Saturday, November 14, 2009

Video: Behind the Scenes at ABDC's Martial Arts Challenge

From WhiteLotusVideos (home of the school that helped with America's Best Dance Crew Season 4's martial arts challenge), this video shows Steve Terada (Quest) and Travis Wong (L0st Boys) demonstrating the moves to each of the crews. It then cuts to backstage at the ABDC taping and Steve and Travis showing off some moves on the MTV stage. Thanks for the tip, Snoop DoggyStyle!

JabbaWockeeZ, Kaba Modern, Fanny Pak Interview at KMLegacy.com launch party

Pacific Rim spoke to Yuri Tag (Kaba Modern), Beau Fournier (Fanny Pak) and Ben Chung (JabbaWockeeZ) at the launch party for the KMLegacy.com website. They talk about all manner of things -- from their upcoming performances to Gatorade to to web presence to Halloween costumes.

Videos: Artistry in Motion

Artistry in Motion (America's Best Dance Crew Season 4) has a new Youtube channel -- Aimcrew -- to show off their live performances. Recent videos include a Children's Hospital Benefit Part I and Part II, and this boisterous costume dance. Thanks for the tip, Ariel.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Exclusive Video: Interview with Quest's Feng

After teaching a workshop at EPIC Motion on November 7 (video of the workshop here), an exhausted Ryan Feng (from America's Best Dance Crew champions Quest) sat down to talk to me about choreography, why he likes teaching workshops and wants to do more, and Quest's upcoming plans.

Video: JabbaWockeeZ, Chris Brown, Chris Tucker Freestyle

From Yuri Tag's Youtube Channel tagalicious, video of a celebrity basketball game, with JabbaWockeeZ performing, Chris Brown doing flips and bone breaking, and other freestyles by Chris Tucker and Common. Thanks for the tip, nwofu!

Videos: Vogue Evolution on PopLab

Better late than never:Vogue Evolution hosted a Halloween takeover at NewNowNext Poplab at Logo.com. There are interviews with each of the America's Best Dance Crew members including Leiomy. In this intro segment, they define vogueing.

Upcoming Events: Week of November 13

This is a major week for live dance, with Elements X, Redbull BC One, and many other performances and workshops:
  • 11/13: Phil Collins (Fanny Pak) teaching workshops in Vancouver
  • 11/14: Rhythm City, Fr3sh, SoReal Cru, and Neverland and MANY other crews performing and competing at Elements X in Boston
  • 11/14: Super Cr3w's Ben will battle Wing (the current RedBull BC One champion) in Los Angeles
  • 11/14: Southern Movement performing in Warner Robins, GA
  • 11/14: Beat Ya Feet Kings performing at University of Maryland Eastern Shore
  • 11/14: Quest performing at Home Nightclub in St. Louis, MO
  • 11/14-15: Afroborike performing in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
  • 11/15: Rocko Luciano (Boxcuttuhz, Neverland) teaching master class in Providence, RI
  • 11/15: Matt Cady (Fanny Pak) teaching workshop in Santa Clara, CA
  • 11/15: Adrian Causing (Fr3sh), Andrew Batarina (SoReal Cru), Brian Puspos (SoReal Cru), and Lando Wilkins (Boxcuttuhz) teaching workshops at Elements X in Boston
  • 11/16: Leslie Hubila (Fr3sh), Rocko Luciano (Boxcuttuhz, Neverland), Kyle Hanagami (L0st Kids, Neverland) teaching workshops at Elements X in Boston
  • 11/16: Super Cr3w on VH1's For the Love of Ray J, 11AM ET/PT
  • 11/18: Redbull BC One in New York
  • 11/19: Kaba Modern perform and party in Lake Forest, CA

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Video: Beat Freaks Featured in Diddy/Dirty Money's "Love Come Down"

Beat Freaks dance in "Love Come Down", a new video from Diddy and Dirty Money. You can see the ABDC3 crew starting at 1:15.

Exclusive video: EPIC Workshop by Quest's Feng, with step-by-step demonstrations

Ryan Feng from ABDC 3's Quest Crew visited the East Coast to teach workshops to area dance groups and studios. We attended his workshop for EPIC Motion Dance Company in New York City on November 7, 2009, where he showed his taught his original choreography for Raphael Saadiq's "Take a Walk".

This video is long because I wanted to show the full routine, then follow up with demonstrations of almost every step. It's challenging, but there are some marvelous explanations of ways to take ordinary steps like ball changes and slides and make them extraordinary. Very soon, I'll also post videos of Feng's advice to the class and an interview. Thanks EPIC Motion and Feng!

Video: Quest's Dtrix on So You Think You Can Dance Season 6

Dominic Sandoval (Dtrix) of Quest briefly returned to So You Think You Can Dance on November 11, 2009. As part of a promotion for Kmart, he challenges audience members to perform dance steps, then rides a scooter.Thanks for the link, Adobostreak!

Send some love to Pauline Mata - leaving SYTYCD


Pauline Mata was eliminated from So You Think You Can Dance last night. She was one of the most versatile female SYTYCD dancers, strong in both hip hop and jazz. Her creativity and charm will be missed this season.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Interview with Hiro: WAH to help judge ABDC5 auditions

Chris Trondsen conducted interviews for Pacific Rim with Hiro of We Are Heroes in Los Angeles on November 8. In the interview, she mentions that We Are Heroes will have a role in helping judge the auditions for America's Best Dance Crew Season 5.

