Valley-based hip-hop troupe Nebellen will bring their nontraditional stylings to a traditional forum this Sunday, as the dancers — clad in baggy jeans, colorful do-rags, belly-bearing tops and the occasional glow stick — take the stage at Scottsdale Center for the Arts.
The stylish and infectiously energetic troupe, founded in 2000 by Ellen Rath, 25, and Ben Howe, 27, will present “The Fifth Nebellen,” a two-hour-long showcase featuring hot music — from electronica to R&B — and even hotter moves, including break dancing and hip hop. It will be the group’s first performance without guest dancers, hence the subtitle: “Pure Nebellen.”

“This year is also special because we gave some of the dancers the opportunity to choreograph their own pieces,” said Howe. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Nebellen, an ethnically diverse group of dancers who range in age from 17 to 27, is comprised of 15 company members and six apprentices (essentially company members-in-training). Some, like Rath, a Ballet Arizona dancer, are classically trained, while others, like Howe, who perfected his moves in clubs, are self-taught. And many are current ASU students or — like Howe — Sun Devil alumni.

In fact, now that Howe’s done studying he can spend more time dancing — which means that Nebellen, which in the past has only performed once or twice per year, is getting more action.

“This is the first year (that) we’re going to do multiple performances; we have three scheduled so far. Now that I’m out of school, I have more time to devote to Nebellen. So, this year, we’re definitely going to have more of a presence here in the Valley.”

The troupe will perform later this year throughout Illinois, Pennsylvania and Iowa; Howe added that a third trip to China — six company members just returned from a tour last month — might also be in the works. Also, the group will perform June 19 in Prescott.

Trips to Pittsburgh and Prescott aren’t the only things on Howe’s agenda, though. Like many recent grads, he just scored a job — with Nebellen, of course.

“The board just decided that I will be Nebellen’s first part-time employee,” said Howe, who added that he and Rath — who are engaged — have long wanted to make a career out of Nebellen. “I’ll be taking over as general manager and doing some administrative things. We’re just doing it in baby steps — first me, then both of us then hopefully the dancers. But, you know, we’re on our way.”