Video question: Is Josue (Afroborike) a back-up dancer for Weird Al's "Perform this Way"?

MercedesMZ wants to confirm a possible spotting of life after America's Best Dance Crew. Watch this video of Weird Al Yankovic's "Perform this Way" and tell us if you think that Josue Torres from Afroborike (ABDC Season 4) was one of the backup dancers.

Mailbox videos: Hiro's SYTYCD audition, Strikers' Performance Reel, Afroborike tribute

--Video of the So You Think You Can Dance audition from Hiro McRae (We are Heroes -- ABDC4 Champions)

--Click here for a tribute to Afroborike (ABDC Season 4 runners-up) from kickpunchboom Youtube.
--Bestksproductions Youtube has a performance reel for Strikers All-Stars (ABDC Season 3)

Answer to ABDC Trivia Contest Week 7: Lady Gaga

Thanks to everyone who entered Week 7 of our ABDC Trivia Contest. At this point, we have a 3-way tie between AnotherCreator, Florian, and VivalaVix with 7 points each, and quite a lot of people just one point behind.  If we still have a tie after Week 10, I'll announce a tie-breaker challenge (if anyone has some superb ideas on this, please email me at BloggingBestDanceCrew@gmail.com).

This week's question:What musical artist has been performed to by the most crews? Answer: Lady Gaga's songs were danced to by 17 America's Best Dance Crew competitors,  beating out close contenders Beyonce (15), Chris Brown (12), Britney Spears (12), Black Eyed Peas (12), and Lil John (12). An interesting factoid mentioned by 3 entrants: Ke$ha is the only artist who has been danced to by 7 crews in a single season without having her own artist challenge. Here's the enumeration for Lady Gaga (thanks, Ninjaboi): 

• Season 3: 6 crews -- Quest, Beat Freaks, Fly Khicks for Hip Hop Decathlon; Dynamic Edition Illusion Week; Team Millennia and Boxcuttuhz (along with Beat Freaks who are already counted) in the reunion
• Season 4: 4 crews --We Are Heroes, Afroborike, Massive Monkees for the top 3 challenge;Beat Ya Feet Kings for Martial Arts Week
• Season 5: 7 crews performed during Lady Gaga week

  The next trivia question will be posted tomorrow!

Wonderful Behind the Scenes video at ABDC 4 from a crew member's perspective

I recommend that you go to Facebook to and Jose Hancock of Beat Ya Feet Kings (America's Best Dance Crew Season 4). Reason: besides being a good guy, many of you will really enjoy his   behind the scenes video showing the ABDC crews pigging out, practicing, and having fun. I really enjoyed seeing the members of Beat Ya Feet Kings, Fr3sh, Southern Movement, Vogue Evolution, Artistry in Motion, Massive Monkees, We are Heroes, and Afroborike together again. Click here to connect to Jose's profile.

Video: Josue from Afroborike teaches IDA workshop

Josue De la Vega of Afroborike (runners up for America's Best Dance Crew Season 4) teaches a Latin Jazz Funk class at IDA Hollywood on Wednesdays 6-7pm. Click here for details on this and other IDA Hollywood classes. Here are some brief highlights from a recent class: 

Video: Brandon's promo for an imaginary ABDC All-Star Season

Since the producers of America's Best Dance Crew still haven't announced their intentions for Season 6, Brandon took the matter into his own hands. He created a promo video for an All-star season 6, with 10 crews returning to compete: Fysh N Chicks, Kaba Modern, A.S.I.I.D., Fanny Pak, Strikers All-stars, Fly Khicks, Beat Freaks, Afroborike, Saltare, and Blueprint Cru. Brandon adds: "this is MY*** all star team and I know people are going to get mad about some of the crews I chose :P" Thanks for making this, Brandon and posting it on your McGoober6 Youtube Channel -- I'd love to watch this season!

IDA Studios: Sign up for IDA classes with members of Afroborike, Heavy Impact, and We are Heroes

For those dancers looking to expand their skills and repertoire: Josue Vega-Torres from Afroborike (ABDC Season 4) will be teaching a Latin Jazz class on Wednesdays at IDA in Los Angeles. Cool poster too!

Isaac from Heavy Impact also teaches a class at IDA. His hip hop groove classes are Thursdays 7-8pm and Saturdays 2-3pm. Marie Poppins -- one of the original We are Heroes who did not appear on America's Best Dance Crew -- teaches beginning popping on Mondays from 8-9pm

Video: Afroborike performance at Centro des Bellas Artes in Puerto Rico

We haven't heard much about Afroborike lately, but here's a recent performance at Centro des Bellas Artes in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. From Prinkgurl17 Youtube Channel. 

