Groovaloo, Union Square Theater, NYC

I recently got two tickets to catch a show being put on by a dance group called The Groovaloos. The LA based group, made of 18 cast members who have individually and collectively experienced much success, started as a small urban dance group which met weekly to freestyle, share, and celebrate their art. Founded by Bradley “Shooz” Rapier, The Groovaloos, has been on performing on stage since August 2003.

Groovaloo, the performance going on for a limited time only (till January 3), is based on the troupe’s true-to-life experiences as told by the dancers who lived them. The intertwined stories chronicle the struggles, hopes and triumphs of the dancers and tell the story of their journey to date through amazing dance, energetic beats, and the power and beauty of hip-hop and freestyle.

Steven “BoogieMan” Stanton, a talented choreographer, dancer, and actor, and an original member of the group, has a personal story of his own which serves to bring to height the overall message of the show: Life isn’t always choreographed, sometimes you have to freestyle.

Members of Groovaloo have been featured prominently in a multitude of popular culture entertainment arenas. Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, Will Smith, Pink and Gwen Stefani have been inspired by the unique talent of these performers and featured their performances in recent concerts and projects. Additionally, Groovaloo dancers have had substantial exposure in feature films (Step Up, Charlie’s Angels, Idlewild) in national advertising campaigns (iPod, GAP, Skechers, McDonald’s), and of course the amazing success on television on “Superstars of the Dance” and “So You Think You Can Dance.”

I went to see the show with my 12 year old son.  I knew he would enjoy it.  I knew I would as well. From the moment the DJ started playing the many beats that inspired so many urban kids when I was one myself, I was immediately brought back to my days in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.  As I watched the cast perform, and listened to their stories, I was taken back to the days in the school cafeteria where freestyle was the norm and B-Boys came to life. I was wrapped up in the same emotions I felt as I walked home from school, past groups in circles, letting loose, moving to the emotions, what ever they were that inspired them to dance.

I never had the courage, I was always watching…and man, was I mesmerized by it all. Coming from a very religious, very strict immigrant family who failed to understand the beats of the streets, and feared them more than anything else, I was bound and led by their restrictions and expectations. It wasn’t till much, much later that I slowly began to break away from those things and set free my adventurous, independent spirit. Sitting here now, next to my child, watching him as he sat there in awe of the sights before him, I reflected on how inspirational this show was. Maybe I didn’t have the courage to break away from the choreographed expectations set for me in my life, but I had the opportunity to do it differently for my kids, and set better examples.

I think the show is one that will be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age. The music is fun, the dancing is spectacular, the message powerful. I highly recommend it.

As the show ended to a standing ovation, I headed out of the small theater, buying my son a t-shirt from the show. He was silent most of the way, until, while walking in the cold streets he turned to me and said, “This is what I want to do with my life Mom. I want to dance.”

Since last night he has been in our living room trying to figure out his rhythm, his style. I am not sure if dance will be what he does professionally, or just for fun. It doesn’t matter. I just hope he always finds the confidence and courage to freestyle in every and any aspect of his life and be happy in the process. Because a life lived fully, to the beat of your heart’s content, is the best adventure one could ever have. And any performance that can remind you of that is totally worth seeing.

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Tags: nyc
Posted in Performances/Events/Charities | 4 Comments »