Time Warner Cable & Bright House Network Subscribers -- You're about to Lose America's Best Dance Crew (and a lot more)

As of 12:01 on January 1, 2009, Time Warner cable subscribers will be saying "I want my MTV"...and their Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, VH1, and and more. More than 13 million TWC subscribers will lose these channels due to a renewal rate dispute between Viacom and Time Warner. The cable company's coverage area includes New York City, Los Angeles, and most of Texas, Ohio, and the Carolinas. It appears that Bright House Networks (which serves Indianapolis, Detroit, Bakersfield, and parts of Florida) will also be dropping Viacom channels as of midnight. Read more about it in the NY Times and the Huffington Post.

Here's a protest ad from LAWeekly2. If you're a Time Warner Cable or Bright House Network subscriber and want to keep these channels, you better get vocal now. On the MTV website, there is a message: "You can stop this! Time Warner Cable customers call 1-800-762-3786 and Bright House Networks Users call 1-866-309-3279 and demand they keep your channel! You must be at least 18 years old to call."

Upcoming Super Cr3w Appearances in Miami and California - UPDATED

January 5-6, Miami: BCS National Championship Halftime Showcase, with Shane Sparks. Tickets are scarce, but you can search on-line.
January 9, San Jose: Vivid Nightclub. Visit vividsj.com for details.
January 10, Santa Clara: Meet and greet at Sheikh, Valley Fair Mall. Click here to see the poster for this event, which contains the details.
UPDATED: They will be in San Francisco on January 7 at City Nights (715 Harrison) for a charity event. Click here for the poster and details. Thanks for the tip, Raquel!

Movement Girl Video = a new look at Swaggerboy (Phil Tayag)

The Kingdom (The Movement) video of Movement Girl features Swaggerboy (aka JabbaWockeeZ' Phil Tayag) in a non-dancing mode. I found this Keepitmovement video via Honey with Sole,one of JabbaWockeez biggest fans.

SoReal Cru in Hawaii -- some changes and surprises

SoReal Cru and Fanny Pak will no longer be appearing in Maui on January 2. Ticketholders should contact the box office at 242-7469 or go to www.mauiarts.org. Instead, on January 2, the two crews will appear at Level 4 Nightclub in Oahu. And, both crews will appear in Honolulu on January 3 as scheduled.

Also: a SoReal source tells me that SoReal Cru will be in Hawaii from January 1 through January 8, and will make surprise appearances during that time. So, keep your eyes and ears open, and send pictures/videos/reports if you're lucky enough to be there for one of these surprise stops.

Yuri & Taeko Show: Toronto Dance Workshop

We always enjoy the Yuri (of Kaba Modern) and Taeko (of Fysh N Chicks) interviews. For a change, here's JReyez's video of them teaching at a workshop at O.I.P. Dance Center in Toronto on December 21.

Update: A reader pointed out another wonderful video from the workshop. Here is Jzon06's video of Yuri and Taeko' "Rock wit You" duet. Thanks for the tip, Ash!

More MTV India: Dance Crew lessons on hip hop

MTV India posted more of Dance Crew. This week, they teach hip hop.
Here's Part I, showing how to kung fu, with instructions including "Do the namaste with a little attitude."
Part II shows how to fly and body wave, while profiling "how Kanye West does it"
Part III gives cheat moves. Then JV/hostess Anusha puts it together with a backup crew.

If any of you follow these lessons and make a movie of your performance, let me know!

ASIID rehearsal video

I've gotten several emails asking for more ASIID. Good news -- Della of ASIID just started a Youtube channel called VICIOUSDellaLICIOUS. My favorite video on it (so far) shows the crew (separated by ASIID boys and ASIID girls) rehearsing to "Swagger like us." Though it's blurry, it still shows some new moves and a feeling for how the crew works together. Della -- we'll be watching you!

Happy Holidays from Fanny Pak and Super Cr3w

More holiday images from your favorites in America's Best Dance Crew Season 2

A Boogie Bots Christmas!

Yeah, I know it's a day late, but I still wanted to share these dance-less Christmas greetings from Boogie Bots. First up is Magic Mike:

Then there's Miguel:

Hey Boogie Bots, I found the perfect present for you to give out to 150 or more of your closest friends:

Holiday Spirit, ABDC Style

This holiday season, please remember to give thanks and give back. There are lots of ways to do it. Two that we recommend for America's Best Dance Crew fans:

• If you have a favorite Season 2 crew, give to their favorite charity
• Sign up at think.mtv.com for ways to get informed and involved about alleviating poverty, discrimination, environmental problems, education issues, and more.
  

America's Best Dance Crew On-line Quiz

If you've got a few minutes, take this TVLoop.com quiz on America's Best Dance Crew Seasons 1 and 2. My guess is that most of you will find it pretty easy. Now, if someone could just create a quiz to determine which ABDC crew you belong in...