More MUS.I.C: after-party interviews w/ members of JabbaWockeeZ, Super Cr3w, Fanny Pak, Quest, Afroborike, Beat Freaks,more

Pacific Rim blanketed the red carpet and post-party for the premiere of ABDC1 Champions JabbaWockeeZ' Las Vegas Show, MUS.I.C. Among the interview goodies conducted by Chris Trondsen and Angelica Alumia:

• Super Cr3w, who also are featured in the show
• Quest Crew 
• Quest's Ryan Conferido and his girlfriend Kady Zinke
• The 'girls' of America's Best Dance Crew -- Glenda and Tiffani (Fanny Pak), Veronica (Afroborike), Alexis (Team Millennia)
• Beat Freak Maryss with her boyfried Austin Wright 
• Lil Mama
• And, of course -- JabbaWockeeZ, talking about how they've always envisioned doing a show like this, the endurance needed for a long program, and what it's like to see their signs all over Las Vegas:

Penultimate week of Elimination Challenge/Bottom 2 contest is now open

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 5 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.
This week, vote for the 2 crews from America's Best Dance Crew's Top 4 that you think will be in the bottom, and name the one that gets sent home, for a possible 3 points total. For example, in ABDC4's Beyonce Challenge, an entry worth 3 points would have read: "Bottom 2 - Afroborike, Artistry in Motion. Eliminated: Artistry in Motion". 

Here's the rules. PLEASE REMEMBER TO USE THE SAME DISTINCTIVE NAME EACH WEEK SINCE VOTES ARE CUMULATIVE!  Right now there is a 4 way tie between Ace, Del, Jai, and David Jason, but MANY people can still sneak in and take the prize. Voting closes midnight Monday March 22.

Week 8 of Elimination Challenge/ Bottom 2 contest is now open

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 5 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.

This week, vote for the 2 crews from America's Best Dance Crew's Top 4 that you think will be in the bottom, and name the one that gets sent home, for a possible 3 points total. For example, in ABDC4's Beyonce Challenge, an entry worth 3 points would have read: "Bottom 2 - Afroborike, Artistry in Motion. Eliminated: Artistry in Motion". 

Here's the rules. PLEASE REMEMBER TO USE THE SAME DISTINCTIVE NAME EACH WEEK SINCE VOTES ARE CUMULATIVE!  Right now there is a 3 way tie between Del, Jai, and Vertigo, but MANY people can still topple them and take the prize. Voting closes midnight Monday March 22.

Elimination Challenge/Bottom 2 contest for Week 7 now open - predict & win!

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 5 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.

This week, vote for the 2 crews from America's Best Dance Crew's Top 7 that you think will be in the bottom, and name the one that gets sent home, for a possible 3 points total. For example, in ABDC4's Beyonce Challenge, an entry worth 3 points would have read: "Bottom 2 - Afroborike, Artistry in Motion. Eliminated: Artistry in Motion". 
   

Here's the rules. PLEASE REMEMBER TO USE THE SAME DISTINCTIVE NAME EACH WEEK SINCE VOTES ARE CUMULATIVE!   Jai is in the lead with 9 points, but it's still anyone's game to win. This week, 2 people -- Lil Dawg and Jon93-- got 5 points by correctly naming the bottom 3 crews AND the two who were be sent home. Maybe next week is YOUR week.  Voting closes midnight Monday March 15.

Elimination Challenge/Bottom 2 contest for Week 5 now open!

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 5 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.

This week, vote for the 2 crews from America's Best Dance Crew's Top 7 that you think will be in the bottom, and name the one that gets sent home, for a possible 3 points total. For example, in ABDC4's Beyonce Challenge, an entry worth 3 points would have read: "Bottom 2 - Afroborike, Artistry in Motion. Eliminated: Artistry in Motion". 
   
Here's the rules. PLEASE REMEMBER TO USE THE SAME DISTINCTIVE NAME EACH WEEK SINCE VOTES ARE CUMULATIVE!  Jai is still in the lead with 6 points, but the season just started! Voting closes midnight Monday March 1.

Elimination Challenge Week 4: Enter 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 5 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.

This week, vote for the 2 crews from America's Best Dance Crew's Top 8 that you think will be in the bottom, and name the one that gets sent home, for a possible 3 points total. For example, in ABDC4's Beyonce Challenge, an entry worth 3 points would have read: "Bottom 2 - Afroborike, Artistry in Motion. Eliminated: Artistry in Motion". 

 

Here's the rules. PLEASE REMEMBER TO USE THE SAME DISTINCTIVE NAME EACH WEEK SINCE VOTES ARE CUMULATIVE!  Jai is currently in the lead with 5 points, but the season just started! Voting closes midnight Monday February 22. 

Elimination Challenge Contest Week 3: Enter 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 5 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.

