Last March 29, a riveting explosion of color and emotions filled the Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium as the La Salle Dance Company-Street (LSDC-Street) shaped up the stage for Kalye Ritmo, the group’s exclusive one-day concert. Partnering with the Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA), the concert not only showcased the electrifying rhythm of Lasallian talent, but also spotlighted aspiring student dancers from Barangay 713, Malate, Manila.
Bring the beat in!
Precursor to every performance was a short film featuring the young dancers as they jived their way into the halls of the Enrique M. Razon Sports Center. The dimmed stage then suddenly came alive with a full-cast opening performance. Matching their green jerseys with denim, the high-energy dancers set the expectations for every performance that night, which was an explosive homage to retro classics infused with modern twists. The jam-packed start was followed by a three-part sequence that kept the audiences on their toes: an all-girl rendition that commands feminine prowess, an all-boy portion earning audience howls, and an ensemble dance to Måneskin and other hit artists that had the audience Beggin’ for more.
And just like that, LSDC-Street let the audience know that Ritmo is what tonight is all about—bringing electrifying honor and pride to hip hop from the Kalye. The first segment, Section Alab, rang in the troupe’s first performance with the children from Barangay 713, who owned every tumble and solo freestyle. Repping school uniform-like fits, Montell Jordan’s This Is How We Do It and Bill Withers’ Lovely Day was mixed with the familiar boom baps and tagaktaks of Filipino rap. Proud parents got up to cheer every now and then, striking a perfect balance between the crisp, icy moves on stage and the radiating warmth from the crowd.
An alarm signalled the end of only the first electric phase of the dance concert. And as if on cue, the Kids in Manila segment headed even closer to home. Dressed in blues and whites, this portion was all about giving each cast member their time in the spotlight. From cross-stage cartwheels, toprocks, and power moves, each dancer refused to skimp on bringing the groove on to even more Filipino rap, including Parokya Ni Edgar’s Bagsakan.
LSDC-Street accounted for everything in Kalye Ritmo: great lighting, hip mixes, and—most importantly—impactful video testimonials. It was less about having good transitions between each segment and more about showing the audience that Kalye Ritmo was not just a day of dance, but also an ode to found family through movement. The behind-the-scenes footage was proof enough that beyond preparing for a good show, the children from Barangay 713 found ates and kuyas among their LSDC-Street companions.
More than fearless
Moving away from Filipino street classics, the Waack Out Loud segment took audiences for a spin as they strutted in wearing proud green and white. Drawing from the traditional “waacking” style, a dynamic street dance prominent in ‘70s queer nightclubs, the group revitalized the stage with their fluid arm movements, fierce expressions, and vibrant onstage interactions to a bright funk jazz melody.
The green backdrop was engulfed by a flurry of fiery red as the Hypekada group stormed the stage in a playful street fight. As The Kid LAROI’s GIRLS pushed the pace to a more modern track, the dancers resolved their altercation with an upbeat synchronized performance. The students flaunted their individual skills, and each child earned yells of encouragement as they stepped into the spotlight. Notably, one young boy from Barangay 713 stood out with his daring confidence, a display of big personality despite his small stature. In the group’s final act, a member of LSDC-Street and one of the younger dancers posed to form a heart, giving weight to Kalye Ritmo’s success in uniting communities through nothing more but shared ambition.
With the second section at a close, LSDC-Street marched back into view sporting dark clothes and intense gazes. Rebellious demeanors stood in place of their earlier friendly dispositions. In a performance led by grungier Filipino rap songs such as KALAKAL by SB19 and tunes from Gloc-9, LSDC-Street moved as one hypnotizing body. A masterclass in uniformity, the dancers displayed resistance and power with their sharp moves and even sharper complexions.
But as their sweat glistened and smiles dazzled, the performers gradually softened back into their grooves with a medley of BINI hits like Born To Win and Karera. A spotlight highlighted dancers in breathtaking solos as they reached out to the audience in fleeting moments of connection. With a faint ticking that signified the end of the segment, purple lights enveloped the auditorium as the troupe’s female dancers took charge of the routine. The unit moved as one toward the edge of the stage, standing at the forefront of the event’s history.
Taking flight through footwork
Strutting in retro fashion, alumni dance group Impulse cooled down the blazing stage with their chillingly smooth movements guided by R&B and disco funk melodies. One Of These by Ella Mai set the suave tone, showing off the routine’s soft yet agile motions. The momentum continued with Jason Dhakal’s smooth jazz cover of VST & Company’s discotheque classic Awitin Mo, Isasayaw Ko, steering the audience to sway alongside the infectious OPM anthems.
While the concert drew closer to its end, Company Manager Richelle Ruiz (III, BS-PSYC) concluded the last set of video testimonials from the dance group. “LSDC-Street [was] never just [about] dancing. We always wanted to tell a story through dance [and] show the audience that there are people out there that don’t have [the] platforms that they need to tell their whole story,” she attested.
Audiences erupted once more with roaring cheer as the young talents, along with the dancers of LSDC-Street, surged back onto the stage with the inspiring tune of Dreamers by BTS’ Jung Kook. Clad in grey shirts printed with Kalye Ritmo’s insignia alongside uniquely bleached jeans, the performers gave the children of Barangay 713 center stage once more, highlighting their youth’s ambitions to soar to greater heights.
As LSDC-Street’s Kalye Ritmo started to dim the lights with the end credits, the crowd roared with each name called yet dreaded every moment the end drew nearer. As if they sense the audience’s anxieties, the members of the University’s street dance organization knew to end the night on a good note: handing their newfound friends custom shirts with each crew member’s name carefully signed—heartfelt memorabilias that remind the young aspirants that each dream can be made into a reality.
