Washington, DC (January 26, 2016) – Joy of Motion Dance Center – in association with the Japan Foundation and the JICC, with the invitation of the National Cherry Blossom Festival 2017 – is excited to present EL Squad, the phenomenal street dance crew from Japan, with their signature Light Dance performance. This is the first internationally renowned dance crew Joy of Motion Dance Center has hosted in Washington, DC.
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After winning many prestigious international dance competitions, Japanese street dancers have become widely recognized for their technical prowess and unique ideas stemming from Japanese culture. Since its formation in 2012, EL Squad revolutionized the genre with their signature “Light Dance,” a mesmerizing blend of dance, music, and electroluminescent technology. Their appearance will be a wonderful opportunity for Washingtonians and National Cherry Blossom Festival visitors to experience the creativity and joys of Japanese contemporary performing arts.
EL Squad’s visit to DC is designed to strengthen Japanese-American cultural ties, promote community building, spread Japanese cultural awareness, and facilitate excellent art. Before their weekend performances, EL Squad will conduct a hip hop dance workshop hosted by Joy of Motion Dance Center on Friday, March 24. This event is open to the public. It will be an amazing opportunity for local adult hip hop dancers and enthusiasts to study under these master teachers and experience Japanese hip hop culture and style.
EL Squad will then perform during the National Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony on Saturday, March 25. On Sunday, March 26, the crew will take the stage for “EL Squad in Concert” at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theatre.
The workshop events are open to television, radio, print and online news coverage. Media crews should request press access with Joy of Motion Dance Center at least one full week prior to the event date. The National Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony’s media requests are handled separately by the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Full performance and activities schedule is below:
| Date and Time | Activity | Location | Ticket Information |
| Friday, March 24, 8PM | Street Dance Workshop for ages 16+ | The Jack Guidone Theater at Joy of Motion Dance Center Friendship Heights (5207 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20015) | In advance:
$35 for seniors and students; $40 regular admission At the door: $40 for seniors and students; $45 regular admission. Purchase at https://www.joyofmotion.org/adult-program-full/adult-workshops/ |
| Saturday, March 25, 5PM | Natioanl Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony | The Warner Theater | Visit ncbfdc.org for ticket information |
| Sunday, March 26, 7PM | EL Squad in Concert | The Kreeger Theater at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theatre (1101 6th St SW, Washington, DC 20024) | In advance:
$20 for seniors and students; $25 regular admission At the door: $25 for seniors and students; $30 regular admission. Purchase at https://www.joyofmotion.org/events |
| Sunday, March 26, 10AM | Hip hop Workshop with Joy of Motion Dance Center’s H.Y.P.E. Program | Joy of Motion Dance Center’s Atlas studio location (1333 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002) | THIS EVENT IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC |
ABOUT THE JAPAN FOUNDATION
The Japan Foundation is Japan’s public institution dedicated to sharing Japanese culture and language with people througout the world. By presenting diverse aspects of Japanese culture, we create platforms of communication and understanding between the peoples of the world and Japan.
For more information, please visit http://www/jpf.go.jp/e/.
ABOUT THE JICC
The Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) is a part of the Public Affairs Section of the Embassy of Japan in Washington D.C. The JICC’s goal is to promote better understanding of Japan and Japanese culture by providing a wide range of information and events to the American public. For more information, please visit: http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/.
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