The News Review:
- Documentary “Planet B-Boy” profiles international break…
- Dancing a break from tradition
- She’s on the dance floor now but will soon be everywhere
- Celebrate Dance Week
Documentary “Planet B-Boy” profiles international break…
Seattle Times – Apr 25, 2008
Break dancing might have seemed like a fad but not to its practitioners. Several early kings of the form appear in the lively documentary “Planet B-Boy” explaining what they knew all along: break dancing is serious art. It’s certainly serious to today’s break-dancers. Part of a hip-hop culture that began in the ’70s break dancing is both about self-expression and teamwork. “Planet B-Boy” follows the endeavors of many young men from around the world who join dance crews and compete in frenetic international competitions… Several early kings of the form appear in the lively documentary “Planet B-Boy” explaining what they knew all along: break dancing is serious art. It’s certainly serious to today’s break-dancers. Part of a hip-hop culture that began in the ’70s break dancing is both about self-expression and teamwork. “Planet B-Boy” follows the endeavors of many young men from around the world who join dance crews and compete in frenetic international competitions. If they’re lucky they can also make money performing for arena-size crowds. At least that is they can do it for a while. One of the most striking themes in “Planet B-Boy” is that break dancing offers a narrow window of time for performers to hone their style and skills.
Dancing a break from tradition
Asbury Park Press – Apr 25, 2008
Begun eight years ago today 220 students from all four grades are involved in the program taught by Stacy Coppola 34 of Ocean Grove and Kelly Gemellaro 34 of Middletown. The program has two aspects. Juniors and seniors may take dance instead of the required gym class but must audition to become a part of the in-school program. After-school classes are offered to freshman and sophomores. Senior William Karavites 18 of Tinton Falls believes the program not only introduces him to a new way of expressing himself but also enables him to make friends from all grade levels. Students are exposed to jazz ballet modern tap and hip-hop styles of dance. They also learn about musical theater choreography dance history and nutrition… Senior William Karavites 18 of Tinton Falls believes the program not only introduces him to a new way of expressing himself but also enables him to make friends from all grade levels. Students are exposed to jazz ballet modern tap and hip-hop styles of dance. They also learn about musical theater choreography dance history and nutrition. The program stages several productions each year including An Evening of Dance in December Coffeehouse Cabaret in January and the April 30 to May 3 dance concert Broadway Through The Ages. Today students are hard at work preparing for the dance concert that features numbers from Broadway productions such as “The Lion King” and “Hairspray” as well as the Ziegfeld Follies and vaudeville. Some of the dance numbers are recreations of the Broadway show’s choreography while others are rechoreographed by seniors as part of their final grade for the department. Gemellaro hopes her students gain self-confidence and strength through dance as well as an appreciation for the art of dance.
She’s on the dance floor now but will soon be everywhere
USA Today – Apr 25, 2008
But Hard Candy’s frenzied blast of hard beats and candy-coated grooves verifies that Madonna is still expressing herself on the dance floor. “People love to dance even if they only rock back and forth” Madonna says explaining her refusal to abandon the genre on her new album. “It’s a primal force people are drawn to. “The same could be said for Her Madgesty. Candy arriving Tuesday earned a four-star rave in Rolling Stone. Entertainment Weekly’s B+ review dubs it “an unpretentious nonstop dance party… As CD sales plummet and the industry struggles for footing in the digital age Madonna says she stepped into the future. “I have to feel optimistic” she says. “Whenever there’s shift things break down and people find new ways to operate. It’s a natural evolution and you can’t fight it or feel sorry for yourself. Thank God I don’t have to rely only on record sales. I know how to put on a show. “Madonna plans to bring Hard Candy’s sweet and edgy grooves to the stage this fall.
Celebrate Dance Week
Washington Post – Apr 25, 2008
Celebrate Dance Week. Events include classes for teens; a dance history discussion; hip-hop ballet tap belly bhangra and break-dancing classes.