Dance Styles
Streetz Ahead teach a range of dance styles including Street Dance, Locking and Popping and B-Boying.
Here is some information about the styles.
Street Dance
Street Dance. The name says it all – a dance that emerged from the streets of the World’s biggest cities, and continues to flex and evolve in surprising ways.
Originally from America, kids used it as a way to express themselves. Hanging about on the streets and sidewalks, they’d often throw moves simply to break the boredom. Over time, this developed into “street battles” – a contest between two gangs to determine the best dancer or group. It turned out to be a great way to relieve anger or tension, without resorting to physical violence.
A freestyle dance that encourages everyone to get involved, Street Dance rapidly took hold in schoolyards and on the club and rave Scenes.
Other styles, all of which come under the umbrella name of Hip-Hop, were incorporated too, including the styles below
Commercial Street
This evolved from Street style being brought into the studio and taught to everyone, including trained dancers, incorporating some styles such as Jazz. It is performed to current up-to-date music including the latest R’n’B as well as chart. Commercial is a strong style and probably the most recognisable as you can see on many pop videos and MTV shows, using this style for artists and commercial backing dancers alike.
House
Created in the clubs of Chicago, this style as the name suggests danced to House music. It involves fast complex footwork following the rhythm of the music. The torso is kept relaxed so as to give the overall performance a “chilled out” attitude.
Locking
Features big moves that freeze mid move before shifting on to the next. It includes fast and distinctive arm and hand movements with relaxed hips and legs. Originally danced to funk music such as James Brown.
Locking is a performance orientated style often mixed with Popping.
Break Dancing
A popular style from the Bronx, New York City, in the 1970s. This style incorporates power moves with footwork such as top rock and up rock along with lots of floor work, spinning on heads, and Freezing. Breakdance is danced to the break of the music – the gap in which only the beat is audible.
Performed by “B-Boys” and now “B-Girls” (Break Dancing Boys/Girls), Break Dance also incorporates gymnastics, including front and backflips.
Popping
Originally created in 1970’s in California by a group named the Electric Boogaloos. The leader Sam Solomon, would often refer to a movement as a “pop” each time he flexed a muscle. Popping is nearly always performed standing up and is achieved by quickly contracting and relaxing the muscles to create a jerking effect.
Conversely, the lower body performs more fluid movements and glides, moves made famous by the iconic performer Michael Jackson. His showstopping glides became known as the Moon Walk. He also became a leading component of the Robot.
Waacking
Created in the clubs of Chicago, this style as the name suggests danced to House music. It involves fast complex footwork following the rhythm of the music. The torso is kept relaxed so as to give the overall performance a “chilled out” attitude.
As well as all of styles of street we at Streetz Ahead dance academy have expanded to teach All Genres of Dance, from ballet and tap to musical theatre.