Wednesday open thread

There seems to be reader demand for a place to leave comments on a variety of ABDC and dance topics -- an open party room of sorts. So, let's try it out here. Ground rules and suggestions:

• Try to have SOME connection to dance and ABDC, even if it's a little tenuous!
• No obscenity, no blatant spoilers!
• If you want to write a long comment, write in in NotePad or Word and then paste it into the comments field. Otherwise, all your work may disappear if someone posts something new while you're in the middle of writing.
• Echo insists they've fixed the problem of disappearing comments. If you have trouble tonight, please EMAIL me (bloggingBestDanceCrew@gmail.com) so I can get back to them for further fixing
  

Video: Step Up 3D Trailer -- "One Move can set a whole generation free"

John Chu released the trailer for Step up 3D today. Not sure about the dialogue (including the line "One move can set a whole generation free") but the dancing looks amazing. Thanks for the link, PerezOverride!

Howard & LeKeith (We'll Fix it In) attend the ABDC Taping: 3 clues and a major spoiler

We'll Fix it In impresarios Howard and LeKeith attended the taping of America's Best Dance Crew's Hip Hop Nation/Last Chance Challenge taping as press. I can't wait to see this week's recap from them! Here's their first report:

The penultimate episode of the season always promises surprises and high intensity performances, and Season 5 was no exception.Unfortunately, we can't really talk about the performances without
totally spoiling the results.  So instead, we give you:
 

3 CREWS, 3 CLUES
Clue 1: One Crew made that booty clap.
Clue 2: One Crew threw down the gauntlet by busting out the competition's signature moves.
Clue 3: One Crew made like they were playing DONKEY KONG and jumped over some barrels.
Bonus Clue: At least one Crew did not follow our Top Ten Tips.

And MAJOR Spoiler: Lil' Mama said something crazy.

It's also worth noting that neither finalist had to produce an insane theme song.  Instead, they were graced by the services of legendary producer Swizz Beatz.  Y'all should be pleasantly pleased with the results. In any case, we'll have more details and reactions during our recap after the show airs on Thursday.  Just be ready to dial in those votes, America!

ABDC March Madness Round 2 Begins today -- Lil Mama Round 2, Day 1

We've gone through the preliminary rounds of ABDC March Madness (aka the Big Boy Challenge), with hard-hitting competition from 32 primo quotes by Lil Mama, JC Chasez, Shane Sparks, and Lil Mama. Now we're into the next round, where we narrow down the best from each judge. Each day we'll give you 2 quotes; vote every day for your favorite so we can crown the 'Best ABDC Judge Comment EVER'. Click here for rules and explanation.  Today, we choose between two round one favorites from Lil Mama:

poll by twiigs.com

Videos: Fanmade Blueprint Tributes

RhodaBoat56 created several tributes to Blueprint Cru, each focusing on a particular episode. Here's a sample: Blueprints audition and regional performance.

Photo from the ABDC blocking: Poreotix doing Tetriotix

Here's a sneak preview from NappyTab's Twitpix: Poreotix blocking the moves for their Tetriotix performance. Note: this was taken before the taping; all crews had to block their moves, including the one that was eliminated. So, this is NOT a spoiler.

Fans in the Stands -- Reports from the Hip Hop Nation Challenge

We've got a few spoiler-free reports from the tapings of America's Best Dance Crew's Hip Hop Nation/Last Chance Challenge show. 

Kyle: the crew's elimination was the most heartbreaking of the season, and every single member was sobbing, including the leader who could barely give final words. the final 2's performances were completely different. one taking a more simple approach, the other pulling out all the stops. Click here to read the rest of his report about the three crews

Crush!: This was an exciting night, as always! Even before the show began, everyone was in a great mood and dancing to the music that DJ Mia was playing. We Are Heroes, members from Beat Freaks and Quest attended the taping. I was very surprised by the crew that was saved this week...For the crew that went home, i felt like they inspired so many people, and that's the best thing a crew can do. They had an outstanding running and will be definitely remembered. Cant wait to see them next week in the finale! And, they announced at the taping, that the Champions episode is really going to happen -- they are going to have the winners of every season perform on stage! Click here to read the details of her spoiler-free report.

Thanks for the reports! !

Sorry about the comments software problem -- please hang in there!

I am trying to get in contact with the Echo people to fix the comments problem. Please hang in there tonight if you can! I tried leaving a comment about this but my comments are also getting swallowed up! Echo is aware of the problem and I hope we will have a fix soon. In the meantime -- if you go to the taping, can you also email me your reactions, just in case Echo is still glitchy? Address: BloggingBestDanceCrew@gmail.com. Thanks!

Let us know if you attend tonight's taping!

The Hip Hop Nation and Last Chance Challenge episode of America's Best Dance Crew Season 5 tapes tonight, with 3 crews from the United States and Canada battling to compete in the April 8 live finale. If you attend the taping, leave a comment and let us know what it was ALL like -- the dances, the final challenge, who you spot in the audience, the judges, etc. Please DON'T just focus on who stays and who goes, since that will be deleted as a spoiler. Tell us about other aspects, so we can live vicariously through your experience.

AND REMEMBER -- NO SPOILERS!! DO NOT SAY, HINT, OR IMPLY THE FATE OF ANY OF THE CREWS !! REPEAT OFFENDERS WILL BE BANNED FROM COMMENTS. AND -- ANYTHING YOU HEAR HERE STAYS HERE -- DO NOT POST ANY COMMENTS/TWITTERS/EMAIL MESSAGES ON WIKIPEDIA, MTV.COM DISCUSSION BOARDS, TELEVISION WITHOUT PITY OR ANYWHERE ELSE. IF YOU IGNORE THIS RULE, WE COULD LOSE OUR PRESS PRIVILEGES. For the most part, the system that commenters used in the past worked. But again, some people persisted in leaving the wrong things up and making me do cleanup work. Don't do it again!

