Performed on MONDAY, AUGUST 3rd
RAPHAEL XAVIER'S W.O.R.X:
HERE & NOW VIRTUAL SOLO FESTIVAL
Curated by: Raphael Xavier
Assisted by: Camille O'Connor
Supported by Princeton University
The festival features Josh Culbreath, Brian Newby,
Emily Pietruszka, Alex Gossen, & Bogdan Curca-Laurentiu
Following up from 2017's Here & Now Hip Hop Forum at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia
that included guest teachers Teena Marie Custer, D. Sabela Grimes and B-Boy Neguin, Here &
Now II Virtual Solo Festival features five young dance artists performing original solos
incorporating movement from the breaking vernacular. Performers submitted solos for
consideration and finalists were selected.
Supported by the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts.
raphaelxavier.org
Performers:
Name: Alex Gossen
Title: Broken Rhythms. No music used.
Instagram @agossendance
Alex Gossen started dancing with a local breaking crew in Louisville, Kentucky. Realizing that dance was his passion, he pursued and earned his BFA in dance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2017. Since graduation, he has been a freelance dancer, educator, and choreographer currently dancing for Abby Z and the New Utility.
Name: Bogdan Curca Romania
AKA Bugy
Retro Flow Crew
Tittle: Bogdown
Music: Antonio Sanchez
He is a Performer, dancer, teacher, who has judged at numerous dancing competitions as well as competed solo and with his crew retro flow. As a choreographer with more then 15 years of experience he has had some TV appearances that include music videos. Bogdon is developing his own style for stage and implementing this type of art as a positive and educational way of life.
Name: Emily Pietruszka
Title of piece: I didn't mean to say those things.
Music: "Day Dream" by Joep Beving
"Hopeful" by Alfa Mist Feat. Jordan Rakei
Instagram: @empietruszka
Emily Pietruszka is a movement artist and wellness coach who just recently relocated to Philadelphia, PA from Brooklyn, NY. She currently dances as a member of street dance theater company and Rennie Harris Puremovement. She recently founded Pietruszka Movement Projects, and has shown her work at the Come Together Festival 2019 (PA) and the Illadelph Legends Showcase 2018 (PA).
Name: Josh Culbreath
IG - @Bboysupajosh
Facebook - Joshua Culbreath
Name of piece - Chains of a dream
Music - Krókódìll
Josh Culbreath born September 19, 1990. Influenced by his mother Josh started dancing
at the age of 5. Josh’s Breaking journey began after watching the movies “Breakin”
and “Beat street”. In middle school Joshua got involved with a dance group called
KRS Ent. Credited for introducing him to theater, where he learned how to perform on
stage. In High school Josh met Joe son, who helped further his Breaking. Joshua joined
Rennie Harris’s second dance company RHAW in 2009. Shortly after joining RHAW he
met Raphael Xavier. In 2014, after performing in one of Raphael Xavier’s works called
“The Unofficial Guide To Audience Watching Performance”, Josh wanted to work with
Raphael more due to the direction he is taking the breaking movement. Josh continues
to perform with both Raphael Xavier and Rennie Harris all while learning the ropes, so
he can create his own work and expand the possibilities of the Breaking Movement.
Name: Brian Newby-Hannibal
Piece: Home is where the hatred is
Music: Home is where the hatred is by Gil Scott Heron
Hannibal is the definition of a true breaker, in that he believes it is not only how one competes, but also the way one carries one's self. Defining this role he explains, "Being a Breaker means not only dancing but giving back to the breakdancing culture by teaching, sharing my knowledge of the art, and participating in the breakdancing community. It also means representing positivity and keeping the true expression of it alive."
