My friend sent me a link off of a forum he reads the other day (ravevictoria.com, the source for all your raving needs) that had mention of a workshop that caught his eye. He knows I'm into popping and I think he probably sent it as a joke.
That aside, I looked into the information and got in touch with the guy teaching the course - I'm always keen on re-learning the basics, and I believe that no amount of instruction is wasted - practice honing the fundamentals will always improve your dancing. The dude's name is Jake Evans, and he's taken classes with the founders of both Popping, and Locking. Geez, lucky guy, makes me wish I lived in Nova Scotia. Ha, just kidding, screw that.
Here's the info I found on the website advertising the workshop: Funky Steppin’ is a team of professionals coming together for the goal of getting people to loosen up, have a good time and learn the art of street dancing. Workshop leader Jake Evans is an award winning performer and founder of Stepbruthaz, and co-founder of Funkdaddies & Lokdown Crew (Halifax, NS) Jake has performed extensively on stage and has made several television appearances including the Trailer Park Boys (Episode 9), Muchmoremusic and CBC’s Zedtv and Street Cents, among many others. Jake has learned form the Electric Boogaloos and Don Campbell to name a few. Jake has been supported over the years by Dance Nova Scotia and is a founding member of the Urban Dancers Alliance. For more information contact Funky Steppin’ by email jdg_@hotmail.com, phone 250-938-3255 or pick up a registration form at the VAC office.
COST: 2 day wksp (12th/13th) 11am-2pm $75; 1 day wksp (14th) 11am-2pm $50; Eve wksp (12th) 6-8pm $35.
I wrote Jake to ask about what kind of dancing will be workshopped, because I really don't have much interest in learning music video style hiphop dancing, and while I have great appreciation for breakin', it's just not a style of dance I want to pick up on. He wrote back and let me know that the evening workshop (12th of July, 6-8pm) can be devoted to popping and locking.
I'm not brand new to the funkstyles (hopefully that's obvious if you read this site), so I wrote to check and make sure that it wouldn't be an issue - apparently there is a good amount of one-on-one work, so no matter what your skill level, there should be plenty of help.
I'm going to do the workshop either way, because it's a very rare opportunity to get real popping talent out here, but it'd be really dope if anyone else wanted to take it with me. If it interests you, leave a comment, we'll sort the details out. Or, if you prefer, write me an e-mail (deathsushi@hotmail.com).
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