TESKO: More than a Dance

Glasgow Life

The Man

This guy wears a lot of hats, and I don’t mean the ones for your head. He’s a dad, husband, dancer, mentor, teacher (in the classroom as well as the studio - Geography if you must know. Just call him Mr. Wark), and musician. His relationship with dance is something that was birthed through friendship, curiosity, and his willingness to be the one who stood out from the crowd. That’s where David ended and Tesko began. The journey he’s started on with music has largely been fueled by his passion for dance and the FUNK that he steps to. That is why every song you’ll hear in the video, just a little further down the page, is by Tesko’s musical alias: High Park Funk.

The Funk

When I sat down with Tesko, it was hard to stop him from gushing all over the floor about the funk: where it came from, how it makes him feel, where he thinks it comes from. He spoke about how funk is rooted in African rhythms, jazz, soul and how later genres like hip-hop & rap emerged. We had a conversation that left me wondering what the funk really is.

“It’s an emotion.”

“Like the Blues?”

“You got it.”

He used an interesting analogy to describe the funk to me, one that I don’t feel is necessarily appropriate to share at this moment but what I will say is - Tesko believes that when you become a man, that is when you know through experience what the funk is.

The Godfather of Soul, James Brown was one who was a leader in pioneering this funk in 1960’s America. Check out the video below to get some more insight.

The Scene

Tesko has been in the dance game for more than a decade now, starting on the breaking scene with the Glasgow-based Flyin Jalapenos Crew and now, years later, he is heading up his own popping crew: The Dimestop. He spoke about how there are pockets of dancers all over Scotland, even if they are tucked away up North in the Highlands, and lending to this scene that seemingly cannot be tamed.

February Funk

It’s all about the funk huh? (Now I’ve got you wondering about the funk too, huh.) Tesko had decided to post a short video every day on Instagram, encouraging others and his crew as a way to keep the funk alive and continually work on his craft. Being stuck inside during a pandemic can take its toll on you and this has been one way to overcome. He goes over everything from robotics, waving, rhythms, and just some simple advice to stay in the game.

Whether you’re a dancer or not, check out his Instagram and see what culture this guy is bringing to not only the inter-webs, but to Glasgow!

IG: @tesko_verde & @highparkfunk

Massive shout out to Tesko for the chance to sit down, catch up and get a glimpse into your world. Till next time.

(Also To Naomi for releasing your man. Thanks!)

Stay blessed.