More JabbaWockeeZ -- new interview and practice video

LXTV just released a short but sweet video of JabbaWockeeZ talking about their origins, dance style and how America's Best Dance Crew changed their fortunes. And, the practice moves are amazing as usual.

MTV Official announcement: on Season 3

MTV has officially announced the start of Season 3 for America's Best Dance Crew. No, they did not yet announce the names of the 9 crews. The basics:

• Season 3 premieres on Thursday January 15, 2009 at 10pm ET/PT (9 pm Central) in a special 90 minute episode
  
• There will be new challenges, but the basics of the show ("incredible stories and heart-stopping" routines) are similar to Seasons One and Two
  
• There will be a live finale show again
  
• Mario Lopez is still the host, JC Chasez, Lil Mama and Shane Sparks are still the judges and Layla Kayleigh will still cover the backstage interviews
• Fans will still vote for their favorites via texting, phoning, and visiting dancecrew.mtv.com
  

SoReal Cru live December 26-28

SoReal Cru will be performing in Georgia and North Carolina this week. The schedule:

• December 26: Holiday Explosion Mega Event at Dreamz in Atlanta.Must be 18+. Click here for information and tickets
• December 27: Holiday Explosion Extravaganza at KISS Charlotte in Charlotte, NC. Must be 18+ Click here for information and tickets
• December 28: Exclusive for Everyone at Asians Paradise in College Park, GA. Meet and greet 6-8 pm, tickets sold at the door. All ages! Visit SoRealCru.com for details.
  

Watch the new promotion for ABDC Season 3 -- and yes, the Season Starts January 15

Melee from SuperCrewandfriends sent us a link to the new promos for America's Best Dance Crew Season 3. As reported earlier, the two ads (a 90 second and a 30 second version) use robotics and Super Cr3w to emphasize the precision shown by the best dance crews. And, at the end of the ad, it gives January 15 as the date for the first episode.

Here's the ad:

Thanks Melee!

SoReal Cru on Blog TV tonight

According to Honey with Sole, SoReal Cru will be on live on Blog TV tonight (Saturday, December 20) at 8 pm Central. The crew will answer fan questions. So sign up for BlogTV , then click here to join this live e-vent.

Last Chance to vote for Best America's Best Dance Crew Performance in 2008

Vote here. The polls close noon Eastern time on Sunday December 21, so get your vote in today. Starting December 22, we'll post videos of the top dance performances as voted by our readers. We'll start with the most popular, and add one per day. So, vote now, then come back all next week for your favorites.

Update: The poll is now closed, with 398 voters registered. Tune in on Monday for the first posts of the most popular performances.

MTV India's Dance Crew -- instruction, not competition

It turns out that MTV India's Dance Crew show is a daily program to teach viewers how to dance. Personally, I'm disappointed. That said, it's fun to watch, in a multi-culti way. And, the online ad is strange.

Click here to watch the introductory clip, starring Anusha (that's her in an old photo, dancing with Indian actor/heartthrob Salman Khan).
Next, watch the lessons on hip hop from Uma and Gaiti: Lesson Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

Canadian fans ask: Why did SoReal Cru drop out of the tour?

Access Winnipeg reported that SoReal Cru was a no-show when America's Best Dance Crew Live Tour hit Winnipeg. They also have an amusing writeup on the show, with full good photo and video coverage.

Any information on why SoReal Cru didn't appear? Did they perform in the other Canadian cities? Inquiring (and concerned) minds want to know!

Greyscale -- a talented & unique crew you won't see on Season 3

Dancingkhai sent a video of a crew called Greyscale, rehearsing for the auditions for America's Best Dance Crew Season 3. Greyscale made it pretty far into the selection process, but unfortunately didn't make the final cut. Luckily for us, they taped their audition routine to share with other fans of ABDC and hip hop.

I think their dance is unusual in its lovely dreaminess -- quite the change from classical street hip hop. What do you think?

SoReal Cru: The Re-up

SoReal Cru TV just posted a slick new rehearsal video featuring music from Jay Z, Lil Wayne, Mims, Usher, and Gorilla Zoe.

ABDC Season 3 will probably premiere around January 15; Get your tickets now!

It appears that the first show in America's Best Dance Crew Season 3 will probably air on or around January 15, 2009. This news is NOT based on information from MTV (which has not yet released an official start date for the show), but on the fact that 1iota.com now has free tickets available for tapings on January 12 and 20, 2009. In Seasons 1 and 2, the shows taped on the Mondays or Tuesdays before they aired on Thursdays.

If you want to attend a taping of ABDC, go to 1I0ta.com. Thanks for the tip, Fannypackedgood!!

ABDC in Canada -- Supreme Soul

Access Winnipeg just released another America's Best Dance Crew Live Tour in Canada video that we had to share. Here's Supreme Soul at their best:

We love the new shirts that the crew sports in the video. They're made by No Rival and will be available for sale at Norival.com in January 2009. Here's a close-up of one of the shirts. Click here to see more styles. We'll let you know when you can buy your own.

