| Tension and excitement radiate from the backstage
of Colorado's Cherry Creek High School auditorium on May 3, 1998
for the LA New Groove Dance Competitions.
Competition: a matter
of pride. Gayton Dance Studio from Thornton, Colorado dominates
with strong choreography
and performance style.
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The unsinkable "Titanic" jazz routine choreographed by Katrina Lairsmith
and "Ooh La La" Hip Hop by Linh Ngo were definitely the major highlights,
with Hip Hop winning first place in the 15 and up age category.  |
Click to see video |
| Hip Hop is still a fairly new style to Colorado,
especially popular on the West
Coast and catching on everywhere else. So, what exactly goes on on the
mind of a Hip-Hopper? Underneath the funky baggy-clothed Adidas-wearing
non-stoppin' beat pounding explosive energy cultured attitude lies a funky
baggy-clothed Adidas-wearing non-stoppin' beat pounding explosive energy
cultured attitude. Hip Hop is exactly what it seems-a style, a music, a
culture. But being a good dancer obviously takes a lot of practice. Behind
those smooth Hip Hop moves lies months of working choreography and years
of style.
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A team practices, sweats, and dances.
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When competition finally comes, we walk around feeling a little akward
with our purposefully wild hair and makeup and our bright yellow baggy
clothes next to the ballett dresses and classy black jazz outfits. Standing
back stage, the last act to go on, we adjust hair and clothes, check shoelaces
and stare at each other across the stage, smiling with anticipation. Counting
to each other as the song begins 5, 6, 7, 8...Showtime! Two minutes packed
full of adrenaline that seems like two seconds. Giving all you've got,
the performance mask goes on and your head spins: You count the eight counts,
but don't really remember hearing the music. Remember the choreography,
keep spacing, look at the judges. This is the big payoff where confidence
becomes an attitude and adrenaline turns into beats of the music. The last
four counts come and the music fades. Heads go down and for a few seconds
all you can hear is breathing and all you can feel is your own heartbeat.
Then you hear the clapping and the screaming, and then one of the judges,
"Yeah, baby we like that one!"
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