Simon Maxwell Eason and his new-found Family

Throughout my whole life I have done so many things. I have played almost every sport, Soccer, Football, Basketball, Baseball, Lacrosse, Track & Field, Tennis, I used to Film all the time, write poetry all the time, play video games very heavily, want to be a Chef, and many other things that I used to always do, or want to do. All of these things have ended the same way; I either quit, or just stopped doing them. But I feel like finally I have found two passions that I don’t think I’ll let go of until the day I pass, Dancing and Djing.

I honestly don’t think I’ve ever felt so much drive in the two activities, though like everyone we have our moments of laziness and disinterest. I try all the time to think of the reason why I love these things so very much, and just haven’t really been able to come up with an answer. It could be because within these two art forms, I have found something more than just “something to do” I have found a whole entire culture I never knew existed while I was sitting on my butt in Frederick. I also have found a love for music, a loving friend and mentor, and best of all a group of friends and family I can honestly say I love, and I don’t say I love very many things. CAB Crew and Urban Artistry have helped me not just within dance but also within life, because so many people within these groups have so much wisdom at their disposal. I feel so grateful that these people share this information with me because like I said, it has helped me so much in life.

While being a part of UA and CAB I have met dancers nationally and internationally and I have only been coming around for a year. I have traveled to many different states, California, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, and we always go together just like a family does, and it provides me with such a sense of belonging and happiness. I had the good fortune of being a part of last year’s Soul Society and saw so many things that just made me smile and enjoy myself so much. I can see why so many wonderful members have gravitated towards this group and stayed around for as long as they have.

I ask one thing of everyone, to never let me quit! Because if I did, there wouldn’t be a day that goes by that I wouldn’t think about Dancing or Djing. I feel that with all these supportive and loving people around me I will never even think of quitting, because I don’t have much else that I have a passion for. I look forward to many more accomplishments and opportunities I have to come with my Crew and Company. Thanks to everyone for EVERYTHING! And I mean that with every ounce of my being. Michael McClain I’m very grateful that your introduced me to UA because you put these wheels in motion.

Thoughts from LaTasha Barnes of Imani Wellness & Urban Artistry

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."

2010 DMV Soul Exchange 9/11 & 9/12

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

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