Description

Performing a 'Jack' is a spiritual release, an individual style, the ultimate connection between music and the body, according to Hip-Hop folklore. The annual May, Bay Area Hip-Hop Theater Festival includes this fun-filled program of everything from Hip-Hop and house to African-inspired and modern dance. Starting off a previous series was Oakland-based Traci Bartlow & Dancers showcasing a mix of classic hip-hop moves with innovative steps and sequences. Next, Rashad Prigden dominated the stage in his inspiring one-man performance, 'Black Ego,' showing off his background in urban performance and modern dance. Oakland natives, The Black Messengers then took over, emerging from caskets in skull masks and presenting their distinctive boogaloo and robot style in 'Boogaloo Resurrection.' The middle of the show was devoted to 'Demonstrating of the Jack.' The demonstration featured six of some of the most talented local hip-hop, house and African-inspired dancers, revealing their own version of the 'Jack'. The show was then taken over by B-Boy Remind performing verse and amazing breakdancing skills, with plenty of head-balancing 360-degree revolutions. Rounding out the show in style was the Rubberbandance Group of Canada with their piece, 'Ship Shop Shapeshifting.' Anne Plamondon and Victor Quijada are truly rubberband-like in presenting their story of their love for hip-hop and other influences along the way even in the form of classical music and ballet. If you don't like this dance series, then you don't know jack!