Some of our favorite crews from LA Auditions: Box Cuttuhz

Field reporters Rebecca and Brooke covered the Los Angeles auditions for Season 3 of America's Best Dance crew. Over the next few weeks, we'll share their videos and interviews.

Here's our disclaimer (get used to it, you'll see it a lot): They watched about 4 hours of auditions, so they didn't get a chance to see all of the crews. In addition, they (and BABDC) have no inside information or control over judges' opinions.

An appetizer for things to come: Box Cuttuhz, from Southern California

• Name Background: They are geeky underdogs, cutting open the box that they've been forced into and showing the world their talents.
• Members: Lando (25), Aris (24), Rocko (22), Diamond (21) Jesse (23), Lydia (18) and Brian (20)
• Dance style: Hood, Funk, Jazz Funk
• Why are they auditioning: they feel they are underdogs, so they have no limitations
• Favorite crews from ABDC past seasons, JabbaWockeeZ, Fanny Pak, Kaba Modern
• What they'd do with $100,000: travel, give it their families, and invest.
  

Mailbox: JabbaWockeeZ lessons, Mario Lopez, SYTYCD at the auditons

• On November 1 and 2, Monsters of Hip Hop descends on Chicago with dance performances, contests and lessons. Instructors include JabbaWockeeZ Phi Nguyen and Kevin Brewer, as well as Napoleon Dumo (one of the judges for America's Best Dance Crew auditions). Click here for details and to get your tickets.
• Monsters and Critics summarizes Mario Lopez' interview with Obama. Best bit (and very timely for this Halloween): Michelle's nickname for Barack is 'Pumpski'. Awww.
• Zap2It reports that So You Think You Can Dance alums Dominick and Hok "killed it" at the ABDC auditions in LA with their crew Quest.
• And, for you techies: an explanation of the grandMA lighting console used in ABDC Live.
  

Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail: Barack Obama and Mario Lopez

Mario Lopez gets his shot at history this week, interviewing Barack Obama for Extra. So, what's the scoop -- the economic meltdown, redistribution strategies, international relations? Almost.

Mario goes gonzo, talking about how hard it was to get a suit, get a car, get past road blocks, and get Obama's attention. But he gets in and talks about... Jennifer Hudson's family and Barack's Grandmother.

Upcoming performances: JabbaWockeeZ, Fanny Pak, Boogie Bots, Kaba Modern

• November 5: JabbaWockeeZ in Vancouver at the Bell Performance Centre. For tickets, call the box office: 604-507-6355

• November 7-8: Fanny Pak, Boogie Bots and Kaba Modern in Guam at Father Duenas Memorial School Phoenix Center as part of "Music, Dance, and Wishes II". Doors open at 5 p.m. and show starts at 8 p.m.General admission tickets are $35, VIP tickets $50. Tickets are available at DoCoMo Pacific, DNA Evolution, The Talent Box and the Fokai Shop in Tumon.

Los Angeles ABDC Auditions Teaser from Pacific Rim

For the next eight weeks, Pacific Rim Video will post videos of crew auditions and interviews from the Los Angeles ABDC auditions for Season 3. You can get them by going to the Pacific Rim Youtube profile, and by checking back with us.

And in the next few days, we'll start posting our own videos of favorite crews from the Los Angeles auditions, along with interviews with Randy Jackson and Shane Sparks.

First up from Pacific Rim: a teaser video with some stills, audition clips and shout outs from The Hype, Quest (the crew with So You Think You Can Dance alums), Head Hunters, Box Cuttuhz Show, Street Vibe, Foreign Exchange, and Essence.

Last minute JabbaWockeeZ costume recommendations

Forgot (or waited too long) to order the official JabbaWockeeZ costume? No problem. Yahoo talked to Kara Saun, ABDC's costumer designer, who gave suggestions for putting it together cheap and easy:

• Masks are hard to find, so paint your face white
• Wear a JBWZ shirt or a black button-up shirt with a white tie
• Don a red baseball cap or Kangol bucket hat
• SHUT UP and mime it.

For more information, click here, then go to image 9 on 'Dressing the TV Part for Halloween'. Hat tip: Honey with Sole

Distorted X at ABDC Live in Houston

Distorted X (from ABDC Season 2) performed at the final show of America's Best Dance Crew in Houston. This was filmed by NovaofDark, who has other classic Distorted X videos in his Youtube collection.

TONIGHT -- Fanny Pak performing at UCLA

Tonight, October 29, Fanny Pak will perform at UCLA as part of a Rock the Vote Concert. It will be help at the Tom Bradley International Hall at 7 p.m. Other performers include Pangea Collective and Rebels of the Grain.

