The temperatures aren’t the only thing rising in Arizona. The dance scene in Arizona is on fire! You can’t log into Facebook without receiving an invite to an up and coming battle, event, or training classes.
The 2 main venues which are spear heading the growth of the dance scene in the valley of the sun are Cyphers The Center for Urban Arts and The Jukebox, while many more dance studios are beginning to have their presence be known. When you watch any of our Step x Step battles in AZ they were in one of these two venues.
Cyphers The Center for Urban Arts can be found in Phoenix Arizona and is the bigger of the 2 main venues. Cyphers is directed by Edson “B-Boy House” Magana (Furious Styles Crew) and Danny “Skooby” Morales. It is apparent, teaching and spreading the Hip Hop culture in its entirety is not only their mission but also their passion. Cyphers hosts classes for various dance styles (for all skill levels), graff classes, turntable classes, among many more opportunities to learn about all of the elements of Hip Hop and to help you bring your skill level to sky high limits. It is the home to Furious Styles Crew Anniversary held each November.
Recently, Cyphers hosted the annual Worth the Weight Battle. This is a series of battles in both Breakin’ and Open Styles platforms. Dancers are placed into 1 of 3 weight classes: Light, Middle, and Heavy Weight groups. Dancers are placed into weight classes depending upon ones skill level and battle record. This battle set up not only attracted dancers in the Phoenix Metro Area and Tucson, but also brought in contenders from out of state as well.
Dancers left their hearts on the dance floor as they battled their way to the championship title. Although there were cash prizes awaiting to every crowned champion, you can see the money wasn’t the motivating factor for these dancers. Bragging rights, ability to showcase their growth, ability to move up in weight classes in the next Worth the Weight battle, passion, and drive were the reasons why they were there giving it their all.
Round after round dancers pushed themselves to keep their creative juices flowing and the crowd full of friends, parents, and dance enthusiasts were there soul clapping, cheering, and screaming for more! And after the dust settled 6 champions were crowned, but more importantly progress, growth, and style was proven by many dancers.
This is just one example of what you can find at Cyphers The Center for Urban Arts. Check out their website, 602cyphers.com, or LIKE them on Facebook to keep up to date with their class schedules, upcoming battles, events, and last but not least – Club BBoy.
The Jukebox Dance Studio in Gilbert, AZ, may be smaller in size compared to other dance studios, but don’t let the size fool you. The Jukebox Dance Studio is like C-4; small and compact but is extremely explosive! Rae Rae and Leah are 2 of the members of the 5Foota Thrillaz, and are also the directors of The Jukebox.
At the Jukebox you can learn dance styles from Hip Hop, Freestyle, Lockin’, all the way to FEM. Heading each of their classes are well rounded and respected dancers in the AZ dance scene, but if you’re lucky you can take classes taught by Special Guest Instructors. World famous dancers like Mr. Wiggles, Bboy Remind, Bailrok, and Sweepy are just some of the few who have made a stop at the Jukebox as they passed through AZ.
The Jukebox has also been the birthplace of some of the newest and fiercest dance crews AZ has seen, and are all part of the Jukebox family. If you battle one, then I hope you’re prepared to battle all of them! 5Foota Thrillaz, BeatkillAZ, BeatWarriAZ, MiniThrillAZ and Broken Toyz all call The Jukebox Dance Studio home.
The Jukebox will be hosting their Mad Hatter 2 battle this Saturday, May 4th. At this battle dancers to head up with a randomly selected dancer and then a challenged will be pulled out of a hat. You might find yourself having to dance with a chair, with a bucket, and who knows what new challenges will be thrown into the hat this go around.
To keep up with all of the Jukebox Dance Studio them LIKE them on Facebook.
Both Cyphers and the Jukebox welcome dancers of all ages and are full of energy pushing everyone to unimaginable limits. If you Break, Pop, Lock, Groove, Wack, Freestyle, House, or just want to dance or see how well you’ll fair in a battle then I’d highly recommend visiting any of these dance studios they won’t let you down!
