Flashmob surprises Mohombi at Ottawa’s Major’s Hill Park

Brian Tong, of Start Up Dance (Twitter/YouTube), is an 86′ baby who loves dancing, marketing, and anything artistic in Ottawa. Brian continues to search and find hidden talents that deserves the spotlight and give these artists some hometown hero love.

One adventure to another, there’s always a surprise in Ottawa.

That being said, the surprise I’m writing about now was on Mohombi, the multimillion hit wonder who is signed to Lady Gaga’s famous producer’s (RedOne) label who was recently surprised by possibly over 1,500 people in a one shot Ottawa flashmob.

Given the task on our end, our goal was to keep it a secret and surprise the artist himself during this live concert.

It was nerve-racking, but alas: we pulled it off at Major’s Hill Park.

For those who claim there’s nothing to do in Ottawa, pay attention, listen up and start looking: there’s plenty of things to do and get involved with.

Until our next surprise (which is soon) enjoy this video and lets hope we can get ready for Bluesfest. It’s going to be wild.

Thanks Brian!

French fun: Start Up Dance invites you to be a part of Festival Franco-Ontarien

Franco-Ontariens crowd Ottawa’s Major’s Hill Park every June for the annual Festival Franco-Ontarien.

Brian Tong, of Start Up Dance (Twitter/YouTube), is an 86′ baby who loves dancing, marketing, and anything artistic in Ottawa. Brian continues to search and find hidden talents that deserves the spotlight and give these artists some hometown hero love.

The Festival Franc0-Ontarien is one of the proudest moments for local francophones around the nation’s capital. And we must say, we’re proud to be a part of it. On June 14th – 16th, Start Up Dance members — as well as thousands of francophone lovers — will come out and celebrate with music, food and maybe a little dance at Major’s Hill Park.

The Festival Franco-Ontarien (http://www.ffo.ca/) is held every year during the month of June and serves as a host to showcase french-speaking artists at a local and national level as well as celebrate francophone arts and culture. Be sure to purchase your three-day pass bandana (it serves as your access ticket) at one of two locations in the heart of downtown:  Librairie du Soleil (33 George St) and Piccolo Grande (55 Murray St.) We also have a little secret that’s exclusive to Local Tourists: For a limited time only, Piccolo Grande is promoting a 2 for 1 bandana deal, so be sure to shop around and grab it when you can to take part on this amazing festival.

Festival Franco-Ontarien runs from June 14-16

Also, there’s more! Start Up Dance, Energie 104.1 avec Franco-Ontarien Volunteers are taking part of a collective project with fellow participants in the audience for one of the most crazed projects in popular dance – the flash mob. Taught by the your very own team over at Start Up Dance and friends, we’re going to surprise the artists at that very moment! If you’re looking to be a part of this, come out to the first rehearsal TODAY at 2 pm on the Tabaret Hall lawn at the University of Ottawa (corner of Laurier and Cumberland).

If looking for more details, check out www.ffo.ca,  wwww.surprisemohombi.com or http://on.fb.me/flashmobfranco for detailed videos, vlogs and practices!

Laugh, live, dance! Brian promises that Start Up’s Groove Method will leave you smiling

For all the living room / bedroom / bathroom dancers out there, Brian has a class for you (Photo credit: Keturah Stickann, via Flickr)

Brian Tong, of Start Up Dance (Twitter/YouTube), is an 86′ baby who loves dancing, marketing, and anything artistic in Ottawa. Brian continues to search and find hidden talents that deserves the spotlight and give these artists some hometown hero love.

I don’t have rhythm. I can’t dance. Everyone’s going to watch me mess up. Does these words sound familiar to you? Don’t worry, we have all been there before.

Dance classes can be intimidating, especially when a series of lingo and hard choreography are coming at you without warning! Let me introduce you to the Groove Method! If there’s anything to look out for the new year, it’s definitely this fusion class with Culture Shock Canada that gives washroom dancers a workout like never before! 

Combining the concept of laughter, fun and dance – this mixture proved to be a successful recipe for a good time. Located in the Goodlife Fitness Centre in Rideau, this is one of the few classes that’s a hidden gem for Cardio Dance in Ottawa! 

Be sure to come by with your friends and really enjoy dancing to a whole new level without the stress. Groove to your favorite songs and express as you would in your own living room.  

We’re hosting a special edition class on Jan. 16th, 2012, where Groove Method x Culture Shock will give you a workout that leaves you smiling at the end. 

Thanks, Brian! Sounds like a perfect new challenge for those of us with two left feet. All the details can be found at www.startupdance.com.

