Video: Swagger crew video submission for Scream Tour

Another tour that is auditioning via video (besides Justin Bieber's Believe Tour) is the Scream tour. Here's the submission by Swagger Crew (from the same studio as the ABDC5 crew). 

Survey: What was your favorite performance on So You Think You Can Dance Top 14 show?

poll by twiigs.com

What was your least favorite performance on So You Think You Can Dance Top 14 show?

poll by twiigs.com

Congratulations to Academy of Villains -- moving to next round on America's Got Talent

As predicted by almost everyone who wrote about the America's Got Talent Youtube edition show on August 14, Academy of Villains moves on to the next round. Congratulations! Here's hoping the success continues all the way to the finale!

Vote for your favorite SYTYCD dancers -- here's all the phone, text and on-line info

The online voting is now open, for at least 2 hours after the show ends in the Pacific Time Zone. If you want to protect your favorite dancers, act now! Remember -- your votes determine who is safe from elimination. Click here to vote online at Fox.com . Performance videos are up now on the website to aid in your choices. If you want to text, send the dancer's name to 83676.

If you want to phone instead, the numbers are: 
Cyrus      1-855-GOHIM 01
George    1-855-GOHIM 02
Will          1-855-GOHIM 03
Chehon    1-855-GOHIM 06
Cole         1-855-GOHIM 07

 Eliana     1-855-GOHER 01
 Tiffany   1-855-GOHER 02
 Audrey   1-855-GOHER 05
 Witney   1-855-GOHER 06
 Lindsay  1-855-GOHER 07

Party Room for SYTYCD is now open!

The Play-Play/Party Room/Critics Corner for tonight's So You
Think You Can Dance Season 9 episode  is now open! Tonight, it's all Mia Michaels routines, including many of her classics. Two more dancers
will go home tonight.   Join other readers and fans as they react,
praise, and gripe. I'll try to update real-time for those of you who
can't watch it live.  

And, stay even when the show is over. Let us know what you think about the show. Who are your favorite choreographers? Were the right people sent home tonight?  How would you compare this to other seasons?  This is your party -- humor,  conspiracy theory, nostalgia and almost everything else
(except obscenity and abject disrespect) are expected and welcome!  Just click here to join the main post for play-by-play and comments.

 Photocredit: fox.com

Video: Academy of Villains on America's Got Talent

Academy of Villains -- US winners at this year's Hip Hop International -- competed on America's Got Talent on August 14, 2012. We'll find out tonight if they made it to the next round. Here's their performance:

Two new RNG videos: submission for Bieber's Believe Tour, "Snapbacks and Tattoos" tutorial

RNG (America's Best Dance Crew Season 7) are among the latest ABDC alums to submit an audition video to be part of Justin Bieber's Believe tour. Here's their submission.



And, the group intends to release weekly tutorials on dance moves. Here's the first -- a tutorial for a combination, danced to "Snapbacks and Tattoos". From RNGDancers Youtube. Thanks for the tips, Ian!

Join us tonight and tomorrow for SYTYCD coverage

Join us tonight to watch and react to the So You Think You Can Dance - Mia Michaels edition.

- Starting just before 8M ET, we'll have a Party Room/Critics Corner where you can watch react, comment, bemoan and predict. I'll do some play-by-play there as well, in case you want to find out what happens as it happens.  (We'll probably channel change with many of you to also see if Academy of Villains made it to the next round on America's Got Talent!)
- Tomorrow we'll have surveys on the favorite and least favorite performances of the night.
- We'll have the third round of our contest with prizes -- Predict the two winners.
- We're planning to interview the eliminated dancer and the choreographers at tonight's taping and will have interviews posted in the next few days 

So, please join us!

Breaking: Academy of Villains on America's Got Talent

Recent Winners of the US Hip Hop International Adult Championships will be on later tonight on NBC for America's Got Talent as part of the Youtube/Snapple Challenge. They will be at the bottom of the hour (closer to 9pm) in the so called "pimp spot" Be sure to tune in and vote to support this phenomenal crew! We'll have the voting information after it's aired. 

EDIT: Vote for Academy of Villains up to 10 times by calling 
1-866-602-4812. Also vote on the NBC website. Voting is open for the next 2 hours. 

Check back tomorrow to see if they make it through. 

Must-watch video of the day: Culture Shock China

This highlights reel from a recent Culture Shock event in China contains so many great clips and images of bboy excellence. Please watch! From sevenshadows1 Youtube.

Video: Brian Puspos (Mos Wanted Crew) at HHI - dance demo, talking about life on the road

DanceMogul Magazine taped a workshop session with Brian Puspos (Mos Wanted Crew) at Hip Hop International. He talks a little about life on the road and demonstrates some dance moves for the attendees.

Video: Emilio Dosal (IaMmE) - "Rollup"

The latest solo effort from Emilio Dosal, member of ABDC6's IaMmE is a freestyle to Flosstradamus' "Rollup". From  ShawnWellingdance Youtube.

Video: Chachi (IaMmE) and Kenzo Alvarez - "Rich & Flexin"

Kenzo Alvarez choreographed this piece and danced it with Chachi Gonzales (IaMmE) at Fair Play Dance Camp in Poland. From TheKultureKidsTV Youtube.

Video: "The Shiggle" featuring members of IaMmE, ICONic Boyz, Mos Wanted Crew, Quest, Poreotics

Phillip 'Pacman' Chbeeb (member of America's Best Dance Crew's IaMmE) created a dance move called "The Shiggle". His video teaches the move and features dancing by Ian Eastwood (Kubscouts/MosWanted Crew),Vinny Castronovo (ICONic Boyz), Chachi Gonzales and Jaja Vankova(IaMmE) Dumbo (Poreotics), Hokuto Konishi (Quest Crew), Brandon Bryant & Ade Obayomi (So You Think You Can Dance), Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf), and Steve-O (Jackass TV & Film)

Congratulations Nappytabs - new parents to London Riley!

According to Us Magazine, Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo (aka Nappytabs) - choreographers for America's Best Dance Crew, So You Think You Can Dance, and many other shows -- had their first child on August 10, 2012. Welcome to the world London Riley, and start dancing soon!

Video: Poreotics x Les Twins x Neguin - A Night in Germany

A collaboration made in ....Germany. Poreotics (America's Best Dance Crew Season 5 winners) team up with Neguin and Les Twins for freestyling. From PoreoticsHD Youtube. Thanks for the link, PerezOverride!

Video: Anthony Lee and Funkdation: "Give me One Reason"

Anthony Lee incorporates Funkdation (America's Best Dance Crew Season 7) for a cool interpretation of "Give me One reason." From anflowny Youtube.

Video: 8 Flavahz performance at Hip Hop International

8 Flavahz did an awesome job at Hip Hop International last weekend. DanceMogul just posted the footage:

More exclusive interviews from HHI: The Crew (2012 winners), Stepboys (who talk about losing!)

