More audition coverage: Ben10 (Xternal Technique) report from Atlanta

Ben10 from Xternal Technique wrote in our comments about his experiences at the Atlanta auditions and callbacks:

"I had soo much fun in Atlanta auditioning. ) lol let me tell YOUUUU guys. sh** was crazy in Atlanta...the mix they gave us to work on sick as hell. What happens is if they like you, they send you to call backs the next day. They give you a CD with about 30 something seconds of music to dance to, and a minute to freestyle. i think each region will have different music, because ours was definitely Southern. Performing in front of Hok, JC, and Lil Mama was very comforting.

I thought I was gonna be nervous as hell but it felt natural, and it was a fun experience. I'm back in Orlando now and im very happy with how they critiqued us. thats all I'll say tho.

btw, Lil' Mama is beautiful in person. lol I thought she was ugly but when u see her LIVE, its like wtf!?! she wore a weird red hat with like squigglies running to the back of her head like a mohawk. lol."

Thanks Ben10 and good luck to Xternal Technique!

Strange news: Mario Lopez is Ceremonial First Flusher of Times Square toilets

Today, the Charmin Restrooms returns to Times Square for the fourth consecutive year, giving tourists and local New Yorkers a free, clean and family friendly place to "enjoy the go." America's Best Dance Crew host Mario Lopez will perform the ceremonial first flush and announce "The Go Team" - the lucky five Charmin Ambassadors chosen to work in the Restrooms for a $10,000 salary this holiday season.

"I am excited to conduct the annual first flush and assume the role as 'King of the Throne'," said Lopez. "From my time spent in New York City while working in 'A Chorus Line,' I know firsthand how difficult it is to find a decent public restroom in Time Square. This is a great way for me to be part of an effort that not only provides a premium bathroom experience during the holiday rush, but has also given five people a fun and lucrative job opportunity in a down economy."

Click here for more information on the 'event' and here for more on the toilets.

Afroborike Interview: Most votes in ABDC History!

EFE interviewed Afroborike during their tour in Puerto Rico. If you can read Spanish, you can read the interview here. Some translated highlights:

• "One of the producers of the competition told us that we are the group that had the most votes in history"
• The group formed when they danced at the Hotel Sahara, though all but one had also danced at the same Puerto Rican dance school
• Members have been approached by a producer of Broadway's "In the Heights"
  

Ninja Assassin Red Carpet: Quest, We Are Heroes, Beat Freaks

Pacific Rim Video caught up with America's Best Dance Crew finalists and winners Quest, We Are Heroes and Beat Freaks at the red carpet for the Ninja Assassins premiere. Thanks Den!

They also have an interview with Quest's Feng about hanging out with Lisa Ling and seeubg Rain at the Ninja Assassins after-party.

ABDC5 auditions - Twitter Photos of JC Chasez and other judges, and Atlanta crews

Some photos from the America's Best Dance Crew auditions:
From Bvivares Twitter - JC Chasez getting ready for the camera



From ABDC5 Twitter:Associate producer Karen Schwartz and choreographer Chonique at the judges table, and Atlanta crews

ABDC5 Auditions: Tweets and posts Part I

We haven't received any real reports on the America's Best Dance Crew Season 5 auditions yet. But, here are some tidbits we've found in our searches:

• Members of Strikers All-Stars (ABDC 3) watched the first day of auditions in Atlanta
• Status Quo is preparing to audition in Boston
• Xternal Technique auditioned in Atlanta and got to the call-back round. UPDATE: Swagger Crew, Royal Flush, StilletoZ, Motion Sickness, and Jungle Boogies also made it to the callback round in Atlanta. Thanks AjayeofSwag!
• Some crews and their friends tweeted that they've made it to the Southern regional finals. I'm not reporting their names because it could disqualify them. Read the contract guys! MTV searches Twitter too!

If you have other news, post it here in the comments or send an email to bloggingbestdancecrew.com. Tell us if your crew is auditioning and where, if you made the callbacks, your anonymous impressions of performing in front of the judges or the scene at the auditions. Link any pictures or videos you took at the scene and we'll credit you in a post. But remember -- if there's positive news beyond making the callbacks -- keep it anonymous or you risk incurring the wrath of MTV!

Groovaloo Show extended in NY

After a successful run at the Joyce Theater, the GROOVALOO show has been invited back to NYC for a full-month run at the Union Theater from December 1 - January 3.It is based on the life stories of several B-GIRL stars, including Lady Jules, Flipz, Steelo, and Kid Rainen. A bunch of B-GIRL stars will also be dancing in the show during the NYC tour. Click here for our review of the Joyce Theater show. Click here for tickets. And, if you go, stick around after the show for chances to meet the cast!

To entice you, here's a few dance highlights from the show including The Battle with RedBull BC One finalist Cloud), and this Robot routine featuring Lindsey from Beat Freaks:

Quality hip hop from Japan: S**t Kingz

Though S**t Kingz from Japan are not eligible for America's Best Dance Crew, this is an example of what we'd like to see in Season 5. Thanks for the link, theEmp!

