Alhassan Bangoura, John “Boodilla” King & René Thompson

2022 solo choreographers

Albassane Bangoura is the lead dancer and choreographer of Duniya Drum & Dance. They left Guinea and joined their brother Fode here in Minneapolis in 2015 after serving as assistant director and principal dancer under Les Ballets Africains, Sorel Conte, in his Conakry-based group, Wassasso.

John “Boodilla” King began his dance journey on the Southside streets of Chicago. He began locally teaching hip hop and Chicago Footwork with the After School Matters program, shortly followed by a high school tour in Chicago. Later he branched out and continued teaching classes in LA at Debbie Reynolds dance studio and in New York at EXPG dance studio. Boodilla was one of the original members of the Chicago Footworkingz ensemble (America's Best Dance Crew - Season 4). Boodilla has also performed in Las Vegas and has credits and appearances including Ellen Degeneres, New York City's - Lincoln Center, San Francisco, California with Micaya’s San Fransico Hip Hop Dance Fest, World Of Dance Chicago (2012 /2016). Boodilla's international teaching starting in the beginning of 2014. Boodilla did a European tour with Soul Footwork Organization and taught Chicago Footwork in UK London, Ireland, and Paris France at Juste Debout School. Then in 2015 and 2016, he made a push with a tour in Asia to Hong Kong and Japan. Boodilla's mission is to spread the culture of Chicago Footwork to the world and keep the legacy alive. His dance company Chicago Footworkingz includes legends and pioneers of the style who have helped document it's history and development thru the Footworkingz DVD "Take Flight" (the first quality DVD about Chicago "Footwork" style including the development of the Footworking project). He looks forward to continuing this journey with his current fam Creation Global and evolving the style to the next level.

René Dennis Thompson has been a professional Latin dancer for 37 years, 30 of those years as an instructor and choreographer. He began his career in Cuba in 1973 with a small role as an actor in the popular theater company "4 de Abil" under the direction of Tito Junco. Many other amateur theaters and dance companies helped him develop his artistic vocation. In the early 1980s, talent hunters discovered Rene's versatility and soon he became a great Afro-Cuban dancer, performing with several well-known choreographers, directors, and dance companies, further developing his unique style. 1986 brought him into the world of night shows at the most prestigious clubs in Cuba, such as the Tropicana. His energetic and charismatic dance got the attention of many famous choreographers and directors from all over the world. René has performed traditional Afro-Cuban and popular Latin dance all over the world and in many music videos and movies with popular U.S. and international artists, including Will Smith, John Leguizamo, Gloria Estefan, and the Miami Sound Machine. Born and trained in Cuba, René brings a wealth of knowledge of music and dance and its cultural context to his audience. He teaches the uniquely Cuban steps of Salsa, Cha-cha-cha, Rumba, Mambo, and other traditional Cuban rhythms. He always includes the heart of the Cuban style, which has its foundation in Africa and Spain, as well as his homeland of Cuba. René has been honored by the Federal Executive Board, USDA, Harrington Foundation, and Minneapolis Community College for his informative and unsightly talks and demonstrations about the rich history of his Afro-Cuban roots. renedance.com