Minnesota’s street dance festival, The SOTA Movement, has returned for its third year in St. Paul, showcasing a variety of hip-hop street dance styles and artists.
The SOTA Movement, organized by Maia Maiden Productions and MN Krump, is a three-day festival from Friday through Sunday, featuring dance workshops, battles and a performance showcase at Park Square Theater in St. Paul. The performances will include both solo and group acts from artists varying in age and experience, some as young as seven.
“We are trying to bring one of the best experiences back to Minnesota when it comes to the streets, arts and hip hop culture in general,” organizer and krump artist Ololade Gbadamosi-Alashe, aka Gambit, said.
The festival will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday with “The gathering,” an event that encourages community members and dancers to connect, experience a cypher or freestyle dance workshop, eat, drink and highlight women in hip-hop.
At 1 p.m. Saturday, doors open for “Uprizing,” a series of krump battles where dancers compete head-to-head. Finally, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, “Rooted,” The SOTA Movement’s showcase, “exhibits the skills and techniques of the finest choreographers in the Twin Cities and beyond,” according to their website.
“In a time where arts funding is getting cut and people are wondering where we will be, the time to show up is now,” Maia Maiden said. “The SOTA Movement is ready.”
Not only does the SOTA Movement foster community togetherness, Gbadamosi-Alashe said, it also supports local talent.
“It gives people who are in street arts or hip hop a platform to present as artists rather than having regular street sessions or street battles,” Gbadamosi-Alashe said. “It gives them an opportunity to see themselves as artists, as well as create a portfolio for them to be in the industry.”
Free dance workshops led by professional dancers, open to all experience levels and ages, will also take place Friday through Sunday. Tickets were to be reserved online, but Gbadamosi-Alashe said if you weren’t able to grab a free ticket, but are interested in joining a workshop, “the best thing to do is just show up.”
People can expect to have a good time, Gbadamosi-Alashe said. Some performances he’s looking forward to are those of Rondo Double Dutch, previous krump battle winner, Athena and up-and-coming dancer, Desaré Cox.
“We pride ourselves on leaving everybody with not just a good time, but a full experience,” Gbadamosi-Alashe said. “We see the audience as part of our community. So come on through, enjoy it and start your summer off well.”
The Sota Movement
What: Minnesota hip-hop and street dance festival.
Where: Park Square Theater, 20 W. 7th Pl, St Paul.
When: Friday, June 13 – Sunday, June 15.
Cost: Free – $25 for general admission and VIP tickets.
For more information or to purchase/reserve tickets, visit sotamove.com.
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