-08:00

http://www.britishschool.org/Washington/Parents/media/!Washington/PublicDocuments/Parents/Forms/bswhiphopbrochure.pdf

Join Urban Artistry for classes in Breaking and Hip Hop as well as The Underground, a teen jam hosted by The British School, Urban Artistry and Company 28. Saturday January 9, 2010 at 8:00pm

Urban Artistry at Illreality in Philadelphia, PA

2010-01-06T13:49:00.000-08:00

http://www.illreality.com/Artists.html

Urban Artistry Artistic Directors Rashaad Pearson and Ryan "Future" Webb joined the Illreality Festival/Show in Philadelphia, PA back in 2008. Check out footage of thieir performance at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFYSBm1LDSU

Urban Artistry Article in the Montgomery County Gazette Dec 09

2010-01-06T12:37:00.000-08:00

Check out Urban Artistry in the Montgomery County Gazette Article about one of our after-school programs in Maryland. Instructors Russell Campbell, Giovanni Galleno and Phillip Chang taught students African-American and Latino Cultural Heritage through the art and music of Urban Dance.

The class was focused on bboying/bgirling (Breakdance) but also touched on funkstyles from the West Coast such as Popping and Locking. Please forgive the mis-quote regarding popping and locking being a form of breakdance, this is not what our instructors nor our classes teach the students. We are focused on teaching the unique individual history of all the urban dances and do not teach students that popping and locking are a form of breakdance...

Unfortunatly for our culture, it has been decades already but it seems that the press will never get that one right.

-Emily Wessel, Director of Operations at Urban Artistry

For more information on how to bring Urban Artistry to your school contact:

CLASS ACTS ARTS

www.classactsarts.org

Photo from Principal Khadija Barkley

Urban Artistry instructor Phillip Chang (right)
teaches students at Roberto Clemente Middle School how to break dance
during one of the Wednesday after school workshops.

The workshops conclude today at the school.

http://www.gazette.net/stories/12162009/poolnew175738_32556.php

Dance workshop at middle school ends today
Recreation department looking for grant to prolong program

December 16, 2009

by Andre L. Taylor Staff Writer

Students at Roberto Clemente Middle School have been learning how to break dance and do the salsa for the last seven weeks in an after-school program. Today the 22 students will attend their last session and county recreation department Director Gabriel Albornoz is trying to find a way to keep the program at the school.

"We're going to re-evaluate the situation to see how we can bring the program back to Clemente," Albornoz said. "The Upcounty doesn't have many programs like this and we want to keep it here."
Albornoz said Silver Spring-based Class Acts Arts Inc. reached out to the recreation department to place Urban Artistry, a Bethesda dance troupe, into a Montgomery County Public Schools middle school. The recreation department, Albornoz said, oversees after-school programs in 25 of the county's middle schools.

Susan Fox — outreach coordinator for Class Acts Arts, a Silver Spring-based non-profit organization that finds art programs to schools and community centers — said they were able to pay for two dancers from Urban Artistry with a $5,000 grant they received from Donors InVesting in Arts.
DIVAs co-founder, Mita Schaffer, said the group will meet again in February and will evaluate a progress report from the school's program. Albornoz said the recreation department would look into other grants that could keep the once a week dance program at Clemente, and possibly, in the other middle schools in need of after-school programming.

After-school programs of all kinds, especially those that culturally enrich the students, are needed throughout the county, Clemente Principal Khadija Barkley said. Programs that are of interest to the students keep them occupied and off the streets, Barkley said.

The after-school program was opened to all students at Clemente, but a 25-student cap was placed on how many could attend the eight-week program, she said. The school offers many programs, Barkley said, "but we don't have a regular dance class."

"I'm glad that we have this program at the school," she said. "Not only do the kids get a chance to learn about the origin of their favorite dance moves, but they are also building character and keeping shape."

A lot of Clemente's students go home and are there alone at the end of the day, Fox said. Class Acts Arts, she said, "was glad we were able to get the grant to have this program at Clemente."
Fox said there is a great need to keep middle schoolers busy from the time they get out of school until their parents get home.

"For these kids, it's like taking an eight-week dance class for free," Fox said. "I'm sure the children will remember this for a long time."

Aaron Beidleman, a seventh-grader at Clemente, said the program gave him a chance to have fun and to "do my thing."

"It's a great way to let off steam and it's a great workout," said Beidleman, 12, of Germantown. "This program has been a great influence on me. I have learned a lot about break dancing, both the history and how to do it."

The two dancers taught the students to do the salsa and break dance during the eight-week program that concludes today, said Russell Campbell, a dancer with Urban Artistry.

From 3 p.m. through 4:15 p.m., the 22 students meet with Campbell and fellow Urban Artistry dancer, Giovanni Galleno in the school's cafeteria. Urban Artistry was started in 2006 by Junious Brickhouse. Campbell and Galleno lead the group of students in stretches before they begin classes and then go into teaching urban dances that pre-date the births of all of their students.

"Breaking started with blacks and Latinos in the Bronx in the 1970s," Campbell said. "A lot of the students at Clemente are black and Hispanic, so it's easy to teach them how to pop and lock [a kind of breakdancing] because it's already in their blood."

It's fun teaching those who haven't had an introduction to the rhythmic moves involved in popping and locking, Campbell said. The 26-year-old Silver Spring native said teaching those who don't know about urban dancing "is pretty fun."

"We teach all of the students about the history of all the dances we teach them," Campbell said.

"They not only get to enjoy the dances, but they get to know the roots of the dances they are doing."
Catherine Leggett, wife of County Executive Isiah Leggett and a member of the DIVAs collecting circle, will be in attendance for the last workshop today, Schaffer said.

FREE OPEN PRACTICE SPACE ended 9/26/2010

2010-01-05T06:06:00.000-08:00

"Funded in part by the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities,

an agency supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts."

