Philosophy

Hip-Hop is a movement and culture that started to emerge in the late 60s and early 70s in the USA in an environment of strong racial discrimination. Today it incorporates a multitude of powerful art forms such as MCing, DJing, Street Dances, Graffiti, Beatboxing and more. Street Dance Halifax values Hip-Hop's rich and complex history and advocates that teaching, sharing, and learning about its elements always be done with respect of the culture, its origin and evolution.

Dancers

Street Dance Halifax does not currently host or offer classes, sessions, workshops, etc. However, while somewhat small, the Street Dance Community within Halifax is well active thanks to the numerous dancers, artists, partakers and facilitators who keep the Halifax street dance community alive and, slowly but surely, support its steady growth. Below is a snapshot of some of the current dancers who are the heartbeat of this community. This can hopefully serve as a recognition and acknowledment of their various contributions, impact, and efforts, and help newcomers connect with and join the local cypher.


  • Aelfaz

    Styles: Hip-Hop, Breaking, Afro.
    Into: Freestyle, Cyphering, Having Fun.
    Also: A multi-disciplinary artist and designer.
    @aelfaz_

  • Alex

    Styles: Popping, Street Dances.
    Into: Sessions, Practicing, Having Fun.
    @cleareyes.0220

  • Alire

    Styles: House, Whaacking.
    Into: Freestyle, Connection.
    Also: Currently lives in BC.
    @alirobrtson_

  • Chad

    Styles: Krump, Hip-Hop.
    Into: Freestyle, Sessions, Having Fun.
    Also: Teaches Fusion Choreo at House of Eights.
    @chadbernal

  • Chazy

    Styles: Popping.
    Into: Freestyle, Sessions, Hip-Hop Music.
    Also: A gamer and anime lover.
    @chazy.w

  • Chenlu

    Styles: Hip-Hop, House, Heels.
    Into: Freestyle, Creating, Storytelling, Exploration.
    Also: Teaches Fusion Choreo at House of Eights.
    @chenlu.shao

  • Evan

    Styles: Breaking.
    @evan_dunn_finally_has_insta

  • Gabi

    Styles: Whaacking, House, Heels.
    Into: Freestyle, Self-Expression, Teaching.
    Also: Teaches Whaacking at House of Eights.
    @not_todayorever

  • Gaël "Just Love"

    Styles: Campbellocking, House, Hip-Hop.
    Into: Freestyle, Connecting, Having Fun.
    Also: Founder of Street Dance Halifax, curently lives in Baltimore.
    @streetdancehalifax

  • Jojo

    Styles: Whaacking.
    @jojorange520

  • Jon "Nin-Jon"

    Styles: Popping, Animation, Hip-Hop, House.
    Into: Freestyle, Drumming, Music.
    Also: Occasionally hosts freestyle sessions.
    @jonscreativeusername

  • Marlee "HiFi"

    Styles: Breaking, Hip-Hop.
    Into: Freestyling, Sharing, Connecting.
    Also: Runs under-REP Breaking sessions for fems and non-binary folks with BreakSpaceNS.
    @davismarlee

  • Mark

    Styles: Popping.
    Into: Freestyle, Fusion, Hip-Hop.
    Also: A videographer and photographer.
    @makiiistudio

  • Minty

    Styles: Breaking, Hip-Hop.
    Into: Community, Kindness, Growth, Empowerment.
    Also: An emerging choreographer and teacher now based in Toronto.
    @minuetcharron

  • Nada

    Styles: Shuffling, Kizomba, House.
    Into: Soulful Movement, Connecting, Uplifting.
    Also: Currently based in Barcelona.
    @nhalawa

  • Nat "Natorious"

    Styles: Breaking, Hip-Hop.
    Into: Freestyle, Choreogaphy, Producing.
    Also: Teaches youth classes at Halifax Dance, and runs battles and events.
    @natoriousarts

  • Nick "GenNew"

    Styles: Breaking.
    Into: Social Justice, Mange/Anime, Gaming.
    Also: Teaches at BreakSpaceNS & Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts, and formerly with Halifax Dance, Concrete Roots and others.
    @gennewbreakz_flash

  • Oso

    Styles: Popping, Locking.
    Into: Having Fun, Learning, Connecting.
    Also: Co-initiator of the skatepark seshs, currently lives in Ottawa.
    @ositoboog

  • Reese

    Styles: Hip-Hop, Fusion.
    Into: Freestyle, Choreography, Performance.
    Also: Member of Sync & Flow, currently lives in Toronto.
    @reese.vill

  • Rocky

    Styles: Breaking, Hip-Hop.
    Into: Cyphering, Connecting.
    Also: A DJ, Event Producer, and Teacher.
    @dj_grimrock

  • Sara Steele

    Styles: Hip-Hop, Commercial.
    Into: Choreography, Community, Collaboraion.
    Also: Owner & Artistic Director (Onset Hip-Hop), Outreach (The Woods Hip-Hop), Creative (Yas Halifax).
    @sarasteele

Select Past Events

Below is a couple of past events facilitated by Street Dance Halifax in 2024.

Oso has been dancing since he was a teenager. In his young age, he fell in love with the dance called Popping. Eventually, leading him to travel to seek more knowledge, and having the opportunity to train with members of The Electric Boogaloos. Most recently he has taken classes from LA pioneer, Cool Pockets. Oso has been able to take his skills and knowledge throughout Nova Scotia to perform or teach in various festivals. He continues to push himself within the dance, and hopes to share his knowledge with the community.

Popping is a Funk style of street dance that emerged in the 1970s in California, notably popularized in the late 70s by the group the Electric Boogaloos (including renowned members Boogaloo Sam and Popin Pete), the TV show Soul Train, and movies such as Breakin’. Popping is based on the quick contraction and release of the muscles in rhythm with the music, and nowadays includes a wide variety of elements and sub-styles such as Animation, Boogaloo, Hits/Pops, Isolations, Robotting, Tutting, Waving, etc.




Deeply Rooted is a dance piece inspired by the work of African American poet and activist Aja Monet. It explores the themes of resistance, freedom, and liberation through the individual and collective expression of six street dancers. Deeply Rooted invites the audience to watch, feel, listen, and reflect. It is the collaborative work of all the performers under the vision of Gaël, the founder of Street Dance Halifax.
Performers: Chad, Gabi, Reese, Maki, Aelfaz, and Gaël.

Date: July 13th
Venue: Guardian Scotia Pharmacy Parking Lot, 2131 Gottingen Street.
Showcase time: 4:30pm
This performance will take place as part of the Mural Festival on July 13th (1pm - 6pm, dance battles, showcases, and more). It is made possible thanks to Unity Charity and Atlantic Breaking Alliance.
Free event!