Here are more of our interviews from Hip Hop International:

Chris Trondsen interviewed The Crew (from the Philippines), winners at 2012 Hip Hop International. They talk about how they felt about their performance and chances for winning, the other Philippine teams that competed, give some thanks, and how they're going to celebrate (or at least relax!)

And in contrast, Chris interviewed Step Boys (ABDC Season 7), where the crew members talk about their losing performances at HHI, why they don't do better in competitions, their admiration of Dtrix and Fallen Kingz, their expanded team at HHI, their activities after America's Best Dance Crew, and describe their fun nude car trip to Las Vegas .

Video: Tight Eyez & Street Kingdom workshop at Hip Hop International

Tight Eyez and other members of Street Kingdom (America's Best Dance Crew Season 6) taught a workshop at the 2012 Hip Hop International, as well as a workshop at a Las Vegas church. This video documents the trip and some of the dance action. From OfficialTightEyez Youtube.

Must-see video of the day: "With a Piece of Chalk"

I daresay you've never heard of the people involved with this video, but "With a Piece of Chalk" is beautiful in its message and it's dancing. Thanks for the tip, Sarah!

More ABDC alum auditions for Bieber's Believe Tour: D-trix (Quest), Brandon (IaMeE)

As we reported earlier this week, dancers are submitting videos in hopes of being part of Justin Bieber's "Believe" Tour. Two of the latest are from America's Best Dance Crew alumni:
- Dominic 'D-trix' Sandoval has done double duty on ABDC -- both as a member of Season 3's Quest Crew and as a judge in recent seasons. His audition tape does double duty in comedy and dance:


-Brandon '747' Harrell (ABDC6's IaMmE) included Jaira from 8 Flavahz (ABDC7) in his audition video:

Leave a comment if you have other Believe tour audition videos that you think our readers should watch!

Greg S. field report: what it's like to take a dance workshop with Poreotics

Greg attended Urban Dance Camp last month and was invited by Poreotics to take their dance workshop. Her reports about the experience and shares photos from the week:

When I last left you with a report from Urban Dance Showcase, there was mention of being inspired/arm-twisted into changing plans in order to stay an extra day for the Poreotics workshop. This is the sometimes harrowing but ultimately rewarding story of that experience.

When talking to a few of the fellas after the UDS afterparty, I admitted that it would be great to stay for the workshop. However, having never taken a formal class before, I was worried that the fast pace of learning long choreo in a short time would keep me from keeping up. This definitely proved a reasonable concern - but we'll get to that later.

Back to the afterparty parking lot, Lawrence Devera was very supportive. Against all odds, I was hoping maybe they'd teach their "Cinema/Poreotics mix" routine from last year's showcase, which I've done a thousand times. No such luck, as Lawrence told me earlier that the two classes would cover a couple bits from their 2012 sets.

But with Millie and Brandon from I.aM.mE also urging me to take the plunge, I was well-convinced. Said 747 after I repeated the doubt that I could hang in a first ever workshop: "Pfft. I saw you tearing sh*t up out there tonight."
 Click here to read the rest of the report and to see some of his photos from the week. Thanks Greg!

Video: Les Twins at FairPlay Dance Camp

FairPlay Dance Camp is happening now in Poland, with demonstrations and classes from Chachi (IaMmE), Lando Wilkens (Mos Wanted Crew, Boxcuttuhz), Les Twins, and many others. You can learn more about the event with their daily Facebook updates.  Here's footage from a Les Twins performance at a showcase contest:

Video: Lorena Liebman (Blueprint Cru) workshop - "Rack City"

Lorena Liebman (member of ABDC5's Blueprint Cru) is one of the teachers at the workshops held by 8 Count Studio in Montreal. In this video, she dances with member of an advance class. Click here to learn more about the workshops and classes. From 8CountDance Youtube.

Must-watch video: Pharside & Morris (Academy of Villains) - "Parlez-vous Francais"

Some major fun from Pharside and BboyMorris,both members of Academy of Villains, who won the US division of Hip Hop International 2012. BBoy Morris is also a member of Fallen Kings, which won the 3 on 3 BBoy event at HHI. They meld evil mimes with dancing for "Parlez-Vous Francais". From .Pharside Youtube

Video: Lando Wilkens (with cameos from Mos Wanted Crew members Ian Eastwood, Bam Martin, Brian Puspos) - "What U Doing"

Lando Wilkens (member of Mos Wanted Crew, Head Bangerz and Boxcuttuhz)  choreographs and dances in the studio to  "What U Doin", with some help from fellow Mos Wanted Crew members Ian Eastwood, Brian Puspos, and Bam Martin. From landowilkens Youtube. Thanks for the link, YourName___.

Exclusive interview: Fallen Kings (with Dtrix) talk and show why they won 3 on 3 bboy at HHI

Chris Trondsen talked to Fallen Kings, including Dominic 'D-trix' Sandoval, at Hip Hop International 2012. Fallen Kings won the 3 on 3 bboy competition, and they talk about why they think they won. The video includes brief clips of their performance. Dtrix talks about how he started with Fallen Kings, and the group talk about how hard it was to win for a second time and how they are going to celebrate their victory.

Exclusive 8 Flavahz interviews at HHI, including lightning round questions!

Chris Trondsen talked to three members of 8 Flavahz (with a jump-in from Josh at Hype 5-0). In the first of two part interview, the girls talk about meeting fans at Hip Hop International, the inspirations at HHI, and what's next for them. Josh talks about competitive attitudes. And the girls talk about their upcoming dance tours and how to keep up with them. In the second part, they talk about what's new with them (especially changes in height and shoe size!), the HHI afterparty, their favorite performers, favorite clothes, crying, and some ABDC backstage antics

Video: Jabbawockeez performance at Hip Hop International

After receiving the Living Legends Award at Hip Hop International 2012, Jabbawockeez (with members of Super Cr3w) took the stage. Thanks for the link, JabbaJake!

New tutting tutorial from Mike Song:

In Part 5 of Mike Song's series of tutting tutorials, he describes and demonstrates basic footwork combos. Go to mikesongdance Youtube for the rest of the tutorials.

Exclusive interview: Jabbawockeez at Hip Hop International: a whole new show in 2013! and how they party

Chris Trondsen interviews Jabbawockeez at Hip Hop International about their Living Legend Award, their Australian tour, which Jabbawockeez gives the best gifts, who would be the villain in an action movie, some of their next projects including a month performing in Atlantic City, and how they party. And, they announce that they'll have a whole new show starting at the Luxor in Las Vegas.

Videos for Believe Tour auditions including Ian Eastwood's "Fall"

Justin Bieber and John Chu are holding online auditions for dancers for the Believe Tour. Click here for details. Some interesting entries have been posted already. Check them out and  help support some dancers. First, Ian Eastwood(Mos Wanted Crew) keeps it simple but focused on his superb technique in his dance to Justin Bieber's "Fall". From Youtube. 