Seeking Crews who self-posted their Audition Routines

Several crews requested that I post their audition videos here on Blogging America's Best Dance Crew. For several good reasons that will remain unstated here, I cannot post more of the ones that BABDC taped in NY or LA. But, I'm open to sharing YOUR videos of your audition routines, if you (or someone else) taped and posted them on-line. Obviously, these would not be the actual audition performances, but a restaging of the same routines.

So, if you want to share, please email me with the name of your crew and where I can find your video. The email address is bloggingbestdancecrew@gmail.com. DON'T put the information in the comments; we delete all URLs from comments due to internet safety issues.

Dance Crews: Sign up for The Main Event!

The East Coast is finally going to get its own dance competition. On February 28 2009, Fr3sh Dance Company (with support from the Hip Hop Dance Association) is hosting the Main Event. It will be held at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, NJ. The Main Event promises to bring together both raw and professional talent, complete with workshops, exhibitions, and full concert-format competition.

Crews: if you want to compete or participate in the exhibition, e-mail maineventcompetition@gmail.com with your team name, contact info, and YouTube video link to a recent performance. SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR ALL TEAMS IS DECEMBER 27, 2008. Click here for more information.

Information for attending and buying tickets is still being developed, but visit the Main Event website in the meantime.

Quest Dance Crew at LA Best

Quest Dance Crew auditioned for America's Best Dance Crew for Season 3, and are rumored to be one of finalists to get on the show. Here's Lilchibi's video of a recent performance at LA Best, featuring some slick solos. Thanks for the tip, Kendrick!

Cincinnati's Fully Loaded -- A Crew that Almost made it to ABDC Seaon 3

We got a comment from a member of Fully Loaded from Cincinnati: Hey Barbie here from Fully Loaded Crew in Cincinnati,Ohio.-home of our boi Shane Sparks!!! We auditioned in St. Louis, we made it to the last 12 crews that they were going to pick from- but didnt get chosen... Everyone at MTV was so wonderful. We had a great experience, just wasn't our time to shine... peace outta!!!"

Here's two views of Fully Loaded. First, My Fox in St. Louis covered the America's Best Dance Crew auditions; the best part is Fully Loaded's interview and audition. Catch it here. Next, meet the crew and watch the rehearsal on Brightcove TV.

I'm impressed with the crew's style and smooth moves, and sorry they didn't make it through. What about you: Given what you've seen so far, would you have voted for Fully Loaded?

Videos from the Canada Tour - Fanny Pak, Super Cr3w

Canadian America's Best Dance Crew fans have started posting videos from the Canada tour. Here are my favorites:
Ionezo3 got close-up with Fanny Pak in Toronto:


Here's LetRyGuyIn's video of the SuperCr3w Finale. The channel also has freestyle videos -- somewhat obstructed but worth watching:

Preview: Upcoming Ad for ABDC Season 3

Melee, the owner of SuperCr3w and Friends fansite shares information and pictures for a new America's Best Dance Crew ad that will air next week (reportedly December 22). The ad, called "Factory Perfection", was filmed at FANUC, a robotics company in Orange County California. It features dancing from Super Cr3w and swaying from the robots. Here's a blog entry from one of the ad's creators, with a little info and photos.
Click here to see more photos from SuperCr3wandfriends.site90.net. Thanks for the tip and photos, Melee!

Mailbox: Fanny Pak and SoReal Cru in Hawaii, new SoReal Shirts

Fanny Pak and SoReal Cru will perform together in Hawaii:
- January 2: Maui Arts and Cultural Center. Click here for details and tickets or visit the MACC box office.
- January 3: Blaisdell Arena in Oahu. Click here to buy tickets.

Speaking of SoReal Cru, we love their new Tshirt, available only on-line at SoRealCru.com.

Auditioning crews: What songs did you use?

If you auditioned for America's Best Dance Crew this season: we'd like to know what songs you chose. Please tell us your crew name, songs, and recording artists.

And, if you're a reader and good at identifying songs, we'd be most appreciative if you checked out our audition videos to name the music. Extra credit for the Urban X mix. Thanks!

Survey: What was the best dance on America's Best Dance Crew in 2008?

I've taken all the suggestions to date on the best dances on Seasons 1 and 2 of America's Best Dance Crew. Now, please vote in this poll to choose the top 10. Feel free to vote for as many as you want. I've limited the choices to the top 3 mentioned for each crew, so I apologize if I left off one of your favorites. Then, starting later this week, I'll post videos for the highest vote getters (provided I find a legal source of the videos!). So, vote right now, and vote right!

Two New SoReal Cru Videos

• Myx TV interviewed SoReal Cru about their choreographic vision and goals, interspersing it with apt clips from America's Best Dance Crew Season 2. Watch it here.
• SoReal Cru TV Channel on Youtube has it all from their recent performances and appearances in Houston, including backstage chatter and dance moves, onstage performance at Jingle Jam, fan interaction (including some trouble with a security guard) and a meet-and-greet at Shiekh Shoes complete with dancing toddler. While visiting the SoReal Channel, be sure to also watch their new video about the visit to Philadelphia, complete with a quick shot of Phresh Select.
  

