{"id":226974,"date":"2026-03-19T14:27:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T14:27:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/226974\/"},"modified":"2026-03-19T14:27:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T14:27:12","slug":"versa-styles-tribute-20th-anniversary-where-street-dance-ancestors-and-future-voices-meet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/226974\/","title":{"rendered":"Versa-Style\u2019s Tribute & 20th Anniversary: Where Street Dance Ancestors and Future Voices Meet"},"content":{"rendered":"

Versa-Style Street Dance Company<\/a> marked its 20th anniversary at the Carpenter Center<\/a> March 13, 2026, presenting a rousing performance titled \u201cTribute: Guardians of Street Dance.\u201d<\/p>\n

The celebratory, high-energy event honored the legacy and evolution of hip hop and street dance, paying homage to the artists of this genre who are still here such as Rennie Harris, Damita Jo Freeman, Toni Basil, Popping Pete and Buddha Stretch, who were present but for Harris, on this night, as well as those who have passed on, including Stephen \u201cTwitch\u201d Boss and Marjory Smarth.<\/p>\n

\"Versa-Style<\/a><\/p>\n

Versa-Style and Friends \u2013 Photo by George Simian.<\/p>\n

\u201cTribute: Guardians of Street Dance\u201d was a milestone performance for Versa-Style, in which West Coast hip hop and the street dance styles that originated in Los Angeles were brought to center stage in a theater setting.<\/p>\n

This uplifting performance took on the exhilaration of a pep rally, as audience members\u2019 affirmations echoed in unison to their dance peers\u2019 fast and fancy foot work throughout the show. One might think that could be distracting, but it was definitely not. It became an organic expression to the spirit of the work.<\/p>\n

Performers, ranging from possibly late teens to young adults, executed astute technical skills; popping \u2013 from early 1970s roots, locking \u2013 late 1960s \u2014 both originating in California \u2014 and agile break dancing \u2013 going back to the late 1960s and early 1970s, in Brooklyn, New York but hitting LA with significant force in 1982-1983. The movement never stopped and surprises kept coming. Versa\u2019s seamless blend of hip hop,\u00a0 stretched further, in one instance with a fast and strong presentation of the East Slavic Prisiadki or \u201csquat and kick\u201d move, or Russian dance that men often do at celebrations.<\/p>\n

\"Versa-Style<\/a><\/p>\n

Versa-Style Dance Company \u2013 (L-R) Ceanne Agustin, Jackie Lopez-Foaad \u2013 Photo by John Nyboer\/Nyboer Photography.<\/p>\n

The Versa-Style dancers, in true form sported jeans or chinos and sneakers, and some embellished themselves with head bandanas. The first act, \u201dNo Evil,\u201d choreographed by Danzel Thompson-Stout<\/a>, was performed by CSULB<\/a> dance students Colin Dean, Ayanna Dowell, Lauren Kay Jade Madrigal, Elisa Murray, Rachel Oliver, Kierra Salley and Elyse Turner. Moving fast, flowing and joyfully, this set showcased a wide variety of the students\u2019 foundational hip hop dance skills; waves, robocop, ticking and breaking in brief sequences that built upon each other, as a prelude for what was to come.<\/p>\n

\u201cVSNG,\u201d choreographed by Leonardo \u201cInner-G\u201d Flores<\/a> & Aubrey \u201cSiga\u201d Mermaid, was performed by Versa-Style-Next Generation (Youth Leadership Program). Familiar tracks from the 1990s played and the \u201cNext Generation\u2019s\u201d moves showcased more detailed and diverse forms featuring stylized, slow-motion isolation, roboting, dramatic whacking, wowing chest pumps, popping embellishments and more.<\/p>\n

\"Visions<\/a><\/p>\n

Visions and Voices \u2013 Decades of Dance in LA \u2013 Versa-Style Street Dance Company \u2013 Photo by Henry Kofman.<\/p>\n

In a special treat, co-founders\/artistic directors\/choreographers of Versa-style Dance Street Company, Jackie \u201cMs. Funk\u201d Lopez and Leigh \u2018Breeze Lee\u201d Foaad appeared often, between and within sets. Hands-down experts at performing the classic old school vibrating-shaking technique, Lopez and Foaad\u2019s body shock waves were astonishing. Their artistry brought an infectious energy to these vignettes, in snapshots that portrayed playful competition, flirtation or sweetness.<\/p>\n

