kunming-dangstersI recently relocated to Kunming – allow me to introduce a few of my new friends (actually, I’ve known them since an earlier stint in Kunming). Everyone, meet the Kunming Dangsters dance crew. They’ve been showing me around town a bit.

I first met two of the members, Phoenix (杜斐) and Fanny (范虹), in a dance-off of sorts at Kunming’s SpeakEasy Bar (说吧) that left me feeling like I needed dance lessons. So, that’s just what I did.

A few days after my humbling dance-off defeat, I met up with the whole crew for my first lesson. There are actually nine members altogether, including: ShXpear (黄思哲) and Phoenix as choreographers; and Fanny (范虹), Miya, Xiao Gui (小鬼), Wen Zi (文子), Nana, Danny (魏丹妮), and Xu Shan (徐珊) as dancers.

They’re from different backgrounds, but strongly united by a single passion: dancing.

They’ve been training and performing together for about eight years now, competing in all sorts of dance competitions, most-recently including the 2009 Keep On Dancing Vol.5 battle (video below), the CCTV National, Hip Hop Dance Competition, the 2009 NBA Cheerleader Competition, etc. They’ve also appeared in numerous shows including the 2008 Fan Weiqi Friends Through Song Group, the 2009 2009 Kunming Constellation Concert, etc.

The crew has developed a unique, distinctive style by mixing reggae, hip-hop, modern jazz, and even Yunnan traditional dances into their routines.

I’m no expert, but from what I’ve seen so far, The Kunming Dangters definitely do things their own, original way. But I’ll let you decide for yourselves – check out this video of the crew dancing at the 2009 Keep On Dancing battle in Beijing. Enjoy.

For more from The Kunming Dangsters on NeochaEDGE, link here. /// MM

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7 Responses to “kunming’s dangsters dance crew”

  1. Someone thinks this story is fantastic…

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  2. dancer in the dark says:

    They seem to be just adapting Biance’s ‘Put a ring on it’, which certainly has some awesome dance moves. Actually I can’t hear the sound, maybe that’s what song it is.

  3. Hi DITD!

    I just watched both Beyonce’s and The Dangsters’ video (I needed to be sure! ;-)).

    I think it is more correct to say that Beyonce’s choreographer work is excellent, and that he did, for sure, influence many dance lovers.

    My point is: watch the Dangsters video again (the whole video), and if you think it is “just adapting”, then please help me figure out the similarities.

  4. Sup says:

    hey,
    I think they got a bit of vougin’ influence, but they are cool.

    to introduce myself, i live in Kunming, dieing for some cultural activity here in extremely boring life.

    Im a house dancer and can do bit of each street dance ganre,

    and im into graffiti too.

    i would love to ask you for some information about kunming, especsially wheather there is any hot spot where i can dance and all that.

    please email me.

    cheers.

    • Mimane says:

      Hi Sup!
      They indeed got that voguin’ influence!

      I’m Mimane, the guy who wrote this post, and I also live in Kunming. I’d be glad to meet you and share some Kunming info.

      Let me know when you have some free time so we’ll go have a talk and a drink!

      Best.

      Mimane

    • sup says:

      i emailed you via the address i got email from.

      im not sure if you often use that mail, so im double checkin here!

      pls check your email and lets arrange our meeting!

  5. Puppy says:

    Kind of slutty and childish… well, guess with no free time in high school 26 really is the new 16 when it comes to China.

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