And, since the auditions are open to less-well known talent: Matt dancing to "Feel So Close to You".

Hip Hop International Videos - ABDC crews in International Finals: Elektrolytes, ReQuest (as part of Royal Family megacrew)

Two crews that competed on America's Best Dance Crew made it to the International Finals at Hip Hop International 11:
Elektrolytes (America's Best Dance Crew Season 7 winners):

ReQuest Crew (ABDC Season 6) was part of Royal Family, which took gold in the Megacrew Division:

Hip Hop International Finals results with videos: Congratulations to The Crew!

Hip Hop International 11 held the finals on August 5, 2012. And, this year, OfficialHHI Youtube posted all the performances, so click here for the set, and on the listed crew names to watch the crews.  Thanks for the results, Maxxann. Here are the results:

Adult Division:

3rd - Academy Of Villains - USA - 7.26
2nd - Neutral Zone - Mexico -7.30
1st - The Crew - Phillippines - 7.39

Varsity Division: 

3rd - JB Star - Japan - 7.35
2nd - Sorority - New Zealand - 7.79
1st - Sol T Shine - Japan - 8.09 

Junior Division: 

3rd - Onizawa ikka- Japan - 7.24
2nd - Flip - Canada -7.39
1st - Bubblegum - NZ - 7.44

Video: Poreotics - new footage from 2 older events

All this coverage of Hip Hop International and Urban Dance Showcase is making me want to watch more dance. Here's footage of two older Poreotics routines created by Can and Dumbo, from PoreoticsHD Youtube.

DirtFaceX Full HHI Report w. Pics

This is my first year attending Hip Hop International and I absolutely LOVE it.  Everyone here is soo nice- from the dancers to the staff.  I'm certainly going to try to make this an annual trip (if my work schedule allows it!).  Thanks in advance for reading- it's a lot of text, but I sprinkled in a couple pictures to hold your interest.  Click here to read my full review of the event. And click here to view pictures of the event.

Sassy reports on the HHI Adult Crews competing in the International Preliminaries

Reader Sassy is in Las Vegas at Hip Hop International and posted her opinions on some of the crews competing in the International preliminary round:

 Wow what a night!!  Happy with the Results....  
--The Crew- Wow, if they wouldn't have stepped up this year than Philippines would not be represting in the Finals cause PAS took a STEP DOWN from Last Year, disappointing. these guys are such a breath of fresh air with their originality.
--Neutral Zone- Their Gimmick = Creative. I would've never thought to dress up as a old man and Go Hard. The reason i want these guys to win is because they are the only crew in the Finals whose Routine is telling a story rather than just Cool Tricks.
--AOV- hands down the Most Creative Crew of the bunch when it comes to moves. I think these guys might be the greatest USA Championship winner ever. Yes, even better than Poreotics.
--Elektrolytes- Just one of those cool and entertaining routines that make you smile. They definitely have Better Choreo in this than they did in every single ABDC Routine Combined
--Rockwell Family- YES! YES! YES! These guys finally made the World Finals!! WHOOOOO! My Favorite Canadian Crew EVER!! I love the Routine, very elegant style and such Great Choreo!!
--Brooklyn- Move Over Elektrolytes, these guys are a True Underdog Story. South Africa is probably going Crazy Right Now. I can't believe Africa is finally representing in the Finals. I'm so Happy!
-- So United Crew- These Guys, while they may not be Original, are entertaining. I think they might have The Best Stunt out of all the Crews where one guy does One Handed Handstand and then Just Drops On His Head. HIS HEAD.
--SNV Crew- One of the Better choreo crews here but they will probably end up getting 7th or 8th. I still love these guys and can't wait to see them again though.

Video: Clips from HHI International Preliminary Rounds - all the top adult crew and megacrews

DanceOn posted very short clips of some of the international crews competing at Hip Hop International including in

•  Megacrew: The Royal family, GRV, UP Street Dance Club, Academy of Swag, Academy of Hype, and La Salle Dance Company Street
• Adult Division: The Crew, Neutral Zone, Academy of Villains, Elecktrolytes, Rockwell Family, Brooklyn, So United Crew, Philippine Allstars, and SNV Crew

HHI 2012 | World Megacrew Final Results

Congratulations to the winners of the Megacrew Competition at Hip Hop International!


Gold Medal: The Royal Family - NZ - 7.91
Silver Medal: GRV - USA - 7.62
Bronze Medal: UP StreetDance Club - PH - 7.43
4th - Academy of Swag - USA
5th - Academy of Hype - USA
6th - La Salle Dance Company 

HHI 2012 | World Adult Semi Finals Results

Congratulations to these adult crews making it to the finals of the Hip Hop International Adult Competition! Thanks to Maxxann for these numbers as they were being announced live.



8th - SNV India 7.2
7th - United crew - France 7.25
6th - Brooklyn - South Africa 7.26
5th - Rockwell family - Canada 7.28
4th - Elektrolytes USA 7.33
3rd - AOV - USA 7.35
2nd - Neutral Zone - Mexico 7.37
1st - The Crew - Philippines 7.52

HHI 2012 | World Varsity Semi Finals

Congrats to these crews making it to the finals of Hip Hop International's Varsity Competition. Thanks to Sassy for these numbers!


1. Sol-T-Shine- Japan 8.22  
2. Zero- Japan 7.91   
3. Sorority- New Zealand 7.70   
4. J.B. Star- Japan 7.42   
5. A-Team- Philippines 7.40   
6. Freshest Nutz- Singapore 7.28   
7. Bandits- USA 7.09   
8. Lil's Dance- Russia 6.91  

Japan's Sol-T-Shine

 

Click here for more pictures of the Varsity Semi-Finals

HHI 2012 | World Juniors Semi Finals

Congrats to these crews who will be moving on to the finals of the Hip Hop International Juniors Competition on Sunday!


1. Bubble Gum - New Zealand 7.74 
2. Flip - Canada 7.69 
3. J.B. Star - Japan 7.43 
4. Rascals - USA 7.36 
5. Onizaka Ikka - Japan 7.34 
6. Freshh 2.0 - Canada 7.17

Flip from Canada (#2)

Video: Poreotics teach workshop at Urban Dance Showcase

Greg S. participated in a workshop taught by Poreotics at the 2012 Urban Dance Showcase in Germany. He'll have a report on it later, but here's some footage of the event on mokumboi19 Youtube. Thanks Greg!

HHI World Adult preliminary results - Congratulations Neutral Zone, Acad. of Villains, Elektroytes!

