Vince's post waacking session reflections

Vince, aka Funky Van-Go, teaches waacking at UMA on Thursdays at 7pm. His motto is 'Slay Yourself!' and he makes sure we get it done every time.


Note From Vince


India and I had a little session after class the other week. I am so thankful for India. She motivates us all to keep growing. And she keeps me honest and respectful of the groove. Sessioning with India catalyzed a flood of memories, bringing me visions of the many key influences that I see and work to embody when I Waack. I am thankful for the communal exchanges that I've had to learn the dance and hope that folks in the UMA community will embark on their own collective journey to discover the many ways that this dance can provide enrichment and joy. As you continue to dance through the years, you'll have a remarkable story to tell that will influence new generations.


My first in person exposures to Waacking something like 20 years ago were fortunate enough to be in the Philly dance community. I later had exposure to dancers in NY. My mentor Moncell Durden would occasionally throw some waacking into his rounds. Montazh Dance Company also featured it in dance pieces here and there. And Dinita Clark of JustSole Dance Theater made a big impact on me, holding down entire rounds in waacking or layering the vocabulary over house. Via Rennie Harris Puremovement, I had the distinct privilege of meeting the great Tyrone Proctor (R.I.P), who traveled the world, but was a Philly Native that grew up not far from me in Olney. He gave me encouragement and inspiration to fully commit to dancing the style. Without his kind and motivating presence, I likely wouldn't have had the confidence to deepen my study of the dance. Before meeting Tyrone, when I'd have the opportunity to be at the House Dance Conference in NY, I'd standby admiring the virtuosity of Brian Green and Princess Lockeroo. Although I didn't have really significant personal engagement with Aus Ninja and Archie Burnett, I'd also admire them getting down in the club, particularly Aus Ninja who incorporated martial arts into his approach. All of these amazing people around me were influences that I referenced in my lab, trying to develop my unique approach to the dance. I am thankful for my formative years in Waacking, piecing things together via communal experiences and cherished in-person encounters at the club. It brings me great joy to be able to share my approach to the dance, supporting waacking to thrive and evolve in Philly. Most of the folks that I've mentioned in this note are actively teaching and performing. Seek them out, learn of their stories and philosophy. Let them influence your path as they have mine.