RACE'S HIP HOP NUTCRACKER
DECEMBER 6 AND 7TH

 

Students Share Stage with RACE Dance Collective in RACE’s Hip Hop Nutcracker

RACE Dance Collective mentors 50 students from dance programs in five Oklahoma City Public Schools for the eighth annual production of RACE’s Hip Hop Nutcracker. Show performances are set for 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 6th and 2:00 and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 7th at Oklahoma City Community College Visual and Performing Arts Center located at 7777 S May Ave. in Oklahoma City.

Students involved in dance programs at Southeast High School, John Marshall High School, Northwest Classen High School, Capitol Hill High School, and U.S. Grant High School will perform in the show. RACE Company members mentor the kids once-to-twice a week leading up to the show from September.

“We go to teach them the choreography and fundamentals of hip-hop, but we leave knowing we’ve impacted these kids way beyond the dance floor,” Hui Cha Poos, Founder of RACE Dance Collective. “For many of these kids, this is life changing – being able to perform in a professional setting is something they never dreamt would be possible.”

Poos says RACE’s Hip Hop Nutcracker also advances the Collective's mission to provide intentional and genre-inclusive dance experiences through performance, education, and community outreach.

“We bring kids together from different schools and different backgrounds in a non-competitive environment where it’s all about collaboration and inclusion. The result is truly magical – not just for the kids, the audience can see and feel it throughout the performance,” said Poos.

This year, RACE Dance Collective is bringing back a campaign from 2013. The shoes that the OKCPS students wear as part of the production will be theirs to keep. “It’s a symbol of positive memories gained through powerful mentorships and collaborative storytelling. Not only are these shoes worn as part of their costumes, but they serve as a reminder of their creative journey through self-discovery and expression that resonates long after their final bow.”

Set to high-energy music and with hip hop, contemporary, and even tap moves, RACE’s Hip Hop Nutcracker tells the story of a young man who searches for something missing from his life, only to discover that "it” exists within himself. The take away for the audience is a message of perseverance, family and holiday spirit.

Individual tickets can be purchased for $20 online or $25 at the door. Inquiries for group and special rates can be directed to racethespace@gmail.com.

https://tickets.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?e=a6a69bc7b3570b374f9f5f173a3938f0&t=tix&vqitq=b7e858fe-286c-4001-82c5-52d482365631&vqitp=56597c89-9b97-4053-89c3-eb900592b0dc&vqitts=1573833534&vqitc=vendini&vqite=itl&vqitrt=Safetynet&vqith=761dc220906cda67b898a394aa7e4572

For more information about RACE’s Hip Hop Nutcracker, visit: racedance.com.

 

"HOME FOR THE 
HOLIDAYS" DANCES
DEC 5-8th AT OCU

“Home for the Holidays” will bring holiday cheer to campus in the Kirkpatrick Auditorium at N.W. 24th Street and Blackwelder Ave. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Dec. 5, 6, 7, and 8, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Dec. 7. Tickets for the performances are $29 for reserved seats, or $18 each for groups of eight or more.

Under the direction of Jo Rowan, the dance spectacular will feature some favorite Christmas traditions with dynamic rhythms and explosive choreography. Toy Soldiers are brought to life with fast tapping feet and a very special guest, Tony the Pony, takes the audience for an unforgettable sleigh ride. The program will also include the debut of a singing and dancing chipmunk, Little Chip, who will delight kids with holiday cheer. The Starettes will perform new kicklines, and breathtaking contemporary ballet will feature intricate partnering. The swinging jive number will keep the audience on their toes, and much more.

“Home for the Holidays” has become an annual tradition for families across the state and beyond, as the vision of the company’s nationally recognized choreographers combines with the premier talent of the nation’s best dancers to create an experience fit for the lights of Broadway.

“Home for the Holidays is Christmas magic, a joyful season’s greeting to share with the entire family,” Rowan said. “There’s no need to buy a plane ticket to New York City — our performers are Broadway bound. Enjoy these future Broadway dancers while they are still performing in OKC! The show is as slick and fast-paced as anything you would see on the professional stage.”

Next year, senior Bond Bourquien might perform at Radio City, but this year she will be dancing in “Home for the Holidays” as a Starette. Bond said, “The Starettes are kicking off this holiday season with a precise, high energy number that includes iconic moves inspired by the Radio City Rockettes. It is such a treat to be able to work with professor Vincent Sandoval who was a performer and also an assistant director and choreographer for the Rockettes. Expect to see great style, poise and many eye-high kicks.”

Before the show ends, Rowen said a call for Peace on Earth is followed by a beautiful choral performance of “Silent Night” and a stunning and imaginative nativity with Mary, Joseph, angels, and the pageant of the three kings to provide an uplifting and inspirational reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

Artists in the American Spirit Dance Company hail from OCU’s Ann Lacy School of American Dance & Entertainment, the nation’s premier musical theatre dance program. It has been ranked as the number-one BFA dance program in the nation by OnStage. This destination collegiate program has alumni credits in more than 86 Broadway musicals and has produced 50 Radio City Rockettes and counting.

Playbill ranked Oklahoma City University among this year’s Top 10 Most Represented Colleges on Broadway. OnStage noted, “In our opinion, no other college in the country is doing a better job of preparing versatile dancers for this industry than the Ann Lacy School of American Dance & Entertainment at Oklahoma City University.”

Tickets for the productions are available online at okcu.edu/tickets  or by calling 405-208-5227.