From NY Auditions: Organic, crew for the Future?

At the New York auditions of America's Best Dance Crew, one crew especially caught our fancy. Organic is a girl's crew from New York City. They have some nice moves, but what made them stand out was their stand-in. Because one of the members was ill, 15-year old Shorty filled in. Shorty is a phenom -- a super dancer AND the crew's choreographer!

Because of the age restrictions for ABDC (and the idea that the choreographer should be an active crew member), we aren't confident that Organic made the cut (and we dont' know!) but think this is definitely a crew for the future.

Mailbox: Outside gigs for Mario Lopez and Shane Sparks

• Mario Lopez is in negotiations to once again host the Miss America pageant. I see this as a problem -- last time he was prettier than some of the contestants.
• "Boogie Town", the hip hop film with dance scenes choreographed by Shane Sparks, has been acquired by Vivendi Entertainment and will be released summer 2009. Set in a near-future New York where dancing is outlawed, "Boogie Town" follows the rise of illegal "battle dancing" in the underground world of the title. I haven't found any pictures or clips from the movie -- leave a comment if you've got a lead.
  

Automatic Response and Enigma Dance Crew: Life after ABDC

Truman Index -- the student paper for the Truman State University in Missouri -- profiles Automatic Response and Enigma Dance Kru, two groups from Season 1 of America's Best Dance Crew. I especially like this article because it covers how ABDC helped two strong crews that didn't stay a long time on the show.

According to the article, ABDC helped Enigma Dance Kru get sponsorship for their tours. Automatic Response has had success in their goal of bringing a hiphop dance scene to their home town of Phoenix Arizona and to help local charities. The profile also describes the crews' backgrounds and styles.

Read all about it here. Photocredit: Truman Index.

JabbaWockeeZ Tshirts on sale til Xmas -- new stock added

Armory Hiphop restocked all their JabbaWockeeZ shirts for you holiday shoppers, so there are a lot of choices available in all sizes. Here's their shiny gold and silver foil shirt. And, you can get everything in the store 20% off buy using the discount code NEWSHIRTS when ordering.

Hint: once you've made your JabbaWockeeZ gear decisions, look at their other shirts and hats. They have some original designs that are CRAZY -- I'm going to order some for myself.

SoReal Cru in the Bay Area -- video minidocumentary

SoReal Cru posted a 10-minute video of their visit to San Francisco and San Jose. It's got dancing, back-stage pranks, tons of fan interaction, tour bus action, a shout-out from L0st Kids, a fashion shoot, and much much more. This is a must-watch for anyone who's wondered (or fantasized) about the life of some of the more successful America's Best Dance Crew contestants.

Upcoming Performances: Kaba Modern in Hawaii, Yuri & Taeko in LA

Kaba Modern appearances and workshops in Hon0lulu:
- 12/5: Kallusive Release Party. Location Special Edition Shangri La at W Honolulu.
- 12/6, Honolulu: The Cause Workshop. Jia Huang will teach a session from 4-6:30. Diverse Arts Center, 1030 Queen Street. Tickets are available at Word of Life, New Hope, Honolulu Dance Center, Studio 808 and YMCA

Yuri & Taeko: One of L.A.'s prominent Asian-American performing troupes, Lodestone Theatre Ensemble, has announced that it is closing its doors at the end of 2009. To get there, however, the company is throwing a fundraiser from December 11-14 2008 called Lodestone After Dark: The Beginning of the End. Kaba Modern's Yuri Tag and Fysh N' Chicks' Taeko Collins will appear at one performance. Location: GTC, 1111-B West Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA. For more information call 323-993-7245.

Another Favorite from the Season 3 Auditions - Mixed Elements Video

Many readers have been asking to see video of Mixed Elements, a crew that auditioned for Season 3 of America's Best Dance Crew. We don't know of anyone (besides MTV) that taped the audition, but Mixed Elements themselves uploaded a video to Youtube today, showing their performance at the Dance Unlimited Halloween Show. Thanks for the tip, Paul.

