Setting the Stage

• Deep dive into New Zealand's street dance culture
• Beyond just the moves - focusing on people, places, and pivotal moments

Global Roots & Musical DNA

• Origins in 1980s Bronx and LA street scenes
• James Brown's influence on funk styles
• West Coast flavor development

Early Pioneers & Personal Journeys

• Key figures who championed these styles in NZ
• Stories of dancers starting with popping before breaking
• Cross-pollination between different dance forms

Cultural Fusion

• Street dance meeting Māori and Polynesian performance art
• Tours with Toro Toro and Mika Hakka (2001-2007)
• Indigenous culture embedding with hip-hop styles

Going Mainstream

• 1985 Shazam Bob competition on national TV
• From street corners to living rooms
• Legitimizing street dance for wider audiences

Formalization Era (Late 90s-2000s)

• Moving beyond garage jams and video learning
• Rise of proper dance academies and structured training
• Ensuring techniques survived and evolved

The Grassroots vs. Institution Debate

• Community-driven growth vs. top-down approaches
• International talent exchange - sending and receiving
• The living, breathing ecosystem of NZ street dance

Show notes (Popping)

Show notes (Locking)