*DirtFaceX Edit:
This is my first time attending HHI, so I'm not sure if it usually works like this, but due to delays during the Mega Crew Division Semi-Finals, the last performance for the Adult Preliminaries didn't happen till 3am.  And the results weren't given till 3:30. Here they are:

1.NEUTRAL ZONE - MEXICO - 7.31
2.ACADEMY OF VILLAINS - USA - 7.12
3.ELEKTROLYTES - USA - 7.00
4.SO UNITED CREW - FRANCE - 6.93
5.THE CREW - PHILIPPINES - 6.91
6.ROCKWELL FAMILY - CANADA - 6.91
7.SNV CREW - INDIA - 6.89
8.PHILIPPINE ALLSTARS - PHILIPPINES - 6.88
9.BROOKLYN - SOUTH AFRICA - 6.83
10.PRESTIGE - NEW ZEALAND - 6.82
11.FLY SIX B - JAPAN - 6.79
12.SUPER GIRLS - RUSSIA - 6.77
13.ILLEST-VIBE - CANADA - 6.76
14.P&T - CANADA - 6.71
15.D MANIAC - THAILAND - 6.69
16.MISFITS - NEW ZEALAND - 6.68
17.TEAM RECYCLE - GERMANY - 6.63
18.ABZATS CREW - RUSSIA - 6.62
19.CREATORZ - MEXICO - 6.62
20.RAW EDGE CREW - IRELAND - 6.56
21.RENEGADE MASTER CREW - ITALY - 6.47
22.BIRDGANG DANCE COMPANY - U.K. - 6.46
23.CLOCKWORK - AUSTRALIA - 6.40
24.THE CORE - HUNGARY - 6.32
25.COCKTAIL OF MADNESS - ISREAL - 6.32
26.THA PROJECT - PHILIPPINES - 6.21
27.LOONABEATS - GREECE - 6.19
28.SMOOTHIE - JAPAN - 6.18
29.RUFF DIAMOND - U.K. - 6.16
30.ABC - COLOMBIA - 6.15
31.THE HOUSE OF POSE - SPAIN - 6.15

Thanks for the update, Sassy! 

Juniors Semi-Finals is in 2 hours.  I get a whopping 1 and a half hours of sleep.

HHI World Megacrew prelims - congratulations Royal Family (with video!

Hip Hop International's  2012 World Hip Hop Dance Championship  MegaCrew Preliminaries Results. Thanks for the update and links, Sassy and YourName____! 
 
1. ROYAL FAMILY - NEW ZEALAND - 7.88
2. U.P. STREETDANCE CLUB - PHILIPPINES - 7.65
3. ACADEMY OF SWAG - USA - 7.56
4. LA SALLE DANCE COMPANY STREET - PHILIPPINES - 7.42
5. GRV - USA - 7.36
6. BLACKOUT - SPAIN - 7.27
7. ACADEMY OF HYPE - USA - 7.11
8. ACADEMY OF BROTHERS - AUSTRALIA - 7.11
9. PRAISE TEAM - CANADA - 7.05
10. BEAT KINGS - ITALY - 6.87
11. TEAM RECYCLE - GERMANY - 6.81
12. UNTIMITIVE - SOUTH AFRICA - 6.60
13. DUTCH CONNECTION - NETHERLANDS - 6.59
14. NEUTRAL ZONE - MEXICO - 6.55
15. 7 COMPANY - ITALY - 6.54

HHI 2012 | World Preliminary Juniors

This morning the World Junior Preliminaries took place, and here are the results, from the Official Hip Hop International Facebook page. Keep it locked as we await the Megacrew Preliminaries (ongoing as we speak), and the World Adult Preliminaries later today at 6pm. 


1.BUBBLEGUM - NEW ZEALAND - 7.25
2.FLIP - CANADA - 7.23
3.RASCALS - USA - 7.17
4.ONIZAKA IKKA - JAPAN - 7.17
5.JB STAR - JAPAN - 6.94
6.FRESHH 2.0 - CANADA - 6.92
7.TAO - JAPAN - 6.84
8.COOKIES N CREAM - CANADA - 6.74
9.MINIOTICS - USA - 6.30
10.KHAOS - NEW ZEALAND - 6.22
11.THE PRODIGY - USA - 6.17
12.SUPERKIDZ - U.K. - 5.98

HHI 2012 | World Varsity Preliminary Videos

While unfortunately we don't have videos for everyone who performed at HHI last night for the World Varsity Preliminaries, we do have videos for the top 3 performances. Check them out below! Stay tuned for news later today. Junior crews compete starting in 15 minutes, Megacrew at 1pm PST, and Adult later tonight at 6pm PST.


Sorority (NZ) - 7.77 
Apparently they began their performance this year the way they ended after their championship performance last year, sort of a "continuation". Check it out for yourself to see.
Zero (JP) - 7.83 
They're back with a vengance, hoping to win like they did in 2010.
Sol-T Shine - 7.91 
To be honest I've never heard of this crew before, but I'm glad to see that there's still more talent out there.

Greg's Urban Dance Showcase report: All-star show, IaMmE close encounters, & afterparty!

Greg S. just returned from Urban Dance Showcase 2012 in Germany, and files a great report about the performances and afterparty:

Hey, everyone. Sorry my Urban Dance Showcase report is a little late, but I have good reason that we'll get to later. That out of the way, let's jump straight into the amazing, unbelievably memorable night I had on Sunday.

Nonstop opened the show with a bang and the fun didn't end until the afterparty was forcibly broken up at around 5 am. The audience (which included Mr. Wiggles, Ashley & Perry from BGT winners Diversity, Ian Eastwood, Bam Martin and surely others I'm forgetting or didn't happen to see) was buzzing early and the show started late - not that anyone cared with hilarious host MC Trix pulling out all stops to amuse. Let's just go through each act one by one.  

And, as great as the entire show was, the afterparty was absolutely flippin' legendary. No lie, that was the greatest party I've ever had the privilege to attend, hands down. The dancers and the audience mingled while the DJ spun and the bartenders doled out cold drinks in a hot room filled with funk. What started quickly as one cypher turned into three simultaneous circles, which I were hopping around all night long.

Click here to read his full descriptions of the after-party  and performances from Nonstop; Hilty & Bosch; Choreo Cookies; Quick Crew; S**t Kingz; Lando Wilkins (Mos Wanted Crew) and Mike Song (Kinjaz); bboys Lil C, Neguin, and Junior; Poppin John; Jason Smith;  Chachi (from IaMmE), Pacman (from IaMmE); Poreotics and Les Twins.

