Teldon's ABDC Rewatch - Season 1, Episode 5 - Thriller Challenge

About this series: Teldon is going to watch every episode of America's Best Dance Crew from The Season 1 live auditions all the way to Season 5 Champions for Charity, in order to try and see them with a fresh outlook, judging them on their own merits.  He invites you to join him, rewatching and reviewing the shows. Click here to read his criteria and how he is judging the performances. His only request:  "please keep an open mind through out this look back.  You may surprise yourself and learn to enjoy crews you did not like or see one of your favorites in a new light."

What happens when you take one of the most iconic albums of all time and some of the best dance crews in the country?  Magic!  This episode celebrates the 25th anniversary of the release of Michael Jackson's album Thriller.  Will the five remaining crews be able to do justice to these legendary songs?  Let's find out! Watch the episode by clicking here, then click here to read the Rewatch Review. If you want to prepare for the tomorrow's Rewatch, click here to watch.

Two Possible ABDC Auditioners from Washington: Audacity Cru, RNG

Here are some more videos from crews that we think are auditioning of the next season of America's Best Dance Crew:
- Audacity Cru, who also performed at World of Dance Seattle this year. Update: their audition video was removed from Youtube. Here's their performance at World of Dance (note: no soundtrack for their dancing):  -
-RNG (Rated Next Generation), another Washington group that also appeared on America's Got Talent and competed at Hip Hop International and World of DanceSeattle. From RNGDancers Youtube Channel. This is their appearance at a recent Monsters of Hip Hop Showcase. Thanks for the tip, Ninjaboi and Kid Bowser!

VIBE 16 coming to Irvine January 30: Poreotics, Kinjaz, Kaba Modern Legacy, Choreo Cookies and dozens more!

VIBE is back on January 30, 2011 with an impressive line-up. The event at UC Irvine will feature some America's Best Dance Crew alumni, the family teams for other ABDC crews, and other noteworthy dancers and acts including:
-- A special performance of Poreotics with their junior team Miniotics
-- Exhibition performances by Kaba Modern Legacy, Kinjaz (formally known as Anbu Black Ops), Jungle Boogie, and Unity LA
-- Competition from Choreo Cookies, Kaba Modern, Team Millenia, CADC, Pac Modern, GRV, 220, Common Ground, NSU Modern,IV League, The Company and Super Galactic Beat Manipulators
-- Musical from Victor Kim (Quest) featuring rapper Dumbfoundead and electric violinist Jason Yang (Electric Violinist)

If that doesn't convince you -- here's their Youtube promo video. For more information and tickets, go to VibeDanceCompetition.com.

Another ABDC6 auditioner: Puzzle League Crew

Puzzle League Crew is auditioning for America's Best Dance Crew Season 6 in Chicago. Here's their performance at World of Dance in Chicago. What do you think? Thanks for the tip, The Trend is Happy!

Update: This was their audition set for ABDC; thanks for the link J.Doe! Good luck Puzzle League!

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch - Season 1, Episode 4 - Movie Character Challenge

About this series: Teldon is going to watch every episode of America's Best Dance Crew from The Season 1 live auditions all the way to Season 5 Champions for Charity, in order to try and see them with a fresh outlook, judging them on their own merits.  He invites you to join him, rewatching and reviewing the shows. Click here to read his criteria and how he is judging the performances. His only request:  "please keep an open mind through out this look back.  You may surprise yourself and learn to enjoy crews you did not like or see one of your favorites in a new light."

 Finally we get to what is possibly my most favorite episode from all seasons.  Are the rose colored glasses fogging my memory?  Let's find out shall we! Click here to watch it, then click here to read my rewatch review. And, if you want to get ready for Episode 5, click here.

Video: Mami (We Are Heroes) in Tiësto vs. Diplo's 'C'mon'

Mami from ABDC4 Champion crew We Are Heroes appears as one of the featured dancers in 'Cmon' from Tiësto vs. Diplo featuring Busta Rhymes. Thanks for the tip, Shahin! 

