We are bgirls, poppers, lockers and hip-hoppers.

Formed in October 2001, Tara Wilson wanted to bring together a group of girls, essentially, so that she would have some other girls to practice and dance with. The original crew were: Tara (aka Tear 'em up), Miko (aka SilkyMoo), Esther (aka estairia), Sarah (aka Soaring), and Krista (aka Booty Bear). After Auditioning for the Alberta Dance Explosions, the girls had to come up with a name for themselves - and Full Flava Crew was born.

As we have gotten to know each other better, travelled together, and danced together we have been able to focus individually on where we would like our strengths to be. We all do choreography and create shows together, but each of us has her own goals and dreams as a dancer.

In the summer of 2002, Krista left the crew to focus more on her careers as a modern dancer and a personal trainer (She rocks!). We were lucky enough to have Michelle - aka Mission - join Full Flava with her awesome bgirl style and individual flava!

As a crew, we represented at Ready or Not in Calgary. We continue to grow and learn and have trained with some of the best such as: Don Campbell, Fluky Luke, Popin' Pete, Brian 'Footwork' Green, Forrest Getemgump and Zen One. We will continue to represent hip-hop and bgirls in Calgary, Alberta!

Name: estairia Style: hip hop, b-girl Flava: kimchi Ethnicity/Nationality: Korean/Canadian Zodiac Sign: Virgo Chinese Astrology: Year of the Monkey Religion: Christianity

What inspired me to dance? Watching Janet Jackson videos. I would watch her videos over and over again and learn the dance just by imitating what I saw on the screen.

When did I start dancing? My first dance class was when I was in high school taking dance as one of my options.

What made me choose hip-hop? Well if you know anything about me, you'd know that I'm a bit of a tomboy. I tried a little bit of every dance form and most of them I felt ridiculous doing because it was so girly. Haha. Plus a lot of the other dances relied on technique more so than style. So naturally I came to love hip-hop. It's all about expressing yourself in a style that's all your own. It's doesn't matter if you don't have technique, all that matters is that you have a passion and a desire to dance the way you want to and to express the rhythm of a song the way you feel is right. It all comes from within!

What got me into breakin? It was the first time I saw a circle at the club. I was just blown away by the whole scene. Bboys and bgirls showcasing their moves and trying to out due each other. The crowd would go crazy at the blow ups and everyone was having a good time. Experiencing all that made me want to one day be the person that makes the crowd go crazy over some move that I pulled off. It will happen one day….

Who are my role models? Since Janet Jackson is my favorite singer, the dancers that she has worked with have also become some of my role models. People like Kelly Konno, Tina Landon, Marty Kudelka, Teresa Espinoza, and Gil Duldulao. But I also look up to the innovators of hip hop, like Don Campbell, Fluky Luke, Crazy Legs and the Rocksteady Crew, the Electric Boogaloos, Brian "Footwork" Green, Kool Herc, Qbert. All the people that made an impact on the hip hop scene.

Other interests: In-line skating, snowboarding, graphic and web design and eating out!

name: Mission sign: year of the horse / virgo skill: bgirl, Capoeirista, yoginî flava: Sili

on dance: got my first dose of hip hop in junior high. I started making routines with my girlfriends for fun… and to show off at school dances. Since then I haven’t stopped dancing; whether it be at home, at a club, in a dance class, or in my dreams

on bgirling: was first introduced to breakin’ at the end of 2000 summer… a bunch of guy friends were learning and I was always intrigued by their movements. Then one magical day they showed me 6 step and top rock…

on music: Funk, R&B, ol’/new skool hip-hop, freestyle (80s), house, jazz

favorite dancers: To many to name, but here’s a few of my early influences: Janet Jackson, Buffalo Gals , Honey Rockwell, Wicket, abgirl, Constant Mayhem Crew, Full Flava

other interests: snowboarding, clothes, traveling, eating rice

advice: "Seek out that particular mental attribute which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner voice which says, 'This is the real me,' and when you have found that attitude, follow it."
~James Truslow Adams (1878-1949)

Name: Miko (SilkyMoo) My Flava: Wasabi! Nationality: Japanese & Caucasian

How did I start dancing: I was Influenced by the movie ‘Flash Dance’ and by watching Michael & Janet on TV as a kid.

Major Influences: I am constantly being influenced by everything and everyone, but if I had to choose.....

The Electric Boogaloos

The Lockers (The Campbellockers)

Calgary BBoys (Tin Tin, Floorplay, MadBasick, T-time, and all you amazin’ guys!)

Colin Bloudoff (of Streetscape)

The rest of the Full Flava Crew ...and so many others I can’t list them all!

Favorite Dancer: Suga Pop of the Electric Boogaloos

Favorite Dance Style: Locking

Music Styles I Listen to: Funk, Hip Hop, House, Soul, Jazz, Latin

Some of my Favorite Artists: Stevie Wonder, Dazz Band, George Clinton, Parliament, Ohio Players, James Brown, Zapp & Roger, One Way, Lakeside, Timbaland, Aaliyah, Outkast, Heavy D & the Boyz, The Roots, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu & of course anything by any of the Jacksons.

