About: History

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The history of the Funkbrella…in a nutshell.

Early 2001:          The concept of Funkanometry is conceived at a small café in Costa Mesa, CA among a group of friends and dancers.  Funkanometry Dance Company (LA) is founded by Janet Langer.

*FACT: The name ‘Funkanometry’ represented a formula for dance: a mix of varying styles with an educational twist.  The company operated under the tagline, “Formulating a different dance experience.”

Aug 2001:            Funkanometry (LA) debuts at the Irvine Spectrum Entertainment Center (Irvine, CA).

Oct 2002:            Funkanometry SF is founded by Kyle Wai Lin & Emerson Aquino in San Francisco, CA.

*FACT: Kyle was a former coordinator for Kaba Modern, and Emerson trained with Culture Shock San Diego and 220.

Mar 2003:           Funkanometry SF debuts at the “Episode Showcase” (Alameda, CA).

June 2005:          Funkanometry SF’s Southern California debut at “Bustagroove” (San Diego, CA).

July 2005:           1^st Summer Intensive for youth is held (Fremont, CA).

Aug 2005:           Funksters Youth Dance Company is founded to focus on training for young dancers.

Oct 2005:           Funkanometry San Diego is founded by Ray Benitez.

Oct 2006:           Funkanometry SF’s 1^st International performance – 6 members (Emerson, Gina, Rocko, Adela, Mariel, Slimjim) travel to Bogota, Colombia in response to an invitation by the Colombian government and perform at their annual Festivales de Danza.

Nov 2006:           Funkanometry SF’s 1^st National performance at Dance2xs’ “Urbanite” (Chicago, IL).

Funkanometry SF is awarded the GOLDIE Award (Guardian Outstanding Local Discovery) by the SF Bay Guardian newspaper.

Jan 2007:            Project EM (all-male company) is founded by Emerson Aquino.

Aug 2007:           Emerson & Bree from Funkanometry SF travel to the Philippines to do youth outreach for the Journey 2 Origin workshops.

July 2008:           De La Femme (all-female company) is founded by Paymaneh “Bibi” Khalili.

Funkanometry SF takes 3^rd place at the UK World Hip-hop Championships (Dancers: Rocko, Adela, Ellen, Julio, Valerie, Kyle H, Emerson, Bree).

The 1^st annual Sockhop Benefit Showcase is produced at the Regency Center, SF and presented to a sold out audience of 1400 people.

Oct 2008:            The Funkbrella Dance Company is founded by Gina Rosales & Emerson Aquino.

The 1^st annual Funkbrella Dance Company Auditions are held at City Dance, SF.

The Odds (collegiate competitive team) is founded.

Staff and company dancers from Funkanometry San Diego create PGN Dance Company.

Mar 2009:           Funksters places 1st at the “Quest for the Best” competition (San Francisco,CA).

Sept 2009:          Two new members are invited to join the Board of Directors: Irene Duller & Margaret Tobias.

Oct 2009:             Funkbrella celebrates our 1-year Anniversary and Funkanometry SF celebrates our 7-year anniversary!

*FACT: The ‘Funkbrella’ is short for the ‘Funkanometry SF Umbrella’.  Gina Rosales and Emerson Aquino came up with the name while having a sushi dinner in San Francisco with Slimjim.