Versa-Style dancers performed on stage in the same consciousness of street dance, which, if you saw it in its prime on the streets of LA or the Venice boardwalk, conveyed respect, camaraderie and community building. This awareness translated to the stage in pure form. There was no \u201cHollywoodizing\u201d of hip hop dance. This was real. The \u201cHip Hop\/Streetdance Company Artsists\u201d were comprised of: Ceanne \u201cCyKlone\u201d Agustin; Anthony \u201cBerry Groove\u201d Berry; Ernesto \u201cPrecise\u201d Galarza; Brianna \u201cPassion\u201d Grey; Cynthia \u201cDivina\u201d Hernandez; Brandon \u201cBeastBot\u201d Juezan; and Harry \u201cFallout\u201d Weston. The technical director was Chris Hudacs.<\/p>\n

\"Versa-Style<\/a><\/p>\n

Versa-Style and Friends \u2013 Photo by George Simian.<\/p>\n

Around the middle of the first act a voice testified, \u201cStreet dance has the power to transform lives \u2026 It was born of power for the people, by the people, with the people, and always belonged to the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Details in this performance kept getting more interesting. In one sequence, dancers formed a couple of groups walking downstage, but in flawless, sustained movement, as if in a slow motion film scene. The especially enjoyable \u201cMoments in LA,\u201d during the \u201cTribute\u201d section featured photo and video elements of life in the city, and well-known landmarks like the Sixth Street Viaduct or \u201cRibbon of Light,\u201d connecting Boyle Heights and the downtown arts district. There were street sounds and train sounds, and dancers strutting through the \u201cSoul Train\u201d line on screen. Versa-Style dancers strolled the stage looking at their palms as if holding cell phones and taking selfies or greeting passersby amid images of downtown and bodegas, while track samples like \u201cEverybody Loves the Sunshine\u201d by Roy Ayers played.<\/p>\n

\"Versa-Style<\/a><\/p>\n

Versa-Style Streetdance Showcase \u2013 Danzel \u2013 Leigh \u201cBreeze Lee\u201d Faood \u2013 Photo by George Simian.<\/p>\n

The Tribute<\/p>\n

In two touching sets, \u201cLA Street Dance Legends (Original Video)\u201d and \u201cFunk Angels,\u201d Versa-Style brought their elders or \u201cGuardians\u201d to the stage through original photos and videos. It was elevating to watch the elders, who have been an impactful part of a global street dance culture, bringing their high level of skill, stamped with their unique flavor and flourishes to the artform, while dancing as if it was the most natural thing in the world to them. It exemplifies why these elders hold high status with the Vesa-Style crew and highlights the esteemed measure of hip hop dance that the young artists can achieve.<\/p>\n

Finally, the music hit the mark, blending the soundtrack of hip hop, mixed by Gabriel \u201cMagk\u201d Avalos. The original score was composed by Legend the Beatslaya and additional artists included REYDY, B.B. King, Pink Floyd and Dennis Ferrer. Each track showcased a sonic blueprint of the 80s-90s generation, blending hip hop, funk R&B and jazz, featuring \u201cCalifornia Love\u201d \u2013 2Pac featuring Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman, \u201cIt Was A Good Day\u201d \u2013 Ice Cube, and many other anthems.<\/p>\n

\"Versa-Style<\/a><\/p>\n

Versa-Style Streetdance Theatre Showcase \u2013 Danzel (Thompson-Stout) and Cris (Barreto) in \u201cBruddanem\u201d \u2013 Photo by George Simian.<\/p>\n

In this highly unique performance the Versa-Style founders dropped bits of education throughout the show. One important element to the company is to invoke thought, spirit and conversations. To be of higher consciousness, which they noted, was \u201cliterally\u201d the meaning of hip hop.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are laws of consciousness in hip hop, and you have to build, and build, and build on those laws, or it dies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Versa-Style dance ensemble consists of committed and conscientious artists representing the diversity and complexity of Los Angeles. Founded in 2005 the company was created to promote, empower, and celebrate the artistry of Hip Hop and street dance culture<\/p>\n

Named \u201cLos Angeles\u2019 Best Dance Troupe for Hip Hop Empowerment\u201d by LA Weekly and Red Bull Magazine\u2019s \u201cHeroes of the Year 2019,\u201d Versa-Style is recognized for its electrifying performances and inspiring engagement activities for schools and local communities.<\/p>\n

For more information about Versa-Style Street Dance Company, please visit their website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To learn more about the Carpenter Center, please visit their website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Written by Melina Paris for LA Dance Chronicle.<\/p>\n

Featured image: Versa-Style Dance Company \u2013 Photo by John Nyboer\/Nyboer Photography.<\/p>\n

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