Favorite Songs to Dance to: "I Get Lifted" K.C. & the Sunshine Band "Cutie Pie" One Way "More Bounce to the Ounce" Zapp & Roger "Pick up the Pieces" Average White Band "Superstition" Stevie Wonder

Best Dance Experience: All of Summer 2002 was amazing. I got to learn from legends like the Electric Boogaloos, PopMaster Fabel, Crazy Legs & Don Campbell in Philly. Then in Calgary, with the rest of Full Flava Crew, spent some time with Forrest Getemgump, Z-No-Zeen, Don Campbell & Leo Williamson or Leo Cougarcop (Fluky Luke) at the Get Down camp. But definitely the highlight of my dance experience so far has to be seeing Don & Leo seeing each other again and dancing together here in Calgary, of all places, after so many years apart! And then having the chance to jam with them was pretty crazy!

Last but not Least: I just want to say that after all that has happened... I finally feel happy to find a style of dance that I feel I belong doing and am passionate about! I also feel blessed to have found a group of girls that I love dancing with and that push me to become a better dancer! They are not only my crew, but also my best friends! Awww, luv ya guys!!! Thanks to anyone who spent the time reading this novel!

Name: Sarah Ng B-girl name: SoariNG Flava: Ginger Style: Hip-Hop (Poppin', Lockin', Breakin'), Jazz Nationality: Chinese Age: (3+8)*2

Education: Haskayne School of Business - University of Calgary BComm. - Finance (graduating in April 2003 woohoo!!)

Occupation: Financial Analyst, Piano Teacher, Tutor, Dancer, Student

Can't get enough of: J, Chunky monkey ice-cream, pedicures

I put my faith in: the One above

When and how did I start dancing: I took my first jazz class @ DJD when I was 20 and from then on continued to explore different styles of dance including modern, ballet, African and of course, Tara's hip hop class. That summer, I went to Los Angeles, California to study poppin' and lockin' with Chain Reaction members Thomas "T-Bopper" Guzman-Sanchez and Paul "Cool Pockets" Guzman-Sanchez. When I got back from California, I went to my first audition at U of C for Montage 2001 and that's basically where everything began….

My inspiration: My first summer in LA was Fan-tabulous!! I met lots of incredible dancers and a Bboy named "Adverb" just absolutely blew my mind. Not only does he have incredible style but he also reminded me that every time I dance, it's to praise Him for blessing me with the talent. And that's where my b-girl name came from…

"…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint…" Isaiah 41:31

Name: Tear 'em up Flava: Curry Styles: I love it all! Popping, Locking, breakin', house - I just can't decide what to focus on! Ethnicity: 1/2 East Indian, 1/2 Caucasian Zodiac: Virgo

Inspiration: MUSIC

Role models/mentors: I really think that I have learned and become who I am through every person I have ever met. When it comes to dance, I have had so many great teachers - including my first dance teachers - Kiki Rice & Keith Burgess. To some of my current teachers - Colin Bloudoff, my kids - Aidan & Asher, my crew, my friends - Krista Minken, Dana Benson. And I have learned from some amazing artists in modern, jazz, tap, ballet, contact improv, flamenco, capoeira, and of course hip-hop.

There are so many, it is impossible to mention them all, but I am grateful to everyone I have come in contact with - they all helped to nourish my dancing.

Favourite Dancers: I have a lot of favourites but some of the things that come to mind and performances that have moved me to tears:

• Carbonne 14 - Le Dortoire
• Doug Elkins Dance Company
• The Electric Boogaloos (no kidding - I cried!)

How did I get into Hip Hop: Well, originally I was planning to become a modern dancer, so I decided to go to the Bates Festival. I thought it would be fun to try a hip hop class, and probably something that would be a relief from trying to point my toes, kick my legs high, etc. which was difficult for me. Ironically, I thought of hip hop as just dancing. I went to Rennie Harris's first class and he blew my mind. He talked to us about the history of the dance, the African roots of hip hop, the culture surrounding the dance. His class was a life changing experience for me.

After that, a man by the name of Wayne Headley organized an event called Hard Lino in Calgary. Mr. Wiggles, Z-boogie and Flomaster came to Calgary, and it was incredible to meet them and learn from them and see them dance. Mr. Wiggles really inspired me. He is such an incredible dancer, and at the same time humble and open to learning new things.

At Hard Lino, I also had a chance to connect with other hip hop heads in Calgary, and they have become such an important part of my life. - Raul, Thi, Kaleb, Ian - not only great dancers - awesome people!

Since then, I feel very fortunate the way things happened. Rennie started Illadelph Legends in Philadelphia, and that is where I met the legends of hip hop and got the real stories and experienced the dances at their sources. Raul (MadBasick) taught me so much at home about breakin', up rockin, as well as a lot of the spiritual side of hip hop. From there I have just been able to go deeper and deeper and have been able to keep learning - I can't imagine it ever stopping.

Greatest Teachers: My parents - they have always been there for me - even when I was horrible - and they continue to teach me about love through their endless giving of it. They are the best! I hope I can be 1/2 the parents they were - I am truly blessed to have had them.