Supreme Soul -- going mainstream and giving back

You know that hip hop is reaching a broader audience and gaining acceptability when an America's Best Dance Crew group appears in the same parade as Super Grover. Supreme Soul was one of the headliners in the San Jose Holiday Parade on December 7, along with Grand Marshall Princess Aurora, Raggs the dog, Santa, and other popular imaginary characters (and some real characters like Brianna James and Miss USA). I couldn't find a picture of Supreme Soul's appearance, so here's the next best thing.

On a more charitable note: here's Karen419's video of Supreme Soul's performance at San Diego State University on December 9. They headlined an event called "A Sammy Thing: Shirt the Kid's showcase," which raised awareness for Pnoy Apparel's mission to sell and donate shirts for needy children in the Philippines. To learn more about this charity and to buy some of the shirts, click here.
Photo credit: Almaden Times

Fanny Pak's Matt and SYTYCD's Kourtni in performance

From EricaSobol: a video of Fanny Pak's Matt Cady and Kourtni Lind (from Season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance. Erica choreographed the dance, performed to Seek Up by Dave Matthews. The style is very SYTYCD and not very ABDC, but still beautiful to watch.

News: Season 3 Crews have now ALL been chosen and notified

On Thursday, December 11, the decisions for America's Best Dance Crew Season 3 were finalized and all the Season 3 crews were told that they will be on the show. According to an MTV spokesperson: "Casting has told me that all Season 3 crews were notified today, but that information is being kept confidential for the moment and we ask that they not announce their participation yet. We will let them know when they can.

Only crews who made it to being semi-finalists (received paperwork) will be notified personally by Casting to let them know they did not make it onto Season 3. Any other crews that auditioned will not be contacted directly and we thank them for their time and coming out to share their talent. As always, provided that we air another season, we hope they try out again."

Congratulations to the nine crews that made it to Season 3 -- we'll find out all about you soon. And, to the rest of the auditioning crews -- don't give up! It was a particularly tough group of competitors, and many worthy crews will have to wait until Season 4.

Mailbox: auction to attend ABDC + meet Shane Sparks, Enigma Dance Kru Performance

• Bid on Ebay for two tickets to a Season 3 taping of America's Best Dance Crew, where you will meet Shane Sparks. Current top bid is $500, and the auction closes December 19. Click here for details and to bid on this item, which benefits the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles.
  
• On December 13, Enigma Dance Kru will perform with some of Florida's top hiphop dancers and DJs at Crowbar in Ybor City, FL. Tickets are $5.00. Call (813) 241-8600 for more info
  

What were the best ABDC performances in Seasons 1 and 2?

While we wait to hear about Season 3, let's talk about past seasons. What were the best America's Best Dance Crew performances in Seasons 1 and 2? Please use the Comments to nominate your favorite individual routines (e.g., Fanny Pak's Get Ur Freak On, Kaba Modern's Thriller). I'll try to find legal video of the favorites and post them in the last days of 2008.

Mailbox: SoReal Cru, St. Maarten Dance Crew, JabbaWockeeZ x Fingerbangerz

• SoReal Cru performed at Jingle Jam in Houston, along with David Archuleta, Chris Brown, Colbie Caillat, Rihanna, and Gavin DeGraw. Here's the Houston Chronicle review.
• News about St. Maarten's Top Dance Crew TV show: all-girl crew Top Secret was eliminated because they didn't show up for the taping. Their no-show may have been the result of negative judge's comments the week before, including "Too Much Whining" and "Not enough choreography." Their elimination saved the two groups who received even fewer viewer votes. I wish I could show video on this!. Read more here.
  
• For your viewing pleasure: a video documenting the history of the JabbaWockeeZ and Fingerbangerz collaboration

Message from MTV on ABDC Audition Decisions and Calls

For the crews who have not yet heard from MTV (and all the rest of you who are curious): I just received the following email from MTV:
"Nancy, can you tell them that crews have not been contacted either way, but they will be shortly. I'm following up with our casting directors to see when they're going to log calls to ALL crews, yeas and nays. I'll let you know when we hear back on that."

To me, this means that there are still decisions to be made and that the crews that have not yet been contacted still have a chance to make it to Season 3. So, good luck to all and hold on tight!

To all Season 3 auditioners that haven't heard back yet: Email me and we'll try to help!

There are still a few crews who auditioned for Season 3 but have not yet heard a response. My media contact at MTV emailed me to ask for your crew names. Once I send them to her, she will forward them to Casting and ask them to help get you information.

So, if you are still waiting for a response, please EMAIL your crew name and where you auditioned to me at: bloggingbestdancecrew@gmail.com.

Photo of the day: Fanny Pak in Guam

This was posted by Kabbawockeez. Feel free to leave in an appropriate caption in the comments.