First hand account of ABDC Auditions: That's Tha Truth

One of our favorite crews from the New York America's Best Dance Crew auditions was Tha Truth. Here's their account of the tryouts:

"The overall experience of auditioning for A.B.D.C. 3 was so amazing for Tha' Truth! We had the occasional jealousy and negative looks from the opposing competitors because of the lack of attention while waiting outside in line. Once inside, the down-to-earth staff was extremely professional and informative. After glancing at our application and the name of our group, Michelle McNulty, A.B.D.C.'s casting director, was in total shock by our performance because she said, "I thought you guys were going to be wack! But you guys actually turned out to be GREAT!!"

Like in audition, the anticipation as you get closer for a chance to impress the judges can turn into a physically and emotionally draining process. If you want to know the "truth", there's a lot that goes into dancing besides what people actually see televised. If casted, future A.B.D.C. contestants, watch out for Tha' Truth."

You can watch their Youtube account of the audition here and join them on MySpace here. And, here's their audition video:

Important warning and disclaimer: I am not a judge and have absolutely NO impact on the judges. My only qualification is being a huge fan of the show. For another opinion on the auditions, read this post by Stuff Fly People Like.

ABDC Live Tour Poll Results

Our poll on America's Best Dance Crew Live Tour is now closed. Your favorite parts were the new routines -- JabbaWockeeZ Look into the Future and all the crews' new dances.

In honor of these results, here's an excellent video of JabbaWockeeZ look into the future from Dabid111:

Supercr3w.com is up and running!

Supercr3w.com launched last night. The site is a must for all Super Cr3w fans, with member profiles, a store (coming soon), and their calendar.

News from the Los Angeles Auditions

Seattle PI and Pacific Rim Video covered the Los Angeles auditions of America's Best Dance Crew. Click here to read the first part of their coverage.

SoReal Cru at ABDC Live in Houston

SoReal Cru helped close out the America's Best Dance Crew Live Tour when they performed in Houston. Here's the proof:

Super Cr3w on BlogTV

Super Cr3w has been running videos on BlogTV. Here's the latest, and you can see others here at their BlogTV site.

the crew - Broadcast your self LIVE

Fanny Pak Performances in North Carolina and Georgia

On the heels of the America's Best Dance Crew Tour, Fanny Pak will be performing in Charlotte NC on October 30 and in Marietta GA on November1. This event is adults only. Click here for details and tickets.

Other NY Audition Coverage: Rhythm City, G-Volution, Devastation

The New York Daily News interviewed crew members from Rhythm City and Devastation when they auditioned for America's Best Dance Crew Season 3. Best quote: Devastation member Tiffany describes what happens when they got in line at 2am to wait for the doors to open: "People left us change because they thought we were homeless."

Graziella from G-Volution talks about her audition experience and shows some video of the wait. I'm sorry I didn't get to watch your crew!

Photo credit: Allison for the NY Daily News

ABDC Live News: LA Review, San Diego Photos

Yahoo! OMG! thought America's Best Dance Crew Live was "a perfect blend of dancing entertainment", and was "awesomely spectacular" during the JabbaWockeeZ' Future of Hip Hop routine. "JabbaWockeeZ is the best dance crew ever, period, the end." Hat tip - Honey with Sole.

Urban Empire has a 6-page album of photos from the ABDC Live show in San Diego here.

More Favorite Crews from ABDC 3 NY Auditions: Sour Logic

Each day this week, I'll post a video of one of my personal favorite crews from the America's Best Dance Crew Season 3 Auditions in New York. Important warning and disclaimer: I am not a judge and have absolutely NO impact on the judges. My only qualification is being a huge fan of the show. For another opinion on the auditions, read this post by Stuff Fly People Like.

Good luck to all the crews who auditioned in NY and elsewhere. Over the next week, BABDC will post coverage of the Los Angeles auditions, as well as sharing interesting audition stuff (like crews' impressions of their audition experiences) from around the net.

The last crew that I'm featuring is Sour Logic from New Jersey. They showed their own sense of style and humor in everything they did during their tryout, from explaining their crew name to bantering with the judges to their b-boy based choreography.

More Favorite Crews from ABDC 3 NY Auditions:Urban X

Each day this week, I'll post a video of one of my personal favorite crews from the America's Best Dance Crew Season 3 Auditions in New York. Important warning and disclaimer: I am not a judge and have absolutely NO impact on the judges. My only qualification is being a huge fan of the show. For another opinion on the auditions, read this post by Stuff Fly People Like.

Today's crew: Urban X from Lawrence, MA. While their routine is longer than most, they also showed more levels with a nice mix of group work and solos.

