Jookin in Memphis
U-Dig Dance Academy co-founder Tarrik Moore is launching a new project to showcase Memphis Jookin.
MJ Urban Ballet is being described as an “evolution” of urban dance in Memphis, and as a more overt hybrid of hip-hop and traditional ballet.
Moore has exposed more that 7000 students to Memphis dance and hopes that a successful capital campaign for MJ Urban Ballet will help him triple that number in short order. In addition to dance, the new program will expose students to photography, clothing manufacturing, graphic design, carpentry, flooring and other potential avenues of employment.
MJ Urban Ballet Launches at Hard Rock Cafe
Moore is joined in this endeavor by his wife Kia, who hopes to use her experience with non-profit organizations to build stronger relationships with established arts organizations. She also wants to build an endowment that will eventually cover tuition costs for students.
MJ Urban Ballet makes its first public appearance at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27th at the Hard Rock Cafe on Beale St. According to press materials the opening event will “combine traditional ballet
technique, classic pop music and urban-nuanced hip-hop dance for a unique experience.”
Ballet and Jookin have been dancing partners for some time, and Memphis’ influence on the classical form has grown in recent years.
This event is FREE and open to the public. For more information, visit the U-Dig website.
