Illadelph Festival

Sun.-Sun., July 22-29, University of the Arts, 211 S. Broad St.

by Deni Kasrel

dance/workshop

(CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

Ever seen a hip-hop dance show and marveled at the all of the boogalooing, backflips and windmills and then thought, "Dang, I wish I could do that?" Well, now you can. Or at least you can try. You can get schooled on those moves and many more during the weeklong Illadelph Festival. Presented by Philly's acclaimed hip-hop emissaries Rennie Harris Puremovement, Illadelph aims to pay homage to the pioneers of the genre while also giving props to new dance aesthetics. And check out the faculty: Rockafella (B-boy/B-girl), Budda Stretch (hip-hop), Spex (hip-hop party dance), Ill Cosby (locking) Pop Master Fabel (popping) and Caleaf (house). Harris gets into the act by teaching his own thang called Ren's House. Certain classes step outside the bounds of hip-hop, such as tap (taught by Robert Burden of Tap Team II fame) and mambo/salsa (led by Shezronne). Whatever you choose, plan on getting real with it. It's a workout, all right, and the payoff is picking up great moves for the dance floor.

Sun.-Sun., July 22-29, day pass $90, full week pass $450, University of the Arts, 211 S. Broad St., 215-875-4800, www.illadelph.org.