City Dance Hip Hoppers putting best feet forward

Derry’s talented City Dance Hip Hop crew 'Hustlers' is heading Stateside in the summer to represent Ireland in Arizona at the World Hip Hop Championships.

The team qualified for the prestigious competition at Hip Hop International Ireland 2023, which took place in Dublin last weekend.

Speaking to Derry Now, their clearly delighted dance teacher and choreographer, Irena Noonan said the team had first danced on Saturday to get into the top five in and qualify for the final on Sunday.

“City Dance was up against seven other amazing teams on the Sunday and we got through. 

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“When we realised we had qualified, it was so surreal because originally we were only going to this competition because we had never been before.

“It only happens once a year and because the City Dance studio only opened in September, everything is a wee bit trial and error, just until we get on our feet and see what the talent is like and what the quality is like.

“I only went up to Dublin with one group, my oldest group, just to test the waters and it ended up we got into the finals.

“I was delighted with that because I thought even qualifying for the final and Ireland was amazing. We were chuffed with that and then, we couldn’t believe it when we qualified for the Worlds. The dancers were just in tears. They couldn’t even comprehend it whenever they got the piece of paper handed to them to say they had qualified for Ireland. They were standing on stage saying to the MC, ‘But can we go to Arizona?’ They were so shocked,” said Irena.

Irena said the team had worked very hard in the lead up to Hip Hop International Ireland 2023.

She added: “They were going putting their best foot forward. They were definitely competing at a high standard.

“There was tough competition. The top three definitely deserved the top three. It was a great experience for us and Arizona is just going to be another level.

“To be able to represent your country as well is amazing. I don’t know if anybody in Derry or from Derry has ever gone and done this in the Hip Hop world.

“The eight dancers are aged 15 and 16 and we are now starting to do some serious fundraising to get to the States. I am just waiting on all the details of the costs. I think I’ll start a wee GoFundMe page and then we are going to do the zip-line across the Foyle.

“We are just going to try and give back as well and do performances out and about. The Girls are getting a wee plan together now, cake sales in school and that sort of thing. Six of the dancers are students at Thornhill and two of them are from St Cecilia’s. It is something else. I think we are all still a bit shocked.

“I don’t think their parents fully realised what was happening, they were all, ‘Aye, gone you on to Dublin’. They didn’t realise we were going to end up in America,” laughed Irena.

Irena has set up and online fundraiser to help 'Hustlers' to offset the cost of the trip to Arizona. Donations can be made HERE.

Good luck to them all.