Hip Hop Community Arts Grant to Organizations

The Hip Hop Community Arts offers funds to individuals and organizations for programs that encourage the growth of quality Hip Hop arts activities throughout the city and making Hip Hop arts experiences accessible to District residents. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to: visual arts exhibitions, literary readings, productions and presentations of dance theater, or music, multidisciplinary presentations, interdisciplinary art forms, arts education projects, festivals and concerts.

Urban Artistry teamed up for it's second year with a local DC 501c(3) Non-Profit Agency (DIW) and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities to bring you a Free Open Practice Space for dancers of all ages and all levels!

Every SUNDAY from 3:00pm to 6:00pm

The Dance Institute of Washington

3400 14th St, NW Washington DC

www.danceinstitute.org

Urban Artistry will facilitate the artist mentoring portion of this program each week. The goal of this program is to provide a space for dancers to meet, collaborate, practice and work on their skills in a safe and healthy environment. UA instructors will be on site to provide training and guidance for new dancers each week and to continue to support Hip Hop activities in the DC Metro Area. Please join us from January 10, 2010 to September 26, 2010 for this Free Open Community Event.

FREE CLASSES with Urban Artistry

2010-01-05T05:57:00.000-08:00

The Dance Institute of Washington
3400 14th St. NW
Washington, DC

Columbia Heights Neighborhood
Green Line Metro Station

Street Parking Avaliable
Secured Paid Parking Lot one block from the studio

Tuesday, January 5, 2010
7:00pm Hip Hop
8:00pm House Dance
w/ Junious "House" Brickhouse & Rizqi Rachmat

Thursday, January 7, 2010
7:00pm Breakin
8:00pm Popping
8:30pm Locking
w/ Emily Wessel, Rashaad Pearson & Baronhawk Williams

IN STUDIO C
All preview classes are FREE this week!
Classes begin January 12th at only $10 per class!

Correctional Facility Best Of DVD Promo Video 2010

2009-12-31T09:07:00.000-08:00

Since 2006 Urban Artistry in collaboration with CAB CRU and The Assassins Crew International have come together to bring you 5 amazing urban dance and culture events called the Correctional Facility. Visit www.youtube.com/urbanartistry for more details on the event and uploaded footage that has already been released.

The full length DVD is complete with cypher footage, hip hop battles, bboy/bgirl battles, seven to smoke, locking performances, waacking performances, house dance performances and popping battles. There are call out battles with DC icons Vortex (Natural Elements Crew), Ghost (Lions of Zion Crew) and Fatrawk (Arrive To Defy) from Bulgaria's famous Sleepwalkingz, solos from Frantick, Future, Rashaad, Popula, among others and hot box footage with Maryland's own Ironman. This DVD box set promises to give you everything you would expect from a Best Of DVD Series.

See the promo available now and stay tuned for the full length DVD which will be available in late 2010. A special thanks goes out to the probono filmmakers who captured this footage for us, especially Geoff Bund, Nick Huynh, Daniel Lagdameo and their assistants, the DJ's, Baronhawk Poitier, Mate Masie, Halfstep and Obyeah, the local, national and international competitors, MC's Halfstep, Ironman and Guerilla Will and the many guests who made this event possible.

We are grateful to all the supporters who believe in the Correctional Facility Mission that when talk is ineffective, we can correct through movement. Stay tuned for more events to come in 2010.

www.urbanartistry.org/events.html

Montgomery College presents: Urban Artistry

2009-12-31T08:57:00.000-08:00

Join Urban Artistry for their educational production teaching the origins of urban dance, music and arts culture at the brand new Montgomery College Theater in downtown Silver Spring, as part of the Saturday Morning Children Series on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 11 a.m.

http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/reppac/tp_childrens_events/urban_artistry.htm

CultureCapital.com: The House That Jack Built. With Urban Artistry., Discovery Theater at the Smithsonian, Smithsonian National Museum of American History

2009-12-31T08:51:00.000-08:00

CultureCapital.com: The House That Jack Built. With Urban Artistry., Discovery Theater at the Smithsonian, Smithsonian National Museum of American History

Join Urban Artistry as they take you on a journey through the dances associated with House Music Culture. This is a family friendly show, open to all ages with an educational component. See the link below for more information.

http://discoverytheater.com/shows/may/house-that-jack-built.shtm

Black Expressions: Hip Hop Festival!!! February 19th & 20th 2010

2009-12-29T14:18:00.001-08:00

Join Urban Artistry at this years

Mason/Rhynes' 7th Annual

Black Expressions: Hip Hop Festival!!!

Friday, February 19th 2010 at 8pm

Saturday, February 20th 2010 at 8pm
Takoma Park/Silver Spring

Performing Arts Center

Montgomery College
TP/SS Campus
Silver Spring, MD

http://www.mason-rhynes.org/
For tickets, please email staff@mason-rhynes.org

MRP brings you the best in dance, music, and spoken word in this heart-pumping showcase of DC hip hop. Let's put it this way, there are three exclamation points for a reason...check out the festival and you'll see why! Featuring Reggie Glass, Komplex, Shodekeh, Culture Shock DC, Urban Artistry, Tappening, RhythmiX, Dimensions of Funk, Just Tap, DCypher, and DJ 2-Tone Jones.

Tickets on Sale now for INTERSECTIONS

2009-12-29T13:50:00.000-08:00

Coyaba Dance Theater

Tappers With Attitude

Urban Artistry
ORIGINS, a joyful collaboration

among three top DC dance companies
celebrating the heritage and soul

of African American dance.

Joining forces for a one-of-a-kind dance celebration, three DC Dance companies will intersect their distinctive powerhouse styles to tell the story of African American dance, culture and heritage. Take Coyaba Dance Theater’s high energy drumming and traditional West African dance. Add Tappers With Attitude’s sassy blend of popular percussive dance steps from the past. Mix with Urban Artistry’s funkstyles, hip-hop and house dance moves spanning decades of popular urban dance history. Season it with Latin flavors, Afro-Caribbean Soul, culturally based Martial Arts movement and you have a recipe for an unforgettable retrospective of dance that defines America.