Les Twins make a dance appearance on Ottawa’s Sparks Street

Brian Tong of Start Up Dance (blog/Twitter/YouTube) is an 86′ baby who loves dancing, marketing, and anything artistic in Ottawa. Brian continues to search and find hidden talents that deserves the spotlight and give these artists some hometown hero love.

This post is beyond the usual.

Sometimes as a Local Tourist here in Ottawa you may pass by some famous celebrities – if you’re lucky. But recently, after the announcement of Michael Jackson – The Immortal World Tour, the Capital was lucky to have the show’s dancers right here for a little vacation before starting work for Cirque Du Soleil.

French hip-hop dance duo Les Twins are world famous for the raw material in dance and recognized by the best – including Beyonce. Currently touring around the world and making appearances in shows, music videos and other work – they took the time off and became Local Tourists themselves.

As a dancer, I feel blessed to know that the grounds they danced on will be the same steps I’ll be walking over every day on my way to work.

Enjoy their piece danced on Sparks Street!

Urban and awesome: Brian already eagerly awaiting next year’s House of Paint

Photo Credit: Tjololo Photo via Flickr

Brian Tong of Start Up Dance (blog/Twitter/YouTube) is an 86′ baby who loves dancing, marketing, and anything artistic in Ottawa. Brian continues to search and find hidden talents that deserves the spotlight and give these artists some hometown hero love. 

Ottawa has so many hidden gems! As a local tourist, I hear that statement a lot, but had no idea House of Paint was literally hidden from the public eye. Located in between vibrant neighbourhoods — and more specifically, between a park and university — it’s definitely a hidden gem that holds the city’s most hyped about urban event of the year. Dedicated to the graffiti artists and those who support the art form, this event helps to raise awareness through dance, music and, of course, graffiti. (See more photos here and here.)

Photo Credit: fieldtripp via Flickr

The first time I heard about this event, I definitely thought it’d be focused towards a niche group of people and that I would feel like an outcast of the community. I was proven wrong; the very soul of the event was ALL about community. Never have I seen a group be so open and welcoming to everyone that visited the House of Paint: it was definitely something new in the nation’s capital. And I got a chance to watch these amazing dancers throw it down under the hidden bridge.

If the world’s best dancers was able to hear about this event, I believe our local tourists deserve to hear about it too. Enjoy this video by Michael Naprorkowski which features Ottawa’s own Flavor Factor Urban School giving a bit of love to the dance floor.

And stick around the House of Paint’s Facebook page to keep yourself updated for the upcoming year! Until then, keep on dancing Ottawa!

You may have to wait another whole year before the next House of PainT, but some of the group’s graffiti artists will be at OttawaU’s Frosh on Sept. 9. And still check out the graffiti keeping the Dunbar Bridge colourful!

Start Up Dance: Brian Tong kicks off his LTO exploration of Ottawa’s dance community

Photo Credit: startupdance.blogspot.com

Start Up Dance (Twitter/YouTube/Facebook) is run by an 86′ baby by the name of Brian Tong who loves dancing, marketing, and anything artistic in Ottawa. Brian continues to search and find hidden talents that deserves the spotlight and give these artists some hometown hero love. 

The movies, the stories, the culture, all the things you see on the big screen about love, music and dance are true (minus the cheesy acting) and can all be found in Ottawa. This amazing city hides a world of underground dancers that practice and compete for love and respect of the community, the best part is that they’re really good at what they do.  

Let me introduce you to the urban dance community that most of the mainstream media claim as hip hop. Ottawa’s urban dance scene has established Ottawa as one of the most talented cities around. A strong divide between Studio and Streets, these troupes and dancers work hard to perfect their craft to blend the two worlds together. 

Most recently, Ottawa’s own Remix Dance Academy hosted a highly anticipated showcase that included famous troupes that you may recognize on television such as So You Think You Can Dance. Before that, the amazing Illabilties Crew (who’d you recognize on both So You Think You Can Dance and America’s Got Talent) dropped by and judged a local competition for young break-dancers in the city.

Ottawa is filled with hidden gems, and our dance community is definitely one to look out for. Here at Local Tourist Ottawa, I’ll be sure to give you a heads up on showcases, workshops and other dance related events that you can enjoy. It is one thing to watch it on television and another to watch it live, so be sure to keep an eye out for future posts and who knows, you may realize one of the dancers could be your next door neighbour.  Until then here’s a sneak peak of Canadian Dance Factory and their project over at Carleton University:

Thanks Brian! We can’t wait to learn more about Ottawa’s dance community!