ONE MILLION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH

OMG THIS SITE JUST PASSED A MILLION PAGE VIEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hi, this is Sarah. I'm not usually this enthusiastic; that's Nancy's job. But WE GOT A MILLION HITSSSSS. Keep visiting BloggingBestDanceCrew.com. Well done. The force is with you. THANKS A BUNDLE.

Watch Janet Jackson's "Make Me" video, featuring Fanny Pak's Cara

Janet Jackson's new video "Make Me" premiered on ABC TV's 20/20 on November 20, 2009. Fanny Pak's Cara Horibe is one of the background dancers. Watch it here.

We Are Heroes shirts now available on-line

Wildchild Nation has a new partnership with We Are Heroes, champions of season four of MTV's hit show, "America's Best Dance Crew." Wildchild Nation will provide online distribution of We Are Heroes' collection of garments and products as part of Threader, the first online urban clothing marketplace for the dance and entertainment industries.

Wildchild Nation co-founder, Luam, commented, "As the first all-female crew to win ABDC, We Are Heroes has a unique opportunity to be able to inspire and positively affect the lives of all their fans. Helping them create streetwear and market it through Threader gives their fans a way to take a tangible piece of the crew home." Click here to buy We Are Heroes merchandise.

Video: Post-ABDC Afroborike Performance

From RudolphoMedinaLopez' Youtube Channel, a video of Afroborike's performance in Puerto Rico in November 2009. This is one of their first public performances since they came in second on America's Best Dance Crew Season 4.

Watch Redbull BC1 finalist Cloud in Shakira video

The latest Shakira video - "Did It Again" -- features RedBull BC One Finalist Cloud dancing across a bed with Shakira. Watch it here. Thanks, Karen Chu!

Video: Beat Ya Feet Kings performance and interview on Fox News

Beat Ya Feet Kings were guests on Fox 5 Morning News on November 17. They talk about repping DC, how the crew formed, and their plans for trying to get into videos and movies. Then, they demonstrated some of their America's Best Dance Crew routine moves.

Upcoming Events - Week of November 20

• 11/20: America's Best Dance Crew Season 5 auditions in Atlanta
• 11/20: Fanny Pak performing in FG Magazine benefit for LA Medical Center Foundation in Los Angeles
  
• 11/21: America's Best Dance Crew Season 5 auditions in Houston
  
• 11/21: Boxcuttuhz Workshop in Covina, CA
• 11/21: Fr3sh performance at AAA CultureSHOCK event at Columbia University in New York
• 11/21: Artistry in Motion opening for Trey Songz in San Bernadino, CA
  
• 11/22: Dtrix (Quest) workshop in Nashville, TN
• 11/22: Massive Monkees perform at half-time of the Major League Soccer Cup Championship Game in Seattle
• 11/22: Groovaloos performing at Golden Goggle Awards in Los Angeles
• 11/22: Pride 2 Dance Competition at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. Scheduled competitors include Fr3sh, Project D, and EPIC Motion
  

Let us know if you go to the ABDC 5 auditions!

Auditions for America's Best Dance Crew Season 5 start this weekend with stops in Atlanta and Houston. If you go -- as an auditioner, friend, press, or on-looker -- let us know!

Send us your impressions, travel diary, photos, videos, whatever, SO LONG AS IT DOESN'T VIOLATE ANY OF THE MTV AUDITION CONTRACT RULES! You can post links here or email them to BloggingBestDanceCrew@gmail.com. And, good luck to all auditioners!

Video: Learn how to tut

In honor of their new exhibit on Egyptian art, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) asked professional dance artist Mark Cabuena (from the Toronto dance crews Grand Illusion and For the Funk of It) to create a "How to Tut" video. The AGO will be hosting a special Tutting Day on February 28, 2010, where they invite everyone to perform Mark’s Tut routine with them and help get into the Guinness World Book of Records.

More RedBull BC One videos including Ronnieboy & the finals

More Redbull BC One videos have been posted now including Morris (Flexible Flav) vs. defending champion Wing, a short solo from Ronnieboy (Super Cr3w, RedBull BC One 2007 winner):
:
And, the final battle between Lilou and Cloud. Thanks for the links Adobostreak and Karen Chu!

Congratulations to Lilou, Winner of RedBull BC One!

Lilou (from France and pictured above) beat out Cloud (from Los Angeles) in the Finals at RedBull BC One in New York on November 18. This was Cloud's first RedBull Competition. Lilou is a Redbull Veteran and also won in 2005. There's no video up yet for the finals, but here's Cloud battling Neguin (from Brazil) in the semi-finals (note: the video's title is incorrect; it is NOT the final battle!).

