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The King of Pop might be gone, but his influence continues to inspire performers young and old.
The 10-member Lil’ Chaos dance group made up of middle- and high-school-aged students had the crowd at the Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., screeching with every shoulder jolt and clawed-wrist swing. The Oct. 20 tribute to Michael Jackson by the after-school group at United Communities of Southeast Philadelphia, 2029 S. Eighth St., was part of the nonprofit Southeast Philadelphia Collaborative’s Third Annual After School Idol Talent Show. The top dancing, singing and instrumental acts earned individual recognition, including Lil’ Chaos, who took home first prize in the dance category.
"[Jackson’s] music is universal �– it resonates with the whole world," Melissa Keith, the group’s organizer, said.
The competition give its member agencies, based in the 19147 and 19148 ZIP codes, a chance to work together and learn about each other.
"This is also something that the youngsters can come to and show off," Margaret Baldwin, Idol committee co-chairwoman, said.
The night had 11 performers with each representing one of the nine organizations that make up the collaborative. According to the organization, the nine groups serve 1,500 children in South Philadelphia.
The Midnight Dreamers, a team of South Philadelphia High break dancers, also represented United Communities. The performers took turns twisting and zigzagging their limbs while in the center of a semi-circle. Spectators applauded at the one-handed rhythmic hops.
"I’m not a one-dimensional person," group member Marcel Mamadou said. "I need to have different things underneath my belt."
A few of the previous winners also performed. Fifteen-year-old Donnetta Street of Bok Tech took the title two years ago for her song, "Vow to the Lord." The resident of Fifth and Morris streets now volunteers for Variety, an after-school program geared towards helping kids with mental and physical disabilities.
"It’s about playing to your strengths," Brad Baldia, the collaborative’s director, said. "We want people to take advantage or volunteer with some of these groups — to realize that these opportunities are out there."
Before closing the show, Zhang Sah Martial Arts, 530 Bainbridge St., had a small group of students ages demonstrated their craft. Seventeen-year-old Ishmael Jackson leaped over a pyramid of five others to kick a wooden board held by his instructor, Marcas Dargan, a sophomore at Community College of Philadelphia.
"It’s sort of a lifestyle," Dargan said of martial arts. "It’s really fun to learn something that was passed down from decade to decade. You learn how to become a better person."
