ABDC Picked up for a Fifth Season!

At the taping of America's Best Dance Crew 4's Last Chance Challenge on September 17, 2009 Mario Lopez announced to the studio audience that America's Best Dance Crew has been picked up for another season. There will be ABDC Season 5! No additional information was announced. Thanks for the tip, TimetoFlytotheCheese!

So, what do you want to see next time? Which crews (from earlier audition videos, competitions, live performances) would you like to see on there?

VMA Survey Results: We Are Heroes Best of the Week

Voting was heavy in this weeks surveys for the best and worst performances in America's Best Dance Crew's VMA Challenge. Click here for details on the best performance and click here for details on worst performance. Highlights:

• After almost 3000 votes, We Are Heroes was deemed the best performance (54%) followed by Massive Monkees (33%)
• No clear consensus on the worst performance. Out of over 1000 votes, Afroborike got the most votes (31%) followed by Massive Monkees (26%)
  

Preview and photo - Quest's Emmy performance

Quest members Ryan Conferido, Hok Konishi, Dominic Sandoval, and Aris Paracuelles will be dancing to LMFAO's 'La La La' at the Emmy Awards on Sept. 20, along with Dancing with the Stars professionals Karina Smirnoff and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, and So You Think You can Dance season 4 champion Joshua Allen. The dance is choreographed by America's Best Dance Crew and SYTYCD choreographers Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo. Quest gets to lift Karina into the air at the end of the number.
Photocredit: AP

Review: 'Groovaloos' featuring Beat Freaks and other hip hop luminaries

For some people, there is but one choice in life that truly fits their needs, abilities and loves. Without it, they founder through doubt, depression, bad relationships, boring work, and just feeling like they don't belong. When they find a place or a group that fulfills their need, they are truly home. Hip hop dancing is that place for many of the people that we ABDC fans watch week by week. 'Groovaloo' is the show that details -- through poetry, memoir, and dance -- the journey that dancers took to find their home in the Groovaloos. Think 'A Chorus Line' that builds community instead of destroying egos.

'Groovaloo' started in Los Angeles, is in NY until September 27 and will start a national tour. While it will resonate with dancers (and other obsessive people like me), I strongly recommend it for anyone who wants to watch superb athletic dancing and novel choreography. It received standing ovations from audiences who knew nothing about bboy and hip hop, but appreciate its energy and sincerity. Click here for more information and to buy tickets.

For America's Best Dance Crew fans: the moving life stories include those of Beat Freaks' Keeley, Lindsey, Julie, and Teresa (and Alison who didn't appear on ABDC but is part of the crew) and JabbaWockeeZ' Kid Rainen. The Beat Freaks are there, but Kid Rainen is played by Luis Rosado of Rock Steady Crew.

Click here to read the rest of the review and see more pictures.

Video: Strikers All-Stars Performance at Keke Palmer's 16th Birthday

What crew would YOU most want to invite to entertain at your birthday/wedding/Sweet 16 party?

Remote Control preview of Last Chance Challenge

MTV Remote Control reports that America's Best Dance Crew Week 7 was HOT:

• "the stage reaches sweltering temperatures"
• all male members are shirtless by the end of the show
• Lil Mama deals with the controversy about her stage-jump at the VMAs.
• A thunderous standing ovation

We Want More Questions!

We may have two opportunities next week to talk to the final crews and ABDC personalities -- telephone interviews during the week, and --of course -- the finale. So -- what do you really want to know? Give us some specific questions you'd like to have us ask!

Reports from The Last Chance Challenge Tapings

TimetoFlytotheCheese: "Every ABDC season, the crew that was safe going into the finale had the worst performance of the night. Although it was not bad, it was definitely not as good as the other two crews. One crew blew the other two out of the water and it really reminded me of "Fanny Pak vs Boogie Bots" in the sense that it was quite obvious who was going on to the finale. Am I happy about the top 2? Partly. Do I think they deserved top 2. Yes. Is it who I wanted? No I wanted Rhythm City in the top 2. But the crews that made it definitely deserved it whether I'm a big fan or not. The Last Chance challenges were two of my favorites ever performed on stage, following The Red Pill by Jabba and orQUESTra by Quest. Both crews stayed very true to themselves. This is my last review for the season seeing as the finale is live, SO people who think I'm biased will never have to hear me babble on ever again. :)

SusaneNY:" The Crews had trouble with the challenge... they had their ups and downs... but mostly downs... I think the finale will be amazziiiinnggg...."

