Classic movies will never look the same after seeing Strictly Funk's cinema-inspired show this weekend.
The dance company is performing "Lights, Camera, Funk!" at the Iron Gate Theatre at 9 p.m. on Friday . There will be two encore performances on Saturday at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.
In this upcoming performance, the group abandons its traditional narrative theme for a more classic flavor: cinema and old Hollywood glamour featuring dances influenced by films such as The Godfather and Singing in the Rain.
Diverse dance styles including hip hop, jazz, tweaking, locking and bboying will be brought together in a one and a half hour-long performance with music ranging from Outkast to Blink 182, as well as more obscure underground artists. Broken down into 10 smaller performances with transitional pieces in between, the whole show is run on a continuous soundtrack.
The energy and presentation are similar to that seen in shows such as America's Next Best Dance Crew, the popular dance competition series on MTV. College junior Robyn Speed, chairwoman of the group, said the intricate hand movements in the hip hop pieces are reminiscent of the style of the JabbaWockeeZ, winner of the show's first season.
Stricly Funk, established in 1997, boasts one of the largest graduate-student memberships of campus groups; the two co-directors are Gbenga Okusanaya, a Medical School graduate student, and Leah Mclarty, a Wharton junior.
The group, which currently has 25 members, performed for the first time in a club in 1999 instead of a theater to promote the idea of dance culture. It continually draws large crowds and works hard to keep its performances unpredictable by incorporating new material.
The performance will also feature an opening video presentation, voice-overs and sophisticated interactive lighting.
Tickets are on sale for $8 on Locust Walk and $10 at the door.
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