The City of Riverbank Parks and Recreation Department has begun offering some of their summer day camps this month. They have slowly been opening up their programs like the Hip Hop class that youth, from 6- to 12-year-olds were able to participate in recently. Hip Hop Coach Stephanie Argumedo had another successful session that families were able to see this past Friday with a final performance.
Families and friends of the dancers filled the Plaza Del Rio in downtown Riverbank where the dancers portrayed their skills with a routine to a mix of hip hop beats. There were two groups, an advanced and beginner class.
“All my kids were super good and super attentive,” said Argumedo. “It was one of the biggest crowds we have had.”
Kicking off the event, the dancers engaged in a warm up that included assistance from the audience. After grooving to the cha cha slide the beginners took the outdoor stage for their performance. The advanced class hit the stage and performed their routine for guests. Both performances were done a few times, Argumedo noted to the audience, “just in case anyone blinked.”
Emily Ramirez is one of her top dancers that not only has been a participant for a while but also assists with both the beginner and advanced dancers. Ramirez has been dancing since she was little and began instruction with Argumedo when she was just five-years-old.
“I try to sign up for every hip hop class she does and I try to help her as much as I can with all the students,” noted Ramirez. “Not that the dancing is the best but she makes it really fun and enjoyable. All the students can have fun and laugh and it is a really good place to enjoy your time.”
Ramirez added that she was surprised to see how much all the students grew through the course and was very pleased with their performance this past Friday.
Although there were some technical difficulties with the music the youngsters kept their focus and completed the performance with style and grace.
Hip Hop camp was offered in 2014 and it has grown to a class. Argumedo has hopes to keep it going and may start a dance crew as a side project in the future, so that kids may compete and expand their dance knowledge.
Parks and Recreation will be offering a half day hip hop day camp from June 21 to June 25 from 8 a.m. to noon for children between the ages of 6 to 12.
“They should definitely sign up because Stephanie is an amazing hip hop teacher and it is really fun,” remarked Ramirez regarding the upcoming camp. “Even if you don’t like dancing it makes a really big difference when Stephanie is teaching you.”