Drewski: "FAHHKKK just wait till sunday!!!!!!! its was the most fun i've actually had on the tapings cuz i waz messing around so much haha all crews did great, jc kept messing up so he had to reshoot like 5000 times. i'm done, can't wait for the finale =]]"

ABDC Week 7 promo video

Videos: SoReal Cru's Home Team

In the latest from SoReal TV, Soreal Cru builds a team and prepares a new set. Watch part I here; here's Part II:

Upcoming Events - Week of September 18

• Sept. 18-27: Groovaloos, featuring members of Beat Freaks at Joyce Theater, New York City
• Super Cr3w: Sept. 18 - White Party to aid Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Los Angeles; Sept. 19 - One on one rally in Bakersfield, CA
• Sept. 19 - Fanny Pak's Megan Lawson's workshop in Kenner, LA
  

Last Chance Challenge picks explained by District 78

MTV Remote Control has an entertaining video about what Afroborike, Massive Monkees, and We Are Heroes picked for their last chance challenge mix, and what to expect. We Are Heroes are going racy as superheroes, Afroborike is jungle (not Monkees!) and Massive Monkees are gladiators. Too bad we won't see all three.

MTV - Music Videos - MTV Shows - Celebrity News

RedBull BC One tickets -- on sale October 9

Just announced: Tickets for the Red Bull BC One will be available on www.redbullbcone.com October 9. This year, the event will be held in New York City on November 18. They are guaranteed to sell out fast!

Quest members to appear on Emmy Awards

Set that TiVO! Quest members Ryan Conferido, Hok Konishi, Dominic Sandoval, and Aris Paracuelles will appear special guest performers in a uniquely choreographed piece at the 61st Emmy Awards! The show will air on CBS Sunday September 20 from 8-11PM ET/PT, and there is a chance the segment with Quest might be on at the same time as the new America's Best Dance Crew episode.

Video: Beat Freaks Rino in VMA tribute to Michael Jackson

In case you needed another excuse to watch the outstanding tribute to Michael Jackson at the 2009 VMA awards -- Rino Nakasone (Beat Freaks) is one of the dancers in the Smooth Criminal performance (starting around 2:28). Thanks for the heads up, Ravoo and Drewski!

Sneak peak at Last Chance challenge from District 78

District 78 has not yet posted their master mixes for the ABDC Week 7 challenges. But they have this intriguing sentence about the last chance challenge: "what we can say about that is….there will be gladiators, jungle people and super heroes." They don't identify which is which but the order of pictures for the post is 1. Massive Monkees 2. Afroborike 3. We Are Heroes. Hmmm...

Let us know if you attend tonight's taping!

The Decades of Dance and Last Chance Challenges on America's Best Dance Crew tape tonight -- September 17. If you attend the dress rehearsal or show taping, please leave a comment or email us at BloggingBestDanceCrew@gmail.com about your experiences! We'd love to hear what you thought about the crews, the taping, the audience, whatever!

BUT NO SPOILERS ABOUT WHO WAS IN THE BOTTOM 2 AND WHO WENT HOME! If you feel a need to leave a spoiler -- GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO DO IT!

IBE 2009 Battle Videos featuring Supreme Soul members

Ten years ago at the IBE 1999 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Holland) the world famous poppers Salah & Bionic started the legendary Rock Force vs The Family Battle. On September 13, 2009, Salah, Bionic and IBE celebrated this 10 year-anniversary with a friendly battle in which both Salah & Bionic have decided to bring their friends: Salah, Bruce Ykanji, Kite, Mike, Djidawi vs Bionic (Supreme Soul) , Jsmooth, Slim Boogie, and Pharside (Supreme Soul). As mentioned in the video: keep in mind that Bionic & friends are at a slight disadvantige in this footage because they're being filmed from the back. Thanks for the tip, Luka!
There are 5 parts to the battle video: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, and Part V:

Even more VMA Challenge Recaps!

