Teldon's ABDC Rewatch Review: Season 5, Episode 2: The East

About this series: Teldon is going to watch every episode of America's Best Dance Crew 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."

Now we move on to what most fans call the weakest region -- The East.  Will tonight's crews change our minds or will it be more of the same?  Watch the episode, then read the Rewatch Review.  Tomorrow: The West.

Today: Urban Street Jam, featuring Beat Freaks, Jungle Boogie, Ringmasters, and dozens of others

The line-up at Urban Street Jam in Los Angeles today (March 5, 2011) rivals any one-day competition you'll find anywhere in the U.S. Exhibition crews include Beat Freaks, Ringmasters, Blended Projekt, Miniotics, Tha Academy, and Unity LA. Among the competing crews: Villains, Jungle Boogie, and Choreo Cookies. The defending champions will be there including Common Ground, AllStylz Champions- Mike Song(KM Legacy) w Victor Kim(Quest Crew), and Viewers Choice Champion tWitch.  If you attend, give us a report! Click here for more information and tickets.

Kaba Modern performing at Disney's ElecTRONica this month!

Kaba Modern (America's Best Dance Crew Season 1) are the latest group signed to dance at Disney California Adventure Park's ElecTRONica, following popular runs by Poreotics and We Are Heroes. They are scheduled to dance Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through March 20.

Video: YELLE's "Safari Disco Club" featuring dancing by Fanny Pak members

This music video by YELLE is distinctive in many ways, including the performances by Fanny Pak members (America's Best Dance Crew Season 2). FromTheSpokalinter Youtube.

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch - Season 5, Episode 1 - "The South"

About this series: Teldon is going to watch every episode of America's Best Dance Crew 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-- New season, new format for the show.  This season, the audition rounds are back.  Unlike Seasons One and Two, this is not a two hour torture session.  This time around, they have narrowed it down to three regions (yet again screwing the Midwest): The East Coast, The South and The West Coast.  Each region gets its own episode as well.  I really enjoyed this change as it gave us more time to get to know the crews that would make it to nationals and let more crews have a chance.  For each round of the auditions, five crews will perform and two crews will advance to nationals.  Then, the remaining three crews will have to battle it out in a sudden death round to determine who gets the third spot.  Click here to watch The South audition, then read the Rewatch Review. Up tomorrow: The East.

Video: J Lo's Latest, with dancing from Mike Song - "On the Floor"

Jennifer Lopez' latest music video  -- "On the Floor" --shows Mike Song (member of Kinjaz and ABDC Season 1's Kaba Modern) dancing. Thanks for the tip, Shahin!

Tickets for the first two ABDC tapings now available on 1iota.com

1iota.com is the place to go if you want to be in the studio audience for America's Best Dance Crew. They now have tickets available for the taping of the first two shows. Both are on Sunday April 3 in the afternoon. I don't know if this means that taping will shift to Sundays this season. Click here for information and to get your tickets.

The site lists ABDC 'guests': Mario Lopez, J. C. Chasez, and Lil Mama. No mention of Omarion or another 'guest'.

Wanted: Information and videos about a 'mystery' LA auditioning crew

We've heard multiple rumors (from excellent sources) about another crew that auditioned for America's Best Dance Crew Season 6 and did really well. Our reporters at the auditions know nothing about them, so I wanted to see if any of you have further information. 

The name supposedly has the word "Truth" in it, and they have a variety of classical hip hop techniques (popping, b-boy, tricking) along with jazz and choreo. At least one member appears to be part of the Clear Talent Group. If you know something, please share it in the comments!

Video: Swagger Crew's Jason & Terence + I.aM.mE's Marvelous Moon "Upside Down"

Jason and Terence from Swagger Crew (America's Best Dance Crew Season 5) collaborated with Marvelous Moon (I.aM,mE0 on this routine to "Upside Down." Thanks for the tip, BSG!

Mailbox: Keep It Live 2 Street Dance Jam, Royal Flush' Neyon in "Hall Pass", Quest interview

-- Keep It Live is back with a second street dance competition on March 12 in Los Angeles! It will feature a 2-on-2 popping battle, 2-on-2 all styles battle, and a showcase by local crew Distinguished Gentlemen. The winners of our 2-on-2 popping battle will go on to battle dancers from the JRock (Dark Doctor from LXD) and JSmooth (Step Up 3D) and others on March 19 at the Truth of Poppin' event in LA. 

-- Neyon of Royal Flush has a featured part in the hit movie "Hall Pass". Just look for the guy with the goggles in the bar scene!
-- Channel APA has a new interview with Quest Crew, where they answer the usual questions, plus talk about where they'll be in 10 years, words of wisdom, and regrets

Enter our ABDC6 Top 10 contest now!

