Drops of translucent sweat beaded on her scarlet flushed forehead as she meticulously popped her collar in her free style section of the routine. Her fusion of smooth flowy leg movements combined with her intriguing range of jerking head bobs stirred butterflies as the team rehearsed the dance one last time.
The City High Hip-Hop Club has begun to slam out sexy exhilarating moves distinguishing themselves as a legitimate dance group (not to be confused with “The Dance Team”). Popping butts, sleek gliding bodies, in addition to shaking everything imaginable, the stylistic talent of this diverse group is finally making a public appearance
“The kids are absolutely fantastic and completely full of energy,” said the club’s leader/main choreographer Katie Moffitt. “We definitely possess some real talent in the group.”
The cutting edge young group acquired Moffitt through a connection with the University of Iowa Breakers, a student organization specializing in break dancing, hip hop, and popping dance styles. Destinee Gwee ’11 met her through the university group and wrangled the expert in.
“I was captain of my high school dance team, so I thought that it would be fun to help these guys out,” Moffitt said.
A previous member of Full Effect, an elite Chicago dance group that performed on “America’s Best Dance Crew” (although not while she was on the team), the now University of Iowa dancer drills the club hard, ensuring precision on every move.
Known for her random bouts of wicked free styling, Morgan Leigh ’11 moved to Iowa City from Denver after a year and a half of competitive street dancing. Now at City, the flavor of the hip hop club was perfect for her passion of dancing.
“I really enjoy [the club],” said Morgan Leigh ’11 “The Dance Team is a little different style and I don’t break. We have an individual spirit and everybody adds a little flavor.”
Fusing the flavor of dance and clothing also proves to be a major component for the group. A specific style is expected (i.e. red and black), but the overall effect is booming with originality. Adorned in tight mid drift exposing shirts, sweats and innovative accessories, the visual wardrobe display is almost as artistic as the dances themselves.
“[The outfits] were jokingly saying that we look slutty,” said member Ida Sisourath ’12. “I think we just had a cute City High colored theme. Overall it was really fun and we would love to welcome new members.”