Get Real wants We Are Heroes and Afroborike in the finals

AC Slater still thinks Rhythm City should have won America's Best Dance Crew Season 4

LA Times thinks the judges took the spotlight away from the performances and think that the judges should have kept Rhythm City. They also have videos of JC Chasez, Rhythm City, Afroborike, and Massive Monkees. They asked the crew which judge they feared this week. Massive Monkees got it right.

Video nostalgia - Jon Stewart and Sass x7

Once we posted the Sass x7 bat mitzvah video, people started speculating on the crew. One other video spotting was cited -- the crew appeared on Jon Stewart's Daily Show back in November 2008. Sass x7 appears at 2:35. Thanks to Andrew and TimetoFlytotheCheese!

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
The Best F#@king News Team Ever - Wyatt Cenac
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Healthcare Protests

Reminder: Week 7 of our elimination challenge contest ends today!

America's Best Dance Crew Week 7 tapes on Thursday September 17, so the deadline on our Elimination Challenge contest is midnight tonight. Click here for rules; click here to place your vote.

Will there be a America's Best Dance Crew Live Tour??

I've been hearing and seeing more rumors about an America's Best Dance Crew live tour. The latest spotting was in a Best of Vegas article on Afroborike: "This Las Vegan team is now in the final four of the competition and they’re going straight for the $100,000 grand prize and touring contract."

There is nothing official -- only rumors. If there is an ABDC Live show in the works, I hope they mention this on the ABDC 4 Season finale. Which crews from each season would get you to shell out money to attend a live show?

Video - Layla Kayleigh misses Vogue Evolution

Chris Trondsen and Fanny Pak's Glenda Morales talked to Layla Kayleigh at the taping of America's Best Dance Crew's VMA Challenge. After ascertaining that she would not give birth during this season, they talk about why she misses crews like Vogue Evolution and how the crews are dealing with the Top 4 stress.

Super Cr3w in Japa: winning 3 on 3 Competition, performance video

Lil Mama - why I jumped onstage at VMAs

In this interview with MTV, Lil Mama talks about how she jumped on the stage during the VMAs to honor Jay Z. She only realized that she actually disrespected him after she got home and watched the show.

MTV Shows

Kaba Modern interview on Kababayan

Earlier this month, Kaba Modern did an interview for Kababayan LA in July 2009. Topics: how Kaba Modern formed, why there were no Filipinos in Kaba Modern on America's Best Dance Crew, how ABDC changed their lives, what it's like (dance, eat, sleep, tape!), and parental pressure. Thanks for the tips, Michael!

Video: Pinoy Flash Mob

Another large-group dance, this time at the Mall of Asia in the Philippines. Thanks for the tip, Karen Chu!

Femme 5 spotting - Allison in Womanizer Video

Reader Po Po is on a mission to locate videos featuring some of the less-seen America's Best Dance Crew groups. Here's Femme 5's Alison Forslund (wearing black and yellow) appearing with other dancers in a Womanize video. Thanks Po Po!

Week 7 details - Decades of Dance, Last Chance Challenge

MTV Remote Control announced the songs for Week 7's Decades of Dance Challenge. Each of the crews will have to dance to a master mix using songs from the 1960s-2000s. The songs (and links tovideos of the original performers) are:

-1960s "Sex Machine" James Brown
-1970s "Uprock" Rock Steady Crew
-1980s "Cold Hearted" Paula Abdul
-1990s "U Make Me Wanna" Usher
-2000s "Love Game" Lady Gaga

After they each get a turn (halfway through the show), one crew is eliminated. Then, the final two crews perform their own Last Chance Challenge routine.

Enter Week 7 - Top 4 challenge now!

