It’s two thousand and freakin ten, and the Funkbrella wishes you a Happy New Year!  It’s been an amazing year for us in the Funkbrella, and we have a lot to be thankful for.  Here’s a little re-cap of the events of 2009:

The Funkbrella in 2009

January

• Funks starts an after-school program at Burton High School (SF Hunter’s Point)
• Project EM performs for the very first time in Southern California @ VIBE and debuts their medley, “Project EM Academy.”
• 6 dancers go to the Philippines with Journey 2 Origin to teach free dance workshops to youth.

• Funks after-school program at Youth Empowerment School (Oakland)

February

• Funks performs @ Northeastern University, UC Santa Barbara “Western Regional Queer Conference“
• 7th Annual Funks SF Auditions
• Funks SF & Project EM travels to the east coast to showcase at FR3SH’s 1st “Main Event” Showcase.

March

• De La Femme, Project EM, Funks, The Odds peforms at Battlefest Live – “Most fun onstage all year ” – Bibi
• The Odds places 3rd & Funkanometry SF wins Hall of Fame award!

April

• 1st ever Funkbrella Company Orientation @ Women’s Building, SF
• Warriors Game with Funksters!
• Funks performs in Colorado at Verve Showcase
• The Odds performs at Fusion X.
• FUNKBRELLA GETS AN OFFICE @ 99 Colton Street!!! Office Warming Party follows…

May

• Funksters places 1st in the “Quest for the Best” Youth talent Showcase, SF!

• 1st Funkbrella Artistic Training Workshop with Samath Orm
• Funks performs @ FUZ

June

• Project EM debuts their new medley at “Body Rock” in their 2nd appearance in Southern California.
• Funks ladies perform at Sisterz of the Underground anniversary party @ Club 6ix, SF
• 1st Funkbrella rehearsal @ SF State

July

• THE SOCKHOP: PART DEUX! @ Regency Grand Ballroom, SF
• The Sockhop Olympics, Welcome Dinner, SF Tour, & Workshop
• Project EM collaborates with De La Femme for the very first time – “Femme & EM”
• FunkSTARS! & Summer Intensive for youth

August

• Funks performs at Best of the Bay party @ Mezzanine, SF & HHDF Fundraiser show @ Dance Mission
• 1st ever Funkbrella Summer Sessions Showcase, SOLD OUT @ Brava Theater, SF! Over 100 dancers registered for summer programs!

September

• 1st Funkbrella ENGAGEMENT! Dave Le (Project EM) proposes to Val Uy (Funks/De La Femme) during Project EM and De La Femme rehearsal. Congrats to the first Funkbrella couple!

• Funkbrella Board Meeting welcomes 2 new Board Members: Irene Duller & Margaret Tobias!
• Funksters Auditions
• Strategic Planning Meeting with directors
• After-school program at Galileo High School, SF

October

• Funkbrella @ World of Dance, San Mateo – Funksters places 2nd and wins “Crowd Favorite”!



• After-school program at Balboa HS, SF

November

• Funks performs “I’m Not Your Toy” at SF Hip-hop Dancefest 11th annual show. 4 Funks girls adorn the posters.

December

• City Dance Show @ Cowell Theater, SF
• 8th Annual Funks auditions
• Funkbrella gives FREE HUGS in Union Square, SF!

Thanks for an amazing year! 2010 has even more in store for the Funkbrella, so keep up with us!

= )