Howard and Lekeith Present Their Top Ten Tips for the Final Three Crews

Howard and LeKeith, proprietors of the wickedly funny We'll Fix it In, agreed to do some guest writing for us. Here for your enjoyment: their Top Ten Tips for the Final Three Crews:

1. DON'T BANK ON MAKING IT TO THE FINALS.

Howard: This tip isn't necessarily very helpful at this point in time. But I just wanted us to all remember the heartbreak of watching Kaba Modern face off against the JabbaWockeeZ.

LeKeith: So sad... That should have been the finale, MTV!

Howard: Don't you know it.

LeKeith: But it has happened too many times. You can't look ahead to the last performance and sleep on the Hip Hop Decathlon.

Howard: Agreed. Let’s close with a moment of silence for Fanny Pak and Massive Monkees as well.

LeKeith: Respect.

Click here to read the other 9 indispensible tips for crews who want $100,000 in a week or so. Thanks again Howard and LeKeith!

Unconfirmed Twitter report: JabbaWockeeZ might appear on ABDC again!

There are unconfirmed reports of a possible JabbaWockeeZ performance on America's Best Dance Crew, straight from recent Tweets:

• Phi: april 15. Live on MTV Jabbawockeez performing on ABDC. Its a live show so keep your clocks set and or your tivos on.
• THE_WOCKEEZ Phi: its a champions episode so you'll see your other favorite winners of ABDC! Its gonna be fun! Can't wait to rip with the other winners!!
• Nappytabs: Jabbas here now, goin over ideas for Champions episode in 2 weeks

ABDC March Madness Round 1 ends today with Omarion Part 2!

ABDC March Madness (aka the Big Boy Challenge) ends its first round today with more Omarion.  Each day we'll give you 2 quotes; vote every day for your favorite so we can crown the 'Best ABDC Judge Comment EVER'. Click here for rules and explanation.  Today's choices for best Omarion comments:

poll by twiigs.com

Video: Kyle Hanagami (Lost Kids) and Nika Kljun - "Blah Blah Blah"

Choreographers Kyle Hanagami (known to our readers for his work with Lost Kids) and Nika Kljun taught a class at Debbie Reynolds Studio in Los Angeles in March 2010, dancing to Ke$ha's "Blah Blah Blah. Video from KyleHanagami Youtube Channel.

ABDC5 Crew Mailbox: Poreotix Photo Gallery, Hype - new website, new profile

• OC Register created a photo gallery of hometown crew Poreotix. It's a must-view  for Poreotix fans, including the photo above, taken by Armando Brown
• Hype has a new website. Check it out!
• Honolulu Advertiser had a new article on Hype 5-0. In it, Hazmat talks about their best received routine, their own favorite challenge, and the hardest part of being on ABDC

Songlist for the Hip Hop Nation Challenge

America's Best Dance Crew this week has two challenges: Hip Hop Nation Challenge and the Last Chance Challenge. MTV Remote Control announced the challenges and songs for this week's Hip Hop Nation Challenge on ABDC. All three of the crews will dance to the same set of songs (though in differing order) and will have to perform three regional hip hop dance moves. Here's the song and the challenge (with links to Youtube videos showing the moves; leave a comment if you know of better videos representing these moves)

• Beyonce "Get Me Bodied" (New Orleans Bounce)
• DJ Class "I'm The Ish" (Baltimore House)
• Too Short "Blow The Whistle" (Bay area Turfin')

They will have their own song choice for the Last Chance Challenge. If it follows the same format as in earlier seasons, there will be an elimination in the middle of the show and only 2 crews will perform their Last Chance Challenge Routines. (Personal request to MTV: please tape the Last Chance Challenge for the crew that doesn't perform it and post it on your website. Every season, the fans are curious to see what they missed!

Video: Some unconventional krumping from Fresh Fam (part of Kabayan Krump Movement)

Occasionally, we show videos of non-ABDC-affiliated dance if we really like it. Here's an example: Fresh Fam Krumpers from the Philippines dance to Butterfly. Video from CurryDough's Youtube Channel.

Some background: Fresh Fam is part of  the Kabayan Krump Movement, a group of krumpers from the Philippines and Australia (and some from California) aiming to unite all krumpers from across the globe to end the hate/beef and unite as one. Some of the guys in KKM are affiliated with Krumpinoy, a crew founded by Patrick Caballo of the Philippine All Stars. They have been holding krump battles to unite krumpers from the country and other neighboring Asian countries and hope to unite krumpers from across the globe.  This performance was an exhibition and is supposed to be funny (like Poreotix and 'Love Story'). Thanks for the tip, Maxxann!

Last Day to enter Elimination Challenge and Top 4 contests for this week

Deadline fast approaching: if you want to have an entry for this week's elimination challenge and top 4 contests for ABDC, you have until midnight tonight. Good luck!

• Click here for the Elimination challenge contest
• Click here for the top 4 challenge contest

ABDC March Madness - Omarion Day 1 Round 1 (of 2)

ABDC March Madness (aka the Big Boy Challenge) continues today with Round 1, Day 1 of Omarion. The new guy might sneak in and take the title!. Each day we'll give you 2 quotes; vote every day for your favorite so we can crown the 'Best ABDC Judge Comment EVER'. Click here for rules and explanation.  Today's choices for best Omarion comments:

poll by twiigs.com

Video: Hypian Movement gets Love and Support for Hype from Around the Globe!

