They think they can dance!

By Christy Marsters

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

Concrete Roots will be hosting an urban dance competition at Hants East Rural High.

A third annual Set it Straight contest will be held from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Feb.6. The event is expected to showcase the talents of close to 250 performers, as hip hoppers, poppers, bboys and bgirls of all ages, throughout Atlantic Canada, battle against each other to bust the best moves on the dance floor.

Lenny de la Pena, who choreographed the closing ceremonies of The 2010 Olympics, will travel to Nova Scotia to help judge this local competition alongside So You Think You Can Dance Canada Finalist Miles Faber, Cirque du Soleil acrobatic instructor and choreographer Yvon “Crazy Smooth” Soglo and Gregory “Flex” Cheeatow, who is one member from Bag of Trix.

Concrete Roots director Drew Moore, who’s teaching Grade 7 at Riverside Education Centre as well, said developing urban dance throughout Nova Scotia has presented a great opportunity for 60-70 people now directly involved with Concrete Roots.

Urban dance is something that could be done at schools everywhere and it is a really good confidence builder for people to express themselves, Moore noted. “This opens up a creative side in kids. It helps people find their identity and a sense of pride.”

Set it Straight began in 2008, in the gymnasium at Riverside Education Centre, and it has grown quite a bit since then, Moore said. “We did talk about moving this event at one point but then we thought no; it works here in East Hants.” “Plus, I really like the juxtaposition; of holding an urban dance competition in a rural school,” Moore added. “There’s lots of interest for this in rural areas ... and it benefits these kids in the same ways it benefits people in the city.”

Marlee Davis, 17–years–old from Enfield, is part of an East Hants based urban dance group called REC’N Crew. She has been learning the dance style for about four years.

People tend to think urban dance is a negative thing because it is associated with the rap videos and mainstream stuff but it is actually a positive thing, Davis said. “This is a way to express yourself … I was hesitant going in but it made me more confident in myself.”

The best part is meeting all the people in competitions and taking part in this type of dance, which is a lot of freestyle, Davis added. “The only way to be good at this is just by practicing and getting experience.”

Ryan Bellefontaine, 11–years–old from Milford, is also part of REC’N Crew. “It is very fun,” Bellefontaine says of urban dancing. “It’s a good way to stay active if you do not play sports like I do.”

Urban dance is mostly leg movements on the ground but also includes freeze moves; power moves; top rocking and footwork, Bellefontaine noted. “It takes lots of energy to move so fast.”

Everyone starts kind of shy, Bellefontaine added. “Still, I first competed in 2007 and, when I saw the footage, I realize I wasn’t a beginner anymore … once you have done a certain amount of competitions and get some experience, the nerves just go away.”

For more information about the Set it Straight competition at Hants East Rural High or about Concrete Roots contact info@concreteroots.com or check the group out on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or at www.concreteroots.com.