Pictures from Saturday's Dance Battle (Hip-Hop workshop wrap-up). More pictures of the event to follow soon.
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Showing posts with label BluePrint for Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BluePrint for Life. Show all posts
Hip-Hop in Arctic Bay ... The Dance Battle
Monday, October 13, 2008
Pictures from Saturday's Dance Battle (Hip-Hop workshop wrap-up). More pictures of the event to follow soon.
Hip-Hop in Arctic Bay ... Day 4
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Saturday ..... and it's early in the morning for many kids / youth up here in the North. Final practice began this morning at 9:00 am. There were many tired looking bodies in the gym this morning, but they all got energized pretty quickly once warm-up got running.
Myself ... well, I had all of the intentions of being there at 9:00am to do the warm up with the crew ... except I fell asleep drinking my morning cup of coffee while watching the news before I was to start hiking down the hill. I made it there for 10:15 am ... and got many "You're late Kendra"'s from the group. I laughed, and told them "I know, I'm late ... what-ch'a gonna do about it?" .. I had to do a bunch of six-steps as punishment - lol.
Morning practice went smoothly - all of the groups were practicing their routines and getting them down pat for the big night. The pressure was on everyone - but they were all laughing and having a great time. It was amazing seeing how much they have all improved in their movements and routines from the first day until now. Everyone kept practicing and going strong until lunch break and all came back ready to go again.
After lunch there was some large group practices of the basic movements that they all learned and some additional finalization of routines. The crews also all got together for crew photo's and we had a large cypher to check out many of the routines that were going to be presented / performed this evening.
Today's "talk" revolved around abuse, it's consequences, and suicide (prevention and healing after the fact). It was a fairly deep talk this afternoon and not much was said by the listeners, but I think the messages did get across to them all. During this time, a couple of us volunteers went out to get the gift bags ready for Buddah and his crew leaving them (Buddah, CFM's and the participants) some space for the "talk".
More details from tonight's battle and pictures of the day to follow.
Myself ... well, I had all of the intentions of being there at 9:00am to do the warm up with the crew ... except I fell asleep drinking my morning cup of coffee while watching the news before I was to start hiking down the hill. I made it there for 10:15 am ... and got many "You're late Kendra"'s from the group. I laughed, and told them "I know, I'm late ... what-ch'a gonna do about it?" .. I had to do a bunch of six-steps as punishment - lol.
Morning practice went smoothly - all of the groups were practicing their routines and getting them down pat for the big night. The pressure was on everyone - but they were all laughing and having a great time. It was amazing seeing how much they have all improved in their movements and routines from the first day until now. Everyone kept practicing and going strong until lunch break and all came back ready to go again.
After lunch there was some large group practices of the basic movements that they all learned and some additional finalization of routines. The crews also all got together for crew photo's and we had a large cypher to check out many of the routines that were going to be presented / performed this evening.
Today's "talk" revolved around abuse, it's consequences, and suicide (prevention and healing after the fact). It was a fairly deep talk this afternoon and not much was said by the listeners, but I think the messages did get across to them all. During this time, a couple of us volunteers went out to get the gift bags ready for Buddah and his crew leaving them (Buddah, CFM's and the participants) some space for the "talk".
More details from tonight's battle and pictures of the day to follow.
Hip-Hop in Arctic Bay ... Day 3
Friday, October 10, 2008
Today was another busy fun filled afternoon, evening and night. This afternoon the two crews broke into smaller teams to create and work on their routines for the battle Saturday night. The group is becoming really good with their dance moves - I have seen great improvement in their confidence in their steps since the beginning of the program. I've also seen a great shift in some attitudes of the students and youth that are participating in the program. Students who would normally be spitting at each other or putting each other down or in the middle of some sort of "war" (either family, who they know, or some other social struggle between two or more people) are now working together, encouraging each other and offering support when needed. It's really been touching watching these young people working together.
