Saturday, June 13, 2009

Auditioning Crew - Tha Acadamee

Stylz Dance Studio sent Tha Acadamee to the America's Best Dance Crew Los Angeles auditions, and sent us a link to their rehearsal video. While we don't post most of the rehearsal videos we receive, we'll make an exception here since 1. we like this performance and 2. my reporter didn't get to see them at their LA audition. What do you think -- are they ready for Season 4?

Know Your Rank Workshops featuring Supreme Soul, Boxcuttuhz, Fysh N Chicks, Lost Kids

Some major workshops in Union City, CA (the Bay area) on June 20-21 taught by America's Best Dance Crew alums and auditioners. Instructors include Bionic, Slim, and RJ Koolraul from Supreme Soul; Lando and Rocko from Boxcuttuhz; Taeko from Fysh N Chicks; and Mikey C. from Lost Kids. Read more and sign-up here. But hurry -- two day passes are sold out, and one-day passes are almost gone!

Video: Kaba Modern in Edmonton

Danimay's Youtube Channel(filmed by Daniel Ilagan) shows a front-row view of America's Best Dance Crew Season 1 favorite Kaba Modern at Driven to Perform in Edmonton on June 6. Thanks for the tip, Michael!

Friday, June 12, 2009

New feature on ABDC auditions - choreography callbacks

The Chicago Tribune reports on the America's Best Dance Crew Chicago auditions and profiles a auditioning tapdance crew called M.A.D.D. Rhythms. The article also mentions a new feature for the auditions: "About half of the 20 crews that auditioned Tuesday made the end-of-day "callback" round: a crash-course of new moves taught by an "ABDC" choreographer, to be incorporated on-the-spot into new routines."

I'm intrigued by the choreography callbacks and wonder what they bode for Season 4. And, I'm also intrigued by M.A.D.D. Rhythms; here's a 2009 performance from NoraClark721's Youtube Channel.

Scenes from the Chicago ABDC auditions

Auditions for America's Best Dance Crew Season 4 were held in Chicago on June 9. IMOKDILLA shot footage of the scene outside the tryouts, as well as the 'audition' for Chi-town's Finest Breakers. Though the four kids in the Chi-Town's Finest Breakers are too young for Season 4 (ranging from 6 to 11 years old), they've definitely got some good moves. They could be real contenders...in about a decade.

Congratulations Shannon -- You win the Battle I Kicks signed by Fanny Pak!

Thanks to everyone who entered our contest cosponsored by Milkshake NY for the Battle I Kicks signed by Fanny Pak. The winner is Shannon from IL. For those of you who didn't win: MOVMNT Magazine is also co-sponsoring a contest for signed Battle I Kicks, set to end June 14. Click here to enter.

Upcoming Events - Week of June 12: A bonanza across the US!

This is one crazy week for lovers of America's Best Dance Crew, with major events across the United States:
  • June 12: Team Millennia performs at Social in Hollywood, CA
  • June 13: World of Dance New York features Beat Freaks, Ringmasters, ICONic, and Boogie Bots and over 30 other crews
  • June 13: The Show Dance Competition in Dallas stars Quest crew among its talent
  • June 13: Body Rock in San Diego will show over a dozen crews in exhibition and competition, including Boxcuttuhz, the larger crews for SoReal Cru, Kaba Modern, and Team Millennia, with judges from Super Cr3w, JabbaWockeeZ and Kaba Modern
  • June 14: Quest teaching a workshop at Marvelous Motion dance studio in Houston, TX
  • June 14: Beat Freaks workshop at Don't Stop Dancin' in South Huntington, NY. 10am. Call 631-423-8277 (Dina) for details (thanks for the tip, Kara!)

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Today's Best dance video: Voguin' & Screamin'


If America's Best Dance Crew Season 4 has a Madonna Challenge, here's a source for inspiration from Bour3.com

Today only: discounted tickets to World of Dance NY

Gendance is offering half-price tickets to the first 20 people to buy tickets to World of Dance NY who use their coupon code. Click here for the code and Gendance's writeup about WOD NY which will feature Beat Freaks, Ringmasters, ICONic, Boogie Bots and over 30 competition crews as we reported here. Deadline is midnight June 11.

