What is Culture Shock®?
Culture Shock, Washington, D.C. is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles, physical fitness, and community involvement through the power of Hip Hop music and dance. Culture Shock dancers are trained in Hip Hop and American Street Dance by national and international dance instructors who introduce new and exciting choreography at our weekly company classes. In a world where style and music are constantly changing, Culture Shock choreography remains innovative and unique, resulting in a troupe of individuals who express Hip Hop in a style all their own. Culture Shock dancers take their passion one step further by sharing their talents with the surrounding community.
Culture Shock's on-going commitment to community involvement is exemplified by its Future Shock youth outreach program. Culture Shock dancers work one-on-one with Future Shock teens to offer them a positive alternative to some of the destructive influences plaguing today's youth. The program provides mentoring and dance training to teens and youth ages 17 and under. Future Shock dancers are then given the opportunity to exhibit and showcase their talents to the community, friends, family, and peers.
“We are a troupe of individuals ,
who through the power of music and dance,
cultivate self worth, dignity and respect for all people .©”
Culture Shock History
Culture Shock started in San Diego, California in 1993 by Angie Bunch, a professional dancer, international presenter and Nike Fitness Athlete. Starting the concept as a way of teaching herself how to dance hip-hop, Angie gathered together a group of hip-hop street dancers to develop and perform hip-hop choreography. A professional performing troupe of dancers was formed, and by the end of that year, Culture Shock San Diego was born.
In the next few years Culture Shock would expand to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.. With each addition of a troupe, the Mission Statement's concept evolved into a non-profit, youth outreach and community service program that was fueled purely by volunteerism. By using street dance, the group reached out to young people, steering them away from drugs, violence and hatred into a life-style which promoted acceptance, achievement and self confidence. Culture Shock is also about offering a performance opportunity and a supportive and positive environment to talented dancers. Since the development of other Culture Shock dance troupes, the group has evolved into a large international cultural network.
By offering free dance instruction, a safe place in which to learn and play as well as a performing outlet, Culture Shock found that the youth were more receptive to its drug free and healthy lifestyle message. As a result of its powerful message and it's successful programs, Culture Shock troupes have been formed all over the United States as well as other countries including Canada, France, Switzerland, Japan, Italy, and the United Kingdom.Our Partners:
CityDance Ensemble: www.citydance.net
CityDance Ensemble is a contemporary repertory dance company based in Washington, DC. Promising its signature power, passion, and purpose at every turn, the company performs athletic, challenging repertory by choreographers from the United States and around the world. Under the artistic direction of Paul Gordon Emerson, CityDance Ensemble blends strong technique and physicality with a dynamic mix of energy, emotion, and humor to deliver performances full of integrity, expression, and life.