The Shorthorn interviews Fanny Pak, ASIID, Break Sk8, SoReal Cru

University of Texas Arlington's paper, the Short Horn, interviewed Fanny Pak's Tiffani Grant about being on tour, their favorite stop, trying out for ABDC while recovering from an accident, and post-tour plans. Read it here.

A few days later, they caught up with ASIID, Break Sk8, and SoReal Cru, talking about the past (their America's Best Dance Crew appearances), present (the ABDC Live Tour) and futures. They also have candids from the show and the interviews (like this SoReal Cru shot)Read it here.

Photo credit: Jacob Adkisson, The Shorthorn

More Favorite Crews from ABDC 3 NY Auditions: Fr3sh

Each day this week, I'll post a video of one of my personal favorite crews from the America's Best Dance Crew Season 3 Auditions in New York. Important warning and disclaimer: I am not a judge and have absolutely NO impact on the judges. My only qualification is being a huge fan of the show.

The crew de jour: Fr3sh (and yes, I chose them as one of my top crews even before BABDC started getting comments about them!). They auditioned last year, but with different members and have been performing in San Francisco. I thought their dance showed very tight moves, exceptional coordination between the music and the choreography, and a cohesive story.
Judge for yourself:

ABDC Audition Advice: The Three Most Common Mistakes Crews Make

The crews who auditioned for Season 3 of America's Best Dance Crew already have advanced technique and choreography. But, many of them made mistakes that diminished the impact of their performances. So -- for you crews who are trying out in LA, thinking about Season 4 auditions, or just looking to improve your game -- here are the top 3 suggestions made by the judges during the NY auditions:

1. Look up at the camera while you're dancing. This was an issue particularly with B-boy groups. And, while you're looking, show that you're having fun.
2. Vary your 'level.' If you start out fast and furious, there will be nowhere left to go unless you also have some slower sections. If you start out slow, build it up. This makes your routine more interesting and shows your range
3. Finish your moves. Crew members had some incredible dance moves, but they didn't always look 'completed' and didn't always lead smoothly to the next section of the dance.
   

More Favorite Crews from ABDC 3 NY Auditions: Round 1

Each day this week, I'll post a video of one of my personal favorite crews from the America's Best Dance Crew Season 3 Auditions in New York. Important warning and disclaimer: I am not a judge and have absolutely NO impact on the judges. My only qualification is being a huge fan of the show.

Featured today: Round 1, from New Jersey. The crew has been together for 3 years and auditioned for ABDC once before. Why they stand out for me: these guys ooze likeability. They were fresh, engaging and funny, both during the interview and their dance routine.

Shane Sparks Advice for ABDC Auditioners

TV Guide talked to Shane Sparks about the America's Best Dance Crew auditions. Read it here. His reflections and advice:

• "Try your best to be in the crew.What happens is the dancers get out there and they're left alone. Third episode comes around and they're doing their own choreography, so the level they came in with dropped."
• He's expecting fierce competition. "I think we proved our point [as a serious show...People I really respect in the business are coming out."
• Why he's not judging the auditions: "As humans, we pre-judge...I like it when I see them for the very first time on the very first episode … with clean eyes."

Photocredit: MTV

Unique ABDC Live coverage: DJ Virman's Mistaken Identity, Inside the Bus

There's a lot out there on the America's Best Dance Crew Live tour, but The Fresh Fiends provides some unique photos and videos, including a tour of the Tour bus, and a video showing that "everytime DJ Virman leaves the building, all the girls scream because they think he’s one of the JabbaWockeeZ."

More Favorite Crews from ABDC 3 NY Auditions: Main Event

Each day this week, I'll post a video of one of my personal favorite crews from the America's Best Dance Crew Season 3 Auditions in New York. Important warning: I am not a judge and have absolutely NO impact on the judges. My only qualification is being a huge fan of the show.

Here's Main Event, from Brooklyn NY. They've been together since 1999, I find them a little scary -- one crew member is called Nugget - The Bone Breaking King. That said, they've got all kinds of exciting and sick moves, both individually and as a crew. UPDATE: Main Event competed on America's Best Dance Crew Season 3, with a name change: Ringmasters.

Want to be a field reporter for the LA Auditions of ABDC Season 3?

Blogging America's Best Dance Crew is invited to cover the Los Angeles auditions for ABDC Season 3 this Saturday, October 25. If you are interested in covering the auditions for this blog and have a video or still camera, email me ASAP at bloggingbestdancecrew@gmail.com. We can't pay, but we can guarantee that you'll have a great time.

Update: This is now filled, and we're really looking forward to seeing their report.. Thanks to all who wrote in.

