Journalism 1– Story 1

Dance Evolution to be a Sold Out Event

SUNY New Paltz’s hip-hop dance team, Culture Shock, will hold its popular

dance competition “Dance Evolution” on Nov. 7 in Studley Theater. The team plans to

invite a variety of dance groups from New York, as well as campus organizations, to

compete in front of a judge’s panel for a cash prize.

President of Culture Shock, Jennifer Prince, explains what her team is all about.

“Culture shock is a 15 member dance team at SUNY New Paltz that performs mostly hip

hop, but we do spread our wings and perform lyrical, vogue, reggae, and contemporary.

We are very big on being a family. We don’t just come and dance, we also try to spend

time together and get to know each other.”

It is important for this team

to work as a unit, as their

upcoming always-sold-out show

approaches. Culture Shock reaches

out to other organizations on

campus, and begins planning the

show a semester ahead.

“Dance Evolution is

Culture Shock’s baby. We host the showcase event every fall. We invite different teams

from the city and upstate to come and compete for a $1,000 prize and trophy. Everyone

gets to have a great time because we incorporate off campus and on campus talents. We

have lot of dance teams, singers, a great DJ, and whatever type of talent we can find. It’s

a great time to meet people and see talents from all over.”

This year, the team has invited approximately ten teams, ranging from Stony

Brook, Albany, John Jay and Binghamton, to New York City teams from Harlem,

Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Competing teams are expected to arrive to rehearsal on time, limit their dance to

seven minutes, and respect each team or face immediate disqualification. As for their

execution on stage, Prince says, “they need to show energy, face, cleanliness, and

creativity.”

The hardest part of the process, according to the team’s president, is “thinking of

ways that will completely satisfy the whole crowd. Its hard to think of what will ‘wow’

each individual audience member. We want to satisfy and entertain the people that come

out to support us.”

Shania Jackson, a sophomore and Culture Shock member, shed light on the

difficult parts she experienced while prepping. “Last year, when show time came around

we rehearsed every single day for an extra four hours, on top of our normal practices

three days a week.”

For Jackson, the extra time was worth it. “Watching everything come full circle

was my favorite part. To see it all pay off was so rewarding…it was jam-packed. We had

to stop letting people in last year because we were so over capacity. The crowd is

energized.”

Impacto Sensual, the first Afro-Latino dance group on campus, performed two

dances in last year’s Dance Evolution—one in collaboration with Culture Shock.

Olvis Peralta, member of Impacto Sensual, explained what it felt like to be on the

stage alongside Culture Shock. “It was so nerve-wracking but so hyped up, since its that

one show you wait for, whether you’re a dancer or a person watching. Either you’ve been

working so hard prepping or you just can’t wait to see it as a viewer. The crowd is wild

and so supportive.”

Peralta compares Dance Evolution to SUNY New Paltz’s form of a traditional

football team, since it is part of “blue and orange” weekend, otherwise known as

homecoming. “Watching this competition is like watching our homecoming football

game—it’s the end all be all,” said Peralta.

Prince, Jackson, and Peralta agree that the popularity of nationally televised dance

competitions like America’s Best Dance Crew helped to heighten the appeal of the event.

“On America’s Best Dance Crew, you see their formations and how rewarding it

is for them to move up the next episode. You want to do that here at Dance Evolution.

Plus, we have a $1,000 reward. It gives more motivation to make your dance on point to

win,” said Jackson.

Not only do those involved in dance come and support, but also those who are

not. Prince claims they have sold out all 550 seats in the theater for the past three years,

and plan to do it again. “I always have people tell me they can’t wait to come back to

Dance Evolution next year.”

Tweets:

1. Local SUNY New Paltz dance team, Culture Shock, plans to sell out Studley

Theater with their upcoming event “Dance Evolution” on Nov. 7.

2. Culture Shock dance team President, Jennifer Prince, claims Dance Evolution

competition will be a great success, awarding winner with a $1,000 prize.

Blog Post:

SUNY New Paltz’s hip-hop dance team, Culture Shock, will hold its popular

dance competition “Dance Evolution” on Nov. 7 in Studley Theater. The team plans to

invite a variety of dance groups from New York, as well as campus organizations, to

compete in front of a judge’s panel for a prize.

According to Jennifer Prince, Culture Shock’s President, “Dance Evolution is

Culture Shock’s baby. Culture Shock hosts the showcase event every fall. We invite a lot

of different teams from the city and upstate come and compete for a $1,000 prize and a

trophy. Everyone gets to have a great time because we incorporate off campus and on

campus talents. We have lot of dance teams, singers, a great DJ, and whatever type of

talent we can find. It’s a great time to meet people and see talents from all over.” Prince

believes the event will be a huge success, after consecutively selling out all 550 seats for

the past three years.

Jennifer Prince: SUNY New Paltz Student, Senior

Shania Jackson: SUNY New Paltz Student, Sophomore

Olvis Peralta: SUNY New Paltz Student, Junior