Friday, February 19, 2010

Kaba Modern Founder Arnel Calvario critiques latest ABDC show - are the judges employing the right standards?

After the taping of America's Best Dance Crew's Nationals episode (aka the Chart Topper Challenge), Chris Trondsen and Glenda Morales met with Arnel Calvario to discuss what they saw. Arnel is one of the best people I know to evaluate America's Best Dance Crew since he founded Kaba Modern; choreographs and dances in his own right for Kaba Modern and other groups; manages Beat Freaks, Fanny Pak, and Kaba Modern Legacy; and was covering the show for the LA Times. He is also one of the most constructive and articulate people I've met during my time covering ABDC.

Arnel critiqued each of the nine performances and the judges' reactions, as well as talking about the upcoming Urban Street Jam event. He raises some intriguing questions, including whether crews like Poreotix should be judged on their own style or be coerced by judges into becoming more 'universal'; he compares the situation to JabbaWockeeZ who were not asked to vary their own style for the show. 

His video critique is long and detailed, but very valuable feedback and reflection for dancers, MTV, and avid dance fans. Here's Part I and Part III; I'm featuring Part II here to spotlight the discussion o Poreotix. But, please watch all three and give us your own feedback.