Hypian Movement (including our reader Maxxann) wanted to show their support for Hype 5-0 as they prepare for the Semi-Finals challenges. They put together video clips from fans and other crews from around the world, including Goose (from Static Noyze) and our Chris Trondsen. Great job, guys -- if this doesn't give them some strong support when needed, I don't know what will!
2

Video: Fr3sh's Cindy Ho teaching de la Femme Class

Fr3sh member Cindy Ho recently taught a dance class at San Francisco's De La Femme. Video on CinDHoho Youtube Channel. Thanks Wes!

More fan-made videos: Jungle Boogie Tribute, JC vs. the Isolators

• ABDC Freak created a Jungle Boogie tribute video
• DirtFaceX has a funny mashup of Poreotix vs JC Chasez called 'JC and the Isolators

ABDC March Madness reigns! Round One, day 4: JC Chasez quotes

ABDC March Madness (aka the Big Boy Challenge) continues today with Round 1, Day 4 of JC Chasez -- judge extraordinaire!. Each day we'll give you 2 quotes; vote every day for your favorite so we can crown the 'Best ABDC Judge Comment EVER'. Click here for rules and explanation.  Today's choices for best JC Chasez comments:

poll by twiigs.com

Exclusive video: MTV's 'Outtakes' on-stage and backstage at the Illusion Challenge

Members of  MTV camera crew felt sorry for us not getting any crew interviews this week due to technical problems at the ABDC Illusion Challenge taping. So, they gave us an outtake video that shows what you don't see on TV when you watch America's Best Dance Crew: Poreotix and Jungle Boogie having some fun on-stage; backstage interactions between all the crews, the MTV 'wranglers', alum crews and the press (including Fanny Pak's Glenda Morales); fond goodbyes to Jungle Boogie from Layla Kayleigh and many others; Jungle Boogie talking about how they feel just after getting the bad news; visits from ABDC alums like Vogue Evolution, and much more. Thanks MTV!!

Mailbox: Saltare on Ellen Show, Jungle Boogie twins on SYTYCD

• Saltare will appear on the Ellen Show, to be taped on March 28 and aired on April 1. Thanks for the tip, CoachT27!
• Jungle Boogie twins Anthony and Antwain Hart also competed on So You Think You Can Dance in 2009, but did not make it to the top 20. Thanks for the link, Any1!

Ninjaboi's Review of ABDC5's Illusion Challenge show

Hey guys! It’s the penultimate competitive episode for ABDC this season, so it’s getting down to the wire.  I wasn’t totally thrilled to be honest with the repeat of the Magic Challenge, or the overall episode itself, but it was better than a lot expected, I think.  WARNING.  THIS REVIEW CONTAINS POSSIBLE SPOILERS INTO HOW THE MAGIC TRICKS WERE EXCECUTED.  READ AT OWN RISK

Overall results:
Blueprint – 39
Poreotix – 38/36.1
Hype/Jungle Boogie - 35

Click here to read his detailed review. Thanks Ninjaboi!

UPDATE: There will be NO automatic pass for the ABDC5 crew with the highest cumulative vote

Update on earlier posts: I just received an email from the staff of one of America's Best Dance Crew's producers. They verified that there will be NO automatic pass for the crew with the highest cumulative votes for Season 5.  In addition, the relevant post on MTV has been disabled. So, we're back to the regular voting rules. Thanks MTV and ABDC -- you've made the fans (and the crews, I bet!) happy in keeping this a fair competition!

Open Letter to MTV: Please DON'T give 'automatic pass' to the Finale to the crew with the highest cumulative votes!

Note: I sent this email to MTV and an ABDC producer on Saturday morning. I received a note back from a staffer for one of the producers saying that as far as they know, the voting rules have not changed from the ones used throughout ABDC Season 5. But until that is confirmed, here is the issue:

Open letter to MTV producers:

I want to congratulate all of you for putting together an amazing season of ABDC! So many of my readers are calling this the best Top 4 ever, and are extremely engaged and entertained by the show.

It was announced on MTV Remote Control on Friday that "the crew that's racked up the most votes throughout the entire series will get a free pass into the finale". In other words, the crew with the highest cumulative votes over the season is guaranteed a spot in the Finale. That's an interesting idea, but it is probably unfair to Hype 5-0 and Blueprint Cru given 2 events from earlier in the season:

• There was one week where the voting was skewed because of an error on the MTV website's voting page. Since Poreotix was the first listed, their numbers would have been accurate. However, the numbers were probably skewed low for Hype 5-0 and Blueprint since their correct phone/text numbers were not listed
• The following week, Blueprint was given immunity. Result: there was no voting for them at all.

I think the idea of giving immunity for best performances and cumulative votes is one that should be seriously considered in future seasons of ABDC (and given how well the show is doing this year, I hope you will have many more seasons!). But this season it would probably give an unfair advantage to one crew,, unless it resulted in all 3 crews competing in the Finale. Given the level of talent of the top crews, I think MTV owes it to the fans to give a fair fight.

Thanks for considering this,

Nancy T, BloggingBestDanceCrew.com

Reenter our top 4 contest now for some bragging rights!

Over the course of America's Best Dance Crew Season 5, hundreds of entries have been submitted on which ABDC crews will be in the top 4 at the end of this season, in the order of their elimination. All of the possible combinations have already been claimed, so that no entries from now on will win a prize. However, please feel free to leave your votes to show that you were one of the first to get it right (or just to let people know where you stand).
Click here for contest rules and prizes.  Entries will be taken until Midnight on Monday March 29.

