The SHEro Show

The SHEro Show features dance creations from the Twin Cities’ most renowned and established hip-hop dancers and choreographers, along with incredibly talented guest artists from across the nation. These ladies are SHEroes not only on-stage, but also in their communities, where they inspire young artists of the next generation and plant seeds of positivity wherever they perform or teach their craft. The SHEro show features video footage from B-Girls across the country and around the world. Breaking, popping, old school and new school styles of hip-hop dance come together for an inspirational and enlightening celebration of the power of SHEros!

Featuring Rokafella, ConsciousSpirit and Nicki Cullinan (aka NlighteN); with performances by B-Girl Catfox, The Enfinity/Immortal Dancers (UDD), Epitome – No Question, Obtuse Crew, MC Big Tara, Up Mode and video by both Indie and B-Girl Aruna!

8PM Fri Sept 18 & 2PM Sat Sept 19

Featured Artists:

CONSCIOUSSPIRIT is a movement group using dance styles rooted in the African Diaspora. Interweaving hip-hop and step techniques with traditional West African movements, they create work that is community connected.
             Conscious [kon-shuh s]: Sharing another's knowledge or awareness
             Spirit [spir-it]: A divine, inspiring, or animating being or influence

NICKI CULLINAN (aka NLighteN)
Revealing the Concealed is a piece I created for an ongoing cabaret-style show called Elements in Translation this past August.  This is my first full-length piece of choreography, so I wished to communicate the depth of expression found within hip-hop dance. This piece represents the struggle for realization, and the awareness found when one acknowledges that the ultimate truths of life are first concealed from us before they are revealed. It is then up to us to strive to reveal such truths in order to restore and live within the light which exists within each of us. I chose Amy Sackett, Lisa Berman (aka Mona Lisa), Debra McGee and DeOnna Gray-Lige as my ensemble of fierce women not only for their talent as dancers, but because I knew they each possess the willingness to go within to find and express something new from a place of their own truth.  I’ve had the privilege to dance and share my life with each of these ladies for many years, and each has inspired me throughout my journey.

ROKAFELLA
Hip-Hop dancer/choreographer Ana “Rokafella” Garcia was born in Spanish Harlem where she grew up with a strong Latin background. At the age of 16 she began going to clubs and doing back-up dancing for freestyle singers on the local NYC party scene. Her hip-hop dance style became her bread and butter when she began street performing with such crews such as The Transformers, The Breeze Team, and the New York City Float Committee. Rokafella has taught workshops at NYU and Howard as well as neighborhood high schools and community centers. The non-profit company she co-founded with her husband, “Full Circle Prod”, serves the community with educational performances and multimedia urban-themed performances. She is presently producing a documentary based on the challenging lifestyles of female breakdancers featuring b-girls from all over the world. She believes this culture was born to help urban youth get through the ups and downs of life with something to hold on to.

The SHEro Show Artists:

B-GIRL ARUNA (Video)  is from Rotterdam, a city in The Netherlands known for its rich b-boy culture. Vermeulen has been breaking since 1998 when she was introduced to the game by her crew, Freezone. As most of the Freezone members are old school b-boys, they aren’t as active as they used to be, and Aruna practices with the new school generation—resulting in a crew called Optima Forma, which holds performances, workshops, and battles. Highlights include performances at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and a tour for the Dutch Queen in 2005. Devoted to Hip Hop in many ways, Aruna is one of the founders of the HipHopHuis, an educational centre in Rotterdam and she is organizer of the b-boy jam Gimme a Break, which has been held in Nighttown since 1999. Inspired by b-girls like Rokafella, Angi, and Dora, Vermeulen is a fan of the athletic element in breaking. Her goal is to be a full time b-girl for another decade.

Speaking the language of hip-hop, B-GIRL CATFOX (Amy Campion) overlaps street dance, poetry, film and beatboxing to create moving visual metaphors. Her recent creations include Breaking the Cypher, a multi-media dance spectacular that sold out the Ford Amphitheatre and received a standing ovation; BGirls or Be Girls, an outspoken performance about the struggles of women who break; and Diamonds, a two-woman hip-hop dance/theater play. Catfox teaches hip-hop dance and choreography at Cerritos College and El Camino College. In 2006, Catfox graduated from UCLA’s Department of World Arts and Cultures with an MFA in choreography. For more information go to: www.AnticsPerformance.com

The ENFINITY/IMMORTAL DANCERS (UDD)

The Enfinity Dance Team was founded in 2005 by Edna Stevens, artistic director of Universal Dance Destiny. The goal of the group is to be able to create a positive vision for young adults wanting to take the performing arts career to the professional level. Universal Dance Destiny (also known as UDD) is a unique dance company that prides itself on the ability for upcoming dancers and performing artist to be able to showcase their talent on a professional level. The diverse group of young dancers range in the  ages from ten to early twenties. The group has performed at major events such as: Juneteenth., Rondo Days, Cinco De Mayo, Fall Out Art Fest, Uptown Art Fest, Cari-fest, B-Girl Be and many more. The group recently performed for the NBA and WNBA basketball teams at the Target Center two seasons in a row.The lead choreographers of the group comes from the well known dance crew called  the "Immortals" from St. Paul. The Enfinity Dancers are available for group and private performances, fairs, festivals, parades, special corporate events, and more. Traveling to another state or country is also not a problem at all. The group is excited to be a part of the B-Girl Be Celebration this year!

EPITOME—NO QUESTION was founded by Artistic Director Aneka McMullen, a native of Minneapolis, MN who holds a BFA in Dance from The Ohio State University. “This company represents the "Old Skool" dance form of New Jack Swing: hip-hop with the HOP in it!” she says. Epitome- No Question strives to return the focus of hip-hop culture to its community-conscious roots through dance-theater.

OBTUSE CREW is a hip-hop based performance company that brings all styles of hip-hop into modern dance choreography. All group members have an extensive background in a wide array of dance styles. Most attend and receive training from the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, where the group was created. Obtuse Crew was created by two 17-year-old choreographers who have been dancing in the twin cities for years. So far, some of their greatest accomplishments include an America's Got Talent Commercial, Lynx & Timberwolves half-time shows, and other local performances.

MC BIG TARA is a B-girl and MC with the Anomolies Crew, Fox Force 5, Shoten Zenjin and the House of HOWL. Born and raised in the Lower Eastside of NYC, she was influenced by the dance and music culture of her neighborhood. She has graced many stages across the country including the Apollo, BB Kings, Lincoln Center and the Manhattan Center and has worked with the Roots, Erykah Badu and LL Cool J to name a few. After receiving a public service award from the New School University, she decided to dedicate her time to helping non-profit organizations further serve marginalized youth. She has been working in community outreach for over 10 years and believes it is crucial to help guide our youth to live absolutely happy and productive lives.

UpMode is a new collaboration among Twin Cities B-Girls Annie Aldag (aka Annie-Up), Erin Lowey (aka E-Styles), Laura Mueller (aka L-Kat), Jessica Schilling (aka Mugsy), and Kim Sorenson. Together these ladies have a wide range of dance experience that spans decades.  Drawing from their collective knowledge and skill they have created a breakin’ piece which is not only fun, but shows B-Girls supporting each other.