UNITY has been one of our community partners for almost two years. This year, they’re celebrating their 10 year anniversary! Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Hip Hop is one of the most exported cultural movements in the world. Despite its 40+ year history and its roots, it still has one of the most youngest, most engaged demographic worldwide and it’s apparent every week during SKETCH programming!
We’ve has been partnering with UNITY Charity offering hip hop workshops in dance and beatboxing for almost two years. Our connection began because of the shared values of respect, arts education and finding innovative ways to engage young people through arts to improve their wellbeing and creating community. “The programs at SKETCH help provide sustainability for the beatboxing community by having a consistent space where they can practice,” says Cat, UNITY’s Communities Program Coordinator, “The seasonal showcases also provided a concrete platform for the youth to perform beatboxing in front of an audience.”
Through workshops such as Beatboxing, Street Dance, and Breakdance, Youth were able to explore dance styles such as House, Hip Hop, Locking, and more. The most significant changes was the increase in self-awareness and the awareness of others,” says Kosi, co-facilitator of our Winter Season’s Street Dance workshops. “It helps youth know that they can take up space and to know what they can do with or within that space.”
“Youth who participated in the workshops slowly got more comfortable with movements or motions involving their own bodies,” echoed fellow co-facilitator Adrian. “They were slowly developing their own style and they didn’t even know it. Youth become more comfortable with just dropping by and learning something new related to dance every week.”
Hip Hop and Breakdancing workshop at SKETCH for the winter season went through topics of wellbeing, community, storytelling, identity, and togetherness,” Adrian says, “ Each session challenged the youth to think outside of the box. Hip Hop is all about community, respect, having fun and finding your own style.”
This Spring at SKETCH, the Street Dance workshop is focusing on Locking and Floorwork dance styles. One thing is patience,” says Kozi, “Dance is not a skill you acquire overnight. So you need to have patience with yourself, with others and with the art form.”
“Hip Hop is all about community, respect, having fun and finding your own style,” Adrian shares, “The SKETCH-UNITY connection is like waffles and ice cream, it works perfectly!”