Join us for the 14th Annual inspireJAM All-Styles 2v2 Battle!

Hosted by the University of Rochester Program of Dance and Movement

📍 Sloan Performing Arts Center | 🗓️ Saturday, February 7, 2026

Keeping in context with hip-hop culture, the event features a DJ, emcee, and three judges from different dance styles, who also showcase their own dance expertise, and teach workshops open to our students and the community. The battle ends with open cyphering, a dance circle where all audience members are welcome to dance together. Our judges have come from New York City, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Rochester, and more. This year, special guest judge Ephrat "Bounce" Asherie will be joining as a guest judge. (Also, catch the one-night-only performance of Ephrat Asherie Dance's "Shadow Cities" the night before on February 6, 2026!)

Event Schedule

• 12:30pm - 1:30pm Workshop with guest judge Ephrat "Bounce" Asherie
• 1:30pm - 2:30pm Workshop with guest judge LaTasha Barnes
• 1:30pm - 2:45pm Battle Registration for competitors
• 3:00pm 2v2 All-Styles Battle begins
• 4:00pm Judges Showcase / Guest Performance by FreeFlow / Finals
• 5:15pm Open Cypher (everyone's welcome to dance!)

Battle Details

• All styles welcome: 2v2 format
• 1st Place Prize: $350
• Judges: Ephrat "Bounce" Asherie, LaTasha Barnes, VIL
• With DJ ha-MEEN and MC John Blackshear!

Tickets

• $10 to battle (Early-bird rate: $5 if competitors register by February 1 via email to m.p.smith@rochester.edu)
• $5 to watch or take workshop
• UR & RIT Students free with ID

Location

The Sloan Performing Arts Center is on the University of Rochester River Campus

407 Alumni Rd., Rochester, NY 14627

Parking is free on campus on weekends. 

For more information, post here, or email Missy at m.p.smith@rochester.edu