Hip-Hop Homelands: Lotus Bomb & Janice Tomlinson
Dance Artists Lotus Bomb & Janice Tomlinson expand on their 2023 work-in-progress collaborative project with "Are You Having Fun? Yes, Yes I Am" as part of Pepatian's 6th annual Hip-Hop Homelands initiative.
Hip-Hop Homelands aims to amplify and support artists of color and the Bronx dance community. Funding is generously provided by public funds from the Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York State Council on the Arts, and individual donors to Pepatián.
About Janice Tomlinson
Janice Tomlinson (she/her) was born and raised in the Bronx. She graduated from CUNY Hunter College with a baccalaureate degree in Biology and Dance. In addition, she has a BSN in nursing and also works as a Registered Nurse. Janice has a dance background in hip-hop, West African, reggae, dancehall, jazz, ballet, contemporary, and modern. She also trained and performed abroad in Spain and Switzerland. She has worked with many brilliant artists including legendary B-girl Rokafella, Kwikstep, & the Full Circle Souljahs, Robin Dunn, Doug Varone & Dancers, and Marjani Forté-Saunders. Janice has presented her own choreographic works at Pregones Theatre, BAAD! Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, Triskelion Arts, Alvin Ailey Studios, Peridance’s Salvatore Capezio Theater, STEPS on Broadway Studio Theater, and Dance New Amsterdam. Ultimately, Janice aims to combine her passions for dance and nursing in order to narrow the gaps in healthcare disparities. She strongly believes dance can be used as a vehicle for change and, along with nursing, she hopes to make a positive impact on the public health system.
About Lotus Bomb
Alexamarie “Lotus Bomb” Alerte born in Manhattan and raised in Long Island, NY; started her dance career at the bright young age of 2 years old at her local dance studio. Lotus has since acquired a fundamental Ballet Technique from the most prestigious school on the eastern coast including: Dance Theatre of Harlem, Alvin Ailey, and Broadway Dance Center. Throughout her career, Lotus has studied foundations of Hip- Hop, Modern, and Contemporary Jazz driving her to fall in love with Street Style dances such as Krump, Flexn, and House. Through the street styles, she became particularly attached to Krump finding a different form of freedom.
Humbly starting her Krump career within her local community of Concrete City in 2017; her hunger for more knowledge peaked once learning from an East Coast Krump Legend, Spartan, where she later joined his Krump Fam. Since, she has created a name for herself, using a combination of styles acquired to create a unique experience as she engages in battles, performances, and videos. Lotus has demonstrated dedication to cross breeding her styles in all movement asked of her.
Even though Lotus is known for her outrageously bright hair and unmatched movement, she has become more and more vocal in Women’s Safety in the dance industry. Featured on panels discussions, board meetings and interviews openly discussing her bold position of combatting sexual harassment within the dance industry. She hopes to continue that discussion openly and has gone as far as creating a full brand, Been Dat Bihhh, that creates a safe space for all artists especially women and LGBTQI+ Community to create with a peace of mind.