Video: Maryss from Beat Freaks on Silly Walks for Hunger Nov. 19

Silly Walks for Hunger will be held at City Walk in Los Angeles today (November 19) to help fight hunger. Legendary BGirl Asia One invites everyone to come out to a special event at City Walk where professional dancers and amateur dancers come together for a special surprise event to raise funds to fight hunger. You can help by attending and bringing canned goods or donating $5 by texting 90999. Various dancers including Maryss from Paris and Rino of Beat Freaks will be joining in the fun. Watch this video with Maryss and Peter Gonzaga (Pacific Rim) to learn more.

Videos: Quest and Far East Movement, onstage and on ABC TV

At the Far East Movement show in Los Angeles on November 7, Quest was onstage jumping and dancing to "Go Ape", an unreleased FM song. Read more about it on the FM blog.

Quest was also shown dancing to FM's "Dance like Michael Jackson" on ABC's Lincoln Heights.

Video: Clothing Ad with Rino (Beat Freaks), Victor (Quest), Lando (Boxcuttuhz), Twitch

This video is an long-form ad for The Other Duck clothing. It stars Rino Nakasone (Beat Freaks), Victor Kim (Quest), Lando Wilkins (Boxcuttuhz) and Twitch (So You Think You Can Dance). The clothing should be available soon at theotherduck.com. Thanks for the tip Jessica!

Field Report: Elements X, including Rhythm City, SoReal Cru, Neverland and Fr3sh

Melissa, webmaster for SuperCr3w.com, attended Elements X in Boston on November 14 and files this report. Thanks for the news, Melissa!

BACKGROUND: Well, the Elements show was pretty amazing. There were 12 crews competing for a chance to win $1,000. Out of the competing crews, there were a lot of familiar dance crews that hit the stage. Majority of the crews were from colleges' dance teams, such as Boston College’s Synergy, Boston Uni’s Unofficial Project, or Northeastern’s Kinematix. You may have already seen them auditioning for Season 4 of America’s Best Dance Crew such as 8 Count, Point Blank, Ridonkulous, etc. All in all, it was enjoyable to see the high level of talent displayed from everyone.

THE HIGHLIGHT of the night in my opinion belonged to Neverland. Who doesn’t like a throw back to glee? It was a funny and smooth adaption. +9000 points for using “Don’t Stop Believing” and performing it better then Finn and Rachel.

Click here to read the rest of her report, including reviews of Rhythm City, Fr3sh, SoReal Cru, Lil Phunk and the other competitors, and the event as a whole. And view the full set of videos at Semitoastysushi's Youtube Channel.

Video: ClawsOut battle between Inglorious Ladies (incl. Beat Freak Lady Jules) vs. Squadron/Disciples

At the Claws Out event on November 14, Inglorious Ladies -- Lady Jules (Beat Freaks), Peppa (Syrenz), and Jessfx -- battled Squadron/Disciples in preliminaries. Squadron/Disciples won that battle and were the ultimate winners in the Claws Out competition. In the video, you can see other Beat Freaks members on stage supporting Lady Jules. This video is from Bgirlpeppa's Youtube Channel. Thanks Adobostreak and Cherry!

Advice for auditioning crews - "Bigger, Stronger, Better"

America's Best Dance Crew audition judge Michelle McNulty has advice for crews auditioning for ABDC Season 5. The goal is to be "Bigger, stronger, and better":

• 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: Diversity is still important. They encourage larger crews to come (and can even bring up to 10 members PROVIDED IT IS CLEARED AHEAD OF TIME by contacting MTV), and 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
  

Video: Fanny Pak at Pop Goes the World

Fanny Pak performs at Pop Goes The World event to benefit Lifeworks Program of the Gay and Lesbian Center of Los Angeles on November 11, 2009. Video from Pacific Rim

Video: Rhythm City performs at Elements X

Rhythm City performed as an exhibition crew at Elements X in Boston on November 14. Melissa at SuperCr3w.com shot this video and many more at the semitoastysushi Youtube Channel. We'll have her field report on the event posted tomorrow.

More NY BBoy events this week - RedBull After-Party, Ft. Apache battles

Good week for NY-area B-Boy fans:

• On November 18, after the RedBull BC One event , there's an official RedBull BC One after party open to everyone at M2 Ultra Lounge featuring DJ legend Grand Master Theodore.
  
• On November 19, Jazzy Ivy and Floorlords are hosting the Fort Apache bboy batle at the Sky BallroomLounge in the Bronx.
  

ABDC Audition Changes for Season 5: crew size, callbacks with ABDC judges and alums!

