— CLASS DESCRIPTIONS —

Hip Hop

Hip Hop is a dance style that is part of the wider Hip Hop culture. Hip Hop culture was born and developed among black and Latinx minorities', according to the most common understanding, in the Bronx, New York in the 1970s. The five elements of Hip Hop culture are DJing, MCing, graffiti, knowledge and breaking, which represents the dance element. Hip hop dance itself only began to take shape in the 1980s and 1990s in the streets and the clubs.

Hip hop dance technique consists of groove, rock and bounce, as well as different social dances (often also referred to as party or foundation steps) that have been shaped throughout history, in different social contexts. Well-known dances or steps include, for example, Bart Simpson, Roger Rabbit, Steve Martin and The Smurf. Other important elements of hip hop dance are, among others, isolations, floorwork and footwork.

Hip Hop culture and dance are generally characterized by a strong social aspect and dancing together, cyphering, freestyling, and battling.

In the hip hop classes we work on technique and freestyle, using exercises that develop creativity, coordination and different movement qualities, with the goal of supporting dancers in finding their own style. We also learn choreography that utilize hip hop technique, based on the level of each class.

In the Hip hop 30+ beginner class we focus on learning the basics of hip hop at a relaxed pace and familiarize ourselves with the history of the dance, and no previous dance background is required to participate in the class. In the Hip hop 30+ advanced beginner class the pace of the class is slightly faster and participants are expected to have experience with the basics of hip hop. In the 9-11-year-olds' Hip hop foundations class we focus on the basics of hip hop at a relaxed pace, and participants are expected to have some kind of dance or sports background.

Some useful links and tips on people to follow:

- Wreckin Shop from Brooklyn
- The Mop Top Channel
- Netflix's "Hip-hop Evolution" and "Ladies first: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop" documentary series
- Instagram: @moncelldurden, @buddhastretch, @linkefc, @loosejoint_ef, @ladiesofhiphop

Hip Hop freestyle

Wednesday's Hip hop freestyle intermediate and advanced class differs from our other hip hop classes in that the entire class focuses solely on training hip hop technique and freestyle. Therefore, there is no choreography whatsoever in the class, except for possible shorter technique-related movement sequences or combinations.

Waacking

Waacking originated in Los Angeles in the 1970s. The dance genre, which was born during the disco music era, developed in clubs among the LGBT+ community. Waacking strongly involves self-expression, storytelling and interpretation of music. The technique consists of, among other things, various hand rolls, poses and grooves combined with footwork. Like other street and club dance genres, the dance is primarily a freestyle dance. The Waacking basics class introduces you to the history and the basics of the dance, which are practiced through various freestyle exercises and choreographies. Participants are expected to have some previous dance background, but actual Waacking dance experience is not necessary.