Young dancers skillfully interweave Chinese cultural elements and historical stories into their street-dance performances in the talent show Great Dance Crew 2.[Photo provided to China Daily]
Five years ago, the online talent show Street Dance of China wowed viewers.
The show is widely regarded as the catalyst for what is now a flourishing street-dance culture in the country.
Since then, the show's chief director Lu Wei has been actively engaging with the street-dance community and annually produced highly acclaimed follow-ups. These programs reveal the boundless possibilities that arise from the fusion of different styles and capture the passion of street dancers from home and abroad.
The show's influence continues to gain momentum, as evidenced by the broadcast of an adapted version of its program format in Vietnam last April.
Through collaborations with renowned street-dance crews, workshops and behind-the-scenes features, Lu has established a solid connection with the street-dance community and has kept a finger on the pulse of its ever-evolving landscape.
He found that following the show's broadcast, street dance experienced a rapid surge in popularity, resulting in the springing up of numerous dance crews and studios across China.
However, the unforeseen arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic delivered a severe blow to the street-dance industry, leaving many local dance crews struggling to keep going.