America's Best Dance Crew audition judge Michelle McNulty alerted us to two changes in the rules and procedures for ABDC Season 5 auditions:

Crew size: While crew sizes of 5-7 members is preferred, this season they will consider allowing a crew to bring up to 10 members. Contact them AHEAD OF TIME using the info at the bottom of this poster if you want to bring more members

Next day call-back and challenge: Some of the auditioning crews will be invited to perform in a call-back. As part of the process, they will be given a challenge and about 30 seconds of a song and asked to prepare a performance. THE NEXT DAY, they will perform their audition routine and their challenge routine before a new panel of judges consisting of America's Best Dance Crew judges and members of ABDC's winning crews:

• In Atlanta and Houston, the callback judges will be JC Chasez, Lil Mama, and Hok (Quest)
• In Denver and Los Angeles, callback judges are JC Chasez, Shane Sparks, and Nichelle (We Are Heroes)
• In Boston and New York, callback judge are Shane Sparks, Lil Mama, and a member of JabbaWockeeZ
  

Video: Neverland performs at Elements X

Melissa of SuperCr3w.com attended Elements X on November 14, 2009 and shot some fantastic videos. Here's Neverland, with members of L0st Kids, Boxcuttuhz, and other West Coast crews:

Video: Bboy Battle between Ben (Super Cr3w) and Wing (RedBull Champion)

From Strife TV, here's the bboy battle that took place at Maxt Out on November 14, between Ben (Super Cr3w and Knucklehead Zoo) and Wing (RedBull BC One winner and member of Korea's Jinjo Crew). Thanks for the link, Adobostreak!

Mailbox: Mario as Shirtless Werewolf, Beat Freaks petition: Lady Jules radio interview

• As part of Mario Lopez' interview with Bronson Pelletier on Extra, the show Photoshopped Mario into the New Moon poster. Click here to watch Mario posing for the shot.
• If you want to see the Beat Freaks on The Ellen Degeneres show, click here for strategies to carpet bomb the show with emails, phone calls, Facebook, Twitter, ning, snail mail, and signing a petition. Here's a direct link to the petition on Twitter.
• Beat Freaks Lady Jules spoke to LA Talk Radio about dancing and "BGirl Movie". Click here to listen; the interview starts at 14:00. Thanks Ravoo!
  

Video: SoReal Cru at Elements X

From MoreDentsPlease Youtube channel, a front-row view of SoReal Cur at Elements X. Thanks Den!

Elements X Results: Congratulations Static Noyze!

At the Elements X competition on November 14, Static Noyze won first place, Project D came in second, and Ridonkulous took third. We'll post videos of the winning crews and the exhibition crews (Rhythm City, Fr3sh, SoReal Cru, Neverland) as soon as good-quality videos become available.

New BABDC Banner -- Thanks Shahin!

Shahin created the new banner for our BloggingBestBestCrew.com website (shown at the top of this homepage). We love it, and plan to run it in rotation with the excellent banner created earlier by Zatzz. Click here to see the designs that Shahin also created for our crew logo contest.

Video: Preview of Super Cr3w on For the Love of Ray J 2

Super Cr3w will appear on VH1's For the Love of Ray J 2. The episode will premiere on November 16 at 11AM ET/PT. They appear in this preview at 1:21.

New BGirl Movie Trailer!

The new B-GIRL Trailer is online and it is beautiful! At the BGirlmovie.com, check out Director Emily Dell's blog reports, with the inside scoop on everything happening with B-GIRL. Also, B-GIRL is visiting cities around the US in December and January and details will be released soon. Thanks Ravoo and others!

Shane Sparks: Advice to aspiring dancers, part I

Gendance is running a Five Part series on advice from Shane Sparks for aspiring dancers. Here's part I. The next installment will be posted Thursday November 19.

Video: Behind the Scenes at ABDC's Martial Arts Challenge

From WhiteLotusVideos (home of the school that helped with America's Best Dance Crew Season 4's martial arts challenge), this video shows Steve Terada (Quest) and Travis Wong (L0st Boys) demonstrating the moves to each of the crews. It then cuts to backstage at the ABDC taping and Steve and Travis showing off some moves on the MTV stage. Thanks for the tip, Snoop DoggyStyle!

JabbaWockeeZ, Kaba Modern, Fanny Pak Interview at KMLegacy.com launch party

Pacific Rim spoke to Yuri Tag (Kaba Modern), Beau Fournier (Fanny Pak) and Ben Chung (JabbaWockeeZ) at the launch party for the KMLegacy.com website. They talk about all manner of things -- from their upcoming performances to Gatorade to to web presence to Halloween costumes.

Videos: Artistry in Motion

Artistry in Motion (America's Best Dance Crew Season 4) has a new Youtube channel -- Aimcrew -- to show off their live performances. Recent videos include a Children's Hospital Benefit Part I and Part II, and this boisterous costume dance. Thanks for the tip, Ariel.

Exclusive Video: Interview with Quest's Feng

After teaching a workshop at EPIC Motion on November 7 (video of the workshop here), an exhausted Ryan Feng (from America's Best Dance Crew champions Quest) sat down to talk to me about choreography, why he likes teaching workshops and wants to do more, and Quest's upcoming plans.

Video: JabbaWockeeZ, Chris Brown, Chris Tucker Freestyle

From Yuri Tag's Youtube Channel tagalicious, video of a celebrity basketball game, with JabbaWockeeZ performing, Chris Brown doing flips and bone breaking, and other freestyles by Chris Tucker and Common. Thanks for the tip, nwofu!

Videos: Vogue Evolution on PopLab

Better late than never:Vogue Evolution hosted a Halloween takeover at NewNowNext Poplab at Logo.com. There are interviews with each of the America's Best Dance Crew members including Leiomy. In this intro segment, they define vogueing.

