Pockemon crew

Artistic direction: Riyad Fghani

Creation: 1996-1997

The company’s story begins in 1996-1997: a group of hip-hop dancers practised in the streets of Lyon and its suburbs, then under the arches at the entrance of the Opera House. In the course of encounters, exchanges and reflections, a team of eight dancers was formed and decided to export their skills beyond the boundaries of the city.

In 1999 they won their first battle in Grenoble during the Total Session. From then on, they adopted the name Pockemon Crew. Some years later, a series of victories thrust them to the pinnacle of their art: French hip-hop dance champions (Montpellier) in August 2003, world champions (Hannover, Germany) in October the same year, and finally European champions (London, United Kingdom) in July 2004. After such acclaim, the “group” became the Pockemon Crew “company” with an identity rooted in the energy which the dancers are constantly developing, along with a real desire to share. Today, Pockemon Crew consists of twenty dancers, aged between 17 and 26. Based on creation as much as teaching (going beyond all divisions, whether generational, social, artistic…), the company’s approach is now well established. This has in turn given birth to Smockemon, a new generation of breakdancers, and Pockepop, dancers – who stay upright – specialising in smurf and popping. A permanent laboratory, the group’s work can be characterised by its association of technique with aesthetics. In 2003, following months of consultation between the dancers and those who support the administrative and artistic side of their work, the “Qui fait ça? Kiffer ça!”* Association was born, which provides a structure for the collaboration between Pockemon Crew and the Opéra de Lyon. The sharing of skills and the energy which it generates are focused on developing the company’s choreographic and stage work. The dynamic impetus which drives this hard core forward is the unity and mutual understanding of the dancers. Together they create a dance language, even new movements, out of an open environment oriented towards the future, without ever betraying the “underground” roots of hip-hop dance – that is, the street – from which they continue to draw their inspiration.

* A play on: “Who’s doing that?” and “Get a kick out of that!” (Two expressions that sound the same in French.)

Source : Pockemon Crew

More information : pockemon-crew.net