HHI World Preliminaries - Varsity Division Results

I just got back from the World Preliminaries - Varsity Division.  And here are the results:

1. SOL-T-SHINE - JAPAN - 7.91
2. ZERO - JAPAN - 7.83
3. SORORITY - NEW ZEALAND - 7.77
4. I-ROCK - CANADA - 7.29
5. A-TEAM - PHILIPPINES - 7.28
6. J.B. STAR VARSITY - JAPAN - 7.27
7. LIL' DANCE - RUSSIA 7.18
8. FRESHEST NUTZ - SINGAPORE - 7.15
9. BANDITS - USA - 7.03
10. LEGIT STATUS - PHILIPPINES - 6.97
11. UNDERGROUND - USA - 6.92
12. SHOCKARELLAS - U.K. - 6.76
13. LAS 8 SUPERNENAS - SPAIN - 6.70
14. IDK - USA - 6.67
15. GET DOWN - RUSSIA - 6.65
16. BANDA FORSE - RUSSIA - 6.63
17. F8 - CANADA - 6.29
18. DIAMOND ALLSTARS - U.K. - 6.25
19. NEUTRAL ZONE - MEXICO - 6.19
20. SPIRIT DANCE - MEXICO - 6.18

Sorority's routine was amazing (as expected), but I think there was one slip-up.  That, Japan's Sol-T-Shine and USA's Bandits were my top three of the night.  Freshest Nutz, I-Rock, Stiletto (Australia), A-Team, and Legit Status also ranked high for me.  And the sickest stunt of the night came from Neutral Zone when one guy was launched high into the air and did, what almost looked like, a straight up face-plant. Here's the only decent picture I took of Zero (#2) from Japan:

 

Tomorrow is a full day of World Preliminaries for the rest of the Divisions.  Good luck to everyone!

US Finals Videos - Hip Hop International

From the [OfficialHHI] Channel, here are the videos for the top 3 routines in each category - Junior, Varsity, Adult and Megacrew. Click on each name for their video! The World Championships start tonight with Varsity Preliminaries, so we're looking forward to that!


Junior
3rd Place: Miniotics
2nd Place: The Prodigy
1st Place: Rascals


Varsity
3rd Place: iDK
2nd Place: Underground
1st Place: Bandits


Megacrew (currently no links, will edit with links when available)
3rd Place: Academy of Hype
2nd Place: GRV
1st Place: Academy of Swag


Adult
3rd Place: Mixd Elements
2nd Place: Elektrolytes
1st Place: Academy of Villains (below)

Anthony Lee ft Funkdation Crew - Give Me One Reason

While we're waiting the results of the World Hip Hop International Preliminaries later tonight, enjoy this video from Anthony Lee (CADC/Kinjaz) and ABDC7's Funkdation Crew!

DirtFaceX's photos from Hip Hop International

DirtFaceX is at Hip Hop International this week. He's sent some pictures back, and will probably have more for us as the week goes on. Click here for a picture of Mineotics and other US Final competitors.  Thanks DirtFaceX!

 

The Acadamy of Villains (Gold Adult)

Video: Lando Wilkins, Lil G, and Neguin dancing at UDS after-party

Greg S. filmed some amazing bboy moves from Lando Wilkins (Mos Wanted Crew), Neguin (winner of Redbull BC One 2010) and Lil G (runner-up for Redbll BC One 2011). From mokumboi19 Youtube.

HHI US Finals -- Skool District sweeps all 4 divisions, Elektrolytes & Mix'd Elements qualify for internationals!

The finals were held for the United States teams at Hip Hop International on July 31, 2012. Teams from the Skool District bloc took first in all events, with Elektrolytes (ABDC7 winners) taking silver and Mix'd Elements (ABDC 7) winning bronze in the adult division. The top 3 teams in each division will compete against the other nations later this week to see who makes it to the finals this weekend. Congratulations to all! Thanks for the info, Sassy and ANino13.

Adult Division:
Gold - Academy of Villains Score: 8.16
Silver - Elektrolytes Score: 7.99
Bronze - Mix'd Elements Score: 7.82

Megacrews:
 Gold: Academy of Swag (8.04)
 Silver: GRV (7.84)
 Bronze: Academy of Hype (7.78) 

Junior:  
Gold- Rascals
Silver- Prodigy
Bronze- Miniotics

Varsity:
Gold- Bandits
Silver- Underground
Bronze- IDK
 

HHI 2012 | PacRim Video Recap of Preliminaries

While we have yet to see any videos of full sets from HHI, our friends at Pacific Rim Video Press have put together a recap video that shows snippets of the performances from the top 3 crews in each of the US categories. Be sure to check it out to get an idea of how the crews our. Congrats to all the crews! Special shoutouts to Skool District (with Hype 5-0 and Supreme Soul alum) for placing in the top 3 of each category, along with Elektrolytes and Mixd Elements!

Exclusive videos: SYTYCD judges Nigel & Mary talk about new format shocks, how not to be a jerk as a judge

Riquel Olander (We Are Heroes) interviewed Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe, judges of So You Think You Can Dance after the Top 16 taping. Nigel talked about how the new format (learning who was in the bottom before the show) and how it shocks him.  Mary Murphy talked about the need for kindness and constructive criticism as a judge, and the style she'd most like to learn-- hiphop!..

Korea's Got Talent | Animation Crew, BWB, Khan and Moon, Morning of Owl,

It hasn't even been a month since R16 and once again, we see great dance coming out of Korea. While a dancer has yet to win America's Got Talent, over in Korea, their finals are loaded up with world class talent, with poppers taking the crown for a second year in a row.


BWB, short for Blue Whale Bros, is a combination of poppers Crazy Kyo and Poppin J. They are the current Juste Debout popping champions, so it's not beyond reason that they would win the whole show. Check out their video below, as well as the other performances after the break!



Click here to see the rest of the performances, including crazy bboying, dark light dancing, Juste Debout level locking, and more popping!

Video: Behind the scenes at a private LMFAO and Quest Crew Performance

This video shows Quest Crew going to New York for a private performance, rehearsing steps, and the run-through onstage with the full dance group. In all, a good inside view of life for the very successful group. From QuestDanceCrew Youtube.

Hip Hop International 2012 results - US adult crews

The Crews who are going to the US Finals for the Adult Division Are:  
11th Place- The Waackers (6.81)
10th Place- Broken Toyz (6.90)
9th Place- D-Squad (6.94)
8th Place- Illmatik Phlow (7.00)
7th Place- Lipstick Crew (7.06)
6th Place- 5 Foota Thrillaz (7.21)
5th Place- Kaba Modern (7.21)
4th Place- Blank Canvas (7.27)
3rd Place- Mix'd Elements (7.61)
2nd Place- Academy Of Villains (7.98)
1st Place- Elektrolytes (7.98)

AOV and Elektrolytes got the same score, but being the Reigning Champs, Elektrolytes take 1st. 
Thanks for the info Sassy!


EDIT: Thanks to Pacific Rim for the scores!