Ideal for the whole family, this show will be sure to get you on your feet!

www.coyabadance.org
www.tapperswithattitude.org
www.urbanartistry.org

Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 2:00 PM

Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 7:00 PM

ATLAS - Lang Theatre

1333 H Street NE
Washington, DC 20002

Tickets: $15 student / $20 adult

For audiences of all ages.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW AT:

http://atlasarts.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=227888

Hope for the Holidays!

2009-12-29T09:01:00.000-08:00

On Monday, December 21st, 2009 Dream for Kids invited Urban Artistry to participate in an event to bring holiday cheer to many homeless, transitional living and foster kids living in the district. The event was a huge success and the folks at Urban Artistry had a blast performing for this kids, teaching them new moves and watching the kids teach us their favorite dances. The event culminated with gifts from Santa which was a thrill for all to watch. Although, the presents portion of the event was exciting, it warmed the hearts of the passionate Urban Artistry dance educators when some of the kids replied "more dancing" when asked what they came to the event for that afternoon.

Artistic Director Rashaad Pearson organized the performance which included Directors and Performers, Emily Wessel, Russell Campbell, Phillip Chang, Ryan Webb, LaTasha Barnes, Rizqi Rachmat, Toyin Sogunro, Maren Cummings, Giovanni Galleno, Lynnette Brunson and our European guest artist Rusi "Roosee" Yusifov from the Sleepwalkingz Crew in Sofia, Bulgaria. The artists performed for 15-20 minutes and then spent the rest of the time dancing with the kids and parents who attended the event.

Unfortunately due to the snow and ice here in DC that weekend, many of the kids couldn't make it to the event that day to meet the dancers from UA. As a consolation, Urban Artistry has promised to provide another show in the spring or summer through the Dream for Kids organization located at the Georgetown Foundry Building in NW, Washington DC. Stay tuned for announcements for this upcoming show as well as other UA events in 2010.

We want to also take a moment to thank Andrew Horn, Director of Dream for Kids DC for organizing this great event and to Washington Post Staff Writer, Darryl Fears for his attendance, support and the kind article he wrote on Tuesday, 12/22/09 covering the event.

To see the article in it's entirety, please follow the below links

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/21/AR2009122103211_pf.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/21/AR2009122103211.html

For more info about the organization and the event please see the link below:

http://dreamsforkids.org/hfhdc

DCevents | Dreams For Kids

2009-12-21T06:58:00.001-08:00

DCevents | Dreams For Kids

Posted using ShareThis

Urban Artistry is MOVING in 2010!!!

2009-12-17T09:24:00.000-08:00

edited 10/26/2010 This program ended on 9/26/2010- Urban Artistry is no longer at the below listed location.

http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=1622615&da=y

please click on the link to read the full brochure

http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=1622614&da=y

please click on the link to read the full brochure

As 2009 comes to a close, we say farewell to Tenleytown/Friendship Heights, NW and say hello to Columbia Heights/14th street, NW!

As of December 20th, 2009, URBAN ARTISTRY has offically left The DC Dance Collective and will take up Residentcy at The Dance Institute of Washington starting in January 2010!

All of the current Urban Artistry Staff instructors have retired their classes at DCDC and moved in to our new partner location at 3400 14th Street, NW, Washington DC. There is 2 hour street parking avaliable, as well as validated parking at the Giant Foods and paid parking in the security lot under the Target/Best Buy in the Columbia Heights Neighborhood.

This new loaction is also metro accessible. It is about 2 blocks walking distance from the Columbia Heights Station on the Green Line.

The new class schedule will start the first week in January, with a week of FREE (yes, free) classes as our HOLIDAY GIFT to you!

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

FREE CLASSES - ALL LEVELS - ALL AGES

Hip Hop from 7:00pm to 8:00pm

with

Junious "House" Brickhouse

Rizqi Rachmat

House Dance from 8:00pm to 9:00pm

with

Junious "House" Brickhouse

LaTasha Barnes

Toyin Sogunro

Desmond Howard

Thursday, January 7th, 2010
FREE CLASSES - ALL LEVELS - ALL AGES
Breakin (bboy/bgirl) from 7:00pm to 8:00pm
with
Emily "Incognito" Wessel
Gabe "Shamrock" Galbraith

Popping Performance Class Preview from 8:00pm to 8:30pm
with
Rashaad Pearson
Ryan "Future" Webb

Locking Performance Class Preview from 8:30pm to 9:00pm

with

Baronhawk Poitier "JC" Williams

The regular season of classes kicks off on Sunday, January 10th, 2010 with our new Open Practice Session every Sunday afternoon from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. This structured practice will give students and community participants a safe, clean, healthy place to practice with mentors, dancers and friends of the urban dance community. All styles of dance are welcome and instructors will be on site to help those who are new. This practice will be $5 per person, which goes towards the rent for the space which has been generously discounted to make this practice possible! A live DJ will show up to play the practice about once a month!

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010
ONGOING $10 Drop-In CLASSES - ALL LEVELS - ALL AGES
Hip Hop from 7:00pm to 8:00pm
with
Junious "House" Brickhouse
Rizqi Rachmat

House Dance from 8:00pm to 9:00pm
with
Junious "House" Brickhouse
LaTasha Barnes
Toyin Sogunro
Desmond Howard

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

ONGOING $10 Drop-In Classes - ALL LEVELS - ALL AGES

Breakin (bboy/bgirl) from 7:00pm to 8:00pm

with

Emily "Incognito" Wessel

Gabe "Shamrock" Galbraith

Thursday, January 14th, 2010 to February18th 2010

6 week enrollment $75

ALL LEVELS- ALL AGES

Popping Performance Class from 8:00pm to 9:00pm

with

Rashaad Pearson

Ryan "Future" Webb

Thursday, February 25th, 2010 to April 1st, 2010
6 week enrollment $75

Locking Performance Class from 8:00pm to 9:00pm
with
Baronhawk Poitier "JC" Williams

Performance is informal and takes place in class on the 6th week.

