New York City-based hip-hop dance collective, Jam On The Groove, presented Hong Kong fans with an alternative image of American inner-city life when they performed here at cK Calvin Klein Jeans stores.
The territory stopover was the first Asian venue of their two-year world tour which also takes them to New York, Chicago, Seattle, Tokyo, London, Paris, Milan, Rio de Janeiro, Puerto Rico and Singapore.
Sponsored by cK Calvin Klein Jeans, the outfit is the brainchild of Ghett Original Productions Dance Company. The collective present a positive message about energy in the ghetto and also encourage school-age children to explore their creativity as an alternative to drugs and violence. This is achieved through street performances, youth camps and seminars.
'We want to present hip-hop dance in a more positive format,' says Ghett Original founder Steffan Clemente, also known as Mr Wiggles. Adesola Osakalumi, a team leader, explained: 'We are devoted to promoting a positive attitude towards hip-hop dance. It's something that enables us to travel all over the world and experience different cultures.
'Especially for young people, it could be something cultural, positive and a life goal . . . They may not be dancers for life . . . but they will retain what they've learned. Our primary aim is to keep them away from negative things.' The multi-cultural dance group include black and white members from throughout the United States. In addition to the two 'big brothers', Adesola and Steffan, members of the collective include Orko, the Human Strong Boy (Roger Romero); Remind (Ariston Ripoyla), the youngest; Doc (Antoine Judkins); and Honey Roc Well (Ereina Valencia), the only woman on tour.
The Hong Kong performances were part of celebrations to mark the opening of the new cK Calvin Klein Jeans store at Pacific Place.
