June 6, 2016
More than 400 young performers took the stage at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts yesterday to compete in the 15th annual STOMP Urban Dance Competition and Showcase. City representatives welcomed participants and kicked off the event, which drew an audience of about 2,000 people.
"Engaging youth in recreation programs is an essential step in developing healthy communities," said Councillor James Pasternak (Ward 10 York Centre), Chair of the Community Development and Recreation Committee. "We need to continue to provide young people with positive outlets like this to express themselves and showcase their creativity."
The event featured youth performers ages six to 24 from Parks, Forestry and Recreation dance programs and other youth-serving agencies. In addition to featuring various urban dance styles such as step, break, hip-hop, dancehall, bollywood, jazz and contemporary, the event also showcased Toronto's up-and-coming youth bands, vocalists, rappers and dub poets.
Dancers were judged on their choreography, music, costume, creativity, originality, synchronization, use of the stage, rhythm, interaction with the audience and musicality.
Winning teams:
Novice
First place: After School Special (North Kipling Community Centre)
Second: Baby All Stars (Chalkfarm Community Centre)
Third: Ritmo Caliente (Falstaff Community Centre)
Beginner
First place: Clutch Queens (Warden Hilltop Community Centre)
Second: Red Velvet Group (Albion Boys and Girls Club)
Third: JJM Fusion (Thorncliffe Park)
Intermediate
First place: Mini Krew (K.I.D.S. Dance Studio, Woodbridge, ON)
Second: 6ix Boss Dancers (Driftwood Community Recreation Centre)
Third: AOS (Jane and Finch Boys and Girls Club)
Advanced
First place: The Interns Krew (K.I.D.S. Dance Studio, Woodbridge, ON)
Second: The Royalties (Parkway Forest Community Centre) tied with Soul 90's Academy (Trinity Bellwoods)
Third: Take off (Stephen Leacock Community Recreation Centre)
Social media fan favourite: 6ix Boss Dancers (Driftwood Community Centre)
STOMP is one of many youth initiatives developed by Parks, Forestry and Recreation to foster an environment where youth are safe, celebrated and encouraged to showcase their creativity. More information is available at
http://www.toronto.ca/stomp.
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit
http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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Media contact: Parks, Forestry and Recreation media line, 416-560-8726, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
