Back by popular demand! Urban Movement Arts returns to the Free Library of Philadelphia to offer a series of dance classes. These are all 1 hour long classes for adult beginners. In the Fall, we're having Waacking, House, and Hip-Hop classes. Our first class is Waacking with Dylan! Reserve your space using our Google Form!

About Waacking: Waacking is a dance created in the clubs of LA during the disco era. It was made and pioneered by Black men living on the West Coast. It was featured on shows like Soul Train and in movies like « BreakIn’ Electric Boogaloo ». Currently, waacking is a global phenomenon, practiced by all walks of life. It's loved by many for it joyous, flirtatious and bold nature. It's dance style about flare, character and sexiness. Technically, it is centered around poses, intricate arm maneuvers and grooves. It's a great style experienced beginners and above. You'll walk away from waacking class feeling a sense of jubilee and love.

About the instructor: A lifelong student of embodied practices including dance, martial arts, singing, and percussion, Dylan Smythe (he/him) came to Philadelphia in 2013 to pursue an opportunity to teach Capoeira. In 2017, Lily Kind introduced him to the world of improvised performance, including David Zambrano's contemporary dance methods Passing Through and Flying Low. That same year, Kind's influence brought him to Urban Movement Arts, where he began studying Black American social dance forms including House and Waacking with Vince Johnson and Ricky "Glytch" Evans. After years of training and performing with the UMA community in works such as UMAmi and the WorkinOnIt series, Dylan began holding open training sessions, teaching classes, and dancing and DJing at various events around Philadelphia. He has travelled to New York City, Montreal and Amsterdam to train, battle, and immerse himself in the international House and Waacking communities. In addition to club and street dance styles, Dylan works as a performer, maker and deviser in the contemporary dance and theater scenes in Philadelphia.