Rock Lock & Ya' Don't Stop!

This day-long event celebrates two early, iconic forms of street dance, Rocking & Locking, which predated Hip Hop yet have an enduring influence on the culture. While Rocking and Locking were created on opposite sides of the country in the early 1970s–NYC and Los Angeles, respectively–funk music provided the inspiration for both dance forms. Based on this shared love for similar music, this event will bring together members of these two dance communities to exchange with and learn from one another through a mix of panel discussions and dance workshops followed by a dance battle and party with an amazing line-up of local DJs. Co-organized by two local dance leaders and their groups –namely, Beon of Rock Dance Network and Aaron of Beantown Lockers–Rock, Lock, and Ya’ Don’t Stop will feature two pioneering tradition bearers from NYC who specialize in these dance forms, King UpRock and Shock A Lock whose bios follow below:

KING UPROCK: Ralph Casanova,  aka king Uprock, has been dancing and DJing for 50 years. As an old school hip hop pioneer he started the famous Dollar Jam in 1993 to promote affordable events for kids and communities. The goal was to teach kids break dancing and promote inner city culture in NY city and abroad. This helped keep the youth from drugs, violence and gangs. He has received Citations and Proclamations in Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Yonkers for giving back to the youth and their communities. The Dollar Jam is still thrown every year and Ralph also trains kids and adults at a boxing gym in NYC. He's internationally known for preserving Hip and Hop and Break Dance, which made its debut in the summer 2024 Olympics.

SHOCK A LOCK: Brooklyn-born and raised, Kevin Porter aka Shock A Lock is an original Locker who was instrumental in bringing Locking dance to New York City in the 70s following its creation in Los Angeles by Don “Campbellock” Campbell earlier that decade.  Shock A Lock is founder of the performance group Lockism, The World’s First Mimelockers, While staying true to the legacy of Locking, Shock A Lock also evolves the tradition through innovative performances.  In addition, Shock-A-Lock is an experienced teacher and his classes are geared to a broad range of dancers from professional dancers to new audiences with whom he shares his knowledge of Locking in a fun & accessible way that keeps the funky legacy of Locking alive.

Event Venue

The Foundry, 101 Rogers Street, Cambridge, United States