Who will compete on America's Best Dance Crew Season 6?  We don't know, and but we want to know what you think.  So, here's a contest to let you 'cast' which crews you think will make it to ABDC6 Top 10. The top 10 are the crews that appear on the first episode of ABDC6 to be aired April 7, 2010.  If there the show has a different number competing, we'll count the ones who appear and are on your list. IMPORTANT: This website is NOT MTV, and your entry here will NOT influence who gets picked for the show!! Prize: Tshirt (value up to $30) or $30 iTunes gift card/certificate.  RULES:

• Pick up to 10 crews from our list of auditioners (below).  If you pick more, I will only count the first 10 listed
• Send your answers to ABDCContest@gmail.com. I will NOT count the answers listed in the comments for this or any other post!
• Please do not enter more than once a week!
• Please don't enter this if you work for MTV or Viacom
  
• Contest ends as soon as MTV announces the names of ANY crews competing on the show
• The winner is the person who accurately picked the most crews that appear on the show. If there is a tie, the prize will go to the entry with the earliest email 'postmark'
• The winner will be announced on this site after I am sure of the correct answer -- either after the formal announcement, or after ABDC6 Episode 1 show airs.
  

Here's the list of the auditioning crews that we know did well at the auditions. If you know about other ABDC6 auditioners who definitely made it to callbacks,  leave a comment with info on the crew and we'll add them to the list. Any crews not on the list WILL NOT be counted on your entry, even if they make the top 10!  

Chicago crews: 787 Crew, 8 Count (from Canada), CODA, Design, Destined 2 B, N-10-city, Puzzle League, Redefinition, Roulette, Stereo Junkies, The Union, Vixenz. Links for Chicago info/videos: Part 1, Part 2

Houston Crews: Alien Tactics, Apocalypse, Beat Junkies, Collizion, I.aM.mE, Illovation, Ilmatic Phlow, Mad Skills, Second 2 None, STAK'D, TRAFFIK Jam, U4Ria, Wreckless. Links for Houston videos/info: Part 1, Part 2

New York Crews: 8 Count (from MA), Boston Tap Company, Da Emperorz, D Code, Hipnotic Phlava, ICONic Boyz, ICONic Girlz, Illmatic Force, In da Clutch, Irratik, JHHA Droppas, Moonrunners, Motion Picture, Phunk Phenomenon, Phunk Snap, Point Blank, POSH, Ridonkulous, Rockwell Family, Streetz, Stryke Force, Systematic, The Movement, Uneek EFX, Venom, WRT, XDC Links for NY: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Los Angeles Crews: 25/8, Elektrolytes, Entity, Fallen Kingz, Flavas, Freshh, Freshh 2.0, Funk Beyond Control,  Inside the Box, Jungle Jills, Klaamation, Knucklehead Zoo, Marvel Inc., Mos Wanted Crew, Oceans 11, Proteges, ReQuest, RNG, SickStep, SRL, Street Kingdoms, The Academy, The Generation, Unity LA, Urban Empire Kidz, Villains, WHAT . Links for LA info/videos: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5  UPDATE: We are adding a crew tentatively called Truth (or something to that effect), since we've heard they did well. We've heard that at least one member is connected with Clear Talent Group. If you have more information, please share it!

Crews that did not audition in person but submitted videos:  Chaos Theory Crew, Ol' Skool Cru, Sinigang, Smash! (from Puerto Rico).  Click here for info/Videos on these crews.

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch Review - Season 4, Episode 8: The Live Finale

About this series: Teldon is going to watch every episode of America's Best Dance Crew 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."

 Season 4 is now history; all that's left is crowning the winner. Watch the  Season 4 Live Finale, then read the Rewatch Review. We'll take off a few days, then we'll start rewatching ABDC Season 5

Congratulations to Keone and Mari!

If this isn't one of the sweetest ways (for a dancer at least) to announce your engagement, I don't know what is.


From the BloggingBestDanceCrew Community: Congratulations to these two!  Here's to a happy marriage and much more awesome married choreography in the future!

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch Review - Season 4, Episode 7: Decades of Dance Challenge

About this series: Teldon is going to watch every episode of America's Best Dance Crew 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."

Now comes the time to separate the men from the mice with the Extended Mix theme challenge.  This season it is the Decades of Dance routine.  In it, the three remaining crews will have to emulate distinctive styles from past and current dance icons.  Will they be able to put their own spin on these classic moves and make it look good?  We are about to find out. Watch the episode here, then click here to read the Rewatch Review. Tomorrow, we revisit the Season 4 Live Finale.

Released today: JabbaWockeeZ MUS.I.C. album -- preview the tunes now!

Today is the release for MUS.I.C. -- the JabbaWockeeZ album with soundtrack by The Bangerz. Click here to preview and buy the tunes.