"The 4th ABDC Judge" renders his verdict on the Magic Challenge

The 4th ABDC judge is back, talking directly to the crews about their performances in America's Best Dance Crew's Magic Challenge:

 Wow, this week’s performance was amazing. I guess it’s because I love to see magic. The opening performance was probably the best top 4 performance ever. They included one of the judges which was cool. Anyway, let’s get started shall we?

Click here to read his analysis of the performances by Hype 5-0, Poreotix, Blueprint Cru, and Jungle Boogies, as well as his summary judgement on the show. Thanks 4th ABDC Judge!

ABDC March Madness continues! Round One, day 3: JC Chasez quotes

ABDC March Madness (aka the Big Boy Challenge) continues today with Round 1, Day 3 of JC Chasez -- judge extraordinaire!. Each day we'll give you 2 quotes; vote every day for your favorite so we can crown the 'Best ABDC Judge Comment EVER'. Click here for rules and explanation.  Today's choices for best JC Chasez comments:

poll by twiigs.com

Reader-generated videos - Jungle Boogie, Voters dilemma

We've got some amazing readers here. If you've got the time to look through a few thousand reader comments a day, you can find gems like these:

• PerezOverride's minimovie on the ABDC voters' dilemma
•  Ace's Jungle Boogie Tribute

Let me know at bloggingbestdancecrew@gmail.com if I missed other notable reader-generated art or videos related to ABDC.

Exclusive Podcast: Jungle Boogie give the lowdown on their ABDC experience (and initiate me as honorary member)

I spoke with Jungle Boogie on March 26, a few days after they returned home to Atlanta after their successful run on America's Best Dance Crew. They were as open and fun to talk to as you'd expect from watching their dancing. They answered questions (including some from our readers) on how they formed, why they have their own animal 'representative', how their ABDC experience compared to what they expected, what it was like being a relatively new crew competing against veteran groups, their personal favorite challenges, dealing with injuries (the trainer told them that many wouldn't recover until after ABDC was over and they could rest!), favorite memories, and what's next for the crew. And they initiate me as an honorary member!
Listen in here:

Video: Vogue Evolution dancing at Fashion Show

Vogue Evolution were featured performers at the Unity of Community Fashion Show. From DopexAssxJessiie Youtube Channel. Thanks Erica!

Recaps (with videos) for the Magic Challenge

• Spoil the Ending thought that Hype was outclassed by the other crews and gives the "Youtube that S**t" award this week to Jungle Boogie
• We'll Fix it In  brings in big-time cultural references including Looney Tunes, Boticelli, and the Secret Pakistani along with their analysis.  
• AC Slater is calling a Poreotix win for the season
• Too Interesting for Twitter imagines what would happen if both Blueprint Cru and Poreotix were in the bottom 2 next week 
• Video review by Taizuke, AConnectionTV,
• LA Times includes videos of Hype, Poreotix, and Jungle Boogie

The Main Event in NJ April 10: Rhythm City, Fanny Pak, Fr3sh, Kaba Legacy & many more!

It's Spring, and that means that Dance Event season is here. The first BIG event in the East Coast is The Main Event in Rahway NJ on April 10, with performances by crews and individuals well know to fans of America's Best Dance Crew and So You think You Can Dance. Click here for details and tickets.
On the program:

• Exhibition crews: Fanny Pak, Rhythm City, Kaba Legacy, Fr3sh, Funkanometry SF, de la Femme
• Competors include: Static Noyze, Ridonkulous, Capital Funk, Rhythmology, EPIC Motion
• Hosts: Karla Garcia (So You Think You Can Dance), Alonzo Williams (Rhythm City)
• Judges: Beau Fournier (Fanny Pak), Arnel Calvario and Mike Song (Kaba Legacy), Gina Rosales and Emerson Acquino (Funkanometry SF)
• Workshops on April 11 with Arnel Calvario (Kaba Legacy), Kara Horibe (Fanny Pak), Mike Song (Kaba Modern) and a mystery guest

Free pass to the finale for one crew!

MTV Remote Control announced that the crew with the highest number of cumulative votes during America's Best Dance Crew season 5 will be given an automatic pass to compete in the season finale. Given the observed patterns on which crews have been in the bottom 2, it should be relatively easy to predict the lucky crew.

Live ABDC Give Back show confirmed for April 15

An official MTV spokesman has confirmed that America's Best Dance Crew will air a Give Back show on April 15 at 10pm ET/PT, one week after the season finale. It will be a live show honoring a charitable group with a performance by the winner of ABDC5. In addition, there may be performances from crews from this season or past seasons.

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

Time to enter your votes for The Elimination Challenge for next week: Which crews will be in the bottom 2? Who will be eliminated? Enter each week and the person with the highest cumulative score for Season 5 will win an ABDC crew shirt of their choice and size (up to $35 retail). In case of a tie, we will have a tie-breaker question, to be posted the last week of the contest.
This week, vote for the 2 crews from America's Best Dance Crew's Top 4 that you think will be in the bottom, and name the one that gets sent home, for a possible 3 points total. For example, in ABDC4's Beyonce Challenge, an entry worth 3 points would have read: "Bottom 2 - Afroborike, Artistry in Motion. Eliminated: Artistry in Motion". 

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

ABDC Judge March Madness on the March - JC Chasez, Round 1, Day 2 (of 4)

ABDC March Madness (aka the Big Boy Challenge) continues today with Round 1, Day 2 of JC Chasez -- judge extraordinaire!. Each day we'll give you 2 quotes; vote every day for your favorite so we can crown the 'Best ABDC Judge Comment EVER'. Click here for rules and explanation.  Today's choices for best JC Chasez comments:

poll by twiigs.com

Videos: Pacific Rim talks to Poreotix and Hype 5-0 about the Magic Challenge

Pacific Rim interviewed Poreotix and Hype 5-0 after the taping of America's Best Dance Crew's Magic Challenge. Click here for Poreotix; here's Hype 5-0. Note: Angelica mentions our interview videos unfortunately due to equipment problems we won't be able to post new crew interview videos this week from Chris and Glenda (though we will have 2 exclusive videos from this week to share with you soon, as well as a podcast with Jungle Boogie).