Video: Brief We are Heroes Appearance in Omarion's "I Get it In"

ABDC4 winners We Are Heroes appear briefly (starting at 2:42) in the new Omarion video "I Get it In". Thanks for the tip, Elise10!

Video: SoReal Cru and Drake

The latest installment of SoReal Cru TV shows Drake and the crew performing to a standing room only crowd.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Quest and Groovaloos to appear in "Celebration of Dance" benefit

It was just announced on So You Think You Can Dance that Quest and Groovaloos will be among the performers at the "Celebration of Dance" benefit for Dizzy Feet Foundation on November 29 in Los Angeles. The announcement lacked many details, but it sounds like there will be a raft of dance performers from So You Think You Can Dance, America's Best Dance Crew, Dancing with the Stars, Alvin Ailey, the Step Up movies, and more. You can get tickets now at Ticketmaster.com. Learn more about Dizzy Feet Foundation here.

Video: Groovaloos on Jimmy Fallon Show

Groovaloos danced on the Jimmy Fallon show on November 9. Here's the video, starting at 36:40. The crew will be at the Union Square Theater in New York from December 1 through January 3. Thanks, Karen Chu!

Dancers: Chance to choreograph a big-time music video!

Kwame is looking for dancers to choreograph a routine for a new music video, and would love to have some of our readers submit routines. Kwame is best known for producing Lloyd Banks' break-out single "On Fire," Will Smith's international smash "Switch," and working with LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, & Christina Aguilera. In addition to producing hit records, Kwamé has also scored scenes for the films "Step Up," "Step Up 2 - The Streets," Dancing in September," and "Stomp the Yard."

All applicants must be 18+, and must be available to be in the NYC area in December for the taping. To be considered, download the song at this link, tape their routines, upload the footage to youtube, and email focus282@aol.com with the link.

For further details, please contact Greg P at Make Music Enterprises at artist.rep@gmail.com. Good luck!

Shane Sparks video series on "Making it Big in Dance"


Gendance will run a series of video interviews with Shane Sparks, offering advice to aspiring dancers. The five-week series begins Thursday November 11.

Video: We Are Heroes Rihanna Tribute performance

From MTV's "It's On with Alexa Chung" on November 9, 2009. Thanks for the link abdc!

Mailbox: Fly Khicks logo, We Are Heroes interview

  • Fly Khicks have a new logo
  • Fly Khick's Karelix is also featured in a photo spread on the Miami Heat. She's on the first page on the left
  • Antboogieworld.com conducts an audio interview with We Are Heroes, talking about their background and trying to get them to talk trash about other crews.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Photo: Quest members lose their shirts

I feel like a panderer, but knew I had to post this for a certain segment of my loyal audience. So, here's Steve, Andy Luo, Brian, Victor, and Hok showing some Quest chest. You're welcome.

Report: We Are Heroes perform Rihanna Tribute

As a tribute to Rihanna's appearance on MTV's "It's On with Alexa Chung", America's Best Dance Crew champions We Are Heroes (minus Hero) danced to 5 of Rihanna's hits: 'Pon de Replay', 'SOS', 'Umbrella', 'Run this Town', and 'Hard'. Their routine was primarily group choreo with a few flips, and reportedly took 3 days to choreograph. If there's footage or photos, we'll post them later.The show also featured a Rihanna fan makeover and a look at Rihanna's more outrageous accessories (shoes, sunglasses, gloves, and eyepatch.)

Update on "Bgirl Movie" - Straight to DVD January 2010

In answer to multiple questions: "B-Girl the Movie" will be go straight to DVD, and skip theatrical release. The DVD release date: January 26, 2010. The movie stars Beat Freak Lady Jules as well as Legacy Perez, who is currently competing in So You Think You Can Dance. Visit Bgirlmovie.com for all the information.

We are Heroes 'On with Alexa Chung' today, 11/9?

From a Facebook entry for We Are Heroes' member Nichelle: "gonna surprise Rihanna at the Hanging with Alexa Chung show on MTV." That program airs today, Monday November 9 at 3:30 ET/PT. Thanks for the tip, abdc!

Video: Vogue Evolution performance at Miss Riis Park Universe Pageant

Vogue Evolution (minus Leiomy, who no longer performs with the ABDC crew) were special featured entertainers at the Miss Riis Park Universe Pageant on November 7, 2009. The event is a fundraiser for AIDS/HIV awareness and education. The video comes from Dancing4Ever's Youtube Channel. Thanks, Erica!

Video: New Artistry in Motion performance!

Short but very sweet -- more from Artistry in Motion. Thanks for the link Ariel!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Call in to talk to Beat Freaks Lady Jules on LA talk radio November 9

Beat Freaks Lady Jules will be on LA Talk Radio’s Eddie Conner “High Frequency Living!” Monday November 9th 8pm PT! You can call in and ask questions too about the crew, their activities or whatever! She’ll be talking about the Beat Freaks, and 'B-Girl the movie' which will be out all over the US January 26th, among other things. You can check it out on line at: http://www.latalkradio.com/

You can call in at: 1-323-203-0815 and ask your questions LIVE! Thanks again, Ravoo!

Video: Sky Blu of LMFAO talks about their work with Quest Crew

From Pacific Rim Video:

Beat Freaks stage their own 'Paranormal Activity'

From Beat Freaks TV, a dramatic work from the ABDC 3 favorites. I found this about as funny as Paranormal Activity. Thanks for the tip Jessica!

Video: Beat Freak Rino choreographed performance by f(x)

F(x) is a highly popular Korean girl group. Beat Freak Rino Nakasone helped choreographed this video and this live performance. Thanks for the tip, Ravoo!