Video: Rino' (Beat Freaks, Geminiz) Class: "The SHINee World"

Rino Nakasone (Beat Freaks, Geminiz) teaches dance at Debbie Reynolds Studio in Hollywood. Here's a recent class, working with her class on choreography to "The SHINee" World." Thanks for the tip, DirtfaceX!

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch Review - Season 4, Episode 6: VMA Challenge

About this series: Teldon is going to watch every episode of America's Best Dance Crew 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."

Not since Season One have we had a tribute-themed show.  Tonight, the four crews will be doing their own interpretations of classic routines done on the VMAs throughout the years.  Will the crews be able to capture the spirit of the routine and make it their own?  Time to find out. Watch the VMA Challenge Episode, then click here to read the Rewatch Review. Tomorrow's review: Decades of Dance Challenge.
 

ABDC6 auditions spotlight - taped tryouts: Chaos Theory Crew, Ol' Skool Cru, Sinigang, Smash!

Time for more attention and information on the crews that did well at the America's Best Dance Crew Season 6 auditions and might be chosen to appear on the show.  We know names for most of the crews that did well during their auditions.  We will soon run a contest to let you 'cast' which of the crews you think should make it to ABDC6 Top 10.  To help you choose and give these crews some exposure, we'll spotlight each of them and show any recent performance videos we can find. 

Today: Crews that auditioned by video and not in person that we heard were given callbacks.  Please leave a comment if you know of other crews that didn't go to the auditions, and were contacted for a callback.  In the next two days -- I'll officially start the Top 10 contest.

• Chaos Theory Crew is a group from Princeton University that focuses on technical styles of hip hop dance.  You can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and ChaosTheoryCrew Youtube (which includes videos of  Kaba Modern's visit to Princeton).  Click here to see the group performances from Fall 2010 and Winter 2011. Here's my favorite, showing freestyle from each crew member

• Ol' Skool Cru from Seattle consists of members who are all over 40 and "have over 200 years of dance experience" between them.

Click here for info and videos on Sinigang and Smash!

Winner of the ABDC Time Machine Contest: Video of Super Cr3w's Ronnie at age 11!

Thanks to everyone who entered out ABDC Time Machine contest, to find the earliest video footage of a member of an America's Best Dance Crew competitor. MintyMist is the winner, having sent in footage from Turn It Loose with embedded video of Super Crew's Ronnie dancing at the age of 11. Since he was born in 1982, the clip has to have been filmed around 1993-94.

In this clip (starting at 0:59) Ronnie's voice over says that he was 11 years old in the clip. You can also watch a little more of the same footage at another point in Turn It Loose (click here, watch starting at 4:35). Congratulations MintyMist!

ABDC6 auditions spotlight - LA Pt. 5: The Generation, Unity LA, Urban Empire Kidz, Villains, WHAT

Time for more attention and information on the crews that did well at the America's Best Dance Crew Season 6 auditions and might be chosen to appear on the show.  We know names for most of the crews that did well during their auditions.  We will soon run a contest to let you 'cast' which of the crews you think should make it to ABDC6 Top 10.  To help you choose and give these crews some exposure, we'll spotlight each of them and show any recent performance videos we can find. 

Today: Part 5 in our coverage of the Los Angeles auditions, featuring five more crews that made it to callbacks during the LA tryouts. Tomorrow: Crews that auditioned by video and not in person that we heard were given callbacks.   

• The Generation is a group of guys under the age of 18 who represent junior dance groups in the Southern California area.  We haven't found a video with a full routine from the group, but here's our interview (with a short dance demo) at the ABDC6 auditions. (When watching the dance, be kind and remember that the group had very little room on the sidewalk to move!)

• Unity LA is part of the Unity Dance Ensemble, and formed in 2005. They performed in many events in Southern California including VIBE, World of Dance San Diego, and Fusion. Follow them at UnityDanceEnsemble.com, Facebook,  and Youtube. Click here to watch our interview with the crew, including a dance demonstration.

Click here for info and videos on Urban Empire Kidz, Villains, and WHAT.

Teldon's ABDC Rewatch Review- Season 4, Episode 5 -Dance Craze Challenge

About this series: Teldon is going to watch every episode of America's Best Dance Crew 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 we just got done with India and what a left field style challenge that was!  So to make things normal, let's put a trampoline in the middle of the stage.  That's normal, right?  In addition, you have to add some fairly bleh dance moves to your routine.  Because we wouldn't want you to have a normal routine and showcase your best.  That would be cheating.  Can these five crews overcome this adversity and make it work? Watch the Dance Craze Challenge, then read the Rewatch Review. Tomorrow: The VMA Challenge.

LXD - Matched, starring Harry Shum Jr.

While not all of us are willing to go brave Justin Bieber to see the big screen, 3D premiere of the LXD, you can still get your LXD fix by watching this short film put out featuring Harry Shum Jr.