December 15th, 2009 – Federal Way, Washington – What is a jerk? The Jerk is a new form of Hip Hop dance and it is influencing youth to stop gang violence and wearing baggy pants and start learning how to express themselves through the arts. They dress in their own unique style with their colorful skinny jeans, shoes and their own tee shirts that they’ve designed. The Jerk started in California and is a mixture of stylized footwork, krumping, up rocking and break dancing and it has found its way out to the Northwest around a year ago via YouTube and local jerk teams. Youth in the new M.A.S Dance Coalition have been at the forefront of the Northwest Jerk movement ever since this dance first caught fire. Made up of three of the top Northwest Jerk dance teams, Team AV3NG3R$, S!ckW!t !t and The Misf!ts., the youth are from 12 -19 years old and they have all come together this holiday season to hold their very first holiday performance and food drive for The Brave Foundation in conjunction with Goodwill and the Central Area Motivation Program (CAMP)
“What the M.A.S. Coalition is doing is setting a standard for not only their generation, but the generations after,” said Shyan Selah, urban artist and founder of The Brave Foundation. “You would think that this type of support would come from older generations that claim a dedication towards community. I think that this event shows that it’s time for society to begin to realize that character is a reflection of actions, not appearance.”
The food drive and performance will take place at the Shyan LIVE event at the Commons Mall in Federal way on Saturday, December 19th at 6:00pm -8:00pm. People are encouraged to bring a non perishable food item, or while at the mall, they can easily purchase an item at Target and drop it off at one of our six donation bins that are located in front of Target, next to Champs footwear and right in front of Macys at the main performance stage.
I feel that we as MAS coalition set a high standard for showing that giving back to the community creates a better future for all. Us coming together is an example of unity, leadership and the fact that young people want to do positive things. Our coalition shows adults that youth just want to have fun, be creative and contribute to the community. Said Keith Carter of M.A.S Coalition
This all-ages event is presented by Brave New World and will feature new music by Shyan Selah and performances by M.A.S. Coalition and dance teams from Federal Way high schools. Former Seattle Supersonics player Dean Tolson will speak about the importance of education. Isa Nichols, executive director of the Maxine Mimms Academies for Suspended and Expelled Youth and author of “Genesis: The Bullet Was Meant for Me, The D.C. Sniper Story Untold,” will speak on issues of domestic abuse and violence. Attendees are encouraged to also bring toys, food and clothing to benefit Goodwill and the Seattle Children’s Hospital. The event is intended to send a positive message about education and healthy living.
Contact/Bookings:
Keith Tucker
206-234-9565
thekeithtuckershow@yahoo.com
