Hip Hop Dance Classes in Chicago

Although New York is the founder of Hip Hop, Chicago definitely represents Hip Hop well. The Taste of Chicago usually has breakers dancing by the Buckingham Fountain. There is a University of Hip Hop location on the southside of Chicago, and colleges like the University of Chicago and DePaul University are connected to Hip Hop organizations. If you're a resident or visiting the Chicago area, here are Hip Hop dance class locations.

Bally Total Fitness (Hyde Park location)

1301 East 47^th Street

Chicago, IL 60653

(773) 924-9889

www.ballytotalfitness.com

Classes held on Tuesdays 7:30 pm to 8:15 pm (Bally's members only)

Supplies for class: Bring lots of water.

Review: I have been to Rogers Park and the Chicago Ridge locations for Hip Hop dance classes in 2004 and 2005, but not this location. Both Hip Hop dance classes I've taken are extremely different. Whereas some Bally's Hip Hop dance instructors lean more towards breaking, others tend to rely on pop dance moves. I prefer to learn Hip Hop from breakers because they tend to be more familiar with underground music, new Hip Hop dances, and the art of locking and popping your body.

Discovery Center

2940 North Lincoln

Chicago, IL 60657

(773) 348-8120

http://www.discoverycenter.cc

Hip Hop Funk (1720) $89 for 6 weeks--Click here for days and times.

Breakdancing (1738) $89 for 6 weeks--Click here for days and times.

Supplies for Class: Bring kneepads, elbow pads, water, and a hat for head spins.

Review: The instructor has changed since I last went in 2004, but I've taken Hip Hop dance classes at the Discovery Center several times. They are always exhausting but so much fun. However, if you are on the main lobby dance floor, expect interruptions for other dance instructors cutting through the back door to get upstairs and complaints about the music being too loud.

University of Hip Hop

c/o Southwest Youth Collaborative

6400 South Kedzie

Chicago, IL 60629

http://www.myspace.com/swyouthcollaborative

www.swyc.org

www.flickr.com/SWYC
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6463655457
www.youtube.com/swyouthcollaborative

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/14127/spin_head_of_the_class_university_of.html

Note: Classes are for youth ages 5-19.

Supplies for Class: Bring kneepads, elbow pads, water, and a hat for head spins.

Review: The instructors at the University of Hip Hop are deep into underground Hip Hop. There may be times that you won't even hear more popular and commercial music. When I interviewed this company in 2004, I heard more house music than anything, and I saw some of the most popular breakers strolling around after the hip hop dance class was over. Hip Hop dance instructors and hip hop class students were doing moves as quickly and easily as if it was like walking, so it may be intimidating at first. This organization is also helpful for youth to stay out of violence, and the University of Hip gets involved in political and social issues.