Dance2Connect, founded by Matt Sczerzek, is a professional programme bringing street and contemporary dancers together in a supported space for exchange, growth and creative connection.
The programme returns this year for its 8th edition, with Spanish artist Arias Fernandes mentoring selected dancers across a variety of disciplines.
Below, Matt Sczerzek talks dance, community and the street dancing style that changed his life...
Krump emerged in central Los Angeles in the 1990s, originating from "clown" dancing — a high-energy genre created to entertain crowds and uplift communities. Krump followed soon after, incorporating elements of clowning such as explosive arm swings and chest pops, while shedding some of its lightness and humour to become something deeper: a powerful voice for a young migrant generation in the United States.
Watch a clip from the 2005 Krump documentary Rize
Short for Kingdom Radically Uplifted Mighty Praise, Krump is a form of movement prayer and a tool for connecting to one's own body. It provided an outlet for those facing racism, poverty and hopelessness - a way to channel grief through movement and reclaim empowerment. Its impact resonated across communities worldwide, offering a platform to shout back at hardship and oppression. Thanks to its originators, TightEyez and Mijo, and the groundbreaking film Rize, Krump spread rapidly throughout the 1990s and early 2000s to Asia, Australia, Europe and Latin America. Over 30 years on, that same sense of collective defiance feels more relevant than ever.
My aim through this programme, and through all my work, is to ensure that street dance and Krump continue to be nurtured and grow in Ireland.
Krump arrived in Ireland in the early 2000s through dancers such as Paul Eazy, Dylan Chapman, Jah (a.k.a. Child Cyborg), and many others who laid the foundations of the scene. Coming from rich cultural backgrounds, they had a huge influence on me as a Polish migrant. I arrived in Ireland in 2008 with a strong background in hip-hop, breaking and house, and encountering the Krump scene was eye-opening. Nothing had ever given me the same sense of empowerment. It was life-changing. I saw how deeply empowered the community was and experienced an immense sense of release through this way of moving.
At that time, Dublin felt like a true melting pot, a city where dance forms such as Krump and hip-hop were emerging through a close-knit community. Although austerity measures had darkened our doors, people continued to come together to create. It was through this introduction to the Krump community that I established Dance2Connect: a platform where artists from street and contemporary disciplines could meet in a professional, supported space to foster connection and release through creative movement.
My aim through this programme, and through all my work, is to ensure that street dance and Krump continue to be nurtured and grow in Ireland. By merging these styles with other disciplines in both professional and non-professional settings, we can expand the community and bring more people into it.
The grief experienced by migrant youth over 30 years ago in the US continues today, and it has sadly seeped into contemporary Ireland. This reality is painful and confusing for many of us. Yet we continue to hold space for those who wish to release this collective grief - unfiltered and potent - channelling the rage and energy of 1990s US dance activists into a creative force for good.
Supported by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Dance Ireland and Luail – Ireland's National Dance Company, Dance2Connect returns this year with Spanish artist Arias Fernandes mentoring selected dancers across disciplines. Applications are open until 9th February - find out more here