Video: ASIID in Detroit

ASIID from America's Best Dance Crew Season 2 danced at Summer Jams 2009 in Detroit. Here's their performance, courtesy of MauriceMamii's Youtube channel:

MTVIggy - The art of Breaking with JabbaWockeeZ and Quest

MTViggy runs a special section all about break-dancing. Included are interviews, photos and videos with JabbaWockeeZ and Quest, a slideshow about the history of breaking, and an interview with the producer and director of Planet Bboy.
Photocredit: Dean Dremi/AFP/Getty Images

Mailbox: Kaba Modern classes, Beat Freaks review

  • Kaba Modern's Yuri Tag and Mike Song will be teaching hip hop classes at Jimmie DeFore Dance Center in Costa Mesa, CA. Thanks for the tip, Michael!
  • GuamPDN reviewed Beat Freak's show (calling one part "sickeningly mezmerizing") and talked to the crew about why they stay so humble despite their success on America's Best Dance Crew.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Last day to enter our contest for free kicks!

Reminder: our contest with Milkshake NY ends today. The prize: a pair of Battle I Kicks in your size, personally signed by Fanny Pak. Read about the contest here. So if you haven't entered yet (or really want these and need to enter again), click here to fill out the contest form. Make sure you enter OUR contest by clicking on contest type to select Blogging Best Dance Crew. (You can enter MOVMT's contest too, but it ends later). Good Luck!

LA Audition Video - FLIRT

For all of you eager to watch an audition video for Season 4: Indlydncr has a Youtube of FLIRT auditioning in Los Angeles. (Thanks for the tip, Patrick!) What do you think?

Soon, we'll post more videos from the LA and NY auditions. Our LA field reporter Salima attended the audition for about 4 hours (no, she didn't watch the Lost Kids audition), and I hope to stay the whole time in NY. When they're ready, we'll post some of our personal favorite auditions for you. As before, they will be our own choices and not reflect any input from MTV and the judges.

Quest in Hawaii videos: Extended Solos, radio hijinks

At Quest's show in Hawaii, they did about 10 minutes of solo moves, as captured by Bluestarlette21's Youtube channel. Thanks for the tips, Alex! Hawaii Bonus: some backstage Quest interviews from Power 104.3, Parts I and Part II, (hat tip, Cynthia!), and the crew guest-DJ-ing for the radio station.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Poll results: Diversity wouldn't win on ABDC, but they'd do well

Mailbox: Rino to choreograph SNSD

According to Omonatheydidn't, Beat Freaks member Rino Nakasone will help choreograph SNSD's next album. Rina did the choreography for SHINee's Juliette:

Videos - JabbaWockeeZ workshops

Michibeloved attended a workshop taught by JabbaWockeeZ at the Rock Center for dance, and shares some video of the experience. Go to Michibeloved's channel for videos of a short group performance, individual dances by Joe and Phi and a question and answer session from the champions of America's Best Dance Crew Season 1. Here's Kevin's dance. Thanks for the tip, Adobostreak!

Monday, June 8, 2009

LA Audition Photos including Lost Kids, Knucklehead Zoo

Asiance Magazine posts photos of 13 crews that auditioned for America's Best Dance Crew Season 4 in Los Angeles, noting they are "Hearing good things from South Georgia, Toy Box, The Lost Kids, A Team." The photo shows A Team -- visit Asiance to see the rest.
Photocredit: Pacific Rim Press

Video: Super Cr3w and Hypersquad performance

Super Cr3w performed with Hypersquad in Honolulu on May 29, producing something different that really brings out the talents of both groups.

Undivided - Supercr3w and Hypersquad performance from RandyTFK on Vimeo.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Quest and Shane Sparks share a Matrix Moment

MTV.com has a video of Quest and Shane Sparks going Matrix at the MTV Movie Awards. Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself. Whoa.

ABDC LA Audition Interviews Galore, from Pacific Rim Video

America's Best Dance Crew kicked off its Season 4 auditions in Los Angeles on June 6. Our field reporters attended for about 3 hours and watched 12 crews audition. Later in the week, they'll have video available of some of their favorite auditions, plus some surprise interviews.

In the meantime,
Pacific Rim Video was there in force, interviewing dozens of auditioners, well-wishers, and ABDC personalities. For example: here's Layla Kayleigh talking about how she's like to see Britney Spears, Ciara, Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson and others as guest judges.