Raw Elementz

Raw ElementZ
Founded:	2001
Recognition:	ABC
Membership:	~30
Executive Board:	6
Category:	Performance
Website:	https://sites.google.com/site/curawelementz/
Contact:	rawelementz@columbia.edu

Raw ElementZ is the hip-hop fusion dance crew at Columbia. It was established in 2001 by former Culture Shock dancer Kristin Liu and has since grown to a troupe of about 30 dancers and breakers who practice twice a week. Raw ElementZ is well-known for crowd-pleasing performances; these performances include many campus functions, from cultural shows to athletic events, as well as off campus performances. Raw Elementz consistently gets little tastes of everyone's dancing backgrounds as new members join: hip-hop, breaking, popping, locking, house, jazz, street-funk and even ballet. Raw encourages original choreography, as all the choreography that Raw performs is student-created.

Also affiliated with the dance crew are the Raw ElementZ Breakers, who perform both separately and together with the dance crew. They hold separate auditions and rehearsals due to the audition nature, but most of the time both groups tend to perform as one single unit. Raw's breakers also consistently hold open sessions, helping to connect the breakers to the greater NYC breakdancing community.

To see footage of performances, take a look at the Raw Elementz YouTube account.

Joining Raw Elementz: Auditions are held twice a year, usually in early September and late January. No previous dance experience is required, just come ready to show what you got. There are no set amount of spots on the troupe. Meet members of Raw at the Activities Fair that kicks off the beginnng of the year, or if you’ve missed it, email rawelementz@columbia.edu.

Current Board Members
President: Monet Perez BC '11
Vice President (Dancers): Alyson Goulden SEAS '13
Vice President (Breakers): Nehemiah Loury CC '13
Artistic Director (Dance): Tara Reed CC '13
Artistic Director (Music): Lucy Siguenza CC '13
Secretary: Jackie Thompson BC '13

Upcoming Performances and Events

09/05/10 - NSOP Performance Showcase- Roone Arledge Auditorium
09/12/10 - FALL AUDITIONS - Location TBA
09/18/10 - Passport to Columbia - Roone Arledge Auditorium

Past Performances

04/18/10 - Days on Campus - Low Library
04/17/10 - Prospectives on Diversity - Roone Arledge Auditorium
04/11/10 - Days on Campus - Low Library
03/27/10 - RAWCUS - Roone Arledge Auditorium
02/27/10 - Lunar Gala - Roone Arledge Auditorium
02/26/10 - Black History Month Showcase - Roone Arledge Auditorium
02/04/10 - Glass House Rocks - Lerner Ramps
01/24/10 - Spring 2010 AUDITIONS - E477 in Lerner
12/03/09 - Men's Basketball Game - Levien Gym
11/22/09 - Open Dance Class - The Broadway Room in Lerner
11/13/09 - Opening Women's Basketball Game - Levien Gym
11/12/09 - Basketball Mania - Levien Gym
10/23/09 - Night Market - Low Plaza
09/25/09 - America's Best Charitable Dance Crew - Lerner Party Space
09/19/09 - Passport to Columbia - Roone Arledge Auditorium
09/04/09 - NSOP Performance Showcase - Roone Arledge Auditorium
05/01/09 - America Reads
04/19/09 - Days on Campus - Low Library
03/27/09 - RAWcus - Lerner Party Space
02/06/09 - CUPAL Showcase -Roone Arledge Auditorium
02/05/09 - Glass House Rocks - Lerner Ramps
02/01/09 - Dance Marathon - Roone Arledge Auditorium
11/24/08 - HKSSS Rising Stars - Lerner Party Space
10/25/08 - CU Tau Arise- Roone Arledge Auditorium
10/02/08 - Homecoming Carnival - Low Plaza
09/26/08 - America's Best Charitable Dance Crew - Lerner Party Space
05/02/08 - CCO Reads - East Campus Bridge
04/06/08 - Days on Campus - Low Library

External Links

Main webpage