Jammin' with the Jabbawockeez

They’re seen on billboards throughout Vegas, and were the winners of the first season of America’s Best Dance Crew, and now I had a chance to take a dance workshop with the hip-hop crew, Jabbawockeez.

Tonight they took a break from the main stage and multi colored spotlights however. They slowed down some of the beats and slowed the pace down on their dances for local dancers to have a chance to pick up on some of their moves.

As the jams began and the beats rang throughout the room one by one workshop participants began to bounce back and fourth slowly getting into the groove of things. There was a sense of uncertainty and timidity that held some dancers back, but by the time the two-hour class was complete, there was never a time the music played without multiple people free styling in their own space. 

Attendees filled the room, requiring a second room to be opened to accommodate half of the group wanting to learn new dance moves. Dancers learned things from simple steps and lessons in throwing bounce into dancing, to a complete counted out and choreographed pop/lock/hip-hop dance routine.

The purpose of the open dance workshop was not only fun and games however; it was a fundraising effort, hosted by the Jaabawockeez, combined with the American Red Cross for the Japanese relief fund.

The Jabbawockeez’s dance workshop, “Move-Ology” was held at the UNLV Student Recreation and Wellness Center and was open to the public. The proceeds from admission costs, t-shirt sales and sales of the infamous Jabbawockee masks were all donated to the American Red Cross’s relief efforts for Japan’s earthquake and tsunami victims.

The dance lesson was awesome, the music was fun and the dance moves were a blast. It’s amazing though how dance moves in slow motion are so simple, but once sped up to the actual speed of the music, all of a sudden your brain becomes “pudding” as the Jabbawockeez said.

Despite the moments of brain pudding, overall the class was amazing, the dance was a blast and the best part about it, it was all for a great cause!

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