Send some love to Jungle Boogie

Jungle Boogie was practically unknown at the beginning of the season and surprised everyone with their energy and creativity. They improved every single week and were an integral part of the best ABDC Top 4 ever. Their unique cranking style showed us all that the South is a force to be reckoned with. I hope we're going to see a lot more of them in the future.


This post is only for positive comments about Jungle Boogie. If you have anything else to say, please take it to the Critics Corner/Party Room.
Photocredit: MTV

Relax -- your ABDC votes DO COUNT this week!

There has been spirited concern and discussion here and on the MTV discussion board on the issue of whether this week's votes count. Reason: there is some text on the MTV page that explains the voting that states: "March 25, 2010 Episode: For the Episode airing on Thursday, March 25, 2010 there will be no voting."

Relax guys -- your votes definitely counted last night!! That text on the MTV page was written at the beginning of Season 5 when the producers tentatively scheduled a 'Give Back' episode for March 25 and the finale for April 15. Since a Give Back show is not a competition, there would have been no voting. Well, the ABDC schedule changed so that the Finale will be April 8 and the Give Back show will be on April 15 (tentatively), but that voting page wasn't updated to reflect the schedule change.  This is a MINOR point, not a producer plot, conspiracy, or major issue. The votes will count. They will eliminate someone next week based on votes cast on March 25! Aal izz Well!

BJHayPinoy reviews ABDC's Magic Challenge

The first thing I’d like to say is that I believe rankings do not matter too much now. It’s all now a matter of who performs the best, appeals to America, and stands out above the rest. I’ll still throw in the rankings at the end of the performances, but I want America to know that this is how I felt about the night. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

My ABDC5 Episode 9 Magic Challenge Rankings:
1. Blueprint Cru
2. Poreotix
3. Jungle Boogie
4. Hype 5-0

Click here to read the details of his review. Thanks BJhayPinoy!

Upcoming events: Week of March 26, 2010

• 3/26-27: Do-Knock (Super Cr3w) and Bboy Twixx (Massive Monkees) perform at Street Dance Championships in Portland, OR
• 3/27: Mike Murda and Vex from Super Cr3w performing at Boston College. Non-students welcome. 
• 3/27-28: Academy of Villains, Supreme Soul and Syrenz among the many groups teaching at Rock the School Bells in San Bruno, CA
• 3/28: Smart Mark from Phresh Select among many performers at Get Down! Popping Event in Philadelphia 
• 4/1: Beat Freak Rino teaching workshop at Team Millennia Studio in La Habra, CA 
• 4/1: Saltare on The Ellen Show (check for your local listings). Thanks Coach!

If you know of other events for this or coming weeks, please leave a comment or email us at BloggingBestDanceCrew@gmail.com

Survey: Best performance in ABDC5's Magic Challenge

Please vote for the crew that you think did best on this challenge, NOT for your overall favorite crew.

poll by twiigs.com

Survey: Worst performance in ABDC5's Magic Challenge

Please vote for the crew that you liked the least during THIS challenge, not your least favorite crew overall

poll by twiigs.com

Vote NOW and save your favorite crew!

The online voting is now open from now until 6:00am Eastern time. If you want to protect your favorite crew, act now! Click here to vote. Performance videos will probably be online after 11:00pm West Coast time, to aid in your choices. If you want to phone or text instead, the numbers are: Phone: 1-877-96-CREW + (number): OR Text: 22444 then (number):
* Hype 5-0: 1
* Poreotix: 2
* Blueprint Cru: 3

After you vote, join us back at the party room! We're making magic tonight.

Party Room/Critics Corner is now open -- Join us!

The Party Room/Critics Corner for ABDC 5's Magic Challenge is now open! Join lots of other readers, fans (or not) as they vent on what they love and what they hate. IMPORTANT: If you want to write a long comment, write in in NotePad or Word and then paste it into the comments field. Otherwise, all your work may disappear if someone posts something new while you're in the middle of writing. 

After the show is over: The party has just started, so stick around for more action, reaction, and interaction. Is this the best season EVER? Are these the hottest crews ever? Was it worth it to do  another Magic Challenge? What other challenge should they bring back?  This is your party -- snark, humor, recriminations, nostalgia and almost everything else (except obscenity and abject disrespect) are expected and welcome!

Watch our live play-by-play of ABDC5's Magic Challenge Now!

Del and Nancy will be co-hosts of this live play-by-play of America's Best Dance Crew Magic Challenge. Feel free to follow along (particularly if you cannot watch it until later). Please be aware that your comments might not be posted immediately (or at all) as we have to moderate them, watch the show, and type at the same time.

Preview from the pressbox: Chris Trondsen reports on ABDC5's Magic Challenge taping

This episode was one of the hottest of the season.  There were so many must see moments. The first was the opening number.  The stage and backstage was completely decked out like never seen before and all four crews danced together.  Not only danced together, but did it very well.  You will also see one of the judges up on stage dancing along with the crews!

The bottom two crews facing off was especially hard this week.  This season has four amazing crews in the top four, all with strong fanbases.  So there was no clear cut crew to go home.  Out in the audience, they had it so that there were sections each rooting for a certain crew.  The stage manager would tell all the Hype fans to cheer and hold up their signs, and then the camera would pan on them.  Then the Poreotix fans to hold up their signs and cheer, and they did it.  And so on. It was similar to that backstage.  You had different members of press cheering for different crews and that was not changed when the bottom two were announced.  Press was pretty split.   