Upcoming Events: Week of November 13

This is a major week for live dance, with Elements X, Redbull BC One, and many other performances and workshops:

• 11/13: Phil Collins (Fanny Pak) teaching workshops in Vancouver
• 11/14: Rhythm City, Fr3sh, SoReal Cru, and Neverland and MANY other crews performing and competing at Elements X in Boston
  
• 11/14: Super Cr3w's Ben will battle Wing (the current RedBull BC One champion) in Los Angeles
• 11/14: Southern Movement performing in Warner Robins, GA
• 11/14: Beat Ya Feet Kings performing at University of Maryland Eastern Shore
  
• 11/14: Quest performing at Home Nightclub in St. Louis, MO
  
• 11/14-15: Afroborike performing in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
• 11/15: Rocko Luciano (Boxcuttuhz, Neverland) teaching master class in Providence, RI
• 11/15: Matt Cady (Fanny Pak) teaching workshop in Santa Clara, CA
• 11/15: Adrian Causing (Fr3sh), Andrew Batarina (SoReal Cru), Brian Puspos (SoReal Cru), and Lando Wilkins (Boxcuttuhz) teaching workshops at Elements X in Boston
• 11/16: Leslie Hubila (Fr3sh), Rocko Luciano (Boxcuttuhz, Neverland), Kyle Hanagami (L0st Kids, Neverland) teaching workshops at Elements X in Boston
  
• 11/16: Super Cr3w on VH1's For the Love of Ray J, 11AM ET/PT
• 11/18: Redbull BC One in New York
  
• 11/19: Kaba Modern perform and party in Lake Forest, CA
  

Video: Beat Freaks Featured in Diddy/Dirty Money's "Love Come Down"

Beat Freaks dance in "Love Come Down", a new video from Diddy and Dirty Money. You can see the ABDC3 crew starting at 1:15.

Exclusive video: EPIC Workshop by Quest's Feng, with step-by-step demonstrations

Ryan Feng from ABDC 3's Quest Crew visited the East Coast to teach workshops to area dance groups and studios. We attended his workshop for EPIC Motion Dance Company in New York City on November 7, 2009, where he showed his taught his original choreography for Raphael Saadiq's "Take a Walk".

This video is long because I wanted to show the full routine, then follow up with demonstrations of almost every step. It's challenging, but there are some marvelous explanations of ways to take ordinary steps like ball changes and slides and make them extraordinary. Very soon, I'll also post videos of Feng's advice to the class and an interview. Thanks EPIC Motion and Feng!

Video: Quest's Dtrix on So You Think You Can Dance Season 6

Dominic Sandoval (Dtrix) of Quest briefly returned to So You Think You Can Dance on November 11, 2009. As part of a promotion for Kmart, he challenges audience members to perform dance steps, then rides a scooter.Thanks for the link, Adobostreak!

Send some love to Pauline Mata - leaving SYTYCD

Pauline Mata was eliminated from So You Think You Can Dance last night. She was one of the most versatile female SYTYCD dancers, strong in both hip hop and jazz. Her creativity and charm will be missed this season.

Interview with Hiro: WAH to help judge ABDC5 auditions

Chris Trondsen conducted interviews for Pacific Rim with Hiro of We Are Heroes in Los Angeles on November 8. In the interview, she mentions that We Are Heroes will have a role in helping judge the auditions for America's Best Dance Crew Season 5.

Video: Brief We are Heroes Appearance in Omarion's "I Get it In"

ABDC4 winners We Are Heroes appear briefly (starting at 2:42) in the new Omarion video "I Get it In". Thanks for the tip, Elise10!

Video: SoReal Cru and Drake

The latest installment of SoReal Cru TV shows Drake and the crew performing to a standing room only crowd.

Quest and Groovaloos to appear in "Celebration of Dance" benefit

It was just announced on So You Think You Can Dance that Quest and Groovaloos will be among the performers at the "Celebration of Dance" benefit for Dizzy Feet Foundation on November 29 in Los Angeles. The announcement lacked many details, but it sounds like there will be a raft of dance performers from So You Think You Can Dance, America's Best Dance Crew, Dancing with the Stars, Alvin Ailey, the Step Up movies, and more. You can get tickets now at Ticketmaster.com. Learn more about Dizzy Feet Foundation here.

Video: Groovaloos on Jimmy Fallon Show

Groovaloos danced on the Jimmy Fallon show on November 9. Here's the video, starting at 36:40. The crew will be at the Union Square Theater in New York from December 1 through January 3. Thanks, Karen Chu!

Dancers: Chance to choreograph a big-time music video!

Kwame is looking for dancers to choreograph a routine for a new music video, and would love to have some of our readers submit routines. Kwame is best known for producing Lloyd Banks' break-out single "On Fire," Will Smith's international smash "Switch," and working with LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, & Christina Aguilera. In addition to producing hit records, Kwamé has also scored scenes for the films "Step Up," "Step Up 2 - The Streets," Dancing in September," and "Stomp the Yard."