Hip Hop International results - US Megacrews

The Crews who are going to the US Finals for the Megacrew Division Are:
10th Place- IDK (6.59)
9th Place- CFD (6.66)
8th Place- Breakthrough (6.81)
7th Place- The H (6.84)
6th Place- High Profile (6.92)
5th Place- The Prototypes (7.10)
4th Place- GRV (7.79)
3rd Place- Super Galactic Beat Manipulators (7.80)
2nd Place- Academy Of Hype (7.98)
1st Place- Academy Of Swag (8.31)
Thanks for the info, Sassy!


EDIT: Thanks to PacificRimVideo for the scores!

HHI US Adults Livestream

Our friends at Pacific Rim Video have a livestream going of the US Adults Preliminiaries of Hip Hop International. Make sure you check it out below



Video streaming by Ustream
Also, we have news that Academy of Hype took second place at Megacrew. We'll post results as we get them.

HHI 2012 | US Junior and Varsity Prelim Results

Here are some preliminary results for the Juniors and Varsity US Hip Hop International Preliminaries. Thanks Sassy and Pacific Rim Video Press! Check back later for Adult/Megacrew results.


Juniors
1st - Miniotics - Orange County, CA (7.81)
2nd - Prodigy - Las Vegas, NV (7.73)
3rd - Rascals - Honolulu, HI (7.08)
4th - Genex - New York, NY (6.80)
5th - Recess - Houston, TX (6.74)
6th - Mighty 7 - San Diego, CA (6.40)


Varsity
1st - Bandits - Honolulu, HI (7.92)
2nd - Trouble Makers - Los Angeles, CA (7.87)
3rd - Underground-  Irvine, CA (7.69)
4th - IDK - San Diego, CA (7.63)
5th - Elektrolyttles - Gilbert, AZ (7.58)
6th - The Sandlot - Houston, TX (7.49)
7th - Nu Era - Covina, CA (7.40)
8th - The Midas Touch - North Bergen, NJ (7.34)
9th - Prophecy - Suisun City, CA (7.28)
10th - Youngskull Club - San Fransisco, CA (7.25)
11th - Filthy But Clean - San Fransisco, CA (7.22)
12th - TM Juniors - Placetia, CA (7.19)
13th - Double Trouble - Los Angeles, CA (7.11)
14th - The Organization - Anaheim, CA (7.??)
15th - Tru Definition - Encinitas, CA (7.07)

Video: Marquese 'Nonstop' Scott dancing at Urban Dance Showcase

Greg. S. is at Urban Dance Showcase in Germany and sent a short video of Marquese 'Nonstop' Scott dancing before the showcase started. Thanks Greg -- we look forward to more on this event!

Going to Hip Hop International? Let us know! | Schedule + PacRim Videos

While the Olympics are going on in London, out in Las Vegas, another sort of World Championships are happening. It's the US Championships and the World Championships for Hip Hop International. Over the coming week, crews will compete in one of the largest crew choreography focused events in the World. We've already listed the crews competing in both levels of competition (US Junior, US Varsity, US Adult, US Megacrew, Intl Junior, Intl Varsity, Intl Adult, Intl Megacrew - note that lists may have updated since we posted them), and we'll be posting the results as soon as we find them.

If you're there please let us know what it's like! It's not like there can be any spoilers like with ABDC, so feel free to report results, as well as your impressions on the performances, the atmosphere, or anything really. Email any reports to bloggingabdc@gmail.com

If you want more up to the date reports, our friends at Pacific Rim Video Press are tweeting as events go on, and will be posting interviews. Follow them on Twitter @pacificrimvideo. Check out their montages of the crew orientation from yesterday below, as well as another montage here. You may see some familiar faces, including Academy of Hype (and their affiliated family crews), SGBM, Soul Fresh Fam, Funk Beyond Control, and more.



 Best of luck to all the crews performing!

Monday
US Preliminaries
Junior/Varsity: 9AM
Megacrew: 3PM
Adult: 6:30PM

Tuesday
US Finals: 6:30PM

Wednesday
World Preliminaries
Varsity: 6:30PM

Thursday
World Preliminaries
Junior: 9AM
Megacrew: 1PM
Adult: 6PM

Friday
World Semifinals
Junior: 9AM
Varsity: 11:30AM
Adult: 6:30PM
World Finals
Megacrew: 4PM

Saturday
Junior/Varsity/Adult Finals: 7:30PM

Exclusive interview: Nappytabs at SYTYCD Top 16 show: how they choreographed this week's routines

 Riquel Olander (We Are Heroes) interviews Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo (aka Nappytabs) backstage at So You Think You Can Dance's Top 16 show. They talk about baby gifts, choreographing about parenthood, the Nappytabs sweats, and choreographing for Cyrus & Eliana

Videos: Stepboys workshops from Pocholo, Kendall, Green

Stepboys members have also been involved in teaching workshops since they left ABDC. Here's one taught by Pocholo Yabes, and click to watch others taught by Kendall Santos  and Green Gaskell. From SBvdo Youtube.

Videos: Learn popping from Funky Lia - 4 parts

YAKFilms has now posted 4 parts of the Funky Lia (of Insane Brain) popping lessons. IMO, one of the better tutorials available now. Click to watch Part I, Part 2, and Part 3; here's Part 4:

Exclusive SYTYCD interview: Brandon & Amber talk about elimination, what's next for them

Riquel Olander (We are Heroes) interviews Brandon and Amber, the two dancers eliminated on this week's So You Think You Can Dance. They talk about having no regrets about their performances,  how this week was their favorite performance on the show, how they helped each other on technique, their plans after SYTYCD, and how to follow them.

Video: ReQuest Crew dance in JLo's latest music video "Goin' In"

The newly released Jennifer Lopez music video for “Goin’ In” features ReQuest Crew led  Parris Goebel (America's Best Dance Crew Season 6).

MercerMZ review (with LOTS of videos) - So You Think You Can Dance Top 16

All right, so last week, I was not able to get my review written due to a mix of real-life matters to deal with and the fact that I lost my Internet after another storm swept through my area. SO, before we get to this week's review, let me just do a short summary of last week:
* Loved the opening group number, but did not care for the Step Up performance (regardless of the returning alumni)
* Favorite performance came from Amelia/Will, while my least favorite came from Janelle/Dareian
* Favorite girl performance came from Amelia, while my least favorite came from Lindsay
* Favorite guy performance came from Cole, while my least favorite came from Dareian
* Sad to see Alexa/Daniel go, since they seemed to be great technical dancers.

And last but not least, I predicted that the Bottom 4 dancers from each gender would be Lindsay, Janelle, Amber & Tiffany for the girls, and Brandon, Glitch, Dareian & George for the guys.

So with all that in mind, the Top 16 dancers to perform a new set of routines for America's vote, and with some strong competitors leaving, there's less room for mistakes to be made. So how did this week compare to the last two? Who gave the strongest/weakest performances of the night? And did America get it right with the Bottom 6 this week? We'll find out right now. As a hint, here's my favorite of the night:

Click here to read the rest of the review and see videos of the performances.

