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santiago
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santiago's Photos
santiago's Groups
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THE MOVEMENT FOUNDATION
3 members
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deephousevibes
5 members
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Chicago Jacking Society
8 members
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Boston House Music Coa...
14 members
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Florida House Dancers
11 members
Latest Activity
What is the first record they are dancing to????
great people.....dope dancers!!!
You're one of the people addressing this street dance thing in a fashion that really respects the history of the dance and the extreme talent of the dancers. Like you said, street dance gets little serious recognition because it is still a colloqu...
great article
Dope article.
Thanks Santiago
This past weekend, November 7-9, 2009, many dancers lucky enough to be in NYC experienced a monumental event: the 20th anniversary / reunion of the Mop Top collective, which also consists by extension of the world famous Elite Force and Dance Fusi...
This past weekend, November 7-9, 2009, many dancers lucky enough to be in NYC experienced a monumental event: the 20th anniversary / reunion of the Mop Top collective, which also consists by extension of the world famous Elite Force and Dance Fusi...
santiago's Discussions
Waacking and House Music
Replied Aug 12
Waacking and House Music
5 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by santiago Aug 12.
Definition of Lofting
2 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by JackDaniel Aug 10.
Le Soul Afrique
Gifts Received
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Dance Warrior Project
Music
Profile Information
- Dance Styles:
- Afro-House, Capoeira, Experimental, Jacking, Samba, West African, Free Form
- My Moves are . . .
- Deeply Rooted, 100% Pure Freestyle
- Dancers Who Inspire Me:
- Aaron Dismuke, Fulani Malik, Erika Smith, Mesu Ra, Sabine Blaizin, Ejoe Wilson, Hong-10, Roodiyah, Bryan Gentry, Sidney Vault, Perdella Jn Baptiste, Stephen Wiley, Micah Lee, Sena Dubois, Traci Pollard, Blacklight, Mirlet Auguste, Keisha Franklin, Chino-3
- Spirituality:
- Chango
- Company | Group | Crew | Collective
- Le Soul Afrique | Dance Warrior Project
- Favorite DJs:
- Osunlade, Tijo Aime, Pang Lo, DJ Sabine, Ian Friday, Jihad Muhammed, Boddhi Satva, Karizma, Kamala, Filsonik, Djinji Brown, Rich Medina
- Favorite Events:
- House Dance International, Juste Debout, Soulgasm, Jump n Funk, Brooklyn Mecca, Libation
- For me, House Dance is a . . .
- Way of Life, Serious Art Form, Conversation with Others, Gateway to Higher Knowledge of Self
- E-Mail:
- santiago@dancewarrior.com
- Website:
- http://www.HouseDanceNYC.com
- Myspace / Facebook
- http://myspace.com/dancewarriorproject
- About Me:
- I started dancing to house at the age of 14 in the midst of Chicago's house music explosion of the mid-80s. The style of house dance we did was called Jackin'. I began at underage spots like Medusa's and later hit clubs like the Warehouse, Music Box, Power Plant, Generator and the Riviera, legendary venues in the history of house music and dance.
I played around with Hip-Hop in the early 90s, especially when the Native Tongue styles and abstract, jazzy beats were my primary motivation. I lost interest in House because it got to be too commercial when it left Chicago. Instead I explored movement through hip-hop, jazz, trip-hop, drum n bass and other experimental musical forms.
I "re-discovered" House when I moved to NYC in 1996 and went to Body and Soul. The New York mix of dance styles was definitely more expansive than the rawness of Chicago's jacking style. For one, there was a lot more capoeira-esque floor moves (which I later learned was called Lofting). And more of the Afro-Caribbean influence, which I love.
By 2003, I began promoting clubs and house parties around NYC. In late 2004, my partner DJ Sabine and I founded Brooklyn Mecca, a monthly house dance event. After producing two successful Brooklyn Mecca dance showcases featuring the top choreographers in the city, I realized that my dream was to produce a big event that would one day bring together self-taught dancers from all over the world.
In April 2006, I founded Dance Warrior Project, a theatrical dance company that fuses African mythology with house dance. The company features 12 dancers and has been reviewed favorably by the New York Times.
In the summer of 2007, my goal to produce an annual dance festival with contests, workshops, and parties - all dedicated to house dancers - came to fruition through House Dance International NYC.
