VISION
“We are a troupe of individuals, who through the power of music and dance, cultivate SELF-WORTH, DIGNITY, and RESPECT FOR ALL PEOPLE.”
Culture Shock Los Angeles, established in 1994, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) Hip Hop dance organization dedicated to Dance Education, Community Empowerment, Professional Entertainment, and the preservation of Hip Hop culture. Our school and community programs serve 2,000 children and their families each year. Funding to keep our programs thriving continues to be a challenge. To support these vital programs, we accept any amount of donations here.
Our professional dance troupe for adults provides training, rehearsal and performance opportunities for dancers to express themselves as artists. Company members create challenging performance pieces but also utilize their talents to promote the Culture Shock vision of community empowerment and awareness of critical social issues that affect the community as a whole to diverse audiences. For more information about the Culture Shock LA team, click here.
Mini Shock LA, Mighty Shock LA and Future Shock LA comprise our Youth Dance Companies. As with all the Shock LA companies, dancers are empowered to strive for a lifestyle that embraces acceptance, achievement, positive self-expression and self-confidence. Find out more about them here.
MISSION
Dance Education (Educate)
Utilizing the talents of its dancers and their interest in community outreach to establish programs that educate people about the rich, cultural history of Hip Hop in relation to other art forms.
Professional Entertainment (Entertain)
Challenging ourselves as artists with diverse and innovative performance pieces that not only draw upon the multi-disciplinary talents of local artists, but also promote education and awareness of important community and social issues.
Community Empowerment (Empower)
Mentoring youth and producing and participating in meaningful community events in the LA area.
HISTORY
Since 1994, Culture Shock Los Angeles has used Hip-Hop dance forms to involve traditionally underserved populations in the arts, and promotes concepts such as self-expression, critical thinking, and cultural awareness through artistic development. CSLA continues to reach students throughout the greater Los Angeles area, incorporating key components of the California Common Core and Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Standards in its curricula. Through dance, our programs build on core themes such as teamwork, celebrating diversity, and self-expression with the intent of creating community-minded and self-confident artists.
With support from the LA County Department of Arts & Culture, LA City’s Department of Cultural Affairs, the Crail-Johnson Foundation, and DEA Educational Foundation, Culture Shock LA reaches thousands of youths and adults through instructional workshops, school assemblies, and professional performances.