Dance Hero Japan | Season 3 Episode 3 Recap

So the third season of Dance Hero Japan has come to a close, and this season, Twiggz Fam took the whole thing, with LnP and Tokyo Footworks right behind. Below is my recap of all the performances this episode. Some, as expected did well this seasons, while others I think should have scored higher fell short. There is definitely no shortage of crews in Japan willing to perform, so I look forward to Season 4. Remember that you can view past episodes and past seasons at the [DANCEHEROjp] Youtube channel.


Twiggz Fam (Japan's branch of Street Kingdom) takes the competition with 370 points. The blocking and coordinated krumping under the dim lighting was done really well, with just enough buckness to show their mastery of technique. The change in pace from mysterious to hype at the end, as well as highlighting the traditional solo aspect of krump as well was paced well. 
 
Click here to read the rest of the review

UDC 2012 | Lyle Beniga, Ian Eastwood, Pat Cruz, Quick Crew

Urban Dance Camp is underway in Europe, and already videos are coming out showing top notch choreographers strutting their stuff on the dance floor. The Urban Dance Showcase will be on the 29th of July, and the workshops go until the 20th of August. Get more details at the official Urban Dance Camp/Showcase Website.


The first few days of Urban Dance Camp were dominated by titans of dance Lyle Beniga and Pat Cruz of Movement Lifestyle, Ian Eastwood of Mos Wanted Crew, and Quick Crew from Norway. They're all dancing in each other's videos, so you get to see them multiple times. Click the links below to their videos, and be sure to check out the [UrbanDanceCamp] Channel.


Lyle Beniga (ft Ian Eastwood and Pat Cruz) - Gimmie Some More
Ian Eastwood - The Real Her
Pat Cruz (ft Lyle Beniga, Ian Eastwood and Quick Crew) - Lemme See
Quick Crew (ft Pat Cruz) - Nice and Slow
Quick Crew (ft Chachi, Pat Cruz and Ian Eastwood) - Next By the Weekend
Quick Crew - Great Time (See Below) - includes cypher

Exclusive interview with Brandon Bryant (SYTYCD Season 5) at SYTYCD taping: will there be all stars this season?

 Riquel Olander (We Are Heroes) interviews Brandon Bryant (SYTYCD Season 5) backstage at the taping of So You Think You Can Dance Top 16 show. Brandon talks about how odd it is being back at the So You Think You Can Dance, Dance Day on July 28, and the possibility of all stars at future shows this season.

Exclusive interview: Robert Battle (Alvin Ailey Dance Theater) talks about SYTYCD & how to become a choreographe

Riquel Olander (We are Heroes) interviews Robert Battle, Artistic Director for the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, and choreographer for the Alvin Ailey performance on So You Think You Can Dance's Top 16 show. He talks about the background of the performance piece, why So You Think You Can Dance is important for the dance community, and how to become a choreographer. You can follow him at AlvinAiley.org. 

Video: 8 Count All Boy Crew -- check this out, ICONic Boyz fans!

Here's a contender for the title of "Cute boy crew that can really dance" -- presenting the 8 Count All Boy Crew. They're from the same studio a Blueprint Cru and Irratik in Canada,  and are Canadian Hip Hop Championship silver medalists as well as Semi Finalists on Canada's Got Talent. Their latest video: "Boyfriend". From 8countDance Youtube.

Week 2 of our So You Think You Can Dance Winners Contest - enter now to win!

Time to reenter our So You Think You Can Dance  Winners contest. If you think you know the boy and girl who are going to win, then prove it!  Submit the names of the 2 dancers - one male and one female -- who you think will win this season's competition.  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. The prize for each will be a Tshirt of your size and choice, value up to $35 or an iTunes gift certificate worth $30..

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 2 winners. Subsequent weeks' entries will be accepted from Thursdays/Fridays (once I put up the new contest post) until the show begins airing on the East Coast (Wednesdays at 8pm ET).   You can enter Week 2 contest now -- deadline for the first entry: August 15, 2012.   Good luck!

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).
• MAKE SURE YOU INCLUDE THE WORDS SYTYCD Winners' in the comment (so I can search for them easily)
• You can also submit by email at BloggingSYTYCD@gmail.com 

New instructional video from Jabbawockeez: Phil talks about Flavor

In the first instructional video from Phil Tayag of Jabbawockeez, he talks about the importance of making every dance your own by injecting your own flavor. From thewockeez Youtube.

SYTYCD Top 16 recaps from around the net

Since there are so many recaps for So You Think You Can Dance, I'll only highlight those that show some opinion or extra insight beyond mere description
-- Donna Kauffman uses the excuse of drugs to get super-snarky about music, semi-obscene dance moves, and other offenses and predicts next week's eliminations
-- TV Line gives out this week's awards:  Cyrus & Eliana get the best Dance of the Night; also read their Biggest Fall from Grace, and Special Effects Award
-- Television Without Pity is LONG; summary - Cyrus & Eliana favorite, Audrey and Matthew are meh
-- Entertainment Weekly reviews the judges' comments in depth and thinks that Nigel's explanation of the voting system should be a primer for the 2012 Presidential elections
-- Huffington Post  thinks that the dance routine by Chehon & Witney will go down in the SYTYCD history books as a 'watch it on repeat' routine'
-- Buddy TV runs a slide show, which is much easier to recap than all the wordy reviews. Thanks guys! And they call Lindsay & Cole as their favorite of the night
--Hitfix thinks this may be the most talented season ever, and is not saying that just because she was invited to their press junket
-- Reality Nation finds the mew format heartbreaking --the best dancers of the night might be cut due to voting for last week (i.e., the same format America's Best Dance Crew has always had). Welcome to the heartaches that ABDC voters have felt for 7 seasons, Reality Nation!

There are many more recaps, but I chose my favorites. If you have a favorite recapper, leave a comment and we'll look at it and maybe add it in a later post or next week.

Must-watch video: The Soup parody -- Step Up Revolution meets Dance Moms

This parody of Step Up Revolution crossed with Dance Moms from TheSoupTV.com is truly kickass. Click here to watch.

Jabbawockeez comic mockumentary, complete with dancing and backstage action

Comedian Jo Koy created and stars in a mockumentary where he is the leader of Jabbawockeez (winners of America's Best Dance Crew Season 1 and stars of Las Vegas' MUS.I.C). Definitely worth watching both for the humor and the Jabbawockeez exposure in words and dance. From Jokoy Youtube.

New clip from Step Up Revolution: Flash Mob dance

Just Jared posted a clip from Step Up Revolution which opens July 27, 2012:

Video: Highlights from the Redbull BCOne US Finals

The BBoy Spot reports on the Redbull BC One US Finals in Chicago this month. In the report: a link to StrifeTV's highlights video from the event, including footage of Domkey's winning performance.