If you want to change your vote on which crews will be in the top 4 at the end of this season, here's your weekly chance. I can count on ONE hand the number of votes that are still valid, and there are still combinations that haven't been claimed. Someone could sneak in this week and still win. Get your new vote in now!

At the end of the season, I'll post who won, and who else got the right combination (and in which week). So, even if your choice has already been taken, you can enter a new one now and get some bragging rights. And, there are still some combinations that haven't been picked. Click here for contest rules and prize. Good luck!

Photo: Vogue Evolution's Deshaun at Malan Breton Fashion Show

I attended the Fashion Week show for Malan Breton (Project Runway Season 2) on September 14. There were many fabulous things about the show. Among them - Vogue Evolution's Deshaun, looking more like a model than a dancer!

Jai's Judgement on ABDC's VMA Challenge

Here's Jai's recap and judgement on America's Best Dance Crew' VMA Challenge:

"I think it’s funny how my recaps seem to take more time for me to do even though there are four (now THREE) crews left! LOL! Anyways, who knew that week 6 of ABDC would have been so dramatic? Okay, well, I had an idea from the non-spoilers, but I certainly did not think Sunday’s episode would be THAT intense! It seemed to be a good precursor to the 2009 VMAs anyway…LOL! The four remaining crews were assigned memorable performances from past VMA shows and had to make them their own. Although the safe crews had good performances, the bottom two crews had the better performances of the night. Unfortunately, the crew eliminated was favored to win the ABDC season 4 title. Looks like the title is fair game for any of the three remaining crews now."

Click here to read the rest of Jai's analysis of the crews and the final 2 decision. Thanks Jai!

Remote Control on ABDC: Lil Mama, Chuckie Cheese

MTV Remote Control has the local scoop on all things ABDC. In the last 24 hours:

• Lil Mama issued a statement apologizing for jumping on the stage during the VMAs: "I did not mean any disrespect towards Jay-Z or Alicia Keys," the statement read. "I admire them and look up to them as role models. "Empire State of Mind" had my emotions running high. In that moment I came up onstage to celebrate my two icons singing about NY"
• The crews took a field trip to Chuck E. Cheese. In fact, I'm pretty sure that Rhythm City's Alonzo Williams was there (or at the local shopping center) during my podcast with him!
• They have a video interview with We Are Heroes and Afroborike about being in the Top 2 for the VMA challenge.
  

Video: Afroborike after VMA Challenge

Chris Trondsen and Fanny Pak's Glenda Morales interviewed Afroborike after the VMA Challenge. (apologies for this brief description -- am feeling very under the weather, but still want to get some posts for you!)

Zatzz's recap: ABDC VMA Challenge Show

"The 6th week of ABDC has brought along much controversy in the past days. Nonetheless, the VMA Challenge was probably the most entertaining episode of the season: A blazing group performance, dope routines, a tight battle, and a heartbreaking elimination.

Read on to see what happens when the judges get caught in prison, a snake slithers on stage, men are hanging from the ceiling, Elisabet discovers her love for snakes, poppers turn Marie-Antoinette, fully grown married men go back to school and the biggest argument on ABDC history sparks between JC & Shane."

Click here to read thie rest of Zatzz' recap. Thanks Zatzz

The End is Near: So Enter Week 6 Elimination Challenge now!

Time to enter your votes for The Elimination Challenge for next week: Which crews will be in the bottom 2? Who will be eliminated? Enter each week and the person with the highest cumulative score for Season 4 will win an ABDC crew shirt of their choice and size (up to $35 retail). In case of a tie, we will have a tie-breaker question, to be posted the last week of the contest.

Nobody got all 3 points this week. FiredUp is in the lead with 9 points, but there are about a dozen on her tail with 7 and 8 points. And, this is the about only place you can let your friends know how this ABDC season will play out. So even if you're not in the running for the prize, please vote and let us know what you think! Post your votes now, and remember to include your email address in the appropriate field. Here's the rules. Voting closes midnight Wednesday September 16.