Better late than never #2: Yuri & Taeko backstage at ABDC Live Tour

Yuri (from Kaba Modern) and Taeko (from Fysh N Chicks) released new videos this weekend. My favorite is their unique coverage of the America's Best Dance Crew Live Tour in Los Angeles. They have front-row dancing scenes and never-before-shown views of the backstage set-up and the crews running around pre-performance.

Are ABDC Voters Racist?

Thuy-Ann posted an academic analysis on her blog, examining whether there is a racist element to the voting in America's Best Dance Crew. Specifically, she looks at the performances of Xtreme Dance Force, and makes the case that they only lasted on ABDC as they did because white female voters favored their good looks over more talented minority groups. Read her post here.

What do you think? Do YOU vote right, basing your choice on the dance crew's performance? How much do you and your friends factor in racial/ethnic pride (or prejudice) in your voting decisions? Do you think that, in general, racism is a big issue in ABDC voting? Please comment!

Be honest and constructive. Warning: let's keep this respectful -- I will edit or delete comments that I consider rude.

Karmaloop Sale on Super Cr3w and JabbawockeeZ shirts

Karmaloop.com is running a 25% off site-wide sale. Their stock includes several Super Cr3w and JabbaWockeeZ shirts, as well as a warehouse of shirts, shoes, hoodies and other apparel. The discount code I received is MANIAC (they know me); it looks like FROST will work too.

Better Late than Never #1:JabbaWockeeZ interview from ABDC Live Tour

Want to spend half an hour with JabbaWockeeZ and other crews? Here's the video from a live broadcast conducted during the America's Best Dance Crew Live tour. JabbaWockeeZ takes the lead, talking about how the crew formed, answering assorted viewer questions, singing (ouch), showing a nose freeze move, and interviewing Fanny Pak, ASIID. an Super Cr3w. By the end, the crews are interviewing each other on inter-crew crushes. So find 30 minutes and listen in.

Sign up now for American Street Dance Championship V

The American Street Dance Championship V is coming January 25, 2009 to The Los Angeles Convention Center. There will be $5000 in cash and prizes for competitors. Master street dance classes in locking, popping, b-boying and hip-hop will also be offered. All ages are welcome. Shane Sparks will be one of the special guests and judges. For registration and Info: www.streetdance.net For Tickets: www.thefitexpo.com

Competition categories include:
BBoy and BGirl (crews only)
Locking and Popping (solo, teams and crews)
Hip-Hop and Freestyle (solo, teams and crews)
Capoeira and Martial Arts (solo, teams and crews)
Junior Skills (Age (7 to 17) - Any Dance Style)

You MUST submit a performance video to be considered for the competition. Upload your video to YouTube and email the link to: asdc5@streetdance.net Or you can send a DVD, Mini-DV or VHS to: Wardance Entertainment, 369 S. Doheny Dr., #1135, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Interesting crew from Atlanta auditions: GOP

Over the last few weeks, we've showcased crews that auditioned for Season 3 of America's Best Dance Crew. In some cases, we've highlighted crews that we didn't personally watch at the auditions but have numerous and loyal fans clamoring for us to show their videos. If we love the videos, we'll post them to let our readers make their own decisions.

So, for your consideration: GOP, from Puerto Rico. They are members of a dance school and have worked together many years. The name GOP stands for Group of Peace, as they're working with kids to provide an alternative to 'street life.' Unfortunately, they did not get picked for Season 3, though they still hold out some hope that ABDC could change their decision.

I think GOP has some wicked moves, and I hope that they will eventually make it to ABDC. UPDATE: The older video was removed; here's another.

From NY Auditions: Organic, crew for the Future?

At the New York auditions of America's Best Dance Crew, one crew especially caught our fancy. Organic is a girl's crew from New York City. They have some nice moves, but what made them stand out was their stand-in. Because one of the members was ill, 15-year old Shorty filled in. Shorty is a phenom -- a super dancer AND the crew's choreographer!

Because of the age restrictions for ABDC (and the idea that the choreographer should be an active crew member), we aren't confident that Organic made the cut (and we dont' know!) but think this is definitely a crew for the future.

Mailbox: Outside gigs for Mario Lopez and Shane Sparks

• Mario Lopez is in negotiations to once again host the Miss America pageant. I see this as a problem -- last time he was prettier than some of the contestants.
• "Boogie Town", the hip hop film with dance scenes choreographed by Shane Sparks, has been acquired by Vivendi Entertainment and will be released summer 2009. Set in a near-future New York where dancing is outlawed, "Boogie Town" follows the rise of illegal "battle dancing" in the underground world of the title. I haven't found any pictures or clips from the movie -- leave a comment if you've got a lead.
  

Automatic Response and Enigma Dance Crew: Life after ABDC

Truman Index -- the student paper for the Truman State University in Missouri -- profiles Automatic Response and Enigma Dance Kru, two groups from Season 1 of America's Best Dance Crew. I especially like this article because it covers how ABDC helped two strong crews that didn't stay a long time on the show.

