One Harbour City teenager will have the opportunity to show off his dance moves next month in Europe.
Luke McNicoll, 14 will be heading to Bochum, Germany to participate in the International Dance Organization’s World Hip Hop Championships Sept. 24-28 as a member Canadian National Dance Team’s junior hip hop squad.
“It is pretty exciting to go Germany. I am pretty excited because it is a really big opportunity for me as a dancer,” McNicoll, who practises anywhere from 15 to 20 hours during an average week. “I also get to meet all these people that are also really good. It’s a pretty big opportunity.”
The junior team, which consists of both males and females, will be choreographed Paul Otterbein, who is highly regarded in the Canadian hip hop scene.
Because the Government of Canada recognizes dance as an art form, not a sport, the national team has been unable to secure a sponsorship deal or any financial aid, leaving each team member to cover the cost of the trip. As a result, the Nanaimo District Secondary School student is expected to raise $3,500 to cover the expenses for the upcoming trip. In an effort to raise money, he will be hosting a beer and burger and silent auction next month.
In addition to making the junior team, McNicoll was selected to do a solo and a duet for freestyle, which happens to be his strength.
Regardless of what happens during the competition, McNicoll is excited to see how he stacks up to other dancers from around the world and is proud to be a member of Team Canada.
“I am pretty proud,” McNicoll said. “There are some pretty amazing dancers in this group and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”
For more information about the beer and burger night Sept. 13 at the Wheatsheaf Pub in Cedar, please contact wandabad@shaw.ca.
To donate to Luke McNicoll’s online fundraising campaign, please visit www. gofundme.com/bjovvc and for more information on the World Hip Hop Championships, visit www.hiphopworld-bochum.de.
arts@nanaimobulletin.comTwitter: @npescod