Exclusive Rhythm City podcast - what it's really like on ABDC

I spoke by phone with Rhythm City's Alonzo Williams the Friday after America's Best Dance Crew's VMA Challenge taping. It was a remarkably open and articulate discussion of how it felt onstage waiting for the VMA Challenge results, why he and the crew is disappointed (it is not disrespect for other crews but their hope that they could bring something distinctive into the finals), what it's really like during a typical week on ABDC, their plans, and more.

Particularly interesting to me was his discussion about how all the crews talked early about fan perceptions that Season 4 would be somehow inferior, and how each week the crews could sense who was in the Bottom 2 without being told so that it wasn't a complete shock to them.

Important note: I am aware that many ABDC fans are accusing Alonzo of being a bad sport. Let me make it clear -- as the person on the other end of the line, I ASSURE you that Alonzo was NOT disrespectful about the other crews; he was very complimentary about the their skills and enjoyed their friendships. Instead of giving a 'party line', he was honest about his feelings and it is quite difficult for ANYONE to honestly express disappointment without it being interpreted as sour grapes. So, PLEASE listen with an open mind. You might learn a lot. I did.

Red Bull BC One in NY - preview video

VMA Challenge Recaps, Early Edition

• You Love to Watch is warming to Afroborike and is bummed out that Rhythm City left the competition
• Spoil the Ending thought Massive Monkees won the battle but wished someone else had been in the bottom two against the bboys
  

Video: We Are Heroes showing their funny side

We Are Heroes talked to our interviewers Chris Trondsen and Fanny Pak's Glenda Morales after the taping of America's Best Dance Crew's VMA Challenge. They talk about their funniest member, what it's like to make the top 3 crews, how they think they rebounded, and show us some Madonna-style vogueing.

Video - Rhythm City - "We're going to take over the world"

Chris Trondsen and Fanny Pak's Glenda Morales talked to Rhythm City members CJ and Dion after the elimination. They talk about their disappointment, how they feel they won by being the last East Coast team standing, how to reach them, and some future plans.

Lil Mama Crashes the stage at VMAs

Lil Mama jumped onstage at the end of Jay-Z's number on the 2009 VMA Awards. Based on the video, Jay-Z is not pleased.

Jay-Z - New Music - More Music Videos

Send some Love to Rhythm City!

This was a tough week for the judges and the fans! Rhythm City rocked it in the VMA challenge, as they often did both on America's Best Dance Crew (winning our ABDC Season 4 reader surveys on best performance of the week more often than any other crew) and in live competitions (winning several US and international dance contests in 2009). They brought an original take to their challenges along with a hard hitting, compelling style. We can't wait to see them again, in the ABDC finale, in on-stage competitions, and in other dance ventures!

This post is ONLY for positive messages about Rhythm City. If you have negative things to say about them or about other aspects of ABDC, please take them to the Party Room/Critics Corner.
Photocredit: MTV

Survey: Best performance in ABDC's VMA Challenge

poll by twiigs.com

Survey: Worst Performance in ABDC's VMA Challenge

poll by twiigs.com

Vote Now or don't complain next week!

The online voting is now open for Week 6, from now until 5:30am Eastern time. If you want to protect your favorite crew, act now! You can click here to vote. Performance videos will probably be online by 11pm West Coast time, to aid in your choices.( BTW -- I chose this cartoon because I think Cosmic Boy looks somewhat like JC Chasez!)

Then, please come back to our Critic's Corner/Party Room! We want you!

VMA Challenge Party Room/Critics Corner now open, so join us!

The Party Room/Critics Corner for America's Best Dance Crew Week 6 (the VMA Challenge) is now open! Who kicked (or caressed) butt? Share your impressions, frustrations, hates and loves. Were there finally some memorable moments? Dis any crew pull away and show that they should definitely win Season 4?

After the show is over: Stay and give us your reactions and ideas. What else are you going to do during VMA commercial breaks anyway? Let us know what you think about the VMAs while you're at it!

Live Play-by-Play Blogging for ABDC's VMA Challenge open now!