This class is designed for beginners and those looking to clean up their skills.
Performance is Free and Open to the Public!

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WOULD LIKE TO PRE_REGISTER FOR CLASSES PLEASE CONTACT:

Emily E. Wessel

Director of Operations

Urban Artistry

202.431.4202

eewessel@urbanartistry.org

http://www.urbanartistry.org/

www.youtube.com/urbanartistry

www.facebook.com/urbanartistry

www.twitter.com/urbanartistry

www.myspace.com/urbanartistry

www.blogspot.com/urbanartistry

Winner of the Dance Metro Dc Award for Best Emerging Performer or Group 2009!

Visit our in-school/after-school program though Class Acts Arts

http://www.classactsarts.org/

Visit our International Urban Dancc and Culture Festival

http://www.hiphopsoulsociety.com/

The Underground: sponsored by Urban Artistry

2009-12-16T11:45:00.000-08:00

The Underground is an event organized by Denise Kloeden, The British School, Rock Band- Company 28 and Urban Artistry Dance Company, created specifically for High School Students in the DC Metro Area as a place to party, dance, hang out and meet new people!

January 9th 2010

8:00pm to 11:00pm

2001 Wisconsin Ave, NW

Washington, DC

There will be music provided by Urban Artistry/CAB CRU DJ: Baronhawk Poiter and Rock Band Company 28, as well as a freestyle (allstyles) battle, 1 vs. 1 for a prize of $100 to the winner. The battle will be organized and judged by some of the Urban Artistry Company Directors who will also be making appearances in the cyphers throughout the night!

All DC Metro Area High School Students are welcome. You must present a valid high school ID to enter unless you are a member of Urban Artistry or the British School. For pre-registration, please email dkloeden@aol.com and recieve reduced admission for $15, the event will be $20 at the door!

Visit the facebook page also for more info and to RSVP!

http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=183387579789&index=1

THE ILL INGREDIENT 12.12.09 & Jammin on the 1 12.13.09

2009-12-02T13:42:00.000-08:00

Friday Night: Dec 11th, 2009
Join us for the Artist in Residency Celebration at The Dance Institute of Washington
3400 14th Street, NW Washington, DC on the Green Line at Columbia Heights Metro Station

FREE Food & Drinks
Live DJ's, Performances, Cyphers, Film Screening and Special Honors Award from Urban Artistry to Sam "the man" Burns for his contribution to our Culture and Education Project.
Visiting guests: Paulskee (SF Bay Area), Roosee (Sofia, Bulgaria) & Mitsu (NYC) among others.

Then Saturday join us for the Main Event!

Urban Artistry/ Assassins Crew/ Cab Crew present:
The ILLEST Ingredient
This event is open to ALL AGES and is FREE to Kids under 13!!
$10 Admission

2 vs 2 BBoy/ BGirl "Odd Couple" Battles (PRIZE $400)

The format for ODD Couple is that you sign up to battle at the door.

Partners are picked at random once registration has closed.

BBoy Judges:

Roosee (Sleepwalkingz, Sofia, Bulgaria)

Ironman (Cab Cru/ Urban Artistry, Rockville, Maryland)

Paulskee (Rock Force Crew/ Mighty 4- International, Bay Area, California)

1 vs 1 Popping Battles (PRIZE $200)

Popping Judges:

Rashaad (Assassins/ Urban Artistry, Bay Area, California)

Ryan (Assassins/ Urban Artistry, Washington, DC)

Mitsu (Assassins Family/ Urban Artistry Family, New York, NY via Japan)

DJs:

DJ Baronhawk Poitier

DJ Mate Masie

DJ Obeyah

Sunday 12/ 13/ 2009

Pop Shop: Jammin On The 1!
open cypher jam session $5

2pm - 4pm

www.dcdancecollective.com

DC Dance Collective

4908 Wisconsin Ave, NW Washington DC 20016

12/11/09 at 7pm FREE EVENT Artist in Residency Preview Celebration at The Dance Institute of Washington

2009-12-02T09:28:00.000-08:00

Urban Artistry and The Dance Institute of Washington proudly present:
Artist in Residency Preview Celebration

Friday, December 11th, 2009 from 7:00pm to 11:00pm
Location: 3400 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010-3401

This event is Free and Open to the Public
ALL AGES WELCOME

7:00pm Cocktail Reception - 8:00pm Program Begins

Performances by:

DJ Obeyah (Yeah Class/ Urban Artistry, Virginia)
DJ Baronhawk Poitier (CAB CRU/ Urban Artistry, Maryland)
DJ Mate Masie (CAB CRU/ Urban Artistry, Maryland)
DJ Roosee (Sleepwalkkingz, Bulgaria)

Special tribute to:
The Underground Soul Solution
DJ Sam “The Man” Burns (DC/MD/VA)
From Urban Artistry Family

Announcements for Urban Artistry’s Upcoming Classes at DIW
Announcements for Other DIW Programs and Performances

Introduce “Roosee” from the Sleepwalkingz Crew, Bulgaria
Talking about his experience with Urban Dance and Culture Abroad
Demo with the bboys/bgirls from Urban Artistry

Introduce Urban Dance Gear from Rogue Squirrel
Urban Artistry’s partner for the International Soul Society Festival
April 15th to April 18th, 2010 in Washington, DC
www.hiphopsoulsociety.com

COZZA CONNECTION DC DOCUMENTARY & PERFORMANCE
From the DJ Bassnectar Show at the 9:30 Club in November
Featuring: Youth Performers from Urban Artistry & Hip Hop Education
Meet the Filmmaker: Megan Keefe

Announcements for INTERSECTIONS DC at the Atlas Theater on H Street
Saturday, February 20th 2010 @ 2:00pm Sunday, February, 21st 2010
Documentary Film Creation and Production Overview
Tappers With Attitude, Coyaba Dance Theater, Urban Artistry
Filmmaker- Megan Keefe

Demo Performances from International Trips
Seoul, Korea and Smolyn, Bulgaria with Urban Artistry Directors:
Rashaad Pearson & Ryan “Future” Webb
Toyin Sogunro & LaTasha Barnes

OPEN DANCE CYPHERS & SOCIAL
w/ Live DJ’s & Performers

and later this month at the Dance Institute of Washington:

FREE CLASSES
Our Holiday gift to you!

