Henry “Link” of Elite Force and Hiro Sakuma from Spartanic Rockers (Japan) will be running workshops in Sydney and Melbourne! Check out the details below.
Link Mcmillian, a founding member of Elite Force Crew, has choreographed and danced for many of the most important music artists in the world, including Michael Jackson hismelf. Throughout the years they have toured the world, opening and performing for some of the most important dance shows in the US, Asia and Europe. A respected and skilled teacher, he is regularly invited to teach master classes and workshops in some of the biggest studios worldwide. Now he’s coming to DK. Literally one of the biggest names in hip hop dance, come and experience Link McMillian, one of the most influential dancers of our time.
About Elite Force:
ELITE FORCE began in 1992 forming on the set of MICHAEL JACKSON’S music video “REMEMBER THE TIME”. The term “ELITE” was used as a description of dancers in the front of the formation lineup in the video. We became the driving “FORCE” of the dance routine. As a result, we became the most notable dancers in the video. Soon after the video the exposure of the group came into full blast with us being seen in numerous music videos, television appearances, documentaries and music concerts.
Together with the entire MOPTOP family we created the backdrop and performance power behind many artists such as Mariah Carey, Wil Smith, TLC and many more. Our crew gained the reputation for always having the most innovative choreography stemming from being able to flow in a unified motion without missing a sound or beat and bringing the house down with our individual freestyles. The secret to ELITE FORCE’s tight delivery is credited to the “1ST HIP HOP CHOREOGRAPHER, Emilio Austin Jr. aka BUDDHA STRETCH”. STRETCH together with longtime friends and partners Henry “LINK” McMillan and Jamel “LOOSE JOINT” Brown helped form the basic foundation for the groups’ philosophy.
Since 1992 ELITE FORCE has been able to stay consistent and up to date. Although we have collaborated with many artists we still maintained our unique style. Elite Force has been founded with 3 members but later steadily grew to a crew of 6.
About Link
Henry “Link” – “For me, one of life’s greatest pleasure is being able to overwhelm people with the way I move.”
Henry grew up in the projects of Brooklyn, NYC. The first time his eyes landed on the art form happened when he watched his older sister as she got down to the beat. Shortly after Freestyle, Popping, Locking, Boogaloo and Breaking appeared he became fascinated by the styles of dance. He was determined to master these techniques of dancing by practicing relentlessly regardless of any mistakes that may have challenged him.
“It’s a great sense of satisfaction knowing that people appreciate dance the same way I do.”
In no time his natural ability to dance started to show. With a bit of confidence he entered many local talent shows and won most of them. At the age of 18 after graduating from Canarsie High School, opportunity knocked on his door when he met Rosie Perez. After meeting Perez, his career in dance & choreography started to take flight. His dedication finally started paying off when his style of dance landed him in the music videos of Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey. Today as a founding member of Elite Force’ he has become one of the world’s most charismatic figures in the art of freestyle dancing.
Elite Force Showcase at KOD5 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW6OsbH3bpk
Elite Force on Soul Train – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KSBQsD7-KM
Elite Force on Main Street – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpqethC5Xts
HIRO SAKUMA
One of the very first street dancers to introduce the style to Japan, Hiro Sakuma is a legendary figure in Japan’s hip hop scene. He is a true OG in every sense of the word. The founder of the group Imperial JB’s, he went on the join the world reknown bboy crew Spartanic Rockers and win numerous competitions through the 80’s. In the 90’s he was part of the UK B-Boy Champs 98 winning crew and well as The Best Show at Battle of the Year 98 and 99. With his experience and respect he has been judge for several huge international events including Battle of the Year and Juste Debout. Always a keen supporter of all styles of street dance he has trained extensively in many styles including locking (where he has attained the highest level of commendation and achievement from Greg Campbellock Jnr) , soul, popping and hip hop in addition to his breaking skills and is teaching all over Japan as one of the most sought after instructors.
We are extremely lucky to be able to bring Hiro Sakuma to Australia, and are proud to offer his workshops to you. Come and check out one of the greats of Japan’s hip hop dance scene and learn from his experience and skill.
Mari Shigematsu
Also with Hiro Sakuma is one of his most talented and accomplished students. Mari Shigematsu has many credit’s to her name, as well as being Sakuma’s teching assistant. A student of dance for 13 years, Mari’s highlights include 2nd place at Soul Dance Contest 2004, Best 8 at 2005 UK-Bboy 2on2 Locking, Best 8 at Free Style Sessions Japan 2007, Guest Dancer at Taipei Street Dance Performance 2007 and best 8 in Locking Summit 2008. She’s happy to share her skills and dance with you guys. Come down and take her class!
SYDNEY WORKSHOPS
12th Friday 9:00 – House
13th Saturday – Link’s Performance at Just Dance!
14th Sunday 3:00 – Hip Hop Foundations
14th Sunday 6:00 – Hip Hop Freestyle
15th Monday 7:30 – Hip Hop Open
16th Tuesday 8:30 – Hip Hop Party Dance
20th Saturday 5:30 – Hip Hop Open
20th Saturday 7:30 – Hip Hop Freestyle
21st Sunday 3:00 – Hip Hip Foundations
21st Sunday 5:00 – Hip Hop Freestyle
Prices:
1 Class $40, 4 classes $140, 8 classes $260
Hiro Sakuma
9th Tuesday 8:30 - Locking Open Class
10th Wednesday 8:30 - Hip Hop Foundations Open Class
11th Thursday 6:30 - Popping Open Class
12th Friday 7:30 - Soul Locking Open Class
13th Saturday – Sakuma’s Performance at Just Dance!
14th Sunday 1:30 - Locking Open Class
14th Sunday 4:30 - Hip Hop Open Class
Battle of the Year 1999 – Spartanic Rockers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB_h6YkrYo4
Mari Shigematsu
14th Sunday 12:00 - Girls Hip Hop Open Class
17th Wednesday 5:30 – Hip Hop Freestyle Open Class
Classes have limited capacity. Please register by emailing jaye@dancekool.com to secure your place.
Hiro Sakuma
$35 for 1 class
$100 for 3 classes
$190 for 6 classes
Mari Shigematsu
$25 for 1 class
$20 for 1 class if you prepay before the class date.
All presold classes are non refundable.
Special DK International Guest 10 pass. $300 – for 10 classes. (Can be used for all of Sakuma and Links classes as well as future international guests. 1 year validity.)
Class spaces limited. Please email jaye@dancekool.com to secure your place.
MELBOURNE WORKSHOPS:
More details coming soon! The workshops will be held at Unitd Styles. Keep checking back for updates!
Link (Elite Force) Workshop
Date: Thursday June 18
Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Place: Unitd Styles
Hiro Sakuma (Spartanic Rockers) LOCKING Workshop
Date: 16 June
Time: 7pm
Place: Unitd Styles
Cost: $25
I always say the biggest advantage hip hop has over other styles in regards to knowledge is that our OGs and creators are still alive. We can learn from the true, original source during our lifetime, and we are one of the last generations to have this opportunity.
Elite Force are legends, right up there with RSC, EBs, and The Lockers. They are the driving force behind “Nu Skool Dance” and modern hip hop dancing as me know it now.
The Spartanic Rockers show was the first bboy show I ever saw. I remember watching their ‘99 show in JB HiFi back in the day…. Ah, good memories. Still inspires me to this day!
DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!!!