Mailbox: Profile of Blueprint Cru, Another Canadian crew for ABDC?, PureMovement at Stanford

• JustalilHype.com posted an in-depth interview with ABDC5's Blueprint Cru. Among the topics: how they formed, the hardest parts of working on America's Best Dance Crew, differences in the dance scene between Canada and the rest of the world, and advice for aspiring dancers. Thanks for the tip, DirtfaceX! 
• According to BC Local News, Canadian crew Kick It Up a Notch will be auditioning in Los Angeles for the new season of ABDC. Their choreographer was urged to audition by Blueprint Cru's president, Steve Bolton. No video available yet.
• PureMovement, a group using hip hop as concert dance will be performing at Stanford on January 22. SFGate just published an interview with Rennie Harris, the group's founder, where he decries ABDC and how other countries have incorporated hip-hop choreography into theater. Here's a recent video of PureMovement:

Hype Auditions

Sorry for the last minute post, but...

Just a reminder that The Hype (parent crew of ABDC 5's Hype 5-0), are holding auditions tonight!

So if you're in Hawaii, definitely go out and show your support!

If you can't make it tonight, don't worry.  They'll be having another round of auditions next Thursday, the 27th. 

Let us know if you attend the ABDC auditions in Houston and Chicago this weekend!

America's Best Dance Crew's audition judges are now on the road. They will be in Chicago on January 21 and Houston on January 23. We hear that nobody except MTV will be allowed to video or photograph any of the auditions, but we'd still like to hear about the scene or see any footage outside the audition room! If you attend either of the try-outs as an auditioner, a supporter, or a member of the press, please let us know which crews you see, what the atmosphere is like, who the audition judges are, the audition process this season, etc. We'll post your report with the proper credits (of course). Thanks!

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch - Season 1, Episode 3 - Dance Craze Challenge

About this series: Teldon is going to watch every episode of America's Best Dance Crew from The Season 1 live auditions all the way to Season 5 Champions for Charity, in order to try and see them with a fresh outlook, judging them on their own merits.  He invites you to join him, rewatching and reviewing the shows. Click here to read his criteria and how he is judging the performances. His only request:  "please keep an open mind through out this look back.  You may surprise yourself and learn to enjoy crews you did not like or see one of your favorites in a new light."

Well now that we have seen what happens when crews are forced to leave their comfort zone, the competition is well and truly on.  Last week the judges have shown they can and will make hard choices.  Will the challenge this week lead to more heartache? Click here to watch, then click here to read my rewatch review. And, if you want to get ready for the next episode, you can watch it here.

Advice for crews auditioning for ABDC6 from the Casting Director

Here's some advice on auditioning for America's Best Dance Crew, from ABDC Casting Director Michelle McNulty. We posted many of these word of advice (with some modification for Season 6) just before Season 5, and it still applies:

• How to register: For audition location, registration, how to apply, and other details, go to ABDCCasting.com
• Key success factors are the same as earlier seasons: branding, versatility, being true to yourself, engaging the audience, staying non-defensive. Details here.
• Who should audition: Season 6 has slightly different rules: it is the first season that will allow dancers of all ages. Crews should have 5-7 members (if you want to include more members, contact ABDC@mtv.com for permission). They welcome crews that auditioned for earlier seasons. Details here.
• Advice to new crews: If you are forming a new crew, make sure that all performers are at the same high level. One weaker dancer can pull down the entire crew
• Show something new! Traditional hip hop styles are welcome -- they want the b-boys and choreo crews to come out to audition. But crews have to show something different than what's already appeared on the show. Example: since Ringmasters were successful in Season 3, several crews auditioned for Season 4 showing similar bone-breaking moves. MISTAKE!
• NO BYTING of other crews' signature moves, whether or not the original appeared on ABDC!
• Common mistakes: here are three common problems with audition routines that should be avoided

Videos: Klaamation and Baby-Maation in music videos and in live performance

Some news from Klaamation, who may also be auditioning for America's Best Dance Crew Season 6: they choreographed "Magnetic" by Audio (featuring Akon), and performed in Japan with Baby-maation and in Korea  with Drake. Thanks for the link, theEmp!

Vote for Your favorite Live 2 Dance semi-finalist of the night!

Voting is now open for the remaining spot on Live to Dance. Among the contenders:
1. Jalen  breakdancing cutie extraordinaire (855)LIVE-TO-1 or text 1 to 97979
2. Twitch -- contemporary team. (855) LIVE-TO-3 or text 3 to 97979
3. De-shaunt Stegall-- lock-er (855) LIVE-TO-4 or text 4 to 97979

You can also vote online at CBS.com/vote(though it's not working at this moment).  At this time, there are no video clips available on-line for tonight's performances. VOTE!

Live to Dance/American Idol Party Room is now open -- come on in!

