By Karen Meister

There was a whole lot of dancing going on at Manasquan’s Algonquin Arts Theatre last week.

On Saturday night, the theater was filled with hip hop enthusiasts, many of whom had spent the previous few days practicing hip hop techniques and styles with members of the olive Dance Theatre, [oDT].

A dance camp, ShoreDance, was offered at Algonquin Arts last week to increase awareness of the art form and provide lessons for those wanting to learn how to “break” or “hip hop” from the experienced dancers of oDT.

Then, on Thursday, Algonquin Arts and oDT hosted the Northeast Regional Breakin’ Battle outside in the Algonquin Arts theatre parking lot, with music mixed by Evil Tracy DJ.

This event offered dancers the opportunity to show off their break-dancing, or “breakin’” skills, and audience members gathered to cheer them on.

The week-long hip hop celebration culminated Saturday night, with a stage performance by oDT. Titled “Swift Solos,” the performance offered a series of vignettes based on the choreographic legacy of seminal breakin’ innovator, Ken Swift.

oDT is a popular company of hip hop advocates that is Philadelphia-based. It was founded in 2002 with a mission to endorse this contemporary dance form and enlighten audiences on the various styles, techniques, background and artists of the growing genre.

According to oDT Founding Artistic Director Jamie Merwin, the ensemble of dancers was created seven years ago for the purpose of creating and collaborating in the “breakin’ tradition.”

The troupe has certainly lived up to its promise of inspiring and stimulating all those with an interest for this unique pastime.

Hip hop was born in the Bronx, N.Y., in the 1970s, and, since the late 1980s, it has received worldwide popularity. The accompanying music may be live or recorded, with or without vocal music. It is presented with a clearly recognized drum beat in the background.

The genre is continually being revised and reinvented and has tremendous appeal for an overwhelming population of music lovers. Proximity to New York City has contributed to hip hop’s popularity in New Jersey, but the dance form has infiltrated most major U.S. cities and the surrounding areas.

The oDT artists who performed in “Swift Solos” included six enthusiastic and talented dancers, and an experienced artistic director. Each dancer performed individually or as part of the group, and there was no doubt that these spirited young people were very well informed and physically adept at their craft.

Along with Jamie Merwin came Jaamal H. Benjamin, Joe Son, Brooks Jones, Candy Bloise, Kelly Snell and Mark Wong.

These artists put their heart and soul [and every major body part!] into their “Swift Solos” performances, and captivated their audience with such unique form. The audience became so engrossed in the show that they started clapping, whistling, hootin’ and hollerin’ throughout the production.

Not only did “Swift Solos” feature impressive hip hop professionals, but the production used very sophisticated musical equipment, amalgamating film clips and numerous props to inspire and engage the audience.

The production also featured a segment for familiarizing the crowd with the answers to three main questions posed the performers: “Why do you Break?,” “Who is Ken Swift?,” and “What have you lost?”
Some answers from the oDT members were, they break because it’s fun, because it is something positive to do, and because it’s their life.

According to the oDT performers, Ken Swift is a b-boy pioneer who greatly influenced those involved with hip hop dance.

Some performers felt they lost time, money and friends, but are still committed to the promotion of break dancing.

Being a devoted member of Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” generation, I found this dance culture entertaining. It reminded me of how songs, dances, language and rhythm permeated our lives.

It was “our music” and told about the era and those living it. The present generation is just as enthusiastic about hip hop as those from the days of doo-wop, rock, disco, etc.

There is a huge following of hip hop, starting with the very young. I spoke to three promising members, ages 6, 8 and 9, who attended last week’s dance camp at Algonquin Arts, and they thought hip hop was so cool. The three youngsters said they were anxious to perform on stage in a few years!

Although there was a diverse audience for “Swift Solos,” the young people in the crowd were mesmerized by this performance and promptly went outside during intermission and after the finale to show their own newly learned skills and styles of break dancing. There was a sizable crowd cheering them on, and it was evident that a good time was had by all participating.

I must say that I was totally exhausted just watching the endless energy of all those involved in “Swift Solos.” It was quite a workout, and I’m not thinking of learning any hip hop steps in the near future!

Flexibility and speed are definite requirements for this type of dance — I think I’ll stick to being an observer!

I do wish oDT many more years of creating, performing, and inspiring their followers. It is quite a unique form of entertainment.

Congratulations to all involved for a job well done.

“Go olive, go olive, go olive, go olive ... !”