Hundreds of community members will gather at Peabody Charter elementary school on June 9 to learn, teach, and watch hip-hop and breakdance at Everybody Dance Now!’s breakdance workshop.
Everybody Dance Now! is a youth-run nonprofit that provides free dance programs to local young people who would otherwise lack access to such opportunities.
Since its foundation in 2005, the high school leadership team has reached over 2,000 students in Santa Barbara County.
Senior Jess Davis began volunteering with Everybody Dance Now! in Dec. of 2009 as a Leader-in-Training. For the past three years Jess has worked to not only sustain EDN!’s local outreach, but has spearheaded EDN!’s expansion into a national network of affiliated programs.
She has served as the Executive Director of the organization since Sept. 2011 and has worked to establish twelve new chapters across the country.
For Jess’ participation in Laguna Blanca’s Senior Project experience—a two-week opportunity for seniors to enter the workplace and explore potential career interests—Jess will be working full time on Everybody Dance Now!’s latest project: Breakdance Project Santa Barbara.
This will be the organization’s third and most anticipated workshop since its launch in 2011. The past events have served a collective 300 people—people of all ages and backgrounds.
“Something that is lacking in our community is a sense of unification between young and old, and between people of different experiences.
“Everybody Dance Now! believes in bringing together our community in establishing a supportive, accepting, and encouraging environment in which Santa Barbara young people can engage in positive activities,” said Jess.

“The previous events were incredible. I had the opportunity to witness my friends and family, Everybody Dance Now! students and leaders, public officials, and community members from all sectors of Santa Barbara united through dance. It was so inspiring to see a 10-year-old EDN! student dancing next to City Council member Grant House.”
Breakdance Project has not only grasped the attention of the dance community, but its message has resonated with an entire collective.
Local father of two and Everybody Dance Now! supporter James Badham said of the event,
“You are doing this with a lot of people who are very much younger than you, maybe older than you, it’s people from all over the community…You don’t have that many places, anywhere, where people from all socioeconomic backgrounds mix like this. Then there are these young people who breakdance really well—they are athletic, acrobatic, artistic, and full of expression.”
Recently deceased Babatunde Folyaemi—an international activist and former Santa Barbara City Council Member—was one of the first supporters of the event.
At EDN!’s inaugural workshop, Babatunde delivered the keynote speech, saying “This is what we work for. This is the future.”
In memory of Babatunde’s dedicated advocacy for youth and mentorship of the EDN! Leaders, the team will honor him with a brief ceremony at the beginning of the workshop.
“Babatunde was such a believer in the ability of youth to create positive change today. Young people are often told that we are the future, but EDN! is uprooting that perception,” Jess said.
“One of the great aspects of it is that this is teenagers doing this on their own…bringing people together. When you see this expression of teen energy and activity and concern, it’s really moving,” said Mr. Badham
For this event, the leadership team has expanded the Breakdance Project model to include other elements of breakdance culture. In an effort to discourage vandalism and to recognize the artistic value of the medium, EDN! is launching a graffiti art venture.
Local graffiti artists will not only display their own work at the workshop, but they will also help young participants in creating their own art.
All members of the Laguna Blanca community are encouraged to attend this free event.
Breakdance Project Santa Barbara will take place on June 9 from 2-5pm and is open to all ages.
No dance experience is required, and participants are welcome to simply enjoy the performances. The first 50 people to arrive will receive a free Breakdance Project 2012 T-shirt.
For more information about Everybody Dance Now! or Breakdance Project Santa Barbara contact Jess at [email protected] or visit the organization’s website: www.everybodydancenow.org.