Stage Set for Contest Finale

Van McNeil (event emcee) and other DanceMKE participants

The final installment of the DanceMKE qualifying round was held Tuesday night before a capacity crowd at the Peck Pavilion outside the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.

Three groups advanced (profiled below) and will compete in the finale on August 22nd. The finale, which will begin at 7:00 p.m., is free to attend.

The three groups will join six others from the prior weeks to compete in the finale. The groups will dance Tuesday for cash, trophies and glory.

The DanceMKE series is part of an extensive programming lineup known as Live at Peck Pavilion.

A recording of the performances is available on the Marcus Center Facebook page.

Blake Washington

With DanceMKE – What are you hoping to get from this experience?

What I am hoping to gain from participating in DANCEMKE, is gaining a closer connection to the dancers in the Milwaukee area. In dance it’s important to support your community, work with your community, and ultimately learn from your community. I am not originally from the city of Milwaukee as I have moved here from Madison to study at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. When I saw the opportunity to see and meet more dancers in Milwaukee I jumped on the opportunity. Because I would like to create choreographies in the future  with my fellow competitors, so we can grow together as well as gain more experience in the performing world.

Why do you love to dance?

I love to dance because it is a great way to reflect the way music makes you feel, and think. The way a dancer moves, and the choreographies they create is a manifestation of their inner being. It’s a great feeling to physically embody your own imagination.

What is one unique characteristic about you/your group?

One unique characteristic about me as a dancer in DanceMKE is that I am dancing alone. Many of the performers are performing in a group with other skilled dancers which helps alleviate some of the pressure. Whereas myself, I am dancing alone which means all eyes are on me at all moments, and I’m up there alone. it takes a lot of courage to compete against other great dancers by yourself. I think that is a very unique characteristic about myself this year.

What is your favorite thing about your dance you performed?

My favorite thing about the dance performed is music choice. I believe the music choice really brings out the details of my dancing and really compliments the popping animation!

Young Dance Academy Contemporary Group

With DanceMKE – What are you hoping to get from this experience?

We just love having the opportunity to perform for an audience! It’s especially exciting to be surrounded by our fellow performers as we all share our love of dance!

Why do you love to dance?

We love to dance because we have a passion for music and movement!

What is one unique characteristic about you/your group?

The one unique characteristic of our group is that we are all best friends who respect and support each other!

What is your favorite thing about your dance you performed?

Our favorite thing about the dance we performed is the variety of emotion we get to experience in telling our story.

Suemo II

With DanceMKE – What are you hoping to get from this experience?

We’re hoping to gain more exposure in the Milwaukee Dance community.

Why do you love to dance?

Dance is our place where we can be anything and do anything.

What is one unique characteristic about you/your group?

We’re one big family and think that if we had a reality show people would watch it. Take the tv show “Real World” and that’s us.

What is your favorite thing about your dance you performed?

Choreographer Morgan “Mo” Williams really focused on the individual strengths of each dancer so when the company performs its enjoyable to watch not only 6 dancers dancing in unison but also the moments when you can see the dancers being themselves.

Bonus Content

The audience even gets to participate at DanceMKE. Watch this video of audience members learning to dance to the Tootsee Roll after the contest. The lesson was led by Chris Gilbert.

Past Coverage

• Second Wave of Groups Advance in DanceMKE – August 11th, 2017
• First Three Groups in DanceMKE Advance – August 5th, 2017
• DanceMKE Returns – August 4th, 2017