BWW Previews: DANCERS BATTLE FOR RECOGNITION at University Area Community Center

Prodigy lead dance instructor Carrie Harmon wants to showcase the positive side of hip hop, not the negative that is often promoted in the media. Young people have perfected their personalized dance moves in and out of her classroom.

In 2012, Carrie was already involved with dance battling in the local community and decided that it would be fun to showcase the skills of her students and young people in the community in a free competition.

On Saturday, June 30 from noon to 4pm, talented dancers of all genres will compete for first and second place trophies in three age categories - kids, preteen and teens - in solo and group dance battles in the 6th Annual Turn Up Dance Battle.

This free event hosted at University Area Community Center welcomes all levels of experience and types of dance - from ballet and tap to hip hop, break dance, pop and lock, among others.

The dancers will also participate in cyphers where people form a circle and one by one, dancers go inside and display their best dance moves. A cypher king and queen will be crowned, receiving a metal for their talents.

"I thought it would be a great idea to bring all the Prodigy locations together with the community and have a big dance competition. It's arranged to be for all styles because a lot of Prodigy locations do not have the same type of dance styles, so this allows everyone to compete," she said. "Dance like this allows the kids to be free to express themselves in any way they want to."

The dancers will be judged upon creativity, originality, showmanship and technique in the style represented.

"We want people who see these kids to walk away feeling inspired. I feel inspired when I see people who are brave enough to get in front of a crowd and Take That chance to show off their dance skills," Carrie said. "A kid might be watching and think 'hey if he can do that, maybe I can do it.' Maybe that will get more people dancing. Kids will stay out of trouble if they know they have options to work out that energy and then go home and chill. Dancing is good for the soul."

The 6th Annual Turn Up Dance Battle is Saturday, June 30 at noon at University Area Community Center, 14013 N. 22nd St. The event is free. Dancer registration is 11am-noon. More information is available by calling 813-558-5212 ext 313, emailing mtrepper@uacdc.org. You can also register online for the competition or learn about summer dance classes or all other classes by visiting transformingyounglives.org.

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