This afternoon we had some of the Elders in town come in to see what hip-hop is all about. The students and CFM demonstrated their moves to the Elders and some even took part in learning a couple of dance moves too. CFM and the youth also demonstrated traditional throat singing mixed in with some beat-boxing - - blending the traditional music with "modern" music. Last but not least, Ben-Jammin gave a demonstration on scratching (a skill that the participants will be learning tomorrow) to the Elders - and one brave Elder even came up and tried out scratching. I think the Elders have a great new appreciation for the hip-hop movement and are proud of their youth as each time one of them went into the half-cypher to show their moves or create some beats their eyes lit up and huge smiles were on all faces.
After supper break everyone gathered back in the gym to continue working in their small groups on their routines (as they need to know them down pat by Saturday night). For a while tonight, I had a little bit of baby sitting duties as one of my students didn't have a babysitter (but only needed someone for 30 minutes), so I volunteered to watch the lil'guy for the time being until he was to head back home quickly to drop the baby back off at home with his mom. Now, I have no idea really what to do with a baby. Yes, I've baby sat.... but they have always been 2 years + ... not 7 months. Luckily for me, lil Ty just slept in my arms and only woke up about 5 minutes before daddy came back out. I am pretty sure at some point, in this lil guy's mind the phrase, or question "who are you, and where is my daddy" had to have run through his mind. But, no fussing was had ... only once we had to put him back in the amouti did the fussing begin.
Tonight's talk with the participants was all about nutrition, healthy living, drugs and alcohol. A good talk was given by Buddah and the CFM's to the youth. It wasn't a preaching talk about how they shouldn't drink pop, smoke, do drugs or drink - but more about making better decisions that would help them lead a better life. It was shocking at times to see the students react to the questions that Buddah posed to them - it has definitely shed some light for me into some of the home lives and personal lives of some of my students.
Also tonight, the graffiti mural that a couple of artists have been working on this week was revealed to everyone - it is pretty spiffy and it will be hung in the school later on.
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Tomorrow is an early start for everyone (gotta be at the gym for 9:00 am!!!) luckily, us volunteers / supervisors / A/V people decided together that 10:30 was a great time for all of us to arrive :-) as we have a whole lot of Kraft Dinner to prepare for tomorrow ... unless a plane arrives early tomorrow morning ... then it will be hot-dogs ..... we will see :-)
Pictures of Day 3 to follow at some point later on ... when I get the chance to upload them.
This afternoon we had some of the Elders in town come in to see what hip-hop is all about. The students and CFM demonstrated their moves to the Elders and some even took part in learning a couple of dance moves too. CFM and the youth also demonstrated traditional throat singing mixed in with some beat-boxing - - blending the traditional music with "modern" music. Last but not least, Ben-Jammin gave a demonstration on scratching (a skill that the participants will be learning tomorrow) to the Elders - and one brave Elder even came up and tried out scratching. I think the Elders have a great new appreciation for the hip-hop movement and are proud of their youth as each time one of them went into the half-cypher to show their moves or create some beats their eyes lit up and huge smiles were on all faces.
After supper break everyone gathered back in the gym to continue working in their small groups on their routines (as they need to know them down pat by Saturday night). For a while tonight, I had a little bit of baby sitting duties as one of my students didn't have a babysitter (but only needed someone for 30 minutes), so I volunteered to watch the lil'guy for the time being until he was to head back home quickly to drop the baby back off at home with his mom. Now, I have no idea really what to do with a baby. Yes, I've baby sat.... but they have always been 2 years + ... not 7 months. Luckily for me, lil Ty just slept in my arms and only woke up about 5 minutes before daddy came back out. I am pretty sure at some point, in this lil guy's mind the phrase, or question "who are you, and where is my daddy" had to have run through his mind. But, no fussing was had ... only once we had to put him back in the amouti did the fussing begin.
