My life could be cheaper if I only knew how to make shoes.

Dancing Through Life

Disclaimer: A long reminiscent blog (with Embedded Videos) about a talent I should rediscover.

My very first BZ class…EVER w/TheHBGollas (my kaSAmas for lyfe)

My most favorite quotes are:

DANCE TO THE BEAT OF YOUR OWN DRUM (quoted by…?)

and

IT’S JUST LIFE…SO KEEP DANCING THROUGH (Dancing Through Life a song from the musical “Wicked” by Stephen Schwartz)

Dance…my second soul, I miss it.

I’ve been dancing and performing since the VERY tender age of 6yo. I wasn’t technically trained in Ballet or Jazz, all of my training were based in Hip Hop (word up to Nick and Anna Golla, Daniel Cruz, and to my older siblings). Since the age of 6, I performed in multiple talent shows. I finally received my formal Hip Hop training from Daniel Cruz when I moved to Seattle circa 2001. Being 21yo and living alone in a city without any parental vision made me act out. I did a lot of stupid shit and basically went broke.

I moved to LA in 03 not to pursue dance but, to become financially stable. I was blessed to finally land a good and stable job but, I was only 23 and felt that I should pursue dance. I joined Breed (a physical extension of Boogiezone.com) and landed an agent soon enough. However, I really didn’t have that HUNGER to be a famous backup dancer or choreographer cuz of my prior goal…to be financially stable. So, I continued working a 9-5 job, rehearsed with Breed every Tues, Thurs, and Sunday, and take dance classes when I could.   I went to few auditions and quickly was turned off.   How am I supposed to afford new shoes and cool clothes if I did pursue dance full time?

1. I haven’t had the financial support from my family since 17yo (with the exception of emergencies)
2. I just can’t pick up and leave my job that I just got.
3. The competition is fierce
4. You have to audition for each gig
5. Gigs aren’t guaranteed which means…there goes the idea of being financially stable
6. If you did land a gig the monetary compensation could only last so long until you audition and land another gig.
7. Again, how was I supposed to afford cool shoes and clothes?

I didn’t give up…but instead, I decided to dance for the fun of it.

I was with Breed from 03-08, I am now a Breed Forever (once a Breed, always a Breed). The 5 years was worth every sweat, laugh, stress, tears, and the 5 minute power naps in the bathroom at work/from having 2 hours of sleep the night before due to 9pm to 2 am (sometimes as late as 4 or 6am) rehearsals/working from 7am-4pm prior. Sleeping pattern is ridiculous when you’re young.  Every rehearsals and performances was worth it. I built most of my long friendships through Breed. I mean 5 years…OF COURSE I will always be connected with them, Breed will always be family.

Since I have put aside dancing, I re-discovered pattern making/sewing (as you can tell by my PRAHJEKS) which is a TOTALLY  different creative venue.  I have been basically in Dtown to buy some fabrics and been sewing almost every weekend .  It’s been so long since I’ve danced.  But, the dancer in me still lives,  I can’t help but to groove at times, it just comes naturally and without me noticing it. Sometimes randomly too! I could be grooving to a background music in a grocery store, shopping for clothes, shopping for shoes, outside during my work breaks, or at my desk at work, doing laundry, and…just…AND (there are a lot more).

I must say, I miss dancing.  Nothing can beat performing on stage and expressing your talent to thousands…nothing. Watching the videos below made me realize that I should at least take 4 classes a month…I do still have that Debbie Reynold gift certificate I got from one of Essence’s workshops, summer is coming around the corner, my bday is in 2 months, AND I’m still a fatass. I need to get back into shape. Ok, decided…Im going back to taking classes on the weekends.

Below are some youtube videos of me dancing. ENJOY! (I hope)

 

Breed’s 09 audition promo. ME=The guy with the vintage 90s hammer/screech pants.
Oh, that’s Ryan Feng (Quest Crew/ABDC champs) in the Optimus Prime helmet.

 

GROUPS or better known as Breed Forevers :)

w/GREYSCALE. ME=the fatass in black (stage right) in the beginning

CJ Edwards’ Release Party. ME=3:20 (stage left)

Teresa Espinosa’s BZ Class. ME=Guy in yellow shirt.

Elmboogie’s three six mafia w/me (left) and Beto (right)

Elmboogie’s three six mafia *groove* w/me (left) and Beto (right)

A total throwback with mi broderr, G$ and Lizzy. ME=The only guy with a hat

Praise Dancers & Worship w/ Darren King at WELL DONE AWARDS. ME=The Darque Filipino guy in the blue shirt

and finally…most of our (forever) finale Breed piece called 4VR. *sigh* *sniff* *tears*

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