To mark the 200th anniversary of Johann Strauss II – the Waltz King and Austrian composer of the world-famous piece “The Blue Danube” – we present a visionary reinterpretation of this classical masterpiece.
“The Blue Danube” like you’ve never heard it before:
In collaboration with Berlin’s Flying Steps Academy and with the support of Vienna’s renowned Elmayer Dance School, we transform this waltz classic into a new sonic and visual experience – combining elegance with urban power. When classical tradition meets hip-hop, and Vartan Bassil and Luwam Russom set the rhythm, it becomes more than a choreography – it becomes a cultural statement.
The musical arrangement by Gejza Jurth, produced by the acclaimed duo Buchmann & Kasper (Ambassade Orchestra Vienna), brings together two worlds in a strikingly unexpected way.
The performance is accompanied by the Deutsche Sinfonietta Berlin. Founded in 2019 by artistic director Dirk Wucherpfennig, the Deutsche Sinfonietta brings together young, highly motivated musicians – including fellows from Germany’s most prestigious orchestras, members of internationally recognized ensembles, and award-winning soloists. With their dynamic energy and exceptional virtuosity, they create a unique soundscape that powerfully underscores the fusion of classical and contemporary music.
On November 15, the grand ballroom of Berlin’s Rotes Rathaus belongs to the young talents of the Flying Steps Academy. They bring this bold arrangement to life – demonstrating how classical music and urban dance merge seamlessly in rhythm and soul.
The Urban Waltz is more than just a reinterpretation – it’s the realization of a long-held vision.
Founder and artistic director Sajeh Tavassoli has spent over a decade dreaming of a sophisticated, contemporary form of ballroom dance that blends tradition and modernity on equal footing.
The Urban Waltz is born: a new dance project that fuses the flowing elegance of the 3/4 waltz rhythm with the punch and presence of a 4/4 hip-hop beat – musically, choreographically, and visually.
The debutante concept breaks with old conventions: instead of white, bold red lights up the dancefloor; instead of patent leather shoes, sneakers set the tone. The result: a choreography that builds bridges not only between styles, but also between generations and identities.
With the support of the Austrian National Tourist Office, this visionary new composition becomes reality – and the powerful opening moment of the HipHop Ball.
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