When the judges had to make the decisions, JC felt that he didn’t think that these were the two crews that really deserved to be in the bottom.  Lil’ Mama agreed and all the judges said they loved these two crews and that it was the hardest decision of the season. When they announced who went home, many people were disappointed but I think it was expected after seeing the two crew’s who battled it out’s performances. 

Click here to read the rest of Chris's report, including the on-stage fan dance contest, the judges, and the celebrities in the audience. Thanks Chris!

Exclusive video: Poreotix Sing!

Unfortunately, we will not have any video interviews with the crews this week due to technical problems. So, I'm pulling a short video out of the vault. Here's Poreotix singing on stage at Hip Hop International during summer 2009.

Videos: Quest and Super Cr3w members help the Empty Suitcase Project

Celebrity singer Passion started a fundraiser/movement for kids in Tanzania called "The Empty Suitcase Project." The project videos people reflecting on what opportunityy first got them started.    The movement is trying to raise awareness for the Tanzanian kids and to collect donations for them like regular school supplies and food.Super Cr3w's Do-knock and Quest crew are among the many who have contributed their time for the cause. Click here to watch the video that explains the project and here for the video with Do-Knock. This video features Quest members. Thanks for the tip, Supercr3w.com!

More March Madness Competition: Favorite JC Chasez Quotes - Round 1, Day 1 (of 4)

ABDC March Madness (aka the Big Boy Challenge) continues today with Round 1, Day 1 of JC Chasez -- judge extraordinaire!. Each day we'll give you 2 quotes; vote every day for your favorite so we can crown the 'Best ABDC Judge Comment EVER'. Click here for rules and explanation.  Today's choices for best JC Chasez comments:

poll by twiigs.com

Interview Videos: Poreotix and Hype on group performance, their magic performance

DancePlug has video interviews with Hype and Poreotix from backstage at the ABDC5 Magic Challenge. Her interview with Hype covers working with Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo, impressions on the magic performance, and plans (including wanting to perform on an ABDC tour). She talks to Poreotix about what their hand movements mean, what it was like doing on the group number, and potential future plans (Disneyland anyone?)

Join us tonight for Play-by-play, Party Room/Critics Corner and more

Thank God it's Thursday! Watch America's Best Dance Crew and the Magic Challenge with us tonight! The Party Room/Critics Corner opens at 9:30 ET and stays open as long as you want, so that everyone can comment on anything remotely related to ABDC. Did you like the challenge? Did the magic fit the moves? Who should go home next?

At 10pm ET, Del and I'll be doing live play-by-play while watching the show, so feel free to tune in and make fun of me or get a sneak preview of the action (for those of you from the West Coast/Canada/India or other ABDC-deprived zones).

Tomorrow morning, please vote in our polls on the best and worst performances. Plus, more Elimination Contest, reviews, and I don't know yet what else. Join us!

Survey says: Saltare best in Usher Challenge ?!

I suspect (but cannot confirm) that our weekly surveys on the best and worst performances during ABDC's Usher Challenge was stacked by one crew's fans:

• Saltare was voted the best performance in the Usher Challenge, with 47% of the 2392 votes. Poreotix came in second with 28% of the votes. Details here.
• Jungle Boogie got 32% of the votes for the least popular performance, followed by Poreotix at 22% and Hype 5-0 at 20%. Details here.

Video: Beat Freak Maryss and JabbaWockeeZ Rainen Cypher at My Ninja! Party

Pacific Rim covered the one-year anniversary of My Ninja! clothing on March 13, and taped a cypher between Beat Freak Maryss and JabbaWockeeZ Kid Rainen. Thanks for the tip, Ravoo!

Pictures from the ABDC Magic Challenge

L@Mya attended last night's America's Best Dance Crew taping of the Magic Challenge taping and has some great photos of the crews, including this one of Blueprint Crew with Franz Harrary,  the man behind this week's magic tricks.

More ABDC March Madness competition: Shane Sparks Round 1, Day 2

ABDC March Madness (aka the Big Boy Challenge) continues today with Round 1, Day 2 of Shane Sparks -- away during ABDC5 but certainly not forgotten. Each day we'll give you 2 quotes; vote every day for your favorite so we can crown the 'Best ABDC Judge Comment EVER'. Click here for rules and explanation.  Today's choices for best Shane Sparks moments:

poll by twiigs.com

Report from the Magic Challenge Tapings

Crush! attended the taping of America's Best Dance Crew 5's Magic Challenge on March 23, and wrote this spoiler-free report. Please note that she talks about the crews in alphabetical order so as not to reveal who was in the bottom.

"Hey guys! This season's Magic Challenge was, in my opinion, way better than the third season's Illusion Challenge! The opening number with all four crews was the best opening number of all 5 seasons! It started like the first season's opening number, where all of the crews were backstage, going to the main stage. It was intense! there a couple of illusions in this performance, the two that stood out to me the most were when Lil Mama came out of nowhere and began dancing with the crews. She danced amazingly! Also, in the end, all the males from the crews go towards the back of the stage and disappear and Mario Lopez pops out! it was mind blowing!"

Click here to read the rest of Crush!'s report, including some impressions of each of the crews' performances. Thanks again Crush!

UStream from the Press tent at the Magic Show Challenge

No outside press conducted pre-taping interviews at the ABDC5 Magic Challenge, so you won't see interviews from us, Pacific Rim or anyone besides MTV before Friday. Instead, here's a one-hour Ustream for those of you who want to see more of the life in the press area at the ABDC team including Tabitha D'umo (half of the NappyTabs choreography team that was responsible for this week's group performance), the Pacific Rim crew, and our own Chris Trondsen and Glenda Morales. Thanks Ninjaboi for the link!

