In July 2007, I had the good fortune of meeting KwikStep and Rokafella when I was on an assignment for The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. I was impressed with KwikStep's respect for community and Rockafella's devotion to Hip Hop's roots.
This month, I documented KwikStep in action again. His moves "rhythm" and his combinations surprise. What I appreciate most about KwikStep, however, is his ability to teach. He impresses upon dancers from around the world that U.S. popular culture is much more than commercially packaged routines distributed throughout the country and exported around the world.
Most people cannot even think of taking KwikStep's dance class, but six guest artists from Argentina, Lebanon, Palestine, Philippines and Viet Nam trained with him for several days in Manhattan, Queens and, of course, The Bronx. He reminded the aspiring b-girls and b-boys that the best dance in any genre happens when the artist puts her or his entire heart into it and gives it all to the audience.
Photo taken with my Nikon D50 by Production Assistant, Eric Anderson.