All applicants must be 18+, and must be available to be in the NYC area in December for the taping. To be considered, download the song at this link, tape their routines, upload the footage to youtube, and email focus282@aol.com with the link.

For further details, please contact Greg P at Make Music Enterprises at artist.rep@gmail.com. Good luck!

Shane Sparks video series on "Making it Big in Dance"

Gendance will run a series of video interviews with Shane Sparks, offering advice to aspiring dancers. The five-week series begins Thursday November 11.

Video: We Are Heroes Rihanna Tribute performance

From MTV's "It's On with Alexa Chung" on November 9, 2009. Thanks for the link abdc!

Mailbox: Fly Khicks logo, We Are Heroes interview

• Fly Khicks have a new logo
• Fly Khick's Karelix is also featured in a photo spread on the Miami Heat. She's on the first page on the left
  
• Antboogieworld.com conducts an audio interview with We Are Heroes, talking about their background and trying to get them to talk trash about other crews.
  

Photo: Quest members lose their shirts

I feel like a panderer, but knew I had to post this for a certain segment of my loyal audience. So, here's Steve, Andy Luo, Brian, Victor, and Hok showing some Quest chest. You're welcome.

Report: We Are Heroes perform Rihanna Tribute

As a tribute to Rihanna's appearance on MTV's "It's On with Alexa Chung", America's Best Dance Crew champions We Are Heroes (minus Hero) danced to 5 of Rihanna's hits: 'Pon de Replay', 'SOS', 'Umbrella', 'Run this Town', and 'Hard'. Their routine was primarily group choreo with a few flips, and reportedly took 3 days to choreograph. If there's footage or photos, we'll post them later.The show also featured a Rihanna fan makeover and a look at Rihanna's more outrageous accessories (shoes, sunglasses, gloves, and eyepatch.)

Update on "Bgirl Movie" - Straight to DVD January 2010

In answer to multiple questions: "B-Girl the Movie" will be go straight to DVD, and skip theatrical release. The DVD release date: January 26, 2010. The movie stars Beat Freak Lady Jules as well as Legacy Perez, who is currently competing in So You Think You Can Dance. Visit Bgirlmovie.com for all the information.

We are Heroes 'On with Alexa Chung' today, 11/9?

From a Facebook entry for We Are Heroes' member Nichelle: "gonna surprise Rihanna at the Hanging with Alexa Chung show on MTV." That program airs today, Monday November 9 at 3:30 ET/PT. Thanks for the tip, abdc!

Video: Vogue Evolution performance at Miss Riis Park Universe Pageant

Vogue Evolution (minus Leiomy, who no longer performs with the ABDC crew) were special featured entertainers at the Miss Riis Park Universe Pageant on November 7, 2009. The event is a fundraiser for AIDS/HIV awareness and education. The video comes from Dancing4Ever's Youtube Channel. Thanks, Erica!

Video: New Artistry in Motion performance!

Short but very sweet -- more from Artistry in Motion. Thanks for the link Ariel!

Call in to talk to Beat Freaks Lady Jules on LA talk radio November 9

Beat Freaks Lady Jules will be on LA Talk Radio’s Eddie Conner “High Frequency Living!” Monday November 9th 8pm PT! You can call in and ask questions too about the crew, their activities or whatever! She’ll be talking about the Beat Freaks, and 'B-Girl the movie' which will be out all over the US January 26th, among other things. You can check it out on line at: http://www.latalkradio.com/

You can call in at: 1-323-203-0815 and ask your questions LIVE! Thanks again, Ravoo!

Video: Sky Blu of LMFAO talks about their work with Quest Crew

From Pacific Rim Video:

Beat Freaks stage their own 'Paranormal Activity'

From Beat Freaks TV, a dramatic work from the ABDC 3 favorites. I found this about as funny as Paranormal Activity. Thanks for the tip Jessica!

Video: Beat Freak Rino choreographed performance by f(x)

F(x) is a highly popular Korean girl group. Beat Freak Rino Nakasone helped choreographed this video and this live performance. Thanks for the tip, Ravoo!

New Kaba Modern Legacy website and performance

Kaba Modern Legacy just launched their new website kmlegacy.com. The site will provide news about the America's Best Dance Crew group and the rest of their troupe, a blog, events, and press coverage. To celebrate, they gave a brand new performance on November 6:

Video: ABDC4 'Sudden Death Battle' practice for Vogue Evolution, Massive Monkees, Afroborike

On the first episode of America's Best Dance Crew Season 4, the bottom 3 crews had to dance in a short 'sudden death' battle. All nine crews had to prepare for this sudden death challenge and rehearse it. Dashaunevisu's Youtube Channel (Dashaun from Vogue Evolution) has a tape of the rehearsal for Vogue Evolution, Massive Monkees, and Afroborike. Thanks for the link, Itz Kyle!