This is live play-by-play for tonight's America's Best Dance Crew Season 4's VMA Challenge, moderated this week by NancyT. Follow along or keep up with the show if you can't watch it immediately. It's not easy to simultaneously watch the show, write about it, AND monitor the comments, so please leave most of your comments at the Party Room/Critics Corner post above this post!

Preview from the Pressbox - Chris Trondsen on the VMA Challenge

Our reporter Chris Trondsen tells us what it was like at the taping of the VMA Challenge (including what you WON'T see!) and what you can look forward to.

"One thing you don’t see unless you attend a taping of ‘ABDC’ is that after the bottom two crews perform, the taping usually takes a 15 minute break to have the judges go off and make their final decision about who stays. This week was WAY different. The judges were off for a good 45 minutes -- maybe even longer -- to pick who was going to make it to the final 3. The decision was THAT tough.

You will see two of the judges go at it head to head arguing over which crew did better. They argued back and forth for 5 minutes until Mario finally stopped them and told them to take it to the back to decide which crew stays. The third judge made it obvious who they pick and you know that the decision on who stays was a 2 to 1 decision. When the saved crew is announced, the audience went wild and after that crew's performance, how could they not? It was one of the best and biggest all season long!"

Click here to read the rest of Chris' preview, including his take on the group dance, more on the bottom 2 battle and info on the Week 7 challenge. Thanks Chris!

Join us tonight for Live Blogging, the Critics Corner/party room, and more!

Join us tonight before, during, and after the VMA Challenge on America's Best Dance Crew. Remember: ABDC airs early tonight (7PM ET/PT). The Party Room/Critics Corner opens at 6:30pm ET and stays open until everyone has said everything they want to about the challenge and about ABDC, hip hop, fantasy crews, whatever. Come here for rants, fantasies, and comraderie -- the perfect entertainment during the VMA commercial breaks and afterwards!

At 7pm ET, Nancy will be doing live play-by-play for those of you on the West Coast or have other reasons you can't or won't watch at that time. Early tomorrow, please vote in our polls on the best and worst performances for Week 6. And, we'll have recaps, the next round of our contests, backstage videos (with Chris Trondsen and Fanny Pak's Glenda Morales), and more!
photocredit: MTV

Video: Shane Sparks on Afroborike, Rhythm City, crews' responses to criticisms & more!

Our interviewers Chris Trondsen and Fanny Pak's Glenda Morales caught up with Shane Sparks before the taping of America's Best Dance Crew's VMA Challenge. He talks about fashion including his brief flirtation with the one-sleeve look, why the crews still didn't completely turn around respond after his harsh criticisms during the Martial Arts Challenge, why he loves Afroborike and Rhythm City, and his favorite Shane Sparks impersonator.

Video - JC Chasez -- ABDC 4 needs more memorable moments!

Our interviewers Chris Trondsen and Fanny Pak's Glenda Morales talked to America's Best Dance Crew judge JC Chasez about his first name (and who calls him that!), what it will take to win this season's show, and whether he will record a new CD. He describes that, while all this season's crews have danced well, only Vogue Evoution and Afroborike have described memorable moments that leave fans talking the next day.

Fanny Pak's Glenda on ABDC top 4 - reminiscences and recommendations

Our reporters Chris Trondsen and Fanny Pak's Glenda Morales take some time from their America's Best Dance Crew backstage interviews to talk about competing as the top 4 crews -- Season 2 vs. Season 4. They also talk about the strategy that a crew might take to pull ahead this season.

Tabitha D'umo on ABDC 4: "It's Anyone's Ballgame"

LAist interviews America's Best Dance Crew choreographers Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo about their charity work, clothing line, work on So You Think You Can Dance, the most embarrassing dance costumes they ever wore, and ABDC. Highlights regarding ABDC:

• Tabitha: "I can't predict who the winner is this year...People are getting smarter at recognizing what is good. They are making smarter more educated decisions rather than, "He's cute! I'll vote for him."
• Napoleon: "This season on ABDC and on So You Think You Can Dance, it seems like people are really voting on the routine for the week."