According to the article, ABDC helped Enigma Dance Kru get sponsorship for their tours. Automatic Response has had success in their goal of bringing a hiphop dance scene to their home town of Phoenix Arizona and to help local charities. The profile also describes the crews' backgrounds and styles.

Read all about it here. Photocredit: Truman Index.

JabbaWockeeZ Tshirts on sale til Xmas -- new stock added

Armory Hiphop restocked all their JabbaWockeeZ shirts for you holiday shoppers, so there are a lot of choices available in all sizes. Here's their shiny gold and silver foil shirt. And, you can get everything in the store 20% off buy using the discount code NEWSHIRTS when ordering.

Hint: once you've made your JabbaWockeeZ gear decisions, look at their other shirts and hats. They have some original designs that are CRAZY -- I'm going to order some for myself.

SoReal Cru in the Bay Area -- video minidocumentary

SoReal Cru posted a 10-minute video of their visit to San Francisco and San Jose. It's got dancing, back-stage pranks, tons of fan interaction, tour bus action, a shout-out from L0st Kids, a fashion shoot, and much much more. This is a must-watch for anyone who's wondered (or fantasized) about the life of some of the more successful America's Best Dance Crew contestants.

Upcoming Performances: Kaba Modern in Hawaii, Yuri & Taeko in LA

Kaba Modern appearances and workshops in Hon0lulu:
- 12/5: Kallusive Release Party. Location Special Edition Shangri La at W Honolulu.
- 12/6, Honolulu: The Cause Workshop. Jia Huang will teach a session from 4-6:30. Diverse Arts Center, 1030 Queen Street. Tickets are available at Word of Life, New Hope, Honolulu Dance Center, Studio 808 and YMCA

Yuri & Taeko: One of L.A.'s prominent Asian-American performing troupes, Lodestone Theatre Ensemble, has announced that it is closing its doors at the end of 2009. To get there, however, the company is throwing a fundraiser from December 11-14 2008 called Lodestone After Dark: The Beginning of the End. Kaba Modern's Yuri Tag and Fysh N' Chicks' Taeko Collins will appear at one performance. Location: GTC, 1111-B West Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA. For more information call 323-993-7245.

Another Favorite from the Season 3 Auditions - Mixed Elements Video

Many readers have been asking to see video of Mixed Elements, a crew that auditioned for Season 3 of America's Best Dance Crew. We don't know of anyone (besides MTV) that taped the audition, but Mixed Elements themselves uploaded a video to Youtube today, showing their performance at the Dance Unlimited Halloween Show. Thanks for the tip, Paul.

What do you think? Do you want to see them on ABDC?

Charity Auction: 4 passes to ABDC taping + Lil Mama meet & greet

Want to attend a taping of Season 3's America's Best Dance Crew with your friends? We understand that it's gotten MUCH harder to get ticket passes, due to the show's popularity. Here's your chance to get tickets, meet Lil Mama, and help Dosomething.org, a charity that helps teens get involved in projects to improve the world. This is a great gift that gives back.

From now until December 10, visit Charity Buzz to bid on 4 passes to an ABDC taping plus the meet and greet with Lil Mama. Airfare is not included, and the minimum bid is $250.
Click here to bid.

Photocredit: MTV

Quest audition video + more coverage of LA auditions

Dance Channel TV just posted a video of the Los Angeles Season 3 auditions for America's Best Dance Crew. It contains a sample of Quest's audition (the crew with alums from So You Think You Can Dance) from 3:15 until the end. Dance Channel also interviewed Transitions, Head Hunters, Street Vibe and Quest about how they prepared for the auditions and what they'd do with the prize winnings. There's also footage of ABDC creator Howard Schwartz and judge Shane Sparks talking about what it takes to make it onto ABDC.

Click here to watch the video. Thanks for the tip, Kendrick!

Straight information about ABDC Season 3

Some info, straight from a conversation with an MTV rep, regarding Season 3 of America's Best Dance Crew:

• As earlier announced, there will be no audition special with eliminations. So, the crews that are picked now will be the crews that perform on the first show
  
• Final decisions on the 9 crews that will compete in Season 3 should be made VERY soon (nothing more specific!)
  
• Current plans are to announce the names of the 9 crews to the public sometime late in December 2008, though this could change
  
• In the meantime, please do not reveal the name of a crew that has been picked for Season 3. It doesn't matter if you're the crew member or a friend, relative, or acquaintance. It doesn't matter if it's on Youtube, Facebook, Myspace, or other on-line site or anywhere else in the media. Let MTV make the announcement please!
  
• If your crew has not been chosen, feel free to share the information and any comments or insights. There are dozens of amazingly talented crews that won't appear on ABDC this season, so you shouldn't be disrespected for it.

ABDC Holiday gift survey - What do YOU want?