Mailbox: Mario Lopez, Beat Ya Feet Kings, Round One

• Congratulations to Beat Ya Feet Kings who signed a contract to perform at home games for NBA'S Washington Wizards. Thanks for the tip, abdc!
• Beat Ya Feet Kings also appeared at the 2009 Go Go Awards. Watch it here (warning - bad sound quality)
  
• Mario Lopez will host the Miss America Pageant again on January 30, 2010. The event takes place in Las Vegas.
• Round One (a crew that had some great auditions for America's Best Dance Crew Season 3 and Season 4, and recently performed on 106th and Park) opened for Young Steff
  

Congratulations Layla Kayleigh on your baby girl!

Layla Kayleigh (America's Best Dance Crew hostess/mama bear) and her boyfriend, Steve Covino, welcomed their daughter Melody Rain Covino into the world on November 2, 2009. Her tweet on November 4 reads: "On cloud nine. cherishing, savoring, taking in every single moment." Congratulations!!

Beat Freaks Behind-the-scenes Video at Beat Freaks World

The next best thing to hanging out with Beat Freaks: this video called "Welcome to Beat Freaks World" from BeatFreaksTV. Thanks Ravoo!

Ringmasters, Rhythm City, and Status Quo to perform at Autumn Fest 09

America's Best Dance Crew alums Status Quo, Rhythm City, and Ringmasters will all perform at Autumn Fest 09 in Kingston, Rhode Island on November 20, along with Fabolous and Jadakiss. Click here for more information and here for tickets.

Videos: We are Heroes on 11/5 Ellen Show - both onstage & behind the scenes

Here are two videos from We Are Heroes appearance on the Ellen Degeneres show on November 5. First: the televised appearance, starting at 4:10:

And, We are Heroes backstage and behind the scenes. Thanks abdc!

Performances & Workshops, Week of 11/6: Quest, Fanny Pak, Kaba Modern, BYFK

-11/6: Kaba Modern Legacy Website release party in Hollywood, CA featuring a never-seen before performance
-11/7-8: Matt Cady (Fanny Pak) workshops in Indianapolis and Carmel, IN
-11/7: Quest performing with Far East Movement in Los Angeles
Quest's Ryan Feng is teaching 3 workshops in the NY area this weekend:

• 11/6: Boogiezone in Roselle Park, New Jersey;
  
• 11/7: at Epic Motion Studio in New York City -To pre-register, please e-mail your name and phone number to epic.m.dance@gmail.com. SPACE IS LIMITED SO REGISTER EARLY.
• 11/8: Fr3sh's studio Arts in Motion in Matawan, NJ. Here's a sample of what you can expect from Ryan's workshops:

• 11/11: Fanny Pak performing in Pop Goes the World in Hollywood

Report: We are Heroes on Ellen Show

On the November 5 Ellen show, America's Best Dance Crew Season 4 champs We are Heroes (minus Mami) danced to "Sex Machine". The crews wore coordinated workout jackets and kicks, performed flips and some basic choreo, and danced in the audience (getting confused looks from some audience members!). We'll post a video if it becomes available. If you saw the show -- what did you think?

Video: Beat Freaks on the Really Awards Red Carpet

Beat Freaks won the Best Live Performance Award at the Fox Reality Network Really Awards. Here's the group on the red carpet giving thanks where thanks are due.

Exclusive Video: Shane Sparks Workshop, with moves he isn't allowed to choreograph for TV!

Shane Sparks taught a workshop at Hip Hop International this past summer, showing some steps that really represent how he thinks of dance. It starts with some dancers doing the full routine, then breaks down each step, in case you want to learn the moves. Shane asked me NOT to put it on Youtube, but allowed me to post it (with limited copying rights) elsewhere.

Shane also told me that many of the moves are considered too racy for So You Think You Can Dance. However, I think that Afroborike's performances during America's Best Dance Crew Season 4 make this look like a church social!

We are Heroes on Ellen Show Thursday November 5

ABDC4 winners We are Heroes will appear on the Ellen Degeneres show tomorrow, November 5. Their appearance will be similar to the one by Quest's Hok and Dtrix earlier this week -- dancing but no interview. Check your local listings for time and channel. And, we'll post a report and video when we can!

Video - Dtrix rapping

We've seen Quest members play guitar, sing, and perform martial arts. Today's non-dance Quest stunt: Dominic rapping. So, is the world ready for a Quest show where dance is a small part of the performance? Thanks for the link, Adobostreak!

Rocko Luciano interview - Boxcuttuhz, Neverland, L0st Kids & choreo

I spoke to Rocko Luciano after he taught a workshop at Fr3sh's dance studio, Arts in Motion. He talks about the world debut of his new crew Neverland at Elements X in Boston on November 14 , his involvement in Boxcuttuhz, his choreography style, and whether L0st Kids or Neverland will audition for America's Best Dance Crew Season 5.

Video: Inside the Box takes first place at Maxt Out 2009

Inside the Box won the major choreo competition at Maxt Out 2009. They auditioned for America's Best Dance Crew Season 4 and will probably audition for Season 5.

