VERSA-STYLE STREET DANCE COMPANY

Versa-Style Street Dance Company’s engagement activities are integral to the company’s mission to celebrate community, educate and promote self-empowerment through street dance. In addition to the offerings below, Versa-Style’s highly skilled dance educators can work with presenters to tailor activities specifically for their community’s needs.

WORKSHOPS
Street Dance Fundamentals
Students will learn the fundamentals of street dance forms including Hip Hop, Popping, House, Waacking, and Krump. Each workshop will explore the foundation of each respective style, including understanding the rhythm and timing of movements in relation to each style of music, the foundational grooves and vocabulary, and combining these fundamentals to develop a foundation for choreography and/or freestyle. The cultural and historical context for which each style was developed will be discussed to give students a deeper understanding of these street dance forms. Running Time: 60-75 minutes per style (one style explored per class/Q&A may or may not be included upon request).

Finding Comfort in Movement
This workshop is catered to those who are new to movement or may be uncomfortable moving their bodies due to various physical or mental restrictions. This is a simple, fun, and safe workshop environment where students are encouraged to explore the limits of their comfort zone through stretching, easy-to-follow dance moves, and various exercises that build physical, mental, and emotional strength. This workshop is perfect for those looking to try something new or those who can use dance as a way to improve their health. Can be offered to any age range from elementary to senior citizens and each session will be focused on the needs of that demographic. Running time: 60-90 minutes.

Lecture/Demonstration & Professional Development
Versa-Style offers lecture/demonstration and professional development sessions for students, professional movement artists, and educators alike. Each session will be catered to the attendee demographic as needed. These sessions integrate both movement and discussion to explore the intersectionality between the arts, culture, and education using the lens of street dance. These sections can also create space to engage in discussions on how the arts and street dance culture can impact our communities and influence the sociopolitical climate of our modern world. Running time: 60-90 minutes.

Street Dance Community Engagement
Street dance is a unique, inclusive dance culture that is seldom seen in other spaces outside of our own. Versa-Style Street Dance Company collaborates with presenters and leaders of local street dance communities and studios to host workshops, open dance sessions, and facilitate community dialogue with the hopes of bridging the gap between these two groups. These engagement activities encourage patronage from local dancers to the presenting venue as well as open up the door for future collaborations including community showcases, competitions, festivals, and more.

Pre and post-performance discussions available upon request.

TRIBUTE ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
Versa-Style Street Dance Company will offer lec-dems, workshops and artist talks specific to West Coast Hip Hop and street dance styles that originated in the Los Angeles area. These activities are available to enhance the experience, themes and street dance forms explored in Tribute: Guardians of Street Dance.

West Coast Street Dance Fundamentals
Students will learn the fundamentals of street dance forms originating in California, including Locking, Popping, Waacking, and Krump. Each workshop will explore the foundation of each respective style, including understanding the rhythm and timing of movements in relation to each style of music, the foundational grooves and vocabulary, and combining these fundamentals to develop a foundation for choreography and/or freestyle. The cultural and historical context for which each style was developed will be discussed to give students a deeper understanding of these street dance forms. Running Time: 60-75 minutes per style (one style explored per class/Q&A may or may not be included upon request).

West Coast Street Dance History Lecture/Demonstration
Versa-Style offers lecture/demonstration sessions for students, professional movement artists, and educators alike. This discussion focuses specifically on the lineage of street dance forms across the West Coast covering topics such as style development, pioneers, cultural practices of specific styles, and the impact these styles made on the dance community at large. Movement can be integrated into the lecture upon request. Lecture/Demonstration sessions can also create space to engage in discussions on how the arts and street dance culture can impact our communities and influence the sociopolitical climate of our modern world. Running time: 60-90 minutes.

PRESENTATIONS
Schooltime Matinee: ORIGINS of Hip Hop (IN-PERSON)
ORIGINS of Hip Hop consists of high–energy, unadulterated street dance movement that will explore and push the boundaries of the ORIGINS and ROOTS of street vernacular dances such as Locking, Popping, Hip Hop and Waacking. Our K-12 LIVE rendition includes lecture/demonstrations throughout the show that explore the historical context of street dance forms and audience participation sections where students are encouraged to get up out of their seats and dance with the company. Running time: 60 minutes with Q&A, no intermission.

ORIGINS of Hip Hop (VIRTUAL)
ORIGINS of Hip Hop consists of high–energy, unadulterated street dance movement that will explore and push the boundaries of the ORIGINS and ROOTS of street vernacular dances such as Locking, Popping, Hip Hop, Krump, and more. Audiences will walk away with a different view on Hip Hop dance culture and will be vividly immersed into the depth and beauty that UNITES us all. Approx 60 minutes (45 min presentation plus 10-15 minutes Q&A session). Moderator may be provided by presenter. Technology: Zoom or other live streaming platform provided by presenter. Company requires Presenter to provide virtual stage manager to run virtual activities. A tech rehearsal before every event with the virtual stage manager is required. The company can adapt activities to meet the needs of each presenter/theater and their respective communities.

Hip Hop Dance 101 with Versa-Style (VIRTUAL or IN-PERSON)
Students will learn Hip Hop social dances from the early 1990s to the modern era, listening to Hip Hop’s greatest hits and newest classics along the way. Students will gain more awareness of the essence of authentic Hip Hop dance culture and its history, and will also be encouraged to share their movement in social practices such as freestyling in groups, partner work, and even choreography, leading to a memorable cultural experience. Come get down, learn some foundation and add flavor to your freestyle! 20-30 Students max. 60 minute workshop and presentation plus 15 minute Q&A with Dancer. Virtual: Minimum to (1) one advanced planning call with organizers required prior to workshop.