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Address: 708 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 367-3140
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There are thousands of languages spoken throughout the world. Even though there are several different countries performing in front of hundreds of audience members at Dance2XS International’s Urbanite, dance is the only language that matters. Dance2XS brings international talent to the University of Illinois campus at Canopy Club on Nov. 8 with one of their biggest events of the year, Urbanite. This fall’s performance is the second part of the group’s 10th anniversary show called The Set.

Patrick Chen and Lee Daniel formed Dance2XS in the spring of 1998 at UIUC. The company has grown worldwide, but every year, Urbanite reunites all chapters in its hometown of Urbana-Champaign. “It’s such an honor that so many people from not just the country but around the world come to Champaign for this show,” said Katie Homer, a senior who has been dancing in the group for four years.

Groups from anywhere from the United Kingdom to Taiwan dazzled audiences last year with different styles of hip-hop, and this year will feature Portugal. “It’s more of a cultural show than a dance show,” Homer said. “It is hip-hop, but there are so many different genres that you come to learn something about those cultures’ styles.”

National extensions like Purdue University, Chicago and Caliente will join the stage too. Also in the lineup are professional companies like Non-Stop, Essence and Redefinition. “Getting to watch professional dancers on stage is such a great opportunity,” said Anna Yee, a junior dancer and secretary of the group. Being exposed to the various groups is not only fun for the dancers but it encourages the dancers to challenge themselves. “At Urbanite, everyone raises the bar,” Yee said. “It’s always something new, always something different, and it’s when we really push ourselves.”

The atmosphere encourages audience members to join the celebration because the show is in a club setting. Dancers intermix with the audience, and it is common for members to be invited onstage. “The whole show is one big celebration of dance,” Homer said. “It’s a whole collective experience as opposed to audience and performers.” It is this unique, collaborative energy of the performers and the crowd that the dancers enjoy most.

“Knowing that my student body is out there watching me is such a rush,” Dominique Malebranche, a sophomore member, said.

Dancing with the people that she has worked with for the past four years and being able to see the changes of Urbanite has been a rewarding experience, Homer said. “It is such a high; I would rather do this than anything else.”