If you thought only boys dominate hip-hop dancing prepare to have your perspective changed by Parktown High School for Girls dancers called Labyrinth.
Being the only all-girls crew who took on dance professionals within the ‘Mega Crew’ category on 10 March and came second in Gauteng.
This massive achievement veered them towards Hip-Hop World Championships qualifiers in Phoenix, Arizona. These will be held in August 2018.
“At first people didn’t realise how big this is because hip-hop is usually not taken seriously, however, we would like for the whole community to be involved and share the awesome experience with us because we have put our all into it,” Miandi Swart, captain of the crew said.
Progressively parents and the rest of the school have become very supportive and try to assist in any way they can with the required funding of R600 000. “There isn’t a lot of funding and one shouldn’t have to pay to showcase their talent,” team manager, Lisa van Blerk broached.
She also shared that they started with fundraising about a month ago and they are now halfway there thanks to a major anonymous donation. Other fundraising activities they do are cake sales, traffic-lights donations and appeals to companies. The team also plans to have Spur evenings where learners will waitress and hand over tips to their treasury.
The dancers have a choreographer coming in every Wednesday and who has been with them for four years. “Most schools focus on contemporary dance, but hip-hop dance is an awesome outlet to cover everyone and the crew is dedicated,” Van Blerk emphasised.
Swart shared that her crewmates get training on Wednesdays and Fridays, they have fitness on Mondays and may even put in weekends when necessary. She also commended her fellow dancers for being committed to attending practice.
Come August, 50 countries will be headed to Arizona with 12 teams from each country. South Africa is sending nine teams with five from Gauteng and four from Cape Town.
Details: Parktown High School for Girls 011 593 5900
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