12th Annual MCPS Latin Dance Competition - A Great Success!

Congratulations to the After School Dance Fund, Inc. and supporters of the 12 Annual MCPS Latin Dance Competition that was held Monday, November 28, 2011 at Stathmore Hall. Hundreds of MCPS students, teachers, parents, friends and fans gathered to see talented dancers from many of Montgomery County's public high schools. Participating schools included Blake HS, Clarksburg HS, Einstein HS, Gaithersburg HS, Rocville HS, Seneca Valley HS, Walter Johnson HS and Watkins Mill HS. Teams competed in eight divisions: Salsa, Cha-Cha, Bachata, Merengue, Parent/Student, Alumni, Jack-n-Jill, and Best-in-Show.

The After School Dance Fund (ASDF) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization created in 2010 in order to offer a meaningful afterschool experience to all Montgomery County Public Schools’ Latin dance club participants. These programs promote cross cultural awareness; bridging the gap between communities, strengthening family values and empower students of all backgrounds, to share their heritage and culture which allows them to communicate better in school and at home, and continue their personal and educational growth in order to become healthy and positive members of our global society. For information about the After School Dance Fund, visit their website at http://afterschooldancefund.org/

Mighty Shock and Future Shock to Perform at Silver Spring Veterans Concert, November 11, 2010

Performers from the youth dance programs, Future Shock and Might Shock will perform at the 3rd Annual “Tribute to America’s Veterans” Concert to be held on Thursday, November 11, 2010 at 7 pm. at the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza.

The “Tribute” Concert is sponsored by the Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs, in partnership with the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc., Round House Theatre, and the Maryland Youth Ballet.

In addition to Mighty Shock and Future Shock, the “Tribute to America’s Veterans” concert will feature dance performances by the Maryland Youth Ballet, Contradiction Dance amd musical performances by Silver Spring’s Jonny Grave and the jazz/blues fusion group, C. Henry Woods Troupe, featuring the Jazz Bombers.


The evening program will also feature Representative Chris Van Hollen of Maryland’s 8th Congressional District who will make Veterans Day remarks and present certificates of recognition to two Montgomery County residents currently serving in the U.S. Navy.

Future Shock DC is a youth program under the international dance program Culture Shock. Under the artistic direction of Nathalie Blanco and Darius Gaymon, this team has been in effect for only 5 years. They have made their mark in the DC area, the nation, and abroad. Our dancers consist of youth from throughout the metro DC area and come from very different backgrounds and demographics. They have been featured on the Gatorade webisode, Leave it on the Floor, for the inauguration. They recently went to Barcelona to represent the US in the Barcelona Dance Awards and came home with first place out of 277 dance teams. Our dancers are required to maintain a 3.0+ GPA in order to participate.

Mighty Shock is a youth program under the international dance program Culture Shock. Under the artistic direction of Jasmine Artis, this team has been in effect for only 2.5 years. They have made their mark in the DC area, the nation, and abroad. Our dancers consist of youth from throughout the metro DC area and come from very different backgrounds and demographics. They have opened for several artists such as Queen Latifah, Sheila E, and Wyclef Juan. They recently went to Barcelona to represent the US in the Barcelona Dance Awards and came home with second place out of 277 dance teams.