More Favorite Crews from ABDC 3 NY Auditions: Point Blank

Each day this week, I'll post a video of one of my personal favorite crews from the America's Best Dance Crew Season 3 Auditions in New York. Important warning: I am not a judge and have absolutely NO impact on the judges. My only qualification is being a huge fan of the show.

Today's featured performance: Point Blank, from Philadelphia. The group is composed of members of 2 crews that competed for several years, then decided to work together a few months ago. The crew includes an engineer, a dance instructor, a marketing person, and a dental assistant. And, their earbud shtick is priceless.

Open Letter to JBWZ re: shortage of JabbaWockeeZ Halloween Costumes

I just emailed this note to Customer Support at JBWZ.com:

"Hi, this is Nancy T. at Blogging America's Best Dance Crew. A number of readers are really unhappy that you are not offering the adult-sized JBWZ Halloween costume because you're out of the adult size T-shirts. I would like to suggest that you offer the other JBWZ T-shirts as an adult substitute, for the same $50 price.

You'll get more customers and make more money overall -- especially since ABDC Live tour is almost over so that the overall demand for JBWZ Ts will decline very soon (at least until just before XMas). You'll also make a lot of JabbaWockeeZ fans very happy. Thanks for considering this idea."

Readers - if you're still interested in a JBWZ costume but they're out of your size, I suggest you also contact them at support@tribecka.com.

Mailbox: Super Cr3w and Meccamee in Las Vegas

• Rebel Yell talked to the hometown team -- Super Cr3w -- during their stopover in Las Vegas. Ben was especially glad to perform at home: "I finally get a chance to see my son...it sucks that we have to leave early." Conclusion: "Super Cr3w is on a mission to bring b-boying out to the masses."
  

• Speaking of Las Vegas: Lexi Batista blogs about her experience in competing with her crew Meccamee for the privilege of opening the ABDC Live Tour in Vegas. Read this wild post about the experience of competing and meeting Joey from ASIID and Matt from Fanny Pak. Lexi is also quoted in the Rebel Yell article. Here's their performance -- wish we'd been there!

Watch a few Crews from the New York Auditions - Part 1

On Saturday, I attended the New York auditions for ABDC Season 3, and watched 37 of the 40 auditioning crews. I had planned to stay only about 2 hours, but couldn't leave -- it was too much fun watching the crews perform! I knew there must be perks to working so hard on this blog!

Over the next few days, I'll share information on the day, including an interview with one of the judges and some fun facts. And each day this week, I'll post a video of my personal favorite crews from the day. Important: I am not a judge and have absolutely NO impact on the judges. My only qualification is being a huge fan of the show. So, don't call me out for influence or stupidity.

First up -- Rhythm City, from Bronx NY.

Watch it Now: MADE visits America's Best Dance Crew

MTV just posted the MADE episode where Marie becomes a hip hop dancer, with guidance from Sam Renzetti of Xtreme Dance Force. Here's the segment where she takes lessons from Shane Sparks at Millennium Dance Center, then visits the America's Best Dance Crew set where she gets dance tips from Supreme Soul, Fanny Pak, and A.S.I.I.D.

• MTV
• Music Videos
• MTV Shows
• Celebrity News

Click here to watch the entire episode.

The "New" Status Quo -- ABDC Auditions

Remember Status Quo from Season 1 of America's Best Dance Crew and the VMA Challenge in Season 2? They reappeared at the Season 2 auditions in New York, but in two different groups! First up was R2D2, which features Jamal from the old Status Quo:


R2D2:

A little while later, Status Quo auditioned-- same name, some different members, different logo. The newer members were all part of the larger Status Quo but didn't compete the first season because they were too young or too busy with school. Here's their video:


Status Quo
Click here for a photo and audio introductions for Status Quo.
I enjoyed watching both groups and thought they were a fresh take on the old Status Quo. What do you think?

Dallas - Buy One Ticket, Get One Free

Dallas area people -- have some friends you want to take to America's Best Dance Crew Live on October 22? The Dallas Pulse is offering two tickets for the price of one, but only for its members and MySpace friends. Click here for details.

Season 3 auditions in NY - First Impressions

Yesterday, I was able to attend the New York auditions for America's Best Dance Crew Season 3. Over the next few days, I'll post photos, videos, and some interviews from the day. Here are some first news and impressions.

• There will be no casting special. Instead the casting directors will pick nine crews to compete in January 2008.
• Picking only 9 crews is going to be EXTREMELY difficult. I saw about 8 crews (out of the 37 I watched) who could have competed in Seasons 1 or 2. And, Michelle (the casting director in NY) told me that there have been at least 5 strong contenders in each city they've visited so far.
• I don't know about you, but the reason I watch American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance casting shows is to watch people with NO talent make fools of themselves. ABDC couldn't make a show like that from the NY auditions -- ALL the crews we saw were talented dancers
• I also watch casting shows to see nasty judges tear into smug performers. ABDC casting didn't do that. The judges' comments were all either positive or constructive.
  