Keep checking the blog or come to the event for details coming soon!

EVOLUTION: Friday's in December & January at 8:30pm learn proper streching for dance, tumbling & gymnastics skills at the DC Dance Collective

2009-11-19T08:13:00.000-08:00

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!!
please email eewessel@urbanartistry.org for details or questions about our new location!

On Friday, December 4th, 2009 join Yoga Instructor Tara Huber for a fundemental yoga class for all ages designed with the body of an urban dancer in mind. This class will allow dancers to achieve better flexibility, maintain stronger muscles and education in concepts for overall health and wellness. This class will be from 8:30pm to 9:45pm at the DC Dance Collective, 4908 Wisconsin Ave, NW. Washington, DC- on the red line metro between Friendship Heights and Tenleytown Stations.

www.dcdancecollective.com

For the month of December join Urban Artistry Artistic Director/ CAB CRU Giovanni "1 Mo' Round"Galleno and Urban Artistry/Capital Funk Performer Hannah George-Wheeler for classes in foundational tumbling, gymnastics and proper streaching techniques sure to help you overcome your fears, protect your body from injury and get that power move you have been trying for years!

Giovanni and Hannah have years of combined experience instructing in gymnastics and tumbling for all ages, as well as experience with dance, yoga, martial arts and other various forms of fitness training equipping them with the skills needed to create a strong curriculum in the art of movement.

These classes are open to all ages and levels and will take place every Friday in December at 8:30pm at the DC Dance Collective, 4908 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC.

Please contact the information below for details:

Emily E. Wessel

Director of Operations

http://www.urbanartistry.org/

eewessel@urbanartistry.org

202.431.4202

Urban Artistry Classes every Friday with The Washington Ballet at The ARC

2009-11-19T07:31:00.001-08:00

Classes now avaliable every Friday from 5:00pm to 8:00pm in The Washington Ballet Studios at The ARC. Join Urban Artistry instructors for a different style of urban dance and culture each week:

Hip Hop I @ 5:00pm
Hip Hop 2 @ 6:00pm

Teen Hip Hop @ 7:00pm

With instruction ranging from Hip Hop Freestyle foundation to advanced execution and performance techniques, Junious "House" Brickhouse (The Assassins Crew) and his Urban Artistry program, is focused on building well-rounded, "ambassadors of Urban Dance and Hip Hop Culture."

Social dancers and active artists alike will recieve history and vocabulary in Hip Hop, Popping, Locking, Breakin (bboying/bgirling) and the influences that have taken Hip Hop from an idea to an urban artform.

Come out and join Urban Artistry at The Washington Ballet Studios at the ARC every Friday night to obtain the skills and the confidence needed to represent on any dance floor and learn how to create choreography that explodes on stage!

For more information contact:

Mary Wroth

School Coordinator

202.889.8150 x236

mwroth@washingtonballet.org

The Washington Ballet at the ARC

1901 Mississippi Ave., S.E.

Washington, DC 20020

202.889.8150

http://www.thearcdc.org/partners/ballet.asp

Urban Artistry joins Class Acts Arts in 2009!

2009-11-19T07:16:00.001-08:00

Class Acts Back
http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=1622613&da=y

Class Acts Front
http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=1622612&da=y

In 2009, Urban Artistry joined arts in schools agent Class Acts Arts to provide educational performing arts programming in area schools. They hope to provide insight into the culture and history of urban dance, music and arts culture by presenting shows that feature a live DJ, dancers in various cultural, ethnic and urban styles as well as details about the history of they all came to be.

"Class Acts Arts, Inc. is a non-profit arts outreach and presenting organization dedicated to bringing high quality and culturally diverse performances, workshops and artist residencies to schools and communities, at-risk youth, seniors, and special needs populations throughout Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia."

http://www.classactsarts.org/

Class Acts Arts

8100 Georgia Avenue

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Phone: 301-588-7525

Toll-Free: 866-458-8966

Fax: 301-588-7270

Email: Info@classactsarts.org

Urban Artistry new show premier presented at The Performing Arts Center at Montgomery College on 11/17/09 at 7:00pm

2009-11-19T06:49:00.000-08:00

Last night at the open house for the brand new, beautiful Performing Arts Center at Mongtomery College in Silver Spring, arts in schools agent Class Acts Arts presented the latest new work by the Urban Dance Company, Urban Artistry entitled "DIGITAL FUNK 5002."

The concept and stage direction for this piece was created by internationally recognized Artistic Director, Rashaad Pearson (Urban Artistry, Assassins Crew International). The piece was performed by LaTasha Barnes, Ryan Webb, Emily Wessel, Giovanni Galleno, Gabe Galbraith, Phillip Chang and Rashaad Pearson.

You can see Urban Artistry again at The Performing Arts Center at Montgomery College on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 11:00am for the centers 2009-2010 Saturday Morning Childrens Performing Arts Series. See the link below for more information!

http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/pac/tp_childrens_events/urban_artistry.htm

If you would like to see Urban Artistry at your school please contact:

http://www.classactsarts.org/

Class Acts Arts

8100 Georgia Avenue

Silver Spring, MD 20910

Phone: 301-588-7525

Toll-Free: 866-458-8966

Fax: 301-588-7270

Email: Info@classactsarts.org

A Global Perspecitive on Urban Dance and Culture with Urban Artistry: 11/19/09 at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC)- Van Ness Campus

2009-11-16T13:38:00.000-08:00

International Festival and World Market - Come Experience the UDC international flavor at this fun and tasty event. Meet & Greet the Ambassadors, 4.0 Lounge, 4 PM, visit our wonderful vendors, and enjoy some awesome local talent, Batala, Urban Artistry, Nepalese Dancers, and Salsa Dancing!Building 38, B-Level World Market!

