Proving that age really doesn’t matter, Funky Culture, the Out of Africa Dance Academy’s senior crew, has qualified for the Hip Hop Unite International World Championships taking place in Lisbon, Portugal, in October.
The crew will be competing in the competition’s Senior Category (35 years and older with two team members allowed to be younger than 35).
To qualify, the group of dancers first had to compete in the Hip Hop Unite South Africa Provincial Championships held in May, followed by the national championships in June.
In both instances, Funky Culture was rated and received the required number of points to progress to the next leg of the competition.
Ivy Meyer, an instructor at the academy and a member of the senior crew, says when they heard at the national championships that they had qualified to represent South Africa in Portugal, the dancers’ response was one of excitement and gratitude.
“Grateful in knowing that all the hard work, commitment and sacrifices have brought us to a place of victory,” says an excited Meyer.
The Out of Africa Dance Academy operates from the St Augustine Primary School in Clare Road, Wynberg. Since its establishment in 1995, the academy’s dancers have won numerous awards. The academy teaches all dance genres (including hip hop, African and contemporary) as well as drama to youth, both male and female, of whom 95% come from previously disadvantaged communities across the Cape Peninsula such as Lavender Hill, Grassy Park, Retreat, Athlone, Mitchell’s Plain and Strandfontein. The academy’s students are divided into three age groups: five to 13, 14 to 30 and 35 to 65.
They also have three competing dance crews: Fusion X Trio (adult category, 18 to 30), Boogie Bouncers (cadet category, nine to 12) and Funky Culture.
Meyer says she believes age doesn’t matter.
“Irrespective if you are part of the younger or older crowd, dance can improve your life because there are so many benefits you get from it. In my view, dance is a gift that brings people together.”
Funky Culture consists of nine members: Marlene Cupido (64), Meyer (59), Fiona Dirks (57), Helga Martin (56), Sandri King (51), Samantha Mulligan (42), Tracey Palmer (41), Lisa Cupido (31) and their coach, Jason Meyer. Hailing from Grassy Park, Lotus River, Athlone, Retreat, Rondebosch and Lakeside, the crew’s dancers range in ages from 31 to 64 years with the majority in their fifties.
The style of dance that Funky Culture does is Hip Hop.
“It’s fun, funky, and fast-paced. You won’t even realise how much effort you’re putting in as the beat just keeps you moving. It’s a high-intensity workout that will boost your strength and stamina. A few styles that have been incorporated in our dance piece are locking, popping, Whacking, Vogue and B-Boy,” shares Meyer.
She adds that the international competition is tough but, she says, they are preparing well and working hard to bring home a medal.
“A few of our dancers’ skills are coordination, stamina, strength, flexibility and control. Dance can be taught, however, when winning medals, there must be a level of talent also added to the dancing. I believe that Funky Culture’s level of talent has been proved by us winning the gold medal in 2017 in the Netherlands and now again by being selected to compete in Portugal.”
The international competition will take place from Saturday 29 October to Monday 31 October. The cost per person to participate in the competition is estimated at R30 000.
“We are planning to host a modelling/dance extravaganza to assist dancers with their financial obligation to get them to Portugal,” says Meyer.
- For more information, visit www.outofafricadance.co.za/