• These crews were incredibly NICE. If there were ego problems, almost everyone kept them under control. That had to have been difficult given the frazzled nerves, the weather conditions (the crews waited outside in the cold for hours!), and the high stakes.

In an upcoming post, I'll give some tips for crews participating in future auditions (Los Angeles or Season 4).

Fysh N Chicks at ABDC Live Tour in Los Angeles

sophisticxphunk shot this video of Fysh N Chicks at the America's Best Dance Crew Live show in Los Angeles.

Video - Kaba Modern at ABDC Live Tour in LA

Here's the performance of Kaba Modern in their only appearance in the America's Best Dance Crew Live Tour, filed by Xtremesaurus. Hat tip - Michael Tran.

Fanny Pak news: Tiffani Interview, Ping-pong with Dannity Kane

The Brentwood Press interviewed hometown heroine Tiffani Grant about Fanny Pak on America's Best Dance Crew, the VMAs, and her surprise visit to her old high school. Favorite quote: “Our strategy.. was to stay away from anything anyone else was doing. I think that’s what the fans liked about us...I’m just so happy we made it as far as we did, considering they didn’t really like us at the beginning.” Well, they certainly love you now!

In a visit to Imeem.com's offices, Fanny Pak played pingpong and Rock Band with Dawn Richard of Dannity Kane.

ABDC Live Tour Reviews - Oakland, Los Angeles

Chabot Spectator loved almost everything about the America's Best Dance Crew Live Tour in Oakland, from the dances to the E-40 performance to the crews' kindness in greeting all the fans who waited for them at the buses after the show.

LA Times covers it before during and after -- inspectin the 'coffin-like' tour bus beds, ratin crews' popularity by counting Tshirts, admiring the uniqueness of each of the crews (including special guests Fysh n Chicks and Kaba Modern), and hanging out at the meet and greet (which included Fanny Pak and Super Cr3w family members.) Read all about it.

Photos: Wendi Kaminski

World of Dance Videos: Supreme Soul, Kaba Modern

Urlilhyness had perfect seats at the World of Dance show to record the performances by Supreme Soul and Kaba Modern. Thanks!

Supreme Soul at WOD

Kaba Modern at WOD

ABDC Auditions: Lil Mama's Recommendations, Video from the Miami Tryouts

Auditions have started for Season 3 of America's Best Dance Crew. First, click here to hear an interview with Lil Mama about ABDC Season 2 and the upcoming auditions.

And here's footage of two auditioning crews in Miami. One piece of news on the video: the judge tells a crew that there will be no callbacks. Instead, judges will see all the crews in all the cities, then contact the ones that will make the show.

Performance News: Super Cr3w's Halloween gala, Kaba Modern Fashion Show

Super Cr3w will perform at the 42nd Annual Beaux Arts Ball at Studio 54 in Las Vegas on October 30. Admission is $30 in advance or $40 at the door. For tickets, go to www.goldenrainbow.org

Kaba Modern will appear in Runway Hits 13 Minutes Fashion Show and Party October 17 (tomorrow!) at Club 740 in LA. Attendees must be 21 or over. Click here for information and to buy tickets

Crews News: SoReal dance lessons, Kaba Modern Award and video

The Daily Texan talked to SoReal Cru when they performed at the University of Texas. The crew was invited to introduce the idea that it's okay for Asian-Americans to work in pop culture instead of becoming doctors and lawyers.

Congratulations to Kaba Modern for being voted "Best Dance Troupe" by OC Weekly

BakItWhy shows a Kaba Modern's performance and interview from the 2008 Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture:

Upcoming performances: Boogie Bots, SoReal Cru

Boogie Bots: October 17, Fairleigh Dickinson University, NJ. They're helping with a dance-off fundraiser to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation. Click here and here for more details.

SoReal Cru: November 2, Port Huememe, CA - Performing in Best of the West. Click here for details and to buy tickets.

JabbaWockeeZ Rynan interview in Hooah! Magazine

Hooah!, a Magazine issued by the US National Guard, makes JabbaWockeez Kid Rainen their coverboy this month. Inside, they talk to JabbaWockeeZ about their big break, their unsuccessful appearance on America's Got Talent, and their friendships with other crews. The writer also mentions how hard it is to do a public photoshoot with the crew -- fans keep interrupting to get their own pics! Click here to read all about it, take their JabbaWockeeZ quiz and download the magazine here.