It's December -- time to give and get for the holidays. World peace would be terrific but it looks easier for each of us to address domestic problems by stimulating the economy, focusing on visions of America's Best Dance Crew and related purchases.

What do YOU want? What would you give to your favorite ABDC fan? Please leave comments on some specific suggestions of great gifts.

poll by twiigs.com

SoReal Cru in Philly -- Video and photos

Jon Jon attended the SoReal Cru show at the Solo Nightclub in Philadelphia on November 26, and gives us a front-row view of the whole SoReal Show. Part I, from mrjtde, his Youtube videochannel:

Part II:

He also met with crew members from SoReal Cru and Phresh Select. Click here to view more photos with the two crews. Jon Jon -- thanks for sharing with us!

Photo of the Day -- Kaba Modern Legacy on the Catwalk

Sarah Lee took this photo of Kaba Modern Legacy at the 13 Minutes Magazine 3rd Annual Fashion Show on October 13, 2008. I'd like to see more action like this in the Bryant Park tents at Fashion Week!

India's Best Dance Crew on MTV!

Buried in this strange newspost about the skincare regimen of MTV India VJ Anusha Dandekar is a some real ABDC news: there’s a new show called MTV Dance Crew to be aired soon. “In my new show, I get to shake a leg with the participants. That’s great, since I love dancing."

I haven't found any other information on this show yet. But I did hear from ABDC co-creator Howard Schwartz at the Season 3 auditions that Best Dance Crew was going international. All this is a great development for hiphop, and a prelude (I hope) to World's Best Dance Crew. And, I hope that MTV will post the episodes so we all can watch.

What country do you think is next?

Photocredit for VJ Anusha Dandekar: Glamsham.com

Watch Dance4Life live connection today!

Today (November 29), go to Dance4Life.com to watch the life satellite broadcast of the International Dance4Life event.

50,000 people in 19 countries will be dancing to celebrate achievements in fighting AIDS. Boogie Bots will be one of the U.S. performers, and some top dance crews in other countries are expected to perform. So, if you've got the time please watch and contribute to Dance4Life!

St. Maarten's Best Dance Crew -- new TV show!

It was bound to happen, given the success and popularity of America's Best Dance Crew. The first non-US "Best Dance Crew" TV show will be filmed in -- St. Maarten!. Here's the story in More Baccanal.

Six crews will be dancing each week, and the show will air on French St. Martin TV. The format and voting are pretty much the same as for ABDC. The top prize is $3000 and the title of St. Maarten's Best Dance Crew.

According to the article, "Organizers are limiting the crews only in what they can wear and how “vulgar” their styles can be. Besides that, it’s really no-holds-barred for this competition."

The six crews are: HOT, Hydrolics, Low Rydahs, LTL, Top Secret and The Spotlight. Please comment here if you've watched any of them in performance.

If this show becomes available on-line, you bet we'll post it. Good luck to all!

Click here to see pictures of the other crews in contention for St. Maarten's Best Dance Crew.

Kaba Modern Performing at the Expo

On November 22, 2008, LA was the site for The Expo - A Charitable Event Benefitting Culture Shock. Guests included Kaba Modern, Super Cr3w, Fanny Pak, and Fysh N Chick. Pacific Rim Video taped the Kaba Modern performance:

ABDC Merch #2: Fanny Pak Fanny Packs

On this Black Friday, we're featuring some shopping choices for those of you who can't deal with bricks-and-mortar stores.

Fanny Pak is now selling Fanny Packs for $15 on their website.

I'm really looking forward to the Fanny Pak shoes that will be available from Milkshake Kicks in February 2009. I saw Milkshake Kicks on crew members at ABDC Live in NY and I want them now.Right now, this website has some unique FP shirts and non-FP shoes.

ABDC Merch #1: the Kaba Modern Never Duplicated Shirt

On this Black Friday, we're featuring some shopping choices for those of you who can't deal with bricks-and-mortar stores.

America's Best Dance Crew Marathon on MTV2

For those of you with hundreds of cable stations: MTV is running an America's Best Dance Crew Marathon today and tonight. Just the thing to give thanks for.

Supreme Soul Performances in Toronto

From a few months ago, but still worth watching: Supreme Soul danced at Freshman Week at Ryerson University in Toronto. Honanie taped these performances:

San Diego & LA ABDC Appearances: Super Cr3w, Supreme Soul

Super Cr3w: appearing in LA at Club Tatou on November 29. Adults only show. Call (213)482-2000 for details. Thanks for the tip, Raquel!

Super Cr3w will also appear at the Armory Survival Gear Store (1539 Garnet Avenue location) on November 30. Call 858-274-7300 for details. From Friday through Sunday, the stores will be selling all their merchandise at 20-50% off. You can also shop on-line at Armoryhiphop.com and get a 20% discount on all their clothing by entering BLACKFRIDAY as the promo code.

Supreme Soul: December 9, San Diego State University. This poster has the info.

