Get Down! 2003 was a huge success and I want to thank everyone who was involved. Thanks to all the students who worked so hard and all the teachers who shared their expertise and inspiration! Thanks to the parents for supporting their children in pursuing hip-hop dance! I also want to thank my husband Peter for helping me to organize things - I could not have done it without him.

We were honoured to have Popin' Pete of the Electric Boogaloos here for two weeks! He taught every day, and lectured and spent a lot of time with students outside of class answering questions and breaking things down. For those of you who missed him, make sure to participate in Get Down! 2004 and take class from Pete AND ALL THE BOOGALOOS!

We were also honoured to have Brian "Footwork" Green here for a week teaching house and hip-hop. He also shared his knowledge of the history of the culture, and his incredible dancing and energy were inspirational to all.

Zen One of Philadelphia also came for a week, teaching his own style of capoeira-flavoured house choreography. Zen also teamed up with Mad Basick and BBoy Power Serge to battle Calgary's bboys at Cherry Lounge. The "Terror Squad" ripped it up!! Zen's Class was an amazing workout, and he was missed when he had to leave early.

We were also very fortunate to have BBoy Power Serge from San Francisco here for two weeks. His classes were challenging, but inspired a love for breaking in his students. Serge's wonderful energy and cheerfulness made everyone smile even when they were in pain.

Our local teachers also proved once again that Calgary is home to a lot of talent. BBoy Mad Basick returned again, and showed the students some SICK top rock. B-girl Estairia taught her classes a funky and fast combination - inspired by Janet, of course! And for the first time the students were treated to a daily capoeira class, taught by Professor Frank of Ache-Brasil Calgary. On the last day he brought his group to the studio to do a demonstration that nearly blew the roof off the studio. DJ Ed Mitchell gave some lectures on the history of hip-hop through music and provided both weeks of the camp with funky beats to dance to!

I want to thank all the teachers who shared so much. I know that all the students will agree with me that Get Down! 2003 was an amazing experience - I can't wait to do it again.

Check out the Photo Galley for photos from Get Down! 2003

Popin' Pete of the Electric Boogaloos! In 1978 Pete started to learn the popping style from his older brother Sam Popin Pete has gone on to innovate styles/moves like crazy legs, ET, spider man and sleepy style. Currently Pete is helping spread popping and boogaloo knowledge all over the world with the other Electric Boogaloo member

Zen One In 1995 he joined the highly acclaimed Rennie Harris Puremovement, of which he is still a core member Zen One is the founder and artistic director of the Zen One Dance Collective, a theater based hip hop company that combines dance, martial arts and music

Brian 'Footwork' Green One of the pioneers of the House music freestyle dance His versatility has put him behind artist like: Mariah Carey, MYA, Li'l Kym, Foxy Brown, Salt n' Pepa, Barbara Tucker, CeCe Peniston, and many more 2001 Best Choreography in a Hip-Hop video Award at the American Choreographers Awards for the MYA video called, FREE

BBoy Serge As a bboy his dancing has taken him to bboy events throughout out the States including Red Bull, Free Style Session, Mighty Four, True to the Game and Bboy Summit. performed live in shows in the bay area including KMEL summer jam, 94.9 KYLD Comedy Jam and clubs in Northern California You will be inspired by his unique style and personality in class. "Dance has to come from within and not by imitating others and biting their style. It's all about being true to yourself.

The first Get Down Hip Hop camps took place in the summer of 2002. Two one week camps were held; one in Calgary and one in Cochrane, Alberta. Both camps were sold out and a total of 99 students attended the daytime camps and the four nights of evening classes that were offered. The mission of the camp was to educate current and future hip hop dancers. poppers, lockers, bboys and bgirls about the roots of hip hop and the elements of the dance and culture.

We were honoured by the presence of Leo Furnell Williamson III, formerly know as Fluky Luke. Leo was one of the original members of the Campbellockers - the creators of the dance known today as locking. Leo shared with us his incredible gifts of movement, and it was plain to see why Don Campbell, the creator of Campbellocking, referred to Leo as the greatest locker. Today Leo is known as 'Leo Cougarcop' and is pursuing a career in 'Dance rap' with a mission of promoting health and well being for young people around the world. Look out for Leo's message to teens: SMOKING CIGARETTES IS WHACK.

On the final day of the camp Don Campbell himself graced the studio, sharing his life story and inspiring everyone to get in the circle and dance! It was truly amazing to have the legend himself here in Calgary - he was inspiring and incredibly generous with his knowledge and stories of his life experience. Not to mention the thrill of seeing him dance!! Don was able to stay for the weekend so the Cochrane dancers had a chance to meet him and see the legend for themselves. Don kicked off the second week and set the tone for what was a fun and rich learning experience.

Forrest Getemgump, of the Ill Style Rockers, came for two weeks and taught at both the Calgary and Cochrane camps. Forrest was able to share his vast knowledge of Uprockin', and bboy foundation. Forrest's classes were incredibly fun and exhausting!

For the second week of the camp Z-No-Zeen travelled all the way from Philadelphia to teach a bboy class. This incredible artist will hopefully be back in Calgary with his own show: OLIVE.

From Calgary, our own home grown talent!

MadBasick taught a challenging class of uprock and freestyle - but check out the photo gallery to see how much everyone enjoyed it! He inspired everyone with his great sense of humour and wicked style.

Silky Moo shared her knowledge of popping, waving, and boogaloo - I still see kids practicing her funky combo!

Tear 'em up (that's me) - I taught a hip hop class. Something fun to warm everybody up and get them ready to Get Down for the rest of the day!

Get Down 2002 was a huge sucess and thanks to everyone who contributed: bgirl estairia, bgirl soaring4life, Peter Strickland, Diane Colton, Michelle Greenwell, Christin Laudinsky, all the teachers and all the students who brought their great energy everyday!