What was your favorite performance during SYTYCD's Top 16 show?

poll by twiigs.com

Survey: What was your least favorite performance on SYTYCD Top 16 show?

poll by twiigs.com

Vote now for your favorite SYTYCD dancers - here's the online, phone and text info

The online voting is now open, for at least 2 hours after the show ends in the Pacific Time Zone. If you want to protect your favorite dancers, act now! Remember -- your votes determine who is safe from elimination. Click here to vote online at Fox.com . Performance videos are up now on the website to aid in your choices. 

If you want to text, send the dancer's name to 83676.

If you want to phone instead, the numbers are: 
George      1-855-GOHIM 01
Dareian     1-855-GOHIM 03
Cole           1-855-GOHIM 04
Will            1-855-GOHIM 05
Matthew    1-855-GOHIM 06
Chehon      1-855-GOHIM 07
Cyrus         1-855-GOHIM 08

Tiffany       1-855-GOHER 01
Janelle       1-855-GOHER 03
Lindsay      1-855-GOHER 04
Amelia       1-855-GOHER 05
Audrey      1-855-GOHER 06
Witney      1-855-GOHER07
Eliana        1-855-GOHER 08
 
After you vote (or while you're obsessively voting), join us back at the Party Room!

Join us now for SYTYCD Play-by-Play and Party Room

The Play-Play/Party Room/Critics Corner for tonight's So You Think You Can Dance Season 9 episode  is now open! two more dancers will go home tonight, and the show will be off for two weeks. So, now is the time to watch. Join other readers and fans as they react, praise, and gripe. I'll try to update real-time for those of you who can't watch it live.   IMPORTANT: If you want to write a long comment, write in in NotePad or Word and then paste it into the comments field.
 
And, stay even when the show is over. Let us know what you think about the show. Who are your favorite choreographers? Were the right people sent home tonight?  How would you compare this to other seasons?  This is your party -- humor,  conspiracy theory, nostalgia and almost everything else (except obscenity and abject disrespect) are expected and welcome! 
Photocredit: fox.com

Video: SYTYCD's Cole and Chehon (& others) backstage pre-dress rehearsal

Several of the So You Think You Can Dance Contestants have been busy with Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube this season. Cole Horibe and Chehon made a video talking about this week and showing what the other dancers 'chilling' pre-rehearsal. Good luck guys!  From ColeHoribe Youtube.

Video: BeeJay (Jungle Boogie) teaching Atlanta workshop

A lot of the ABDC alums have kept busy teaching workshops. Latest example: Beejay Harris from Jungle Boogie (ABDC Season 5). Let us know if you take some workshops -- we hope that all the dancers spread their talent around! From Keisha2couple Youtube.

Video: Janina (ReQuest Crew) workshop

Janina Suramach (ReQuest Crew) recently taught a workshop in London. From studio68London Vimeo.

Join us tonight and tomorrow for more SYTYCD party room, polls, and coverage!

Join us tonight to watch and react to So You Think You Can Dance. 
- Starting just before 8M ET, we'll have a Party Room/Critics Corner where you can watch react, comment, bemoan and predict. I'll do some play-by-play there as well, in case you want to find out what happens as it happens

- Tomorrow we'll have surveys on the favorite and least favorite performances of the night.
- We'll have the second round of our contest with prizes -- Predict the two winners.
- We're planning to interview the dancers at tonight's taping and will have interviews posted in the next few days

I've created a new website - BloggingSYTYCDance.blogspot.com -- for people who like their SYTYCD coverage uncluttered by hip hop focus. I'll have links for these posts there, as well as more targeted coverage of the show (outside recaps, news of the dancers). So, you might want to visit there soon. Hope to see you HERE tonight!

What questions would YOU like us to ask the SYTYCD dancers at the tapings?

Riquel Olander (We are Heroes) will be interviewing dancers backstage at tomorrow's taping of So You Think You Can Dance.  Now that you've seen all the dancers perform, what else would you like to learn about them?  Riqi wants some new and fresh questions that will interest/amuse/intrigue the dancerss and the audience alike!

Leave a comment on some questions you'd like to have answered, either in general or for specific people.  If we use your question, we'll give you credit of course! And, this will be part of a master list; even if we don't use your question this week, it might get asked at the next taping. Thanks!

New instructional video from Mike Song: "Tutting Part 3: Toyman Transitions"

Mike Song is back with another tutorial on How to Tut, covering Toyman Transitions. If you missed it, here's Part I and Part II. From mikesongdance Youtube.

Video: Emilio and Jaja (IaMmE) - "Motivation"

More work from members of IaMmE - Emilio Dosal choreographed and dances with Jaja Vankovic (with a cameo from Brandon) in his latest video, "Motivation" from IaMEmiliodosal Youtube. Thanks for the tip, PerezOverride!

Video: Ian Eastwood (Mos Wanted Crew) teaching at Urban Dance Camp

Ian Eastwood (Mos Wanted Crew member) is one of the teachers at the 2012 Urban Dance Camp in Germany. Here's footage of him dancing to "The Real Her" for a class.

Must watch video: Funky Lia popping in Seoul/R16 Finals

YAKFilms has an incredible video: Funky Lia in various locations around Seoul. Check it out. Thanks for the tip, Greg!

At last! SAG-AFTRA board approves contract for music video performers

As described in the LA Times, professional dancers won a major battle to improve their working conditions: "The [SAG-AFTRA] board...endorsed an agreement reached last month with the major record labels, including Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group, on a first-ever industrywide contract to cover dancers and performers who work on music videos. Under the contract, which takes effect Monday, dancers who work on music videos produced by or on behalf of the labels would receive a minimum daily pay rate and health and retirement benefits. The contract also provides for 12-hour rest periods, wardrobe allowances and a binding grievance and arbitration process."


Click here for our earlier coverage of this issue, including a video of a January 2012 flashmob in Los Angeles to increase awareness on the issue.

Video: Mix'd Elements - HHI as road to "redemption" - help them raise funds for HHI

Pacific Rim has a feature from Jolee of Mix'd Elements. Excerpt - "we were recently featured on “Americas Best Dance Crew” this year. Well, the show has ended, the dust has settled, and the final results?... we did not even make it to Americas vote. HHI is our road to redemption. This year Mix’d Elements is bringing it hard.  We still have something to prove, to ABDC, the world, and ourselves...We are currently trying to raise funds to help get us to HHI.Click here to help us bring home the Gold for America. Any amount will help and be greatly appreciated."

Video: Jaja (IaMmE) - "My hometown Freestyle"

Jaja Vankovic (member of ABDC6 winning crew IaMmE) visits her hometown in the Czech Republic with crewmate Phillip Cbeeb during a recent tour. She gives us a tour via freestyle dance in a clocktower and in the countryside. From Youtube. Thanks for the tip Greg!