Poppin’ Department
The art of street dance through powerful muscle contractions, body waving, moonwalking, and electrifying animation.
The Poppin’ Department will offer three classes:
Poppin’ – Beginner
Students will learn the history of Poppin’ and acquire basic fundamentals to become a great Popper. Students will also be guided through proper dance techniques and gain experience through live performance.
Poppin’ – Intermediate
Students will acquire higher levels of dance techniques and create a clear sense of their own style and techniques. Students will be encouraged to explore new possibilities within their own art form.
Poppin’ – Advanced
Advanced students will be expected to master their own style and technique. They will be shown the major differences between what makes someone a good Popper or the best of the best. Students will develop themselves through live performances and Poppin’ competitions.
Advanced students receive direction in pursuing dance careers.
Workshop Specifics
- 8 Week Workshop
- 60 Minute Class
- Meets 3 times per week
- Most equipment is provided
- Open practice is subject to availability. Please see one of our staff members.
A short History & Description of Poppin’
Some of the originators of Poppin’ are Slim the Robot, Boogaloo Sam, Poppin’ Pete, Boogaloo King, Bop n Andre, Poppin’ No Bones, Chain Reaction, Darrel Stokes, Unique Dominos, Dr. Cosmo, Boogaloo Shrimp, Animation, Tic Tac, Heckle ‘n Jeckle, Fernie Fern, the One Arm Bandit, Flat Top and the Siberian Knights to name a few. Poppin’ can be broken down into many different styles such as “Boogaloo”, “Waving”, “Hitting”,”Ticking”, “Animating”, “Strobe Light”, “King Tuts”, “Mime”,”Cartoon Characters”, “Robot” and Floating, Back slide, “Moon Walking”. Each style is unique and can be identified immediately. It was on the West Coast where Poppin’ and Pop- Locking originally developed in Fresno, Oakland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, Long Beach and Pomona.
All muscles contract and relax in the popper’s body, causing a jerk referred to as a “Pop” or a “Hit”. This is done to the rhythm of a beat in combination with various movements and poses. Poppin’ includes symmetric and asymmetric movements and also movements in which a popper’s arms and legs appear to come out of their joint sockets, independent of their bodies. When you “Boogaloo” every part of your body moves simultaneously in different directions with precise control. Even your neck, jaw, eyebrows, and tongue are Poppin’. To many observers, the most talented poppers appear to be cartoon-like or unreal. Poppin’ becomes an optical illusion and is an electrifying element of Hip Hop.
