In-synch
Hollywood Vibe returns in search of top dancers
By Matt “It’s MillerTime” Miller
Rustin Matthews knows the Midwest well. Although the 32-year-old professional dancer now resides along the west coast, the Iowa native is grateful for where he grew up — along the Mississippi River. Matthews was born in Morrison, Ill., but lived in eastern Iowa until 6th grade. The former Iowan will make a return trip home this weekend as he and Hollywood Vibe look to open new doors for youth eager to start a dance career.
“Our goal at Hollywood Vibe is to provide the opportunity to youth to get their foot in the door for dancing,” said Christopher Smith, director of Hollywood Vibe. “We want people to know there can be a career in the dance business. We enjoy meeting youth and offer them a helping hand in reaching for their dreams.”
Hollywood Vibe will visit Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium on Saturday, Nov. 21 and Sunday, Nov. 22, bringing choreographers directly from Los Angeles to work with dancers to provide instruction and insight. Faculty will teach classes in Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical Jazz and Musical Theater. Local dancers from Dance Vision in Johnston will be competing, along with dancers from the Quad Cities. Faculty will teach dancers about style during the daytime, and competitions will be held at night.
Hollywood Vibe, which has previously visited Davenport and Cedar Rapids, was created in 1998 as a convention-only company, but recently added the competition element, where dancers perform for awards such as Outstanding Choreography, Most Entertaining, Best Costume and Overall High Score. The organization also offers scholarships to The Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles and the Broadway Dance Center in New York City, along with scholarships on at the national scene. This year’s nationals will be held in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Los Angeles.
“The evolution of dance has greatly changed over the years, so we are always coming up with new routines that will appeal to dancers and audiences,” said Matthews, whose career has allowed him to appear in commercials for Ipod, Blockbuster, Visa and McDonalds.
Matthews has also seen first-hand how dance routines have increased in degree of difficulty. Dancers have pushed the envelope by performing riskier tricks and acts to gain judge’s attention. Matthews and Smith also credits TV programming like Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” which has highlighted the popularity of contemporary dance.
“Ten years ago, youth wouldn’t think about doing all these different dance disciplines,” Smith said. “Society has warmed up to the idea of new dance, and we’re here to help embrace that, too.”
Entering his sixth year with Hollywood Vibe, Matthews believes you don’t have to be from of the country’s biggest cities to be discovered.
“Dance talent can be found all over the country, even in the Midwest,” Matthews said. “We’ve had a lot of success in Iowa, and we hope to continue that.”
And while Matthews admits that his dance career has taken him long away from Iowa, he is still eager to return and share his love of dancing with others.
“I enjoy being an inspiration to the youth,” he said. “I grew up a Hollywood Vibe kid and always wanted to become one. Now that I’ve been given the opportunity, I’m trying to inspire others to do the same thing.”
Locker Room note: The Gym Rats Fall Brawl will take place Saturday, Nov. 21 and Sunday, Nov. 22 at Fligg Fieldhouse, 3305 S.E. Delaware Ave., in Ankeny. The basketball tournament will feature 42 teams from all over the Midwest. For more information, call 451-5635 or e-mail todd@iowagymrats.com. CV
Caption: Participants to Hollywood Vibe can earn scholarships, which may also ultimately lead them to a career in dance. Photo courtesy of Dave Burrows