Video: Learn Tutting and Grooving from Blueprint Cru and Jungle Boogie

MTV Remote Control has a short choreography lesson, where Blueprint Cru and Jungle Boogie slowly demonstrate steps from the Usher challenge.

Let us Know if you attend tonight's taping!

The Magic Challenge episode of America's Best Dance Crew Season 5 tapes tonight, with 4 crews from the United States and Canada battling to be in the top 3. If you attend the taping, leave a comment and let us know what it was ALL like -- whether the illusions looked good from where you sat, the quality of the dance in the performances, who you spot in the audience, the judges, etc. Please DON'T just focus on who stays and who goes, since that will be deleted as a spoiler. Tell us about other aspects, so we can live vicariously through your experience.

AND REMEMBER -- NO SPOILERS!! DO NOT SAY, HINT, OR IMPLY THE FATE OF ANY OF THE CREWS !! REPEAT OFFENDERS WILL BE BANNED FROM COMMENTS. AND -- ANYTHING YOU HEAR HERE STAYS HERE -- DO NOT POST ANY COMMENTS/TWITTERS/EMAIL MESSAGES ON WIKIPEDIA, MTV.COM DISCUSSION BOARDS, TELEVISION WITHOUT PITY OR ANYWHERE ELSE. IF YOU IGNORE THIS RULE, WE COULD LOSE OUR PRESS PRIVILEGES AND I CERTAINLY WILL NOT HAVE A POST LIKE THIS NEXT WEEK OR IN THE FUTURE. I MEAN IT!! For the most part, the system that commenters used in the past worked. But again, some people persisted in leaving the wrong things up and leaving me cleanup work. That will have VERY bad repercussions this time, so don't do it again!

Playlist for ABDC5's Magic Challenge plus video preview of group number

MTV Remote Control announced the playlist for the Magic Challenge:

BLUEPRINT CRU - Pink "Funhouse"
HYPE 5-0 - Adam Lambert "For Your Entertainment"
JUNGLE BOOGIE - Timbaland ft. Nelly Furtado & Soshy "Morning After Dark"
POREOTIX - Kid Sister "Right Hand Hi"
GROUP PERFORMANCE:  Ke$ha's "Take It Off"!

They also posted rehearsal footage for the group number:

MTV Shows

ABDC March Madness marches on: Shane Sparks Round 1, Day 1

ABDC March Madness (aka the Big Boy Challenge) continues today with Round 1, Day 1 of Shane Sparks -- away during ABDC5 but certainly not forgotten. Each day we'll give you 2 quotes; vote every day for your favorite so we can crown the 'Best ABDC Judge Comment EVER'. Click here for rules and explanation.  Today's choices for best Shane Sparks moments:

poll by twiigs.com

Video: Massive Monkees members battle

Massive Monkees members Jeromeski and Granite, along with Junior from Art of Movement, competed as Monkee Movement at a Haiti dance benefit in Seattle, and took first place. Video from GraniteMM'sYoutube Channel.

From MTV: this week's magic challenges and a video of the crews' signature moves

MTV Remote Control hasn't posted the playlist for this week, but has listed the magic challenges for each crew: 

• BLUEPRINT CRU — Become lighter than air.
• HYPE 5-0 — Make an object come alive.
• JUNGLE BOOGIE — Pass their bodies through a solid surface.
• POREOTIX — Move an object with their minds.

They also posted a nifty video of these remaining crews rehearsing and performing their signature moves:

MTV Shows

Exclusive video: Beat Ya Feet Kings Porche: Our Season was wilder!

Porche from Beat Ya Feet Kings (ABDC Season 4) hung out with to Chris Trondsen and Fanny Pak's Glenda Morales at ABDC's Usher Challenge taping. Porche and Glenda get low to the music and chatedt about auditioning (and getting accepted) for the Fresh Beat Band, Porche's favorite crews on Season 5 and how it compares to Season 4, and the 'strange' relationship between Porche, Chris and Glenda.Much thanks to World of Dance, our partner for the ABDC backstage tapings!

Mailbox: Vogue Evolution, Best of the East results, Best Usher/Gaga analysis

• Vogue Evolution walked the red carpet at the GLAAD awards on March 13. Photo from Robin Roemer at Autostraddle
•  You Love to Watch analyzes why she loved Blueprint's 'Bad Romance' and Poreotix 'Yeah' so much
• At Best of the East 3 on March 13, the results were: First place: Rhythmology, 2nd Place: Phunk Phenomenon, 3rd place: Static Noyze. Here's Phunk Phenomenon's performance, from EmilyleDonne's Youtube Channel. Thanks for the tip, Devin!

Communicate with the crews: Formspring for - Poreotix, Hype 5-0, Static Noyze, Blueprint, Swagger Crew

Several members of America's Best Dance Crew groups have Formspring accounts now, so you can ask questions and learn more about them. UPDATE:The ones compiled by readers Evil Cupcake, Ashlaylay, Meowie, and Green Tea Mix (thanks guys!) are:
POREOTIX:
-Charles formspring.me/ASIIMcharles 
-Chad formspring.me/ChadPoreotix 
-Jet formspring.me/justinjetli 
-Dumbo formspring.me/funkndumbo 
-Law formspring.me/lawface
-Can http://www.formspring.me/boogiemonstahh 
HYPE 5-0:
-Brittnie http://www.formspring.me/brittniehype
- Duey http://www.formspring.me/DueyNUTZ
- Alan http://www.formspring.me/acpascual
STATIC NOYZE:
-Goose http://www.formspring.me/GooseDT2010
BLUEPRINT CRU:
- TL http://www.formspring.me/tlblueprint
SWAGGER CREW:
- Jason http://www.formspring.me/jasoncaba
- Ajaye formspring.me/AjayeAeswag
 
 

Last day to enter this week's Elimination challenge and Top 4 contests

Deadline fast approaching: if you want to have an entry for this week's elimination challenge and top 4 contests for ABDC, you have until midnight tonight. Good luck!

