Last Group Of Finalists Chosen

Dance MKE

The weather was perfect and the large and vocal crowd was enthusiastic on Tuesday night as the last three groups advanced to the finals of the Marcus Center of the Art’s DanceMKE competition. Attendees held signs encouraging their favorite dancers and made sure their vote mattered. The event, held at the Peck Pavilion, featured a wide variety of dance styles represented by performers from across the city. The three winning groups were the Dance Academy of Mexico, Gabrielle Sustache and Clay and Angie.

While waiting for the results, the competitors and audience members were treated to a free Cha Cha lesson from Danceworks.

Want to join the fun? The finals will be held at 7:00 p.m. on August 23rd at the Peck Pavilion at the Marcus Center (929 N. Water St.). The event is free to attend.

Twenty groups of talented dancers from all backgrounds and disciplines competed for nine spots in the finals. Come down and be amazed by the final nine Milwaukee dancer groups as they compete for cash prizes and Danceworks scholarships, as well as bragging rights as the first winners of DanceMKE. There will be a little something for everyone with dance styles including: contemporary, Mexican folklore, hip-hop, American Tribal Belly Dance, lyrical, salsa, contemporary fusion, ballroom and tap.

Here’s more information about the latest three finalists. Two of them answered some questions.

Dance Academy of Mexico

What are you hoping to get from this experience with DanceMKE?

We have participated in other dance competitions, but this is the first one at home, so it gives students that are unable to travel the chance to take part in a competition. It is also a great way to motivate students to better themselves and to see how they can improve. I also like the exposure to other types of dance. I was very pleased that you included our mexican dance studio. We have an uncommon dance style, but that it is nevertheless part of the community. The fact that your organization realized that and included us gives us a sense of belonging and inclusion in the community. Thank you!

Why do you love to dance?

Dancing is the gift that keeps on giving. It keeps you active and focused. Whether you choose to become a professional dancer or not it does not matter, dancing teaches you to improvise, to manage your time, to be responsible, to persevere, which are valuable life skills. In our case, dancing also teaches us about our heritage. It is important to learn where we come from to know where we are going.

What is one unique characteristic about your group?

We dance mexican traditional dances! Need I say more! It is a true privilege to preserve our cultural heritage, and to show our community — and the world — that we are something more than simple stereotypes. We have a beautiful and rich cultural heritage. We are also productive members of our community, just trying to make the world better, one student at a time.

Gabrielle Sustache

What are you hoping to get from this experience with DanceMKE?

I am really hoping to make connections with other dancers from the Milwaukee area. This is also the first time I have ever competed in a competition like this, so I am glad to be gaining that experience as well.

Why do you love to dance?

I love to inspire people to not only dance, but to reach for their dreams. Also, I am passionate about telling stories through my dance. I love being able to make someone feel so much happiness on a sad day just from watching me dance.

What is one unique characteristic about your group?

I am a soloist and one thing I would say makes me stand out from other hip hop dancers would be my way of moving. I like to say my style of dance is called “contemn-hop” — a mixture of contemporary dance and hip hop. It puts a very unique twist on hip hop dance.

Clay and Angie

Chech here for more information on the DanceMKE schedule and all of the free Live at Peck events.