When I'm not dancing or organizing events, I practice law down on Wall Street. Yup, I lead a double life. lol
Santiago's Blog
Mop Top 20th Anniversary Reunion (2009)
This past weekend, November 7-9, 2009, many dancers lucky enough to be in NYC experienced a monumental event: the 20th anniversary / reunion of the Mop Top collective, which also consists by extension of the world famous Elite Force and Dance Fusion crews (+ Wiseguys). The dancers who make up this collective are… Continue
Posted on November 10, 2009 at 2:30pm — 3 Comments
Strike a Pose 2.0: The Resurgence of Vogue
[Published in Dance Spirit Magazine: July 2008 | by Santiago Freeman]
The year was 1990. An independent documentary film and a pop music icon would introduce the world to a form of urban dance that had rarely been seen outside of Harlem. The movie was award-winning Paris is Burning. The… Continue
The year was 1990. An independent documentary film and a pop music icon would introduce the world to a form of urban dance that had rarely been seen outside of Harlem. The movie was award-winning Paris is Burning. The… Continue
Posted on October 21, 2008 at 12:00pm — 4 Comments
Jump n Funk Revival - NYC 2008
Last night, Thursday, October 16, 2008, was a big night. It marked the return of the legendary Fela Kuti tribute party known as Jump n. Funk. Founded by DJ Rich Medina in 2001, Jump n Funk has definitely had its share of epic soirees and has been fundamental in terms of both introd… Continue Posted on October 17, 2008 at 10:30am — 4 Comments
Report from "Who is Who" Battle 2008 – Paris, France
I recently got back from Paris, where I attended the 2d annual "Who is Who" Battle. There was a lot of hype leading up to the event, and yes, it was amazing. Here's my field report:Pre-Party: Every great dance festival needs that opening night party where kids catch wreck in cyp… Continue
Posted on October 15, 2008 at 6:00pm — 3 Comments
Comment Wall (105 comments)
- At 12:25am on November 10, 2009,
Linda aka La Naija said… - thanks santiago! last week's class went very well, excited for the next one :)
- At 6:09pm on October 26, 2009,
NADIRAH SHAKOOR said… - Thanks Santiago,
Good to hear from you. I heard Sabine was just here in Atlanta and I missed her :( I pray you are both doing well. I logged on today looking for a male dancer for my show here on the 31st. You wouldn't happen to have any suggestions would you?
Thanks again for the warm welcome,
Nadirah (NadirahShakoor@gmail.com)
- At 5:05pm on October 12, 2009,
Navarre said…
- I just read an article on house dance by Lisa Jo Sagolla featuring an interview with someone named Santiago Freeman, and I realized it was the prolific Santiago of this website. Just thought I'd say thanks for good information. Much respect.
- At 3:45pm on October 5, 2009,
Ebony said… - hey..im passing by NY for only 2 days ...whats going on there??
im there only for the 12and 13!
holla
- At 4:49pm on September 29, 2009,
Jon said…
- Site is looking NICE MAN!!!
- At 1:02am on September 5, 2009,
Ajay Delarosa said… - From your quick bio, You Practice Law.
you Live a Double life. Ive always ponder if i'm still able to House dance when i Work Federal law Enforcement.? I wonder if your clients ever saw your dance skills. lol
- At 11:42pm on September 4, 2009,
Ajay Delarosa said…
- I'm really Enjoying this Site. Just Sent a Mass Text inviting more people.
Detroit Is doing just fine. According to Mr Green, Detroit is still at its Infancy to House.
The Scene is only growing each day, every street performance, lounge cyphers.
More People are taking a peak and being curious!!
- At 2:27pm on September 4, 2009,
lare. said… - Yes I live in the North East part of LA in a district called "Atwater Village". The air is really crappy right now because of all the fires. Let me know if you need anything (ie: more information, renting info, etc. I'll be sure to help you out as much as i can since I have a little bit more time on my hands to do some extra leg work. I can even try to talk to some of the managers and what not because that would be really cool if you brought the event to the west coast. I have a collective of friends that can really play a good role if this event is really something you want to have in LA. You'd have a team of people that can help out. Let me know!
Peace - lare.
- At 12:49pm on September 1, 2009,
Phoenix said… - yes HDC... I didn't realize that was the event lol.. Future told me afterwards haha! He needs to speak with you as well...
Take care and hope all is well
Phoenix
- At 12:05pm on August 29, 2009,
Ebony said…
- we'll soon be back! (when the budget will say yes lol)
how ny is doing ?
santiago's Videos
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Sabar Dance - Senegal
Added by santiago
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2007 DVD - Now Available
History in the Making: A Double DVD of the first annual House Dance International NYC festival, featuring over 7 hours of footage from contests, workshops, showcases, and interviews.
Latest Activity
What is the first record they are dancing to????
great people.....dope dancers!!!
You're one of the people addressing this street dance thing in a fashion that really respects the history of the dance and the extreme talent of the dancers. Like you said, street dance gets little serious recognition because it is still a colloqu...
great article
Dope article.
Thanks Santiago
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