Artist Bio

Haleem “Stringz” Rasul is a Detroit-based dance performing artist, choreographer, and artist-educator, proficient in the Detroit cultural dance form known as the Jit. As a dance ambassador for the city of Detroit, Haleem’s mission is to continue expanding creative heights for Detroit’s own unique movements.

Haleem has taught dance workshops and presented choreography at Columbia College Chicago, Eastern Michigan University, Oakland Community College, Wayne State University, the University of Michigan, California State University, and has also given international workshops in Windsor and Quebec, as well as parts of China and Sweden.

Haleem was awarded the Kresge Artist Fellowship in 2010 and was a recipient of the Knights Arts Challenge grant in 2013. Haleem released his film documentary entitled The Jitterbugs: Pioneers of the Jit, the first documentary to detail the origins of the Jit dance form. In 2018, Haleem served as a King•Chavez•Parks Visiting Professor at The University of Michigan. He was presented with The Copperfoot Award for choreography from Wayne State University in 2019.

Learn More

“Detroit Jit, A 80s Street Dance Reborn and Revved Up” from the New York Times

Frequently Asked Questions

Will there be parking available?
Although there is not a designated parking lot, there is ample street parking nearby.

If I didn’t pre-register, can I just walk up?
Pre-registration is strongly recommended. However, depending on the demand for the class, walk-up registration is available beginning 5 minutes before each scheduled workshop and is open until spots are filled.

Do I need to wear a mask while participating in the activity?
Yes, all participants will be asked to wear a mask during the class in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

How will participants be separated from each other to ensure social distancing?
Each participant will be assigned an ~8–10 sq. ft. box, which will be delineated by chalk spray, to move within. There will also be a 5-foot gap between each box.

How can I cancel my registration if I am no longer able to participate?
To cancel your registration, please email Christina Mozumdar at cjmoz@umich.edu.

Will the event be canceled due to inclement weather? If so, how will I be notified?
Because the workshop will happen outdoors, it will be subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. In the event of cancellation, registered participants will receive an email notification from UMS the morning of the workshop. There will also be a general public post on UMS’s social media announcing the cancellation.

If there are newly-issued local, state, or federal health orders that prohibit outdoor gatherings, will the workshops be canceled? If so, how will I be notified?
Yes, the workshop will be canceled if there is a newly-issued health order that prohibits outdoor gatherings. In the event of cancellation, registered participants will receive an email notification from UMS after the new order has been issued. There will also be a general public post on UMS’s social media and website announcing the cancellation.

Do I need to have dance training to participate?
You do not need any formal training. UMS encourages broad participation and invites a mix of people of different ages and abilities to participate. Each class will be tailored for the “curious adult mover” rather than the “experienced dancer.” We aim to create a comfortable environment for curious beginners.

What should I wear for the workshop?
You should wear clothing and shoes in which you are comfortable moving. Ground surfaces may not be even, so please wear supportive footwear.

What happened to You Can Dance at YMCA?
UMS strongly values its partnership and collaboration with the YMCA. Unfortunately, with the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting strong restrictions on indoor gatherings, the YMCA building is temporarily closed to the public, making it impossible for the You Can Dance series to take place at the YMCA.

Artist Website