Photo: Contributed - Bboyizm

With a company motto “dance to express, not to impress” Ottawa based Bboyizm brings its explosive street dance show Izm to the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre on Monday, May 7th at 8:00 PM. 

Izm marks the fifth and final show in the Vernon and District Performing Arts Society’s 2011/2012 dance series.

Izm is a full length production that brings the styling of street dance to the stage. Featuring 10 dancers from Ottawa and Montreal, this production is an authentic mix of breaking, popping, rocking and street dance styling. Created to be a pure representation of the dance form, it is hard hitting, emotionally rooted and the athleticism and skill levels of these dancers is sure to catch your attention.

Choreographer and Bboyizm founder Yvon Soglo, aka Crazy Smooth, says “the idea is that if one is truly expressing oneself, their dance will no doubt be impressive” -- a mantra he developed for himself after spending part of his dance career in New York.

“People see it (street dance) as a series of moves, not as a dance", adds Smooth. "Izm is a performance that seeks to show people what this dance form is truly all about: That spinning on your head isn’t the whole picture -- it’s only the beginning."

The company is made up of professional street dancers who came from different crews with different specialities. Described as “the first time I was asked to do me" by a Bboyizm dancer, it’s that freedom of that self-expression can be seen in the passionate dancing that reaches to the back row.

“To stay authentic and not change how we (street dancers) do things naturally,” says Crazy Smooth.

“When Izm premiered at the Canada dance Festival, the sold out audience went wild! And they had good reason to… Crazy Smooth and his dancers hold nothing back, they dance full out and they give every audience member an authentic high” -- Brian Webb, Artistic Director of the Canada Dance Festival

In addition to the performance on Monday, May 7th, there will be an exciting workshop with the company that is open to the public on Sunday, May 6 starting at 11am.

Contact the Centre’s Dance Outreach Coordinator, Jackie Faulkner at [email protected] for more information or to register.

With fast paced dynamics and raw authenticity, Bboyizm’s IZM is an accessible show for dance lovers and theatre newcomers alike.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $27 for seniors, $25 for students and a limited number of eyeGo tickets are available at $5 for high school students. Call the Ticket Seller Box Office or by calling 250-549-SHOW (7469).

The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support: The Best Western Vernon Lodge, the Vernon Morning Star, the Okanagan Advertiser, the Department of Canadian Heritage, the British Columbia Arts Council, the Regional District of the North Okanagan, and Made in BC Dance On Tour.