Embassy of the United States in Sofia, Bulgaria

2009-11-16T13:11:00.000-08:00

http://bulgaria.usembassy.gov/pr_09152009.html

American Dancers to Compete at 10th edition of “Jam on It”
PRESS RELEASE: September 17, 2009

The hip-hop dance troupe “Urban Artistry” will participate and compete in the 10th edition of the “Jam on It” Festival in Smolyan this week. “Urban Artistry” is based in Washington, D.C. and consists of dancers, musicians, and historians who work as ambassadors of urban art and dance culture. The U.S. Embassy in Sofia, through a grant provided by the U.S. State Department, is supporting the troupe’s participation at this event.

Urban Artistry will participate in workshops, events and competitions throughout the festival in Smolyan and will conclude with a performance at the “Crew vs. Crew” competition on Saturday, September 19th at 7 pm. See the “Jam on It” website for more information. Tickets for the performance are free.

Founder and Executive Director Junious “House” Brickhouse and the rest of his company focus on the authentic and complete representation of urban dance genres including: B-Boying/B-Girling , Popping, Locking, Hip–Hop, House Dance, Waacking, and Vogue. Although the members of Urban Artistry are strongly diverse in their education in the urban arts, they remain aware of the many legends who paved the way which allowed them to receive recognition for their art form with influences from African, Latin, Caribbean and Martial Arts roots, among others. Since its establishment in 2005, Urban Artistry has presented the international dance and arts communities with a renewed perspective on urban dance and arts. They believe that Urban Artistry has grown from the vision of one, to the mission of many.This is the second time the U.S. Embassy in Sofia has sponsored “Jam on It.” In 2007, the Embassy supported the hip-hop, rap and dance group HaviKoro. The Embassy supports the lesson of tolerance through culture that is at the heart of the “Jam on It” festival.

For more information on U.S. Embassy-sponsored programs,

please call tel.: 937-5173 or email: sofia@usembassy.bg

Every Friday in November 2009 at 8:30pm join LaTasha Barnes for EVOLUTION: Urban Artistry's Open Company Class

2009-11-10T09:47:00.000-08:00

Join LaTasha Barnes (Urban Artistry, Assassins Crew International) for classes in Waacking, Hip Hop and House Dance every Friday at 8:30pm in November at DC Dance Collective 4908 Wisconsin Ave, NW Washington DC.

She incorporates years of hip hop dance experience, fitness training and leadership skills to each of her classes and draws from a wealth of experience training in various styles of urban dance with the Assassins Crew and UA to provide a strong educational experience for her students, encouraging them to be fearless in their execution.

Tasha has competed and won several national competitions around the country including, "Rock Tha Beat, at Bashville Stampede, Nashville TN (March 2009) and at the "House 2 vs. 2" at BreakFestival in Los Angeles, CA (Summer 2009). She was also a strong competitor, alongside other UA members Toyin Sogunro and Sopheye Richard in the Waacking 1 vs. 1 at House Dance International 2008.

See her videos at www.youtube.com/urbanartistry

Methods- classes in bboy/bgirl foundation and culture with Urban Artistry and CAB CRU

2009-11-10T09:41:00.000-08:00

Join Russell "Ironman" Campbell (8:30pm Intermediate) and Emily "Incognito" Wessel (7:30pm Beginner) for classes in vocabulary, technique, foundation and culture each week on Tuesday's at the DC Dance Collective, 4908 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington, DC.

The House That Jack Built with Junious "House" Brickhouse

2009-11-10T09:31:00.000-08:00

The House That Jack Built- classes in House Dance Movement and Culture every Monday Night at 8:30pm with Junious "House" Brickhouse, Executive Director for Urban Artistry and DC Floor Captain for the Assassins Crew. (occasionally subbed by LaTasha Barnes from the Urban Artistry and The Assassins Crew).

Locking with Baronhawk Poitier Williams aka "Joe Cool"

2009-11-10T09:24:00.000-08:00

Locking is back at the DC Dance Collective in the Fall of 2009!

Join Baronhawk "JC" Williams for classes in the funkstyle dance known as Locking, in this class you will learn foundation, routines, vocabulary and battle strategies on how to become competent in this fierce and funky style of urban dance. All ages and all levels welcome, this is a drop-in class!

Every Thursday Night at 8:30pm

DC Dance Collective

4908 Wisconsin Ave, NW

Washington DC

The DC Pop Shop is back in effect at The DC Dance Collective

2009-11-10T09:16:00.001-08:00

The Washington DC Pop Shop is back...

Assassins and Urban Artistry present a structured open practice for all of you Poppers, Boogie Boys, Lockers, Boogaloo, Struttin, Robot, Waving, Dancers....Come on out and train, build and learn in a healthy way with dancers alike...Special guests and other FUNKY surprises...

Every Sunday 2-4pm $5.00

DC Dance Collective

4908 Wisconsin Ave, NW

Washington, DC

www.dcdancecollective.com

Join our facebook group and keep up on the special events and special guests!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=137624505751&v=info

for questions

Rashaad Pearson teaches in DC every Thursday

2009-11-10T09:09:00.000-08:00

Rashaad Pearson (Urban Artistry, Assassins Crew International)

Teaches Funk in Focus- popping and other funkstyle influences.