• Click here for the Elimination challenge contest
• Click here for the top 4 challenge contest

ABDC March Madness continues! Round One, day 4: Lil Mama quotes

ABDC March Madness (aka the Big Boy Challenge) continues today with Round 1, Day 4 of Lil Mama. Each day we'll give you 2 quotes; vote every day for your favorite so we can crown the 'Best ABDC Judge Comment EVER'. Click here for rules and explanation.  Today's choices for best Lil Mama moments:

poll by twiigs.com

ABDC planning a special on Teen giving

It had been announced at the beginning of Season 5 that America's Best Dance Crew would have a 'give back' show similar to the ones for American Idol.  According to an article in the Quad City Times, the 'give back' episode will focus on teen giving, with The Sparkle Effect Cheerleading squad being one of the profiled groups. Unofficial reports for the special are that it will air shortly after ABDC5 wraps up (perhaps April 15), and that there may  be performances by ABDC crews from all seasons. We'll report details as they become official.

Exclusive Video: Super Cr3w's Do-Knock: "Don't want my hair burning up because my body is flamin"

Chris Trondsen and Fanny Pak's Glenda Morales joked around with Super Cr3w's Do Knock at the taping of America's Best Dance Crew's Usher Challenge. He talks his favorite part of the Disco Challenge, whether he would perform with burning ropes with Saltare, the Groovaloo tour, the George Lopez show, their upcoming Super Cr3w wristwatch line, his beer pong problems, and how to follow Super Cr3w on line. He also makes love to the camera and tries to sing. 

Video: Ace's Static Noyze Tribute

From AceJokerBABDC's Youtube Channel -- a tribute to Static Noyze.

Fanmade Trailer for ABDC5's Top 4

FIREBurner is back with a new video trailer for America's Best Dance Crew. This time, he's got highlights from the performances of the top 4 ABDC5 crews -- Blueprint Cru, Hype 5-0, Jungle Boogie, and Poreotix. You can see his full set of trailers at FIREBurnerYoutube Channel.

Exclusive video: Beat Freak Teresa On Season 5 -- the challenges are too easy!

Beat Freak's Teresa Espinosa talked to Chris Trondsen and Fanny Pak's Glenda Morales backstage at America's Best Dance Crew's Usher Challenge. They describe about games and cooking together on Spaghetti Night, The Geminiz, her work assisting Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo, her impressions of the strong dancers on Season 5 and her favorite crew, why she thinks the Season 5 challenges are too easy and repetitive, and the loyalty of the Beat Freak fans! Much thanks to World of Dance, our partners for the ABDC5 tapings who are planning some major dance events for 2010!

ABDC March Madness continues! Round One, day 3: Lil Mama quotes

ABDC March Madness (aka the Big Boy Challenge) continues today with Round 1, Day 3 of Lil Mama. Each day we'll give you 2 quotes; vote every day for your favorite so we can crown the 'Best ABDC Judge Comment EVER'. Click here for rules and explanation.  Today's choices for best Lil Mama moments:

poll by twiigs.com

Fanny Pak Scavenger Hunt! - win FP character shirts!

From now until April 4, Fanny Pak is running a scavenger hunt. The first person to complete all the tasks wins Tshirts of all the crew members -- 7 shirts in all. The tasks range from 'take a picture in a wig that's Cara's favorite color', 'take a picture in an uncomfortable position outside a doctor's office', take a picture of a mermaid/merman, etc.  Watch this video and read the description for all the challenges and details, and/or go to fannypak.tumbler.com for hints and written clues.

New BABDC Banner -- thanks Kevin!

Kevin designed our latest website banner, trying to give us a more professional look. Thanks Kevin!

Ninjaboi's Review of ABDC5's Usher Challenge

Hey all, so it was Usher week on ABDC, (another artists challenge this season – one I liked a lot better than the last one…).  This week overall, was about as good as Disco week, maybe a bit less intense, given the sudden drop in number of performances.  But anyway, here we go!

Overall summary:
Poreotix: 40, reduced to 38
Blueprint/Jungle Boogie: 37
Saltare/Hype 5-0: 35

Click here to read Ninjaboi's detailed scale and reviews. Thanks, Ninjaboi!

Del's Review of ABDC's Usher Challenge

After a week of stuffy noses and not having my own television, it’s time to get back into the saddle. We’re at the top 4 now and it’s shaping up to be the best home stretch in ABDC history. Before we size up our final 4 crews, it’s about time to look back on the Usher challenge. My standings for this show are:

1) (tie)   Jungle Boogie/Blueprint Cru (8)
2)    Poreotix (7.9)
3)    Saltare (7.8)
4)    Hype 5-0 (7.75)

Click here to read his detailed review. Thanks Del!

Heavy Impact's Isi: Life After ABDC

Isi from Heavy Impact went backstage at America's Best Dance Crew's Usher taping and talked to Chris Trondsen and Fanny Pak's Glenda Morales. Isi talks about what the crew is doing (dancing and Mario Kart) once they were eliminated from ABDC5. They also talk about their impressions of the Usher challenge and the crews' performances, and make a prediction for next week. Much thanks to World of Dance, our partner for the ABDC backstage tapings and producer of some major upcoming dance shows!

Reenter