May 31, 2007 -

OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- Ever wonder what real hip hop looks like? Find out this Saturday June 2nd at the Rideau Centre (2nd floor in Eaton Court) from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. as the Canada Dance Festival gives Ottawa a taste of what’s to come when HIP HOP 360 drops from June 19 to 23. Bboys/bgirls from across the city are joining forces this weekend to entertain, educate and, moreover, to inform the Nation’s Capital that one of the biggest and most unique hip hop celebrations Canada has ever seen is just around the corner.

Join us this Saturday for a bboy/bgirl cypher (dance circle) with the kind of positive vibe and attitude that will shake common misconceptions of what hip hop dance is all about. Members of Ottawa breaker crews DeCypher Cru, Speedroc, the Canadian Floor Masters, Funk Thieves, Funk Delivery and Foot Souldiers will team up to tear up the floor in true old school fashion, adding a street element to the average Saturday afternoon shopping experience.

Photo: CFlM and Funk Thieves

The anticipated countdown has begun with HIP HOP 360 kicking off in less than three weeks. Through a series of workshops, performances, free outdoor cyphers, block parties, film screenings, and discussions, Canada will get a snapshot of what true hip hop is all about. The stereotyping of hip hop as a destructive culture is about to be spun on its head.

The Canada Dance Festival is stoked about the support coming from a wide variety of communities. Photographers, designers, ballet dancers, visual artists, dance schools, promoters, hip hop heads, writers, journalists and bboys/bgirls alike are jumping on board with the CDF to help amplify hip hop’s positive message.

For more information or to schedule interviews with artists please contact Jamie Hodgins at 613.947.7000 ext. 743 jhodgins@nac-cna.ca.

Canadian Preview of “Inside the Circle” will be screened on Tuesday, June 19th at Library and Archives Canada Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the film screening are $6 - $9.

Rubberbandance Group performs in the Theatre of the National Arts Centre on Wednesday, June 20th at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $37.50/$42.50 for adults and $22.50 for students (upon presentation of a valid student ID card).

Bboy/Bgirl Crew Showcase #1 and Bboy/Bgirl Crew Showcase #2 will be performed in the Studio of the National Arts Centre on Thursday, June 21st and Friday, June 22nd at 7:00 p.m. Showcase tickets are $22.50 for adults and $12.50 for students.

Packages of all four HIP HOP 360 shows are available at a 20% discount exclusively at the NAC box office.

Tickets are available at the NAC Box Office (in person) and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at (613) 755-1111 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca

To register for dance workshops please call 613-947-7000 ext. 576.
For additional information, visit the Canada Dance Festival website at www.canadadance.ca

Special thanks to the Rideau Centre for their support.

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Media Relations
Jamie Hodgins,
613.947.7000, ext. 743
jhodgins@nac-cna.ca

Canada Dance Festival
P.O. Box 1376, Station B
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5R4