What do you think? Do you want to see them on ABDC?

Charity Auction: 4 passes to ABDC taping + Lil Mama meet & greet

Want to attend a taping of Season 3's America's Best Dance Crew with your friends? We understand that it's gotten MUCH harder to get ticket passes, due to the show's popularity. Here's your chance to get tickets, meet Lil Mama, and help Dosomething.org, a charity that helps teens get involved in projects to improve the world. This is a great gift that gives back.

From now until December 10, visit Charity Buzz to bid on 4 passes to an ABDC taping plus the meet and greet with Lil Mama. Airfare is not included, and the minimum bid is $250.
Click here to bid.

Photocredit: MTV

Quest audition video + more coverage of LA auditions

Dance Channel TV just posted a video of the Los Angeles Season 3 auditions for America's Best Dance Crew. It contains a sample of Quest's audition (the crew with alums from So You Think You Can Dance) from 3:15 until the end. Dance Channel also interviewed Transitions, Head Hunters, Street Vibe and Quest about how they prepared for the auditions and what they'd do with the prize winnings. There's also footage of ABDC creator Howard Schwartz and judge Shane Sparks talking about what it takes to make it onto ABDC.

Click here to watch the video. Thanks for the tip, Kendrick!

Straight information about ABDC Season 3

Some info, straight from a conversation with an MTV rep, regarding Season 3 of America's Best Dance Crew:

• As earlier announced, there will be no audition special with eliminations. So, the crews that are picked now will be the crews that perform on the first show
  
• Final decisions on the 9 crews that will compete in Season 3 should be made VERY soon (nothing more specific!)
  
• Current plans are to announce the names of the 9 crews to the public sometime late in December 2008, though this could change
  
• In the meantime, please do not reveal the name of a crew that has been picked for Season 3. It doesn't matter if you're the crew member or a friend, relative, or acquaintance. It doesn't matter if it's on Youtube, Facebook, Myspace, or other on-line site or anywhere else in the media. Let MTV make the announcement please!
  
• If your crew has not been chosen, feel free to share the information and any comments or insights. There are dozens of amazingly talented crews that won't appear on ABDC this season, so you shouldn't be disrespected for it.

ABDC Holiday gift survey - What do YOU want?

It's December -- time to give and get for the holidays. World peace would be terrific but it looks easier for each of us to address domestic problems by stimulating the economy, focusing on visions of America's Best Dance Crew and related purchases.

What do YOU want? What would you give to your favorite ABDC fan? Please leave comments on some specific suggestions of great gifts.

poll by twiigs.com

SoReal Cru in Philly -- Video and photos

Jon Jon attended the SoReal Cru show at the Solo Nightclub in Philadelphia on November 26, and gives us a front-row view of the whole SoReal Show. Part I, from mrjtde, his Youtube videochannel:

Part II:

He also met with crew members from SoReal Cru and Phresh Select. Click here to view more photos with the two crews. Jon Jon -- thanks for sharing with us!

Photo of the Day -- Kaba Modern Legacy on the Catwalk

Sarah Lee took this photo of Kaba Modern Legacy at the 13 Minutes Magazine 3rd Annual Fashion Show on October 13, 2008. I'd like to see more action like this in the Bryant Park tents at Fashion Week!

India's Best Dance Crew on MTV!

Buried in this strange newspost about the skincare regimen of MTV India VJ Anusha Dandekar is a some real ABDC news: there’s a new show called MTV Dance Crew to be aired soon. “In my new show, I get to shake a leg with the participants. That’s great, since I love dancing."

I haven't found any other information on this show yet. But I did hear from ABDC co-creator Howard Schwartz at the Season 3 auditions that Best Dance Crew was going international. All this is a great development for hiphop, and a prelude (I hope) to World's Best Dance Crew. And, I hope that MTV will post the episodes so we all can watch.

What country do you think is next?

Photocredit for VJ Anusha Dandekar: Glamsham.com