More audition videos: The Hype

At the Los Angeles auditions for America's Best Dance Crew, Pacific Rim Video filmed The Hype, from Hawaii. Here's the audition:

And their interview, talking about the sacrifices and challenges of deciding to audition:

Good luck to The Hype!

SoReal Cru and PhreshSelect in Philadelphia tonight

On Thanksgiving Eve (November 26), SoReal Cru and Phresh Select will perform at the Solo Nightclub with Sinthesis, Xclusive, Remedy, Flipside & multiple students' organizations from Drexel, University of Pennsylvania, Temple and Villanova for the biggest dance party of the year. There will be an autograph session from 9-10pm and giveaways all night long.

MUSIC: DJ Wreckless, Art, and DJ Goodlyfe

Limited Advance tickets will be available at Abakus Store (227 N 10th St.) or you can contact college organizations.

Mailbox: Reviews and Images from last week's shows

On November 24, the TASA (Taiwanese American Student Association) Freestyle Competition was held by RAPS (Rutgers Association of Philippine Students). Here's a picture of the winners - RDT -- posing with Boogie Bots after their win.

Some reviews of Break Sk8 and the San Francisco Hip Hop DanceFest:

• Voice of Dance loved the show, including Break Sk8: "To watch this quintet do something like entrechats on skates is to have seen almost everything."
• SFGate thought the show was "sick, buck, dope, stupid." Of Break Sk8, they wrote: "They do tight, hard-hitting moves that most crews would kill to pull off with their feet on the ground. Then they do more."

Photo credit: John Richard Pena/RAPS Media Crew

Reminder: Far East Movement On-Line Release Party tonight

Don't forget -- at 9-10pm West Coast Time, tune in to Far East Movement FM TV for the the first ever live, streaming on-line release party for their new album Animal.

The album (produced by Far East Moement which includes DJ Virman from the America's Best Dance Crew Live Tour) features the next generation of rising artists and sounds featuring guest appearances by many rising stars including Def Jam’s One Block Radius, Warner recording artists Wiz Khalifa and Jah Free along with Latin music legends Lil Rob and Baby Bash.

Planet B-Boy on Youtube Live -- WATCH THIS NOW!

We've been following Knucklehead Zoo because of their ties to America's Best Dance Crew through Super Cr3w, their Broadway show, and their members' audition (as The Zoo) for ABDC Season 3. Now, some KZ's Yust and Freaky are part of a Planet B-Boy crew for Youtube Live, to help promote the Planet B-boy movie. This video is just sick.

Shane Sparks - Talk of Fame Interview

Talk of Fame talked to Shane Sparks at the LA Auditions of America's Best Dance Crew. He talks about all his upcoming projects including the "Boogietown" movie and the "Dream Girls" theatrical revival. And, he thinks that Broadway should be in the future for some ABDC crew members!

One more favorite LA Auditioning Crew: Essence

Over the past few weeks, we've been posting videos of auditioning crews that our LA field reporters Brooke and Rebecca watched and really liked. As always, we'll remind you that they didn't see all the LA auditioners and that Blogging America's Best Dance Crew has no insider information or influence with the ABDC judges.

Here's one more crew for you to watch: Essence. We like their creativity with movements and props. While they showed no tricky moves, they had good detail and humor. We said the same thing about Fanny Pak when we watched the audition special from Season 2. So, maybe this girl crew has the goods for Season 3. What do you think?

Canada Tour with Super Cr3w, SoReal Cru, Fanny Pak, Supreme Soul

On the heels of JabbaWockeeZ' successful Canada tour -- the Best Dance Canada tour. The show will feature Fanny Pak, SoReal Cru, Super Cr3w, Supreme Soul, and DJ Wish One from JabbaWockeeZ.

The schedule:
12/13: Toronto Click for tickets
12/15: Winnipeg Click for tickets
12/16: Saskatoon Click for tickets
12/17: Calgary Click for tickets
12/18: Edmonton Click for tickets
12/19: Vancouver Click for tickets

Interviews with Super Cr3w, Kaba Modern, and Fanny Pak at Expo Benefit for CSLA

Pacific Rim Video talked to Kaba Modern, Fanny Pak, and Super Cr3w at the Expo Benefit in Los Angeles on November 22, as they prepared booths to meet fans and sell some crew merchandise. Click here to visit Pacific Rim's Youtube channel and watch all of them. Here's Super Cr3w's Do Knock talking about the crew and their webcam show:

Season 3 Auditioners -- Has MTV Contacted You Yet?

We've heard that MTV has started contacted auditioning crews as to whether they made it to Season 3. For those of you who get bad news -- try out next season! We know that the competition was fierce and many many great crews won't make the cut. Feel free to comment here if you were contacted by MTV, to let us know what they said and what you think. We welcome comments from anyone who auditioned for Season 3. IMPORTANT:

• Do not write anything that would violate your legal signed agreement with MTV. For example, if MTV told the Season 3 crews not to identify themselves publicly, leave a comment but don't give your name or your crew name.
• Don't lie or misrepresent yourself.