On Nov. 3, 2017, my entire life changed. NU Kinematics blessed my soul by bringing dancers from Los Angeles to Northeastern to teach four incredibly challenging workshops and to perform in Funk-tion. If you know what YouTube is, you’ve seen videos from Millennium Dance Complex. It was like Tyra Banks becoming real-life Barbie—the dancers were no longer just people on the screen, they were real people! The 9th annual Funk-tion was held on Nov. 4 and featured 19 incredible dance crews from Boston, New Jersey, and Los Angeles. Aside from all the fangirling you’re about to see, being surrounded by so much talent was extremely inspiring. It made me realize how much I miss dancing and pushed me to strive to become a better dancer in all aspects. Join me on my journey of recalling the best weekend of my life:
1. When I first caught Kenneth San Jose’s eye:
Yes, I realize he’s only 15 and it’s weird that I’m fangirling over someone who’s three years younger than me, but I can’t help myself. Someone who can groove as hard as him and is also a real-life human being is bound to get me excited.
2. When I realized ALL the all stars were behind me during the workshops:
Not only did I see them, I was dancing with them and we were breathing THE SAME AIR.
3. Then I remembered that I don’t know how to dance hip hop:
I have no excuse for not being able to pick up the choreography the first time Alexander Chung showed it to us, and yet I still struggled with figuring out the difference between left and right. Excitement turned into embarrassment real quick.
4. Me trying to pick up on the choreography:
Maybe I was starstruck, or maybe I’m just looking for an excuse to hide the fact that I just really don’t know how to pull off hip hop.
5. Me finally giving up and trying to groove with the music my own way:
As much as I’d love to tell you that I looked like Beyoncé up in there, I closely resembled this kid.
6. The moment when my roommate realized Josh Killacky’s phone was on top of hers:
After we got over the initial shock of being in their presence, we started noticing how real they were. We also noticed how real it was that since his phone was on her phone, that basically meant they were holding hands. That logic makes total sense, okay?
7. When Kenneth picked up my phone off the floor for me and our hands touched:
It was like that scene in all rom-coms when they both reach for the popcorn and end up holding hands. Aside from the fact that I’m a klutz and dropped my phone in front of Kenneth twice (by accident, I swear I wasn’t trying to get his attention), I’m still going to pretend that there was a magical movie moment between us.
8. Us trying not to be fangirls, even though we really are fangirls:
To them, we were just another one of their billions of fans, but to us, they are our idols. In case you haven’t already gathered, I’m an awkward girl trying to make it in this world. The only words I could sputter out were: “You’re incredible, can I take a photo with you?” I didn’t know how to tell them how much I loved them without sounding creepy and I couldn’t just ask them “So… You dance?”
9. Me during the ENTIRE three-and-a-half hours of the Funk-tion performance:
I genuinely thought I was going to lose my voice during that show from cheering so much. I was so overwhelmed by the raw talent that was left on that stage.
10. When Sean, Kenneth, and Kaycee were at UNO the same time as us:
I crashed one of Northeastern’s dance crew post performance dinner at UNO and as we walked in, lo and behold, the legends themselves were standing at the counter ordering take out. I tried to play it cool and pretend like I didn’t see them, but my face couldn’t hide it. I felt like I was walking on sunshine. Of course, I had to be a fool and leave my wallet on the table and sprint back in to grab it with all of them watching me stumble all over the place and struggle with the doors. But nonetheless, they were there and I was there—we’re basically best friends now.
11. Me after they officially left Boston to go back to LA:
My weekend in paradise is over and it’s time to go back to my boring, normal life. No more embarrassing myself in front of incredible artists and no more making up crazy logic to make it seem like we’re friends.
Featured choreography at Funk-tion workshops:
Pills and Automobiles by Chris Brown, Choreographed by Alexander Chung and CJ Salvador
Escalate by Tsar B, Choreographed by Alexander Chung
Not Ashamed by Majid Jordan, Choreographed by Josh Killacky (No video)
I Can Make Ya by Fingazz, Choreographed by Team Millennia (No video)
Featured LA All Stars at Funk-tion:
Team Millennia, Josh Killacky, Alexander Chung, CJ Salvador, Sean Lew, Kenneth San Jose, Kaycee Rice, Delaney Glazer, Darrion Gallegos