Tonight's talk with the participants was all about nutrition, healthy living, drugs and alcohol. A good talk was given by Buddah and the CFM's to the youth. It wasn't a preaching talk about how they shouldn't drink pop, smoke, do drugs or drink - but more about making better decisions that would help them lead a better life. It was shocking at times to see the students react to the questions that Buddah posed to them - it has definitely shed some light for me into some of the home lives and personal lives of some of my students.
Also tonight, the graffiti mural that a couple of artists have been working on this week was revealed to everyone - it is pretty spiffy and it will be hung in the school later on.
.JPG)
Tomorrow is an early start for everyone (gotta be at the gym for 9:00 am!!!) luckily, us volunteers / supervisors / A/V people decided together that 10:30 was a great time for all of us to arrive :-) as we have a whole lot of Kraft Dinner to prepare for tomorrow ... unless a plane arrives early tomorrow morning ... then it will be hot-dogs ..... we will see :-)
Pictures of Day 3 to follow at some point later on ... when I get the chance to upload them.
Hip-Hop in Arctic Bay ... Day 2
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Phew! Another crazy long day is over ... and am I ever tired (or maybe fried :-) ). Today our students learned some new cool moves like how to spin on their backs and some body rotations / flips / twirls and some transition moves that they can use in between. The kids and community youth seemed to be having a great time down in the gym today with the crew.
Tonight teams, or "crews" were formed as on Saturday night we are going to be holding a dance off (or battle) with the two crews (of 42 people each!) dancing the night away, showing each other and the community their moves. Starting tomorrow and continuing Saturday morning and afternoon, the two crews will be learning and practicing their routines in preparation for the big night.
We also had one of our Elders and member of staff at school come down and demonstrate traditional drum dancing to everyone and were treated to a couple of performances by him with traditional songs sung by some of the participants and other community members who were in for the demonstration. A couple of the CFM members took turns trying out drum dancing and many of our youth involved in the program showed their skills as well.
Todays big "talk" session was all about bullying, which as in many communities in the North and around the world is a huge issue not only in school but out of school too. Buddah and some of the CFM's shared their own experiences with bullying - both as the giver and receiver. The group hung to every word that they spoke - you could have heard a pin drop in the gym tonight. I am hoping that our students will take this message to heart and really give a long well needed thought before they consider bullying someone again.
As usual ... pictures to follow of day 2 later on.
Tonight teams, or "crews" were formed as on Saturday night we are going to be holding a dance off (or battle) with the two crews (of 42 people each!) dancing the night away, showing each other and the community their moves. Starting tomorrow and continuing Saturday morning and afternoon, the two crews will be learning and practicing their routines in preparation for the big night.
We also had one of our Elders and member of staff at school come down and demonstrate traditional drum dancing to everyone and were treated to a couple of performances by him with traditional songs sung by some of the participants and other community members who were in for the demonstration. A couple of the CFM members took turns trying out drum dancing and many of our youth involved in the program showed their skills as well.
Todays big "talk" session was all about bullying, which as in many communities in the North and around the world is a huge issue not only in school but out of school too. Buddah and some of the CFM's shared their own experiences with bullying - both as the giver and receiver. The group hung to every word that they spoke - you could have heard a pin drop in the gym tonight. I am hoping that our students will take this message to heart and really give a long well needed thought before they consider bullying someone again.
As usual ... pictures to follow of day 2 later on.
Hip-Hop in Arctic Bay
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
After a couple of delays ... well, actually about three hours to tell you the truth, Hip-Hop in Arctic Bay has taken off. This week (Tues-Saturday and then a Bonfire on Sunday night) youth here in our community will be taking part in and learning some new hip-hop moves courtesy of The Canadian Floor Masters (CFM) and BluePrint for Life. This team, traveled thousands of miles and almost got snowed out of Arctic Bay (they were on the last plane that landed here ... we haven't had a plane since Saturday).
While they are here in Arctic Bay they will be teaching our youth hip-hop moves, scratching, beat creation and graffiti art. As well as discussing with them the imagery associated with the hip-hop culture and how it is not all about thugs and bling-bling. There will also be a lot of healing going on while students are in the workshops, and many discussions about life and sometimes the hardships that come with it.