Thursday's at 7:30pm

(All ages and All Levels welcome- drop in class)

DC Dance Collective

4908 Wisconsin Ave, NW

Washington, DC

www.dcdancecollective.com

Born and raised in New York City, Rashaad Pearson grew up watching many urban dance forms and listened to a variety of music. When he moved to the Washington D.C. Metro area in 2003, he took dance more seriously and met people who taught him foundation at The D.C./Baltimore Pop Shop. Rashaad’s styles of dance are Popping, House, Hip Hop, Locking, and Waacking. Rashaad has competed in and won various dance competitions around the country, such as Unity & Respect in Boston (2006), Step Ya Game Up in NYC (2007), and All the Way Live in the San Francisco Bay Area (2008). He was also a battle guest at 4 Da Next Level 2 in Busan, Korea (2008). Rashaad currently dances with The Assassins Crew and is the Artistic Director for Popping in Urban Artistry Dance Company.

Rizqi Rachmat joins the faculty at The Dance Institute of Washington for the Fall 2009/Spring 2010 season!

2009-11-10T08:29:00.000-08:00

www.danceinstitute.org

The Dance Institute of Washington
202-371-9656
Located at 3400 14th Street,
NW Washington, DC 20010.
Conveniently located and Metro accessible in the revitalized Columbia Heights section of Washington, DC.

Join Rizqi Rachmat (Urban Artistry, Assassins Crew)

Saturdays for Youth Hip Hop Classes

12:45pm and 2:30pm (Fall 2009- Spring 2010)

Rizqi is in high demand as a dance educator who combines years of urban dance, freestyle/fusion hip hop, performance choreography and competitive martial arts study into his classes for a fun, eclectic and original style. He has extensive experience as a youth dance educator and choreographer from his years as the Director for Future Shock, DC and has created countless performance choreographies for local classes and companies in the DC Metro Area. As a founding member of Urban Artistry and an active member of the International Assassins Crew, Rizqi has found himself competing, performing and judging all over the world with his unique and memorable style. He recently directed the Urban Artistry Youth Performers in the Cozza Connection Project DC for DJ Basnectars Fall 2009 tour, along with apprentice Artistic Directors Desmond Howard and Gabe Galbraith and has played a major role alongside the other talented Urban Artistry Artistic Directors, in the development of the performance "Time to Come Home: A Tribute" with Coyaba Dance Theater winner of the Metro DC Dances Award for Emerging Performer or Group in 2009. When he is not practicing various form of movement, he is traveling or studying an array of topics in the field of Economics, Culture, Education and Peace in the Middle East both locally and abroad. Join him on Saturday's at the Dance Institute of Washington or for other special workshops throughout the DC Metro Area.

Urban Artistry competes at REDEMPTION October 24th, 2009 in downtown, Philadelphia- an event hosted by www.extremekicks.com

2009-11-05T09:32:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to all who competed at REDEMPTION in Philly October 24th, 2009. Big shout out to Gabe "Shamrock" Galbraith for winning the up and coming battle, and to all the UA performers who entered the up and coming and the all styles battles that afternoon.

To see videos of the battles please visit:

http://www.youtube.com/user/extremekicksdotcom

Urban Artistry goes to Bulgaria for JAM ON IT 10!

2009-11-05T09:28:00.001-08:00

The Sleepwalkingz and the US Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria invited the Directors from Urban Artistry to visit Sofia and Smolyn, Bulgaria for the Jam On It 10th Anniversary Festival this past September 2009! We were honored to be invited and had the most amazing experience during this trip. Pictures, video and comments from the individual members can be seen at out facebook and youtube page.

Jam On It 10th Anniversary Trailer:

(to see the full length Urban Artistry Performance, please visit our youtube page at www.youtube.com/urbanartistry)

SAVE THE DATE- The Soul Society Festival 2010 with Urban Artistry and Rogue Squirrel

2009-11-04T13:02:00.001-08:00

The Soul Society Festival is coming again to the DC Metro Area in 2010- Save the Date for the weekend of April 15th through April 18th 2010 as Urban Artistry and Rogue Squirrel bring another great International Festival of urban dance and culture to the DC Metro Area. Stay tuned for details about the festival coming soon, including venues, parties, competitions, workshops, judges and more...coming soon!

View the trailer from Soul Society 2009 here:

COZZA CONNECTION DC a collaboration with DJ Bassnectar, Urban Artistry and Hip Hop Education- Thursday Nov 12th 2009 at the 9:30 Club

2009-11-04T12:49:00.001-08:00

A Cozza Connection community service spotlight on Hip Hop Education and Urban Artistry.

Hip Hop Education is a DC-area organization dedicated to "keeping it street" by providing real, empowering, and positive lyrics for area children to perform and listen to.

http://Hiphopeducation.us/

Urban Artistry is an internationally known, multigenerational performance organization that spans the spectrum of performance styles. Urban Artistry has incredible knowledge of the capacity of our bodies, and respects the value of movement for everyone. Because of this respect, much of the funds they raise and the work they do is contributed to provide prosthetic limbs to child amputees in partnership with Kicking for Kids Who Can't, because nothing should slow these kids down.

http://urbanartistry.org/

Produced by Megan Keefe and Petri Dish TV. Huge thanks is due!

Written by Lia Holland of Bassnectarlabs and Community Activism

This film created by the amazing filmmaker Megan Keefe and her crew, documents a collaboration project between Urban Artistry: an International Culture and Education Project based in Washington, DC and Hip Hop Education, a 501(c)(3) located in Maryland which was created to help provide children with rap & hip hop lyrics that speak to their experience and are age appropriate.

The collaboration project is sponsored by the Fall 2009 DJ Bassnectar Tour. Please visit the 9:30 Club on Thursday, November 12th 2009 at 8:00pm to see the youth from both organizations perform their work live before the show!

