Record #: R2021-402   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 4/21/2021 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 4/21/2021
Title: Tribute to late Adolfo Quinones and designation of May 11, 2021 as The Godfather of Street Dance Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones Day in Chicago
Sponsors: Burnett, Jr., Walter, La Spata, Daniel
Attachments: 1. R2021-402.pdf

City Council Meeting April 21, 2021

 

An Honorary Resolution establishing May 11, 2021, as The Godfather of Street Dance Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones Day in the City of Chicago

 

 

WHEREAS, Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones, native to Chicago Illinois born on May 11, 1955, a world class, dancer, choreographer, actor, teacher, entertainer, entrepreneur and global phenomenon known as, THE GODFATHER OF "STREET DANCE", exited this world on December 30, 2020, in Los Angeles, California; and,

 

WHEREAS, the legacy of "Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones is recognized world-wide but as we all relate, there is just no place like home. Although his home in the Cabrini Green Housing Projects no longer exists, the stories are rich with those that rose above and left a path for others to follow; and,

 

WHEREAS, Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones was a student at Talcott Elementary School, learned how to shoot pool at the Union League Boys and Girls Club, and had a fondness for the famous "Rosie" sandwich from Ohio Street; and,

 

WHEREAS, Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones attended Cooley High School along with other Chicago notables and ironically appeared on an episode of the 70s hit television series, What's Happening, created as a spin-off of the film Cooley High written by Chicago native Eric Monte; and,

 

WHEREAS, Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones was an original Soul Train Dancer in Chicago, Illinois, and Los Angeles, California, and danced as a partner to his sister, teacher and mentor, Ms. Fawn Quinones; and,

 

WHEREAS, Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones was an original founding member of "The Lockers Dance Group" originally known as The Campbell Lockers; and,

 

WHEREAS, Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones played a pivotal role in the evolution of pop locking, break dancing, robotics, and perfecting the craft of jazz dancing, often performing to freestyle and hip hop music; and,

 

WHEREAS, Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones revolutionized musical television programming by portraying a dancing doctor on NBC's 1979 series, The Big Show; and,

 

WHEREAS, Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones was best-known for the role of Orlando, better known as "OZONE", in the 1984 hit cult film classics, Breakin', as well as in its sequel, Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo; and,

 

WHEREAS, Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones contributed to the reclassification of the underground club scene dance style known as "WAACKIN"' and/or "PUNKING", which

 

 

has a counterpart known as "VOGUING" made popular by the Queen of Pop, Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone, who was choreographed by Shabba-Doo for her 1987 "WHO'S THAT GIRL" tour; and,

 

WHEREAS, Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones worked as a choreographer and dance consultant for Lionel Ritchie, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Bette Midler, and Luther Vandross, among other artists, and appeared in Chicago native Chaka Khan's music video, "I Feel For You"; and,

 

WHEREAS, Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones made history as the first street dancer to choreograph the 78th Annual Academy Awards musical performance by Three Six Mafia; and,

 

WHEREAS, Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones produced dance workshop master classes in Poland, Russia, Sweden, Rome, Japan, United Kingdom, and his hometown of Chicago, Illinois; and,

 

WHEREAS, Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones created his own personal dance style known as "Shway", and has a legion of followers in the dance community that often imitate his famous dance moves known as "The Ozone"; and,

 

WHEREAS Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones was the pioneer Bob Fossi of Streets, and because of his impact on the world of street dancing, a form of Street dancing known as "BREAK DANCING" has been approved as an Olympic Sport for the 2024 Paris Games; and,

 

WHEREAS, Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones danced to bring violence to an end and danced for peace and encouraged others less fortunate to follow his lead; and,

 

WHEREAS, Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones showed those destined to crime and violence, such as troubled youth and gang members, that there was hope and a better way to resolve their issues through the art form of street dancing; and,

 

WHEREAS, Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones, a beloved Son, Brother, Father and mentor was a real-life example of not only overcoming his circumstances but setting a stage for others to dance away from the only life they knew; and,

 

WHEREAS, Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones served as an inspiration to all dancers and our youth transcending generations to come.

 

BE IT RESOLVED, That we the City Council of the Chicago of Chicago declare, in honor of the 66th anniversary of the birth of "Adolfo "Shabb-Doo Quinones, that May 11, 2021, shall be known as THE GODFATHER OF STREET DANCE, "ADOLFO "SHABBA-DOO" QUINONES DAY in the City of Chicago; and,

 

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones, and we hope his loved ones left behind find this honor as a source of comfort of his memory and legacy.

Walter Burnett Jr                     jf                     ;                     Daniel UfSpata

Alderman ,27th Ward                     Alderman, 15t Ward