I spent pretty much all day downstairs in the gym with the crew (other than the 40 minutes I had to race upstairs to teach my grade 2 group). Watching our students trying these moves, helping each other out, listening to Buddah and the other CFMs and concentrating on what they were doing was just amazing. I have never seen a group of students so intense before. It was mind boggling. While students were learning these new moves, I was running around nabbing pictures and talking with Buddah learning more about the program and hip-hop itself. I will admit here and now, I have never been a fan of rap or hip-hop mostly due to its content (as much of it is not really ... well.. how do I put this ... very nice). My views on hip-hop and it's whole culture have been given a little shake up. It's not all bad - you just need to find the good amongst the bad. And when I wasn't running around taking pictures, trying to hunt down A/V equipment or sucking back a cup of coffee my students were trying to teach me some moves... it's not as easy as it looks (I am sore!)
The highlight of the night was watching everyone participate in the Cypher (the Breakdance Circle - sadly my camera battery decided to give out before this, so I will have to get photos of it tomorrow night) and seeing huge smiles on faces of some that I have never seen smile. Seeing everyone cheer for each other and offering a friendly slap on the back. Hearing the encouraging yeahs and the cheers of awesomeness when someone did a headspin or a backflip (or something that would undoubtedly put me in traction if I tried it). And the best part of it all - no one was putting any one else down, there was no booing, or walking away from performers. Everyone was someone tonight. Students who are normally shy in the classroom, were out there in the cypher front and center showing off their moves. This was their night to shine.
Tomorrow is going to be another day filled with new moves, more music and a chance for a couple of other students to shine. By the end of the workshops we are going to have some jammin' b-boyz and b-girlz here in Arctic Bay!
*** pictures to follow ... need to charge the battery first so I can get them off of the card ***
While they are here in Arctic Bay they will be teaching our youth hip-hop moves, scratching, beat creation and graffiti art. As well as discussing with them the imagery associated with the hip-hop culture and how it is not all about thugs and bling-bling. There will also be a lot of healing going on while students are in the workshops, and many discussions about life and sometimes the hardships that come with it.
I spent pretty much all day downstairs in the gym with the crew (other than the 40 minutes I had to race upstairs to teach my grade 2 group). Watching our students trying these moves, helping each other out, listening to Buddah and the other CFMs and concentrating on what they were doing was just amazing. I have never seen a group of students so intense before. It was mind boggling. While students were learning these new moves, I was running around nabbing pictures and talking with Buddah learning more about the program and hip-hop itself. I will admit here and now, I have never been a fan of rap or hip-hop mostly due to its content (as much of it is not really ... well.. how do I put this ... very nice). My views on hip-hop and it's whole culture have been given a little shake up. It's not all bad - you just need to find the good amongst the bad. And when I wasn't running around taking pictures, trying to hunt down A/V equipment or sucking back a cup of coffee my students were trying to teach me some moves... it's not as easy as it looks (I am sore!)
The highlight of the night was watching everyone participate in the Cypher (the Breakdance Circle - sadly my camera battery decided to give out before this, so I will have to get photos of it tomorrow night) and seeing huge smiles on faces of some that I have never seen smile. Seeing everyone cheer for each other and offering a friendly slap on the back. Hearing the encouraging yeahs and the cheers of awesomeness when someone did a headspin or a backflip (or something that would undoubtedly put me in traction if I tried it). And the best part of it all - no one was putting any one else down, there was no booing, or walking away from performers. Everyone was someone tonight. Students who are normally shy in the classroom, were out there in the cypher front and center showing off their moves. This was their night to shine.
Tomorrow is going to be another day filled with new moves, more music and a chance for a couple of other students to shine. By the end of the workshops we are going to have some jammin' b-boyz and b-girlz here in Arctic Bay!
*** pictures to follow ... need to charge the battery first so I can get them off of the card ***
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