Thank you to everyone who made this project possible,
Everyone from Hip Hop Education,
filmmaker Megan Keefe and her crew,
Show Director Rizqi Rachmat,
Director of Operations at Urban Artistry Emily Wessel,
Executive Director of Urban Artistry Junious "House" Brickhouse,
Urban Artistry Director of IT Management Harley "Halfstep" Jackson who made the connection with KFKWC possible,
all the Urban Artistry members who helped out,
The Assassins Crew and Cab Cru for their support in this project,
the youth and parents from Urban Artistry,
Youth Show Directors Gabe Galbraith and Desmond Howard,
Tim and Ginna Goodenow from Kicking for Kids who Can't,

Lia from the Dj Bassnectar Tour and most importantly DJ Bassnectar for allowing us to provide this performance space for our kids!

Great work everyone!

See the documentary & performance Live at the DJ Bassnectar Cozza Frenzy Tour Show at the 9:30 Club on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 8:00pm- get your tickets early before they sell-out! This event is going to be amazing!

See a preview of the documentary on youtube at this link:

Urban Artistry

Education of Maren Cummings, Assistant Operations Director at Urban Artistry

Inside the Headphones w/ DJ Mate Masie

Thoughts from LaTasha Barnes of Imani Wellness & Urban Artistry

'1 mo round' aka Giovanni Galleno of CAB CRU

DJ Baronhawk Poitier - Baaad Assssss!

A Musical Journey with Russell Campbell

First USA champs & first female champs at Juste Debout 2011- House Dance

International Soul Society Festival 2011

28th Annual CHOREOGRAPHERS’ SHOWCASE 2011

Hip Hop Jam w/ TWB & UA at THE ARC

KAGRO-DC's 22nd Annual Scholarship Award Banquet

Mighty 4 Harrisburg Pennsylvania 1-vs-1 "1,000"

Dr. MLK Performance Celebration in Rockville 1/17/11

NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo Jan 15/16 2011

DCist Article about recent show at BlankSpace SE

Performance at BLANK SPACE OPEN HOUSE in SE, Washington DC

BBOY Workshop w/ Hannibal from Philly

MODERN LUXURY named UA #3 in the Top Ten Artists to Watch in 2011

Washington Area Grantmakers FLASH MOB!

URBAN ARTISTRY has MOVED!!!!

Correctional Facility Promo

Dance/MetroDC Kick-Off Party

Iron Man vs Meen187| UNBREAKABLE III

Community Day @ The Smithsonian National Museum of African Art

National Urban League Centennial Exhibit - Video Wall Excerpts

Funk in Focus Workshops

Winner of Dance metro DC Award 2011 for Excellence in Costume Design

INTERSECTIONS: A New American Arts Festival 2011

Velocity DC Festival 2010

Arlington Arts Center Artisphere Opening!

2010 DMV Soul Exchange 9/11 & 9/12

Urban Artistry performs at SKY BAR/Beacon Hotel

"DIGITAL FUNK" nomination for Dance Metro DC Awards in 2010

HELP Flash Mob Performance for Soul Society 2011 and Dance Is The Answer!!

"The House That Jack Built" performance in Bangor, Maine

RESTRICTION collaboration with Bluebrain and Urban Artistry, presented by The Pink Line Project

DMV Soul Exchange in Virginia Beach September 11/12

The National Urban League's Cenntenial Exhibit in July 2010 at The Washington Convention Center

Asian American Leadership Organization and Urban Artistry

10th MetroDC Dance Awards Showcase: October 6, 2010

Smithsonian National Museum of African Art- Community Day!

Kennedy Center Open House Arts Festival September 11, 2010 at 3:00pm

DMV Soul Exchange: workshops in VA beach September 11-12, 2010

CAPETOWN to DC Hip Hop Exchange with Emile YX?, DJ THEE ANGELO, Russell "IRONMAN" Campbell, DJ RBI and KOKAYI

Chiro-on-the-GO partnership with Urban Artistry

Urban Artistry partners with The Beat Refinery

Nsoroma Fundraiser in Baltimore, Maryland August 21, 2010

Premier: The House That Jack Built

Korean Friendship Night in support of ASIA-all services June 19th 2010

NPR interview with Washington Post Magazine Writer about her experience with Urban Artistry

THE DANCE INSTITUTE OF WASHINGTON CLASSES ARE NO LONGER OFFERED

Issac iOkoba Photography

Class Acts Arts 2010/2011 Directory

American College Dance Festival Association 2010

National Tap Dance Day- May 2010

Washington Post Magazine Article: Urban Artistry in The Fitness Issue

MSAC Award for Excellence in Dance Solo: Founder/ Executive Director Junious "House" Brickhouse

World Dance Colosseum in JAPAN

MONTREAL CLASSES with Urban Artistry 2010

New Dance Party @ MOVA Lounge in Logan Circle

THESE CLASSES ARE NO LONGER OFFERED

Dance/USA Conference Showcase in Washington, DC om June 17th 2010

Roosee from the SLEEPWALKINGZ Crew visits Urban Artistry in Washington DC

URBAN~POINTE brings Urban Artistry to The British School of Washington

Urban Artistry at Illreality in Philadelphia, PA

Urban Artistry Article in the Montgomery County Gazette Dec 09

FREE OPEN PRACTICE SPACE ended 9/26/2010

FREE CLASSES with Urban Artistry

Correctional Facility Best Of DVD Promo Video 2010

Montgomery College presents: Urban Artistry

CultureCapital.com: The House That Jack Built. With Urban Artistry., Discovery Theater at the Smithsonian, Smithsonian National Museum of American History

Black Expressions: Hip Hop Festival!!! February 19th & 20th 2010

Tickets on Sale now for INTERSECTIONS

Hope for the Holidays!

DCevents | Dreams For Kids

Urban Artistry is MOVING in 2010!!!

The Underground: sponsored by Urban Artistry

THE ILL INGREDIENT 12.12.09 & Jammin on the 1 12.13.09

12/11/09 at 7pm **FREE EVENT** Artist in Residency Preview Celebration at The Dance Institute of Washington

12/11/09 at 7pm FREE EVENT Artist in Residency Preview Celebration at The Dance Institute of Washington