We’re excited to welcome Sammy Mac to Funk Lab Dance Center on November 29 for a special House dance class! This is a fantastic opportunity to train with one of the best in the street-dancers in the world.
About Sammy Mac:
Samuel “Sammy Mac” McIntosh is a dancer, choreographer, and Hip Hop ambassador specializing in street styles, particularly popping, animation, and boogaloo. He has studied with some of the most influential pioneers: Poppin’ Pete, “Jazzy J”, Sweepy, the Electric Boogaloo’s, Slick Dogg of G-Style, Brian “Footwork” Green, Elite Force Crew, and others.
He holds a degree in Arts Administration from Baldwin Wallace University and has received several prestigious recognitions, including the 2019 Cleveland Arts Prize Verge Fellowship and the 2020 Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award.
Sammy is the founder of the 10K Movement, a platform dedicated to preserving, presenting and cultivating authentic Hip Hop and street-dance culture in greater Cleveland and beyond. He believes deeply in the values of Hip Hop culture- Peace, Unity, Love, Having Fun, and Knowledge, as tools for empowerment, individualism, and community change.
Classes
Ages 7-11: Noon-1p (no experienced needed)
Ages 12-17: 1-2p
Ages 18+: 2-3p
Class is $20
WHAT IS HOUSE DANCE?
House dance is a street dance style that originated in the underground club scene of Chicago and New York in the late 1970s and 1980s. It’s danced to house music and is known for its freedom, rhythm, and soulful expression.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
What House Dance Looks Like
Fast, intricate footwork (often called “jacking,” “skating,” “stomping,” etc.)
Loose, groovy upper-body movement
A strong focus on flow, musicality, and freestyle
Movements that feel bouncy, smooth, and grounded
Core Elements
Jacking – a foundational groove driven by the torso
Footwork – quick, rhythmic steps using patterns, direction changes, and floor control
Lofting – smoother, more fluid movements; sometimes includes floorwork
What Makes House Dance Unique
It’s very individual- no one “right” way to do it
The focus is on feeling the music, not memorizing choreography
It blends influences from Hip Hop, Latin dances, tap, Capoeira, African dance, and jazz
Why Dancers Love It
House dance is fun, social, and expressive. Dancers often describe it as a “conversation with the music” because house tracks have layers and rhythms that invite creativity.