Tonight, Jalen is one of six acts trying to make it into the Live to Dance finals. That's reason enough for a party room! What do you think about the other acts? For that matter, what do you think about the new American Idol judges and wannabes? How about Adventure Time? Or, whatever -- the space is yours. Just keep it PG-13 and interesting.

Life after ABDC: Quest's Ryanimay in "Green Hornet", will appear with Glee Cast in Superbowl ad

Interesting tweet of the day: Ryanimay Conferido (Quest Crew): "Just finished shooting a Superbowl commercial with the cast of GLEE for Chevrolet ! Excited to see it !" In other recent tweets, he mentions that he appears in the opening party scene in "The Green Hornet".

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch - Season 1, Episode 2 - Video Star Challenge

About this series: Teldon is going to watch every episode of America's Best Dance Crew from The Season 1 live auditions all the way to Season 5 Champions for Charity, in order to try and see them with a fresh outlook, judging them on their own merits.  He invites you to join him, rewatching and reviewing the shows. Click here to read his criteria and how he is judging the performances. His only request:  "please keep an open mind through out this look back.  You may surprise yourself and learn to enjoy crews you did not like or see one of your favorites in a new light."

Our first true challenge week.  This week kicks off what was to become somewhat of a tradtion through out the series.  Most of us who follow the series have fond memories every time a version of this challenge is performed.  For this episode onward I will be adding a section to each crew's write up on my feelings of how well they did their challenge for the week.  In addition, to make sure I get everything I will be watching each performance three times instead of twice. Watch here and click here to read his review. (If you want to watch ahead to the next episode, click here).
Thanks Teldon!

Party Room tonight -- Watch Jalen on Live to Dance!

Poor Paula Abdul -- her Live to Dance show is going head-to-head with the American Idol premiere tonight. Jalen is her only weapon. So, we'll set up a party room just before 8pm ET for you to talk about whatever you watch, or whatever you want to talk about. We're easy, so join us.

Video: The Hype "No Hands"

The Hype (family crew for ABDC5's Hype 5-0) are holding auditions the next two weeks. They've posted a video of their latest effort, for fans and for prospective members on the Hype50TV Youtube Channel. Thanks for the link, Kid Bowser!

Enter ABDC Trivia Contest Week 7 now!

Time for more trivia about America's Best Dance Crew, for a chance to win some ABDC-related merchandise or an ITunes gift certificate.  Full rules here. The prize goes to the highest cumulative score (plus winner of the tie-breaker) over this 10-week contest. The deadline for this puzzle is midnight on January 23, 2011.

This week's question: What musical artist has been performed to by the most crews? This includes crew reunions, tribute challenges and battles. It does not include DJ Unk's "Walk It Out"! Email your answer to ABDCContest@gmail.com. Good luck!

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch - Season 1, Episode 1 - The Battle Begins

About this series: Teldon is going to watch every episode of America's Best Dance Crew from The Season 1 live auditions all the way to Season 5 Champions for Charity, in order to try and see them with a fresh outlook, judging them on their own merits.  He invites you to join him, rewatching and reviewing the shows. Click here to read his criteria and how he is judging the performances. His only request:  "please keep an open mind through out this look back.  You may surprise yourself and learn to enjoy crews you did not like or see one of your favorites in a new light."

So here we are ready to start off the first season.  The nine crews have been selected and thay have to battle each other to see who is going to stay to fight for our votes.  How well did these nines crews do this first week?  Did they live up to their legacy?  Lets find out! Watch here and click here to read his review. (If you want to watch ahead to the next episode, click here).

Poreotics: is a TV show and Las Vegas revue in their future?

RadarOnline reported that ABDC5 winners Poreotics are in negotiations for a TV show that documents their preparations for Hip Hop International and for a Las Vegas show like JabbaWockeeZ' MUS.I.C.  "A source close to production told RadarOnline.com the new show will follow the dance crew to Las Vegas, where they'll be headlining their own act on the Strip. "The show is about the cameras following the current champions' journey to defend their title from ABDC to the World Championships in Vegas...It's also a behind-the-scenes look into creating their live Las Vegas show.""

Another ABDC6 auditioner: Illmatic Phlow

Illmatic Phlow from Miami are the latest team to announce their intention to audition for America's Best Dance Crew Season 6. Here's some of their work, from the bboyexclu Youtube Channel.

Answer to ABDC Trivia Contest Week 6 = 2

Thanks to everyone who entered this week's ABDC Trivia Contest. The number of entries is declining, either because 1. people aren't enjoying this as much as earlier contests, 2. they don't know the answers and don't want to guess, or 3. they think mistakenly that they are out of the running if they skipped a week or two.

