Fusing together our heritage our culture our art in the year 2006, with the art that has become a culture of its own for our Manukau City youth.  HIP HOP DANCE.

Fusion Workshop 2006 is a completely unique workshop fusing together Maori Language, Art and Weaponry with Hip-Hop Dancing, Krumping and Break Dancing.  Fusion Workshop 2006 is bringing together old arts with new that have many things in common.  Strict discipline, controlled movement and pride are just a few of the many attributes which provide a cross-over between the old and new.
By providing our Rangatahi a clear view of the similarities between old and new, such as Hip-Hop Dance and Maori Culture, we aim to increase participation in the older arts using Hip-Hop Dancing as the vehicle.

  

During November and December 2006 Urban Beat ,with the help of The Manukau City Council, ran the FUSION 2006 workshop at the following South Auckland Schools: Greenmeadows Intermediate, Manurewa Intermediate and Howick Intermediate. Through out the Fusion Workshop each of the Urban Beat instructors spoke about their experiences in the hip-hop dance scene and the importance of healthy eating, regular excerises and being Smoke Free!. 

The workshops included hip-hop, breakdancing, Maori language and Maori weaponry. Lawrence Tutai`, one of the Urban Beat dancers and instructors (above) showed the students a Maori weaponry demonstration, and answered questions the students had regarding his demonstration and what it meant.

The students were split into groups and worked on team building excersises such as 'Battles' and Maori language games. Through the 'battles' the students were given the chance to show everybody their own moves as well as the moves they learnt throughout the day. We also allowed the students to make up their own routines and worked on a 'Mix' which was performed at the school assembly. ( The pictures above were taken at Greenmeadows Intermediate )