For dancers who communicate, collaborate and compete in front of crowds, the pandemic stole a huge part of their art form.
For the thousands of dancers who gather yearly for Hip Hop International’s USA and World Dance Championships, it also took away a major hub for dance community and culture.
“I lost a ton of dancers. Our numbers went down to less than half as far as our dance studio, and a lot of dancers just weren’t comfortable coming back. It was definitely a bumpy year,” said Connor. “Financially, it’s been tough, but we’ve gotten a good amount of sponsors [to attend the Hip Hop International competition]. I did have to limit the amount of crews we sent — I usually fill every category.
“It’s a wonderful relationship and we all play a part in its success. We give them a platform, but without their amazing talent and skills, it would be nothing,” added Karen. “We reached out and got some very positive feedback that said, ‘If you do this, we will be there,’ and that really motivated us to put together the USA Hip Hop Dance Championships in Southern California.”
“It’s very convenient for our California crews. Parents don’t have to rent multiple hotel rooms and can maybe drop their kids off for a long weekend. It was a blessing,” says Frye. “L.A. is still L.A., and crews are excited that they get to come out.” Connor has also seen the backlash that break dancers are giving the event. She also sees, though, that there are solutions that could help it be more inclusive for the purists.
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