Another one of our Arts residencies this summer is taught by Boogie McClarrin at North Grand High School in Humboldt Park. This Kuumba Lynx apprenticeship is currently touring their creative performances and seeking venues to preview excerpts. If you are interested in booking a show for your school or organization, please call Kuumba Lynx co-Director Jae at (773) 550-3849 or contact us at kumbalynx@yahoo.com This vibrant group of youth exudes a beautiful glow as they positively express themselves on stage through dance. Boogie's passion was apparent as she intricately instructed and constructively pushed her youth towards their dreams; or as she puts it "I want them to be what they want to be"
Here are some other things that Boogie said as she took a few minutes between the many routines to have a short interview...
[Morgan] How did you get involved with Kuumba Lynx and how long have you been working with the organization?
[Boogie] well I have known Jacinda and Jaquanda {2 of the 3 founding mothers of KL} since before the organization was formed. I watched it blossom from the first and youngest members, Eddie, Marvin, Brittne, etc. I used to teach dance classes and write grants at Colombia College and I would always look out for Kuumba because I was so supportive of what they do.
[Morgan] What do you do here at your program at North Grand and how does it relate to the Kuumba Lynx mission of youth empowerment through Hip-Hop expression?
[Boogie] Well they first have to learn about themselves through individual expression. I show them how in order to foster true creativity through dance, you must be able to know the full range of your body and how it moves.
Also, every Friday we have Choreography day in which the youth bring in their own dance routines and we learn how to translate their moves into dance vocabulary so that they can properly communicate the learned techniques. They are even beginning to promote themselves and look for bookings and want to continue dancing together as an ensemble or company after the summer. I think this shows how dedicated and empowered they have become.
[Morgan] What performance or events has you and your group attended this summer and how did they go?
[Boogie] Well they LOVED the Life is Living Festival in July. We actually thought we were only performing in the Stop the Violence March but when we realized that we would be on the Guerrilla stage also, we realized that we would be showing the crowd what Guerilla theatre actually is. It went great because it was real and dramatized..
Our next performance is at a Block Club Party of one of the students and we would also like to come to Clarendon park and do a show there.
Here are some pix of the youth practicing some of their many routines that they have learned and perfected throughout the summer..
I was also able to talk with some of the youth about their favorite aspects of the programs which included:
[Patsy]"..the stretching hour because that is when Boogie gives us our foresight for the day and what to expect. I like how its a family here so no one is embarrassed so its easier to learn and have fun"
[Devonte] We are introduced to SO many different styles of Dance. This is my passion and possibly my future so it really helps me in a lot of ways"
[Stefani]"me gusta este programa porque es perfecto por todos los personas para bailar juntos. Es una lugar muy bien para aprender y exprésese"
As you can see, there is a beautiful amount of diversity in this group but the one common thing that resounded both verbally and through the enthusiasm on stage was that "Overall, we just all want to dance.."
