The FootworKINGz (FWK) is an all-star ensemble featuring Chicago’s top footworkers. These young men range from ages 16-24 and represent the essence of strength, raw talent, extreme energy, and power. FWK’s ensemble includes Artistic Director, Charles “King Charles” Parks, the city’s undisputed champ. Other FWK members include choreographer/dancer, Jaron “Prince Jron” Boyd known for his ultra-smooth style and Trevell “Tee-Jay” Johnson, the pride of Chicago’s west side.
FWK was founded in 2007 by Leida “Lady Sol” Villegas, as a professional dance ensemble with a mission to attract global recognition to Chicago’s unique style of footwork. Footworkin’ is an extremely energized, lower body movement that evolved as a response to House and Juke (a highly sped up House sound up to 160bpm) music. The Chicago Tribune has described it as “part tap, African tribal, and breaking.” “This style has been around for over twenty years, and we want it to be exposed in the mainstream and all over the world,” says King Charles.
King Charles and Prince Jron recently toured on Madonna’s “Sticky & Sweet” World Tour 2008-2009. Both are featured in Madonna’s new music video “Celebration.” FWK members have also appeared as a Top 20 act on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” Season 4, Ellen Degeneres’ Really Big Show ‘07 for TBS, VH-1 Hip Hop Honors ’07 with Missy Elliott, and MTV’s “My Block Chicago.” They have been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Cover of Red Eye Paper, NBC 5 Morning News, Rolling Stone Magazine and Verizon Wireless “Do The Juke” phone commercial.
In October 2009, FWK will release “Take Flight,” the first, quality DVD about Chicago’s “footwork” style including the development of the FootworKINGz project. “We are very excited to release this extraordinary mini-doc and present these incredibly talented young men to the world,” states Ms. Villegas, Manager of the FootworKINGz.
FWK has been featured on local and global stages including New York’s Lincoln Center Outdoor Stage, Chicago’s “Looptopia,” Juste De Bout 2008 in Paris, Aids Run / Walk Chicago ‘08, Chicago’s Navy Pier, “Hip Hop Generation Next” in NYC, Steppenwolf Theater with Kuumba Lynx, Mc Donald’s World Wide Convention in Orlando, Weber State University in Utah, San Francisco Hip Hop Dance Festival, Best of Dance Chicago, and Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.
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