Video of JabbaWockeeZ with Access Dallas: Performances, and talk of shoes and "who's available"

Several weeks ago, Access Dallas hosted a Dance contest where JabbaWockeeZ stole the show. This video has some great footage of their performance. It also has an interview that will delight all you fans who are into shoes and want to know which JabbaWockeeZ are still single.

More free tickets to ABDC Live in San Diego

This just arrived in my mailbox: "The first 10 people to send their first and last names will win a free ticket to the ABDC Live event in San Diego. Names will be given to will call and tickets will have to be picked up there. Compliments of AEG and Armory Survival Gear. Please email IamCROS1@aol.com" UPDATE: The 10 winners have now been chosen; this contest is closed.

Fanny Pak talks to Ask A Ninja

Just before the VMAs (not to be confused with the VNAs -- the Violent Ninja Awards), Matt and Meg from Fanny Pak were interviewed by Askaninja.com. They covered topics that I've always wanted to understand -- why Fanny Pak members are actually Zombies and the best way to kill someone using dance. You know, that would make a great challenge for America's Best Dance Crew Season 3... Here's the interview:

Review and Interview with Knucklehead Zoo in "Rewind" -- SEE IT!

Knucklehead Zoo, winners of the 20008 Hip-Hop International World Battle Championship and stars of "Planet B-Boy" are appearing in "Rewind" at the New Victory Theater in New York through October 19. If you enjoyed ABDC and want to see some of the best live b-boying around, don't miss it! There are only 5 shows left. Click here to buy tickets.

Though it's staged in a theater that runs shows for kids, "Rewind" is not at all watered down - It's for anyone who loves to watch great hiphop. As crew member Steve puts it "this is street dancing taken to the next level."The 9-man crew pulls out some amazing moves while paying tribute to the evolution and future of breakdance. Lead choreographer is credited as Ben from Super Cr3w (who doesn't appear in "Rewind", but this is show goes way beyond anything you saw on America's Best Dance Crew by spotlighting the talents of all the Knucklehead Zoo members and integrating traditional b-boy moves with gun booting, jazz, and other dance forms.

After the show, we met up with fan and aspiring hiphop dancer Jeni to talk to KZ members Steve, Leo, and Yust. Listen here as they talk about stage dancing vs. street dancing, their influences, their answer to hiphop purists who look down on shows like Rewind or ABDC, their favorite crews, and how b-boying is different in the United States vs countries like Korea.

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And, here's the in-show introduction of all the crew members and their guest beatboxer and dancers:

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Interview with Break Sk8's Diamond Walker

Seattle Heraldnet.com spoke to Break Sk8's Diamond Walker about the the crew and upcoming ABDC live concert in Everett Washington. Diamond talked about why the show and his crew are so popular: ""People have said we are an inspiration and that's it, the kids really look up to us...And I've seen adults too be inspired and how now everybody wants to put on a pair of skates."

Read the whole article here. And if you go to the Everett concert, email us or post about it!

Photocredit: MTV

ABDC Live Reports & Reviews from Denver and Oakland

Denver Westword writes a detailed review of the America's Best Dance Crew Live Tour, from the Energy Man mascot to the dances to the entire audience being invited onstage to meet the dancers. "This wasn't just a TV-show tie-in. It was the mainstreaming of classic street art -- and fortunately, much of what's great about it survived the process."

Tinalio (a fan writing on Live Journal) describes the scene at Oakland, including meeting JabbaWockeeZ at their tourbus. Alas, Supreme Soul didn't appear as guests, but were replaced by E-40.

San Francisco Gate reviewed the Oakland show and loved it. They also have some great quotes -- Phil Tayag (JabbaWockeeZ) told them "We want you to see what's invisible." And according to ABDC choreographer Rosero McCoy, "It is the best time in the world for dance right now."

Kaba Modern Performance at the Really Awards

For those of us who don't receive Fox Reality TV, here's the video of Kaba Modern's performance at this year's awards. Thanks to Michael Tran for sending us the link!

Video - Xtreme Dance Force Performance in ABDC Live Tour

Xtreme Dance Force was the surprise guest at the America's Best Dance Crew Live tour show in Chicago. Fan rlnClumsyme taped their performance and posted it on Youtube:

JBWKZ Mailbox: TV tonight!, Contest, JabbaTV

Tonight (October 11), at 8pm ET, NBC airs the Macy's Passport Celebrity Catwalk Challenge, featuring JabbaWockeeZ.

Contest: JBWKZ will give one winner an autographed JBWKZ Roadie Tee. Just become a friend of the Official JBWKZ Clothing Myspace and POSE wearing your favorite JBWKZ tee in your profile pic.

JabbaTV.com is now live and will load dozens of new videos over the next few weeks.