There were 13 correct answers this week to the question: How many times did Poreotics audition for America's Best Dance Crew BEFORE getting onto the show? Poreotics unsuccessfully auditioned for the third and fourth season, and were successful in their third attempt. I am giving credit to all answers that showed they knew the right answer (i.e., those who said three but included Season 5 in their explanations).  I'll post a new question tomorrow.

ABDC Rewatch - Season One Audition Special -- what really happened!

Hi folks!  For those that do not know me, I am Teldon.  I have been a huge fan of the show since almost the beginning (I started watching season one at Thriller week) and I love to talk about what has happened on the stage.  For a while now I have seen that many of us are always comparing crews from different season against each other.  I feel that most of us unfairly (whether good or bad) remember performances from past seasons.   What I am challenging us as fans to do is to go back and re-watch all the seasons without the previous love, hate or indifference we had for the crews performing.

I am going to start at the beginning of the series and work my way to the Champions for Charity Episode.  I am going to watch every episode all the way to the end with no skipping past anything.  This time around I am going to be more open minded to all performances and judge them on their own merits.  Nothing they do before the show or after the show will factor in.  Only time spent on the ABDC stage will count. I only ask you all that you please keep an open mind through out this look back.  You may surprise yourself and learn to enjoy crews you did not like or see one of your favorites in a new light.

Watch the live audition here, then click here to read my criteria, how I am going to judge, and this episode's review. [Note from Nancy: definitely try this at home. You may be surprised at what you find, just as Teldon is surprised that he has JabbaWockeeZ in the bottom 3].

More World of Dance Awards coverage: Video Montage; Ellen Degeneres show

As befits the winner of the Best Media Coverage award from World of Dance, Pacific Rim created a montage of the action at the WOD awards, including: interviews with Poreotics, Beat Freaks, Arnel Calvario and more; snips of some of the dance acts, and scenes from the afterparty.
In addition, Ellen Degeneres mentioned on her show that she was nominated for a WOD award for best TV dance performance and reran the So You Think You Can Dance Clip. Thanks for the tip, ubiquitous Guest!

Memorial tribute video from Neyon (Royal Flush) to honor four untimely deaths

It's Martin Luther King Day/ I think it would be great if all of us take time to remember why the Reverend deserved commemoration, and also to honor the memories of others who lived in an upright and inspiring manner. That's why I want to feature this video from  Neyon of Royal Flush (America's Best Dance Crew Season 5), who created a touching tribute to four teens who died too young --Cameron Irvin, Jamark McCloud, Bobby Tillman, and Ben Napier. 

New BABDC feature starting this week -- Teldon's ABDC Rewatch!

One interesting phenomenon about watching a competitive reality series like America's Best Dance Crew: most of us shift our opinions about crews as the season goes along, and we forget how we really felt about crews week-to-week. We all think we are right in what we do remember about how well the crews did with their time on the show. We become fanboys/fangirls for a crew and remember neither the stellar performances from crews that leave early nor the mediocre performances from crews that stepped up their game later in the season. 

Teldon came up with the idea of rewatching all the episodes of America's Best Dance Crew, breaking down each crew's performance on each show. We'll post these a day at a time, along with a link to the show. You might be surprised, upon reflection, about how America's Best Dance Crew and your favorite groups evolved. At the very least, we should have some involved commentary!
So, come back tomorrow for Part I of America's Best Dance Crew Season 1, where Teldon critiques the crews on the Audition Special. And, if you want to play along, you can watch the ABDC1 Audition special today. There are 11 clips at this link that show the full program. And, thanks Teldon!!

Videos: Brian Puspos talks about Architeks and SoReal Cru + workshop footage

Brian Puspos taught a workshop at U4ria Studios in Florida a few months ago. From U4ria Youtube Channel, there are two videos from that time -- one where he talks about the breakup of SoReal Cru and the formation of the Architeks and one showing his  workshop. Thanks, Rogue!

Videos: Performances at World of Dance Awards from Culture Shock LA, Jungle Jills, Future Funk, Mischief Makers, Bridging the Gap

The World of Dance Industry Awards held on January 14 also featured several performances from dance teams. LilMiZZSH0RTiiEX3 Youtube Channel captured several of them, including Jungle Jills, Future Funk, Bridging the Gap, Mischief Makers, and Culture Shock LA. Thanks for the tip, PerezOverride!