Fresh Coast Break Dance championship coming to Kelowna | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
Subscribe

Would you like to subscribe to our newsletter?

Current Conditions Light Rain  4.2°C

Kelowna News

Fresh Coast Break Dance championship coming to Kelowna

Soulsikk breakdance crew performing downtown Kelowna.
Image Credit: Contributed/Arts Council of the Central Okanagan

KELOWNA - This summer Kelowna is going to see something a little difference out in the summer sun.

For the past few weeks, Karram Amro and “Frisco” Ugarte and their break dance crew SoulSikk have been training the next generation of Bboys and Bgirls downtown Kelowna, while brushing up on their own break dance skills.

The two are preparing for the first annual Fresh Coast Championship in Kelowna Sept. 9 to 11 at the Rutland Centennial Hall.

The three-day breakdance showcase and competition, brought to you by LMNO Productions, in partnership with the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan (ARTSCO), is a family oriented breakdance battle that will feature Kelowna’s homegrown talent as well as dancers from as far as Vancouver, Toronrto and Montreal. This is the first breakdance competition in the area since the last battle Frisco threw in 2010.

The end of Frisco's hiatus from teaching break dance for many years in Kelowna came about when Amro and Frisco met about six months ago and bonded over their mutual love for break dance and hip-hop culture.

Both hail from other locales; Frisco is originally from Medicine Hat and Amro moved here from Montreal two years ago. They are the team behind LMNO Productions and are the organizers of the Fresh Coast Championship. LMNO Productions is also the outfit behind the colourful new mural on the wall of the newly renovated Hotel Zed in downtown Kelowna.

“Frisco” Ugarte (centre), Karram Amro, along Frisco's son Tao, the organizers of the Fresh Coast Championship in front of the new mural on the wall of Hotel Zed that they also helped organize.
“Frisco” Ugarte (centre), Karram Amro, along Frisco's son Tao, the organizers of the Fresh Coast Championship in front of the new mural on the wall of Hotel Zed that they also helped organize.
Image Credit: Contributed/Arts Council of the Central Okanagan

Amro and Frisco bring a new, vibrant energy to Kelowna with Fresh Coast. Their goal is to offer a new, positive perspective on hip-hop culture and make it a new cultural element here in the Okanagan, one where hip-hop culture and break dance is a tool for community development, youth engagement and creative expression.

The first annual Fresh Coast Championship kicks on Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. with an all style dance showcase, along with live graffiti walls and a DJ Jam. This is a chance for local dancers, schools and crews to show off their talent and pickup the freshest new moves and tricks. All styles are welcome. Entry is $10. Children 5 years and under are FREE. $5 for Children between the ages of 6 to12.

Saturday, Sept. 10 is the main event: the Break Dance Battle and competition. Bboys and Bgirls from the Okanagan and beyond will battle it out one-on-one for first, second and third place cash prizes: $1000 for first place, $400 for second and $200 for third. The competition begins at 1 p.m., with a performance showcase by judges, Fresh Coast hosts and other performers at 5 p.m. At 7 p.m. the winners will be announced. Entry is $20 per person. Children five years and under are FREE. $10 for Children between the ages of six to 12. There will also be live art, BBQ and food.

Sunday, Sept 11 is a special opportunity for local dancers to do a workshop with BBoys Paul “Kaze” Thurton, international performer, dance instructor, and owner of Simply Swagg Dance Studio, hailing from Toronto, and Jax from Vancouver, an international break dance competitor known best for his unique style that combines his Taiwanese roots with his Canadian upbringing and influences. Jax will be doing a workshop on breaking from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and Kaze will be doing a workshop top rock & hip hop from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Workshops are $20, $12 for students.

Click here to register online.

News from © iNFOnews, 2016
iNFOnews

  • Popular kamloops News
View Site in: Desktop | Mobile