Video:Dtrix & Hok on Ellen Degeneres Show

Here's the performance by Quest members Dtrix and Hok on the November 3 Ellen Degeneres Show. Thanks, Ravoo!

Dtrix and Hok on Ellen Show today

I just learned that Dtrix and Hok from Quest crew will open today's Ellen Show. Check your local listing. Thanks for the tip, Snoop Doggystyle.

Report -- just watched it in NY. After 5 minutes where 2 women try to win large-screen TVs by rolling around in sumo wrestler suits, the boys came out from the top of the audience, danced a little with some audience members, did some bboy tricks (how does Dtrix do headspins without a hat and without his hair going flat?) and left. Too bad Justin Bieber is going to get twice the amount of time and got 10 times the amount of publicity for his appearance. If there is a video of this appearance, I'll post it.

Question: What would be an ABDC Dream Team?

Now that auditions for America's Best Dance Crew Season 5 begin in less than a month, some new crews might be forming. So, here's a thought experiment: if you could form a new crew with people who already performed on ABDC, who would you use? Your new crew has to have 5-7 members and cannot just be an existing crew (e.g., don't just add Boxcuttuhz/Quest member Lydia Paek back to Quest). They have to bring something different enough to overcome the haters who 'have already seen it,' so consider adding underappreciated members of crews that weren't top 4. Extra credit for an appropriate and catchy crew name!

ABDC4 Video flashback: new behind the scenes footage at Finale Week

Southern Movement created a Youtube channel called SoMo TV. Their first entry is this behind the scenes view of all the crews rehearsing, hanging out, and talking before and after the taping of the America's Best Dance Crew 4 finale. They also conducted onstage interviews after the finale, and show the craziness of all the crews, media, and ABDC personalities crowding the stage to talk. So if you miss Southern Movement, Vogue Evolution, Afroborike, Fr3sh, Artistry in Motion, We are Heroes, Randy Jackson, etc., this one's for you.

Video: Royal Flush performance in Atlanta

Royal Flush crew received some attention for their audition for America's Best Dance Crew Season 4 and there's speculation that they're planning to audition again. Here's some recent work, some freestyling, and a performance in Atlanta at a benefit for breast cancer research. Video courtesy of TheJoygar's Youtube Channel.

TV Dance Video of the Week: Globetrotters on The Amazing Race

Say what you will about So You Think You Can Dance or Dancing with the Stars. To my mind, the kickass dance clip of the week comes from The Amazing Race that aired on November 2. Flight Time and Big Easy --the Harlem Globetrotters team -- choose a detour where they learn Dutch dancing and eat some herring. I just hope this doesn't inspire any America's Best Dance Crew Season 5 challenges! Watch here, starting at 1:13.

Quest x Snoop Dogg x Far East Movement in Malice N Wonderland video

Far East Movement describes their surreal experience working with Snoop Dogg and Quest Crew to shoot a video for a song on Snoop's latest album 'Malice N Wonderland." It was filmed on the set where some of the 'Saw' movies were shot. "The theme for the video was like the movie Sin City with some crazy cameos from Soulja Boy Tellem, Xzibit, Jamie Foxx and a grip of of west coast artists. Our scene was going to be a crazy dance battle in an alley where Quest Crew goes crazy battling each other."

Speaking of Far East Movement: don't forget to audition to dance with them on their tour (Quest will be there on the LA stop) and buy tickets for the event. Details here.

Video: Hollywood Bash with Kaba Modern

From lalalalatechno's Youtube Channel: Performances by Kaba Modern and violinist Jason Yang at a Halloween show in Los Angeles.

Reader Halloween - JabbaWockeeZ

Halloween memory: reader Stephen as a JabbaWockeeZ. Nice costume!

Music Video of the day: "Businessman"

No dancing here and it's not new, but I want to share this anyway as a post-Halloween mood piece. And no, that is definitely not me in the video.

Video: Super Cr3w's Ronnie on the Bboy circle and his first cypher battle

To publicize Redbull BC One on November 18, Redbull released 4 short videos on the four elements of hip hop. They have an original approach to keep it fresh -- relating each element to a concept: Bboy as circle, graffiti as line, deejaying as spiral, and MCing as voice. Super Cr3w's Ronnie talks about the bboy circle. Thanks for the tip, Supercr3w.com!

More on Elements X - workshop schedule

As reported earlier, Elements X will be THE East Coast destination for people who want to see good live dancing by America's Best Dance Crew alums and hopefuls, including Fr3sh, SoReal Cru, and the World premiere performance by Neverland (a L0st Kids adjunct crew. They have also announced dance workshops on Sunday November 15 and Monday Novmber 16 to be taught by Fr3sh members (Adrian Causing, Leslie Hubila), Boxcuttuhz (Lando Wilkins, Rocko Luciano -who is also with Neverland), SoReal Cru (Brian Puspos, Andrew Baterina), and L0st Kids/Neverland (Kyle Hanagami). Click here for details and tickets.