This week, vote for the 2 crews from America's Best Dance Crew's Top 9 that you think will be in the bottom, and name the one that gets sent home, for a possible 3 points total. For example, in ABDC4's Beyonce Challenge, an entry worth 3 points would have read: "Bottom 2 - Afroborike, Artistry in Motion. Eliminated: Artistry in Motion". If they announce a bottom 3 this week, I'll give credit for any of the three. 

 

Here's the rules. PLEASE REMEMBER TO USE THE SAME DISTINCTIVE NAME EACH WEEK SINCE VOTES ARE CUMULATIVE!  Voting closes midnight Monday February 8.

Upcoming Events: Week of February 5

• 2/7: Brandon Dumlao (So You Think You Can Dance, Neverland) teaching workshop at Fr3sh studio in Matawan, NJ
• 2/&: Afroborike performing at The Mirage in Las Vegas
• 2/7: Vogue Evolution performing at Creative Change Conference in Dallas, TX
• 2/8-11: Kaba Modern will be holding auditions February 8-11 in Irvine, CA
• 2/9-10: Groovaloos with Super Cr3ws' Do Knock and Mike Murda in Worcester and Springfield, MA
• JabbaWockeeZ in Philippines all week

New Contest: Name top 4 crews for ABDC5!

We will run two contests during America's Best Dance Crew Season 5 which will extend from now through the finale. The prize for both will be a Tshirt of your size and choice, value up to $35.

The Top 4 contest: Submit the names of the top 4 crews -- in the order that they'll finish. For example, last season the winning entry would have read " FINAL 4: 1. We Are Heroes 2. Afroborike 3. Massive Monkees 4. Rhythm City" Note: if you change your mind, you can enter again the next week, but we will only accept the FIRST entry from each email address each week. The prize goes to the first person to get it right, based on the week they submit the answer. If more than one person submits the right answer in that same week, we'll employ a tiebreaker rule to be determined.

To enter: Each week, we'll publish a new post for this contest. When the weekly post is up, add a comment with the names of the final 4, specifying the final order. Subsequent weeks' entries will be accepted from Fridays (once I put up the new contest post) until 6pm ET the following Tuesday (before the next show is taped). IMPORTANT:

• Create a user name you will use every week for the entire contest, and make it memorable (not just a common first name or word). I can't track email addresses, and if it's difficult for me to track votes, they won't be counted.
• MAKE SURE YOU INCLUDE THE WORDS 'TOP 4' in the comment (so I can search for them easily)
  

Good luck! During Season 4, we didn't get a correct entry until 1 week before the season ended, so if keep entering if you change your mind!

From Ninjaboi -- Open Letter to MTV on ways to improve ABDC

Reader Ninjaboi wrote an open letter to MTV on ideas to improve America's Best Dance Crew:

" So we’re gearing up for another season of America’s Best Dance Crew.  I hope you learned something from last season.  Yes, we (or at least some of us) were happy when all was said and done and We Are Heroes won.  But for many, it still has the stigma of being the worst season of the four thus far.
 

 I know that you’re a massive corporation with loads of experts and marketing guys who seek first to maximize the potential profit that this show returns on your initial investment.  I’m just some random kid, who happens to like your show, but who thinks that a few things could be fixed.  What do I know about exactly how your decisions are made?  What do I know about optimization of demographic appeal, or how much it would cost to do something?  But I just want to get this off my chest.  Maybe I’ll never be happy with how the show is run exactly.  But here it goes anyway.
 

First of all, a good show would come from great crews.  Look at everyone who now loves the Jabbawockeez, Kaba Modern, Supercr3w, Fanny Pack, Quest, Beat Freaks, We Are Heroes, and so on.  There are other crews that certain segments of the population like, true (Case in point: Afroborike with Hispanics, or Massive Monkees with Bboys).  And there is a place for them as well on the show.  Logically, having better crews, crews that make people talk and want to watch the show would result in more people watching the show overall.  A larger number of these crews, when the level of competition is relatively even and neck and neck, is even more exciting."

Be SURE to click here to read the rest of Ninjaboi's comments and suggestions, including issues of objectivity, diversity, picking more experienced crews, avoiding stereotypes and sob stories, making sure that challenges are fair for everyone, and ABOVE ALL -- reforming the system for voting and elimination Thanks, Ninjaboi!!

Recent Shane Sparks Interview #1: at NY ABDC auditions 12/13/09

We've been asked if we knew of any signs of Shane Spark's impending arrest this week on child molestation charges. Answer: no. Evidence -- we and Dancetag.tv interviewed him twice this past week. I conducted this first interview at the New York America's Best Dance Crew callback auditions. He talks about how he's glad that the ABDC show judges are finally involved in picking the crews for the show, about Afroborike's influence on ABDC, and names a crew to watch out for. 


There is no official information yet on the impact of Shane's arrest on ABDC 5.

Video: Afroborike performance in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico

Here's another performance from Afroborike's dance tour in Puerto Rico. Thanks for the tip abdc!