Hip-hop dance festival Saturday

Several well-known professional choreographers and dancers with the national entertainment industry are coming to Yuma to teach locals how to bust a move, and will give their students a chance to perform with them live on stage.

Jazz of Yuma (JOY), a local non-profit performance group, is hosting the Hip-Hop Festival on Saturday.

"This will be our third festival," said Dawn Atherton, executive director of JOY. "I’m bringing these dance and choreography specialists to Yuma and offering them to the community so people here can learn some of the newest and greatest moves in the industry."

The festival will begin with several classes taught by professionals such as Tricia Miranda, Tony Czar and Sohey Sugihara.

The guest teachers have worked with the likes of Beyonce, Britney Spears, the Black Eyed Peas, Fergie, J-Lo, Jamie Foxx and Queen Latifah.

The classes will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Schoening Conference Center on the Arizona Western College Main Campus, 2020 S. Avenue 8E.

Events are open to anyone ages 6 to adult, and check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m.

The classes will cost $50, and participants can pre-register by calling 329-6858 or logging on to www.jazzofyuma.com. Boxed lunches and a festival shirt will be included.

Parents of participating children who wish to observe the classes will be charged an additional $10.

The day will culminate with a hip-hop performance at 7 p.m. at the Historic Yuma Theatre, 254 S. Main St. Tickets for the show will be $10 at the door for anyone who did not participate in the classes.

Atherton said the event is being made possible by a grant from the city of Yuma Arts and Culture Commission.

"This is the only event like this. People who come to the classes will have an opportunity to learn choreography and then audition for a chance to be in the show that night with the professional dancers and choreographers. This is open to anyone who wants to dance."

Atherton said the dance teachers are usually too busy to be able to teach at events like this.

"This is important because it is an amazing opportunity for anyone in Yuma interested in hip-hop to learn the latest moves. Usually when these classes are offered, people have to travel to other cities to attend them, but now they can stay here."

Atherton said the dance fest has been a great success in previous years.

"Every year this is huge. Last year was amazing, but it gets bigger and better every year, and I'm working really hard to get the word out this year. I had to find a new venue to accommodate larger classes, which is why we changed to the AWC campus. The Schoening building is state of the art. It is a beautiful facility."

Atherton said she is really looking forward to the event.

"I am extremely excited that dancers and those who would like to be dancers can get involved. This will be a memorable event and a chance of a lifetime because the combination of people we are bringing to Yuma doesn't even happen in big cities like Los Angeles. I'm out of my mind excited and it is awesome to offer this."

Atherton said students will come away from the program possessing new and fun skills.

"I think people will get the latest moves and choreography. With three master teachers of completely different styles, people will get a taste of what the L.A. industry is really like. This will give them an opportunity to perform, go through an audition, and if they are chosen, to perform in the show that night."

Atherton said auditioning is optional.

"People don't have to do it, but it is crazy fun. Those who make it through the audition will be able to dance in the same show as their teachers and I think that will really motivate the students."

Atherton said the master dancers will be happy to share their accumulative knowledge with the students.

"The students will have a chance to question the teachers, and will be able to gain insight about what it is like to be a professional dancer or choreographer. They will gain a fresh perspective of the music industry, which is a very difficult industry, especially for females."

Atherton said the show will be exciting, even for non-dancers.

"Don't miss this. Even if you aren't interested in the classes, go see the show. It will be some of the best talent to ever grace the stage at the Yuma Theatre."