More Performance News: SoReal Cru, Kaba, JabbaWockeeZ, Super Cr3w, Supreme Soul

SoReal Cru: October 14, Texas Union Ballroom, Austin TX. Click here for details.

Kaba Modern and JabbaWockeeZ (presumably the members not on the ABDC tour): October 18, Harrison Opera House, Norfolk VA. Part of an all day event hosted by Filipinos for Obama. Contact str08hiphop@gmail.com for details.

Super Cr3w and Supreme Soul: Tickets for their November 1 show in Hawaii are NOW on sale at all Ticketmaster outlets. The show is called The Movement; click here for Ticketmaster link for this event.

Upcoming appearances: Kaba Modern, Fysh 'n Chicks, Super Cr3w, Supreme Soul

• Kaba Modern: October 10 - Kiss Charlotte, Charlotte NC; October 11 - Carsons, Dallas, TX; October 17 - charity event for A3M, Los Angeles (click here for details)
  
  
• Fysh 'n Chicks: October 16 - Boulevard 3, Hollywood CA. This is a benefit for Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness. (click here for details).
• Supreme Soul: October 23 - Kelly's Mission Rock, San Francisco, CA
• Super Cr3w and Supreme Soul: November 1 - Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall, Honolulu HI

Sightings: Kaba Modern, Shane Sparks

Photocredit: Newscom.com

Shane Sparks attended the Fox Reality Channel's Really Awards this weekend. Judging from this photo, he won a Breakout Reality Star Award. America's Best Dance Crew is also in the running for another award. The Lil Mama/Boogie Bots kerfuffle is up for "Awkward Moment of the Year." Kaba Modern also attended the show and the red carpet. The show airs October 11 at 10pm.

Photocredit: Newscom.com

Second KM Spotting: Kaba Modern performed at University of California Irvine’s largest annual fundraising event, “A Celebration of Stars – The Medal Awards” on October 4. The event raised more than $2million, to benefit campus programs. Here's a video of Kaba's performance:

America's Best Dance Crew Casting Director Interview: Advice for Auditioning Crews

I spoke to Michelle, the casting director for America's Best Dance Crew Season 3. She offers advice to auditioning crews: Winning crews are memorable, individual, entertaining, and dynamic. This means:

• Make yourself identifiable. It definitely helps if you can 'brand' yourself for people not already in the dance community. JabbaWockeeZ did it with their masks. Fanny Pak did it with their 80's costumes and styles.
  
• Don't just copy other crews that have already appeared on ABDC. "We've already had Kaba Modern on the show; we don't need another Kaba Modern." Instead, know who you are as a crew and don't try to be something else
• Show something original. While B-boying has figured prominently on the show, hip hop is all about the beat and the rhythm. So don't be afraid to show some other styles that fit. What about jazz, tap, Bollywood, African styles? Incorporate your unique culture into your dance.
• Don't hold back. When the casting directors watch you, they are trying to imagine you n the large ABDC stage. So, come with all you've got.

Other words of advice:

• Call the Priority sign-up number! If you call 877-833-CREW, you can schedule a priority audition or at least make sure you are on the audition list
• Sign-in runs from 9am-6pm at each location. Locations are listed at the top of this post(click on it to enlarge). Any crew that shows up during those times WILL be seen.
  
• Bring water and snacks. You might be waiting for a long time.
• Be considerate! The auditions are being held in dance studios, so be considerate of others there. And, pick up after yourself!
• Good luck!
  

Boogie Bots Performance for Gawad Kalinga

This past weekend, Boogie Bots performed at George Mason University for Gawad Kalinga Benefit show at George Mason University. LBurgos17 captured their act:

America's 8th Best Product Placement?

You may have been watching America's Best Dance Crew for the moves, but odds are you saw a lot more than that. According to Nielsen Company, ABDC ranked 8th for cable shows in the number of product placements shown from January-June 2008, with almost 4900 total placements. About 40% of the placements were for clothing; the rest were mostly food and drink. In comparison, American Idol had 4,636 product placements during the same time period.

But to put it in perspective -- American Chopper had more than 5 times as many placements, with a grand total of 26,794 placements. That's a lot of motorcycles, son.

Did you remember these placements during the show? I noticed the Dunkin Donuts and Vitamin Energy bottles, but they didn't bother me. Just made me a little hungry and thirsty.

Q&A with JabbaWockeeZ Kid Rainen

Denver's Westword posts a long interview with JabbaWockeeZ Kid Rainen. Click here to read all about it, including:

• his early influences;
  
• the various injuries he’s sustained, including a painful meniscus tear in his knee that he’s decided to ignore for the time being
• the way YouTube videos helped spread their reputation
• their initial disinterest in a Dance Crew offer by everyone except Gary Kendell
• why the dancing at the upcoming showcase will be more exciting than it was on TV.

