Red Bull Flying Back in Chicago: A Breathtaking Success!

By: Jovie Calma

 

It was the weekend of September 25-27 when Chicagoans trooped to the historic Chicago Theater to experience the spectacle of Red Bull Flying Bach where the worlds of classical music and urban dance collided. Red Bull Flying Bach is an internationally acclaimed show that marries the high culture of classical music and the urban art of breakdancing, where the fourtimes world champion breakdance crew, Flying Steps, fused with the masterpieces of legendary 18th century composer John Sebastian Bach. The Flying Steps and opera director, Christoph Hagel have joined forces as they took Bach’s “The Well-Tempered Clavier” and paired it with electronic beats and jaw-dropping dance moves.

The 70-minute show trailed the journey of six dancers and their teacher crew prepared for their big finals. Contemporary dance meets breakdance when a woman entered the room, changing the dynamics and developments of the dancers. This may be the only show you will witness a piano, harpsichord and electronic beats together with head spins, power moves and ballet straps. Flying Steps are one of the most successful urban dance crews in the world. Since their founding in 1993, the crew has seen over 20 cast members and won several championships, including Battle of the Year and Red Bull Beat Battle. The group was founded by Vartan Basil and Kadir “Amigo” Memis.

Vartan, without him, Germany’s b-boy history, would miss a very important chapter. Born in Lebanon, and the founder and creative mind of the pack, he led the Flying Steps to four world championship titles in breakdance competitions (2 x Battle Of The Year, 2 x Red Bull Beat Battle). His trademark is the combination of footwork and power moves. As the choreographer of Red Bull Flying Bach, Vartan combines a huge variety of urban dance styles and a very unique dance. Amigo on the other hand, started his career as dancer on the streets of Berlin. He founded the group with Vartan and won the Battle Of The Year in 1994 and 2000.

Coming from Hip Hop, Amigo grew into different directions and develops new forms of art. Their academy finds itself in deepest SO36, Berlin’s center for both alternative and conservative immigrant, mostly Turkish. Many of the current cast is inspired by American legends and the group is committed to give young people unique opportunities. The Flying Steps Academy was founded to set the stage for the next generation of poppers, lockers and hip-hoppers.

In Flying Bach, the group teams with the music director and pianist, Christoph Hagel, Vartan Bassil, Artistic Director and Choreographer and Yui Kawaguchi, Choreographer for Contemporary Dance. Hagel delivered a stellar live rendition of Bach’s “The Well-Tempered Clavier” while the composers Ketan and Vivan Bhutti mixed their modern beats in the rest of the score from live harpsichord. The dancers performed on a platform set in the middle of the theater bookended by a grand piano and harpsichord, and supplemented with spectacular designed projections. It was indeed a nonstop thrill ride of physicality, an electric ball of energy and seamless blend of pure classic and edgy modern. An exciting show where the b-boys spun their heads, did a back-breaking flip across the stage that leaves everyone dropjawed.

After countless of performances around the world, they brought the Red Bull Flying Bach to Chicago for another engagement last month, which was a huge hit! Prior to the group’s three-shows, the group behind “Red Bull Flying Bach” help a Media Workshop. The press event featured a beginner’s workshop, led by dancer Uwe Donaubauer, where the flying ensemble taught attendees moves such as the “six-step” and “corkscrew” which are moves that are normally integrated into breakdancing routine. It was indeed a clash of culture where classical music meets break-dance. The result was an energetic, Red Bull-powered live performance that merged classical music and modern dance. Baroque fans and b-boys, unite!

Before I end my article, allow me to extend my special birthday wishes to extend my special birthday wishes to Christian Leighton (Oct. 3), Tito Danny Angeles (Oct. 9), Carmen Lainez (Oct.9), Mommy Marie Zamora (Oct. 12), Girley Espino (Oct. 12), Donna Santos (Oct. 15), Lee Maningas (Oct. 16), RJ Santos (Oct. 17), Nick Vera Perez (Oct. 20), Tita Brenda Yonzon (Oct. 21), Anna White (Oct. 22), Francis Del Mundo (Oct. 23), Jan Nicole Alzol (Oct. 27), Riz J Zamora (Oct. 30) and Tita Mila Alvarez (Oct. 31).

Here’s to more loads of fruitful life, bottomless happiness, and grand success! Cheers! I would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone as we salute and recognize our distinguished awardees for the 21st Annual Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 14, 2015 to be held at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel, 9300 Bryn Mawr Avenue Rosemont, IL. 60018. For reservation and more information, please call: 773-866-0811.

To all Via Times Readers and CPRTV viewers, thank you for your continued support. Until the next issue of Wassup?! Jovie Calma LIVE! Please visit www.viatimes.net and be our Facebook Fan! God Bless Us All!

Vartan Basil, Flying Steps Founder shared with the press the history of Flying Steps. They won four world championship titles in breakdance competitions (2 x Battle Of The Year, 2 x Red Bull Beat Battle) Photo Credits to Ihman Basas Esturco Photography

Flying Steps hosted a Media Workshop prior the show. Photo Credits to Ihman Basas Esturco Photography.

VT/CPRTV’s Jovie Calma had a blast with Moon Crane’s Nina Mae Vidal at the Red Bull’s Flying Bach show held at the Chicago Theater.

 

Congratulations to the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Jerald and Rizza Yonzon!