Community Uses Hip Hop Dance to Fight Gang Violence

BRIDGETON, NJ (Chosen Dance Company) - Gang violence is a growing concern to those in Bridgeton, NJ. Chosen Dance Company, a Philadelphia-based professional Hip Hop dance group, was the latest effort by the community to reach out to their children and let them know that violence is not the best answer. On Friday, March 4, 2005, with several hundred of Bridgeton's youths in attendance, Chosen provided important messages to combat negative behaviors and gang violence, while offering a performance rich in innovative, cutting-edge Hip Hop dance.

"Chosen's message of love and peace is a great example to today's African American community, especially that of Bridgeton", said Jackie Gentry, African American Club advisor and History teacher at Bridgeton High School. "Their dancers are the positive role models needed for Hip Hop culture and for Bridgeton, both often portrayed with negativity. We couldn't have brought in a better group". Between Hip Hop dance exhibitions, Chosen founder and Hip Hop dance star Clyde Evans, Jr. provided a lecture focused on resisting social pressures and negativity while promoting the notion of self-respect and respect for others. "We can only hope everybody will embrace their message of love and peace", said Bridgeton's Gina Burns.

Chosen's credibility in the Hip Hop community makes them an ideal platform for addressing important social issues. "Because of their talent and the respect these kids [in the audience] have for them, Chosen's message was well-received," said Pastor Joe Butler of the Assembly of God Church in Bridgeton. "And their dance was amazing," he added. Their innovative dance style, showcased in the renowned Adelaide Festival in Australia and the ESPN X-Games VIII in Philadelphia, enthralled the Bridgeton audience. The event culminated with a standing ovation, and one local 13-year old described Chosen as "awesome". "The dancers were great and the whole show was so engaging", she added.

Following the program, Chosen Dance members signed autographs for local children. "The kids in the audience look to us as role models," said Chosen Dancer Andreas "Dre" Johnson. "We grew up in the same inner-city environments and this is our chance to have a positive impact".