Photocredit: photobucket.com

Mailbox: ABDC/So you think you can dance crossover, JC Chasez

Zap2It reports that a crew with Dominic and Hok from So You Think You Can Dance will be auditioning for ABDC Season 3. Further googling shows their crew is called QUEST (pictured above). Sounds like formidable competition!

More Bigger JC Chasez: The Hollywood Reporter writes that Chasez will portray a squadron pilots in Kerosene Cowboys, an action-thriller about a Navy attack squadron that has to deal with an international crisis at 40,000 feet. There's no release date yet.

DJ Virman with ASIID, Fanny Pak and Break Sk8

DJ Virman is the official DJ for America's Best Dance Crew Live tour. Here are two chat sessions from the road with guests ASIID, Fanny Pak and Break Sk8. Thanks to Honey with Sole for pointing out these chats!

MTV2 - Dance Lessons for ABDC Auditioners

For those of you auditioning for Season 3 (or just wishing you could): check out MTV2's videos breaking down the best moves from crews that tried out for Seasons 1 and 2. Click here for Season 1 lessons -- including signature and power moves -- introduced by the casting director for all 3 seasons of America's Best Dance Crew. Click here for the Season 2 dance lessons. Yeah, we know many of these crews didn't get into the show, but 1. this gives you an idea of what it takes and 2. you might learn something!

JabbaWockeeZ Limited edition tour Tshirt, Halloween Costume now available

As announced earlier, JBWKZ.com is now selling two exclusive items:

• A $25 Roadie Tshirt (shown here ) that will only be sold on their website and only during the America's Best Dance Crew Live Tour. Click here to buy the women's shirt, and click here for the men's shirt
• A $50 Halloween costume consisting of JBWKZ shirt, hat, mask and gloves. They list it as a $75 value. It comes in 4 adult sizes. Click here to buy.
  

Win tickets to ABDC Live in San Diego

Urban Empire is offering a chance to win free tickets to the America's Best Dance Crew Live Tour show in San Diego on October 18. To enter the contest, sign up here for a username. Then email your first name, last name and user name to info@urbanemptire.tv. The deadline is October 14. Good luck!

Awesome B-Boy show in New York -- Knucklehead Zoo in Rewind

Craving more break dance action during the break between America's Best Dance Crew seasons? Those of you in the NY area can go to "Rewind", a show featuring Knucklehead Zoo. The show is at the New Victory Theater from October 3-19. As many of you know, Super Cr3w's Mike and Ben are members of Knucklehead Zoo. Here's a short video from the show:

They are also two-time US Champions at the "Battle of the Year" competition and feature in the documentary "Planet B-Boy" which will be shown on MTV in 2009. "Rewind" is the first time that a B-boy group has starred in their own theatrical stage show. Click here for tickets.

More Ways to win tickets to ABDC Live tours!

• Oakland, CA (10/11)- Click here to upload an audition video for a change open for ABDC Live and to see the show.
• Everett, WA (10/13) - Click here for an on-line entry form to win tickets from MOViN 92.5
• Everett, WA (10/13) - Another radio contest for this show, this time from KUBE 93FM. Click here for details to win tickets and a chance to meet and greet the crews
  
• Los Angeles, CA (10/16) - Click here for places to meet Power 106 and win tickets and a chance to meet and greet the crews
  
• Phoenix, AZ (10/19) - Click here to a KRQ radio contest to win tickets

New Fanny Pak interviews

• Honolulu's Metromix talked to Fanny Pak's Cara Horibe about the America's Best Dance Crew Live Tour and her favorite restaurants
• In The Flint Journal, Fanny Pak described their origins, the pressure of being on ABDC, and the contemporary hiphop scene.
  

Videos of SoReal Cru and Distorted X at Club Roxy

SoReal Cru threw a party at Club Roxy on October 2, with Distorted X as guest stars. Andstar8236 posted videos of their performance. Watch it here:

Here's Andstar8236's video of Distorted X at the party:

Super Cr3w News - Red Bull BC One, Blog TV

• Ronnie of Super Cr3w will be competing in the Red Bull BC One in Paris on November 5. This is one of the most important B-Boy competitions around the world, where 16 dancers compete to become "the one". Ronnie won it last year -- let's hope for a repeat. Click here for more information, to vote for Ronnie and to watch videos of Ronnie's interviews and Red Bull battles. Here's video of one of his battles at the 2006 event.

• Honey with Sole posts DoRag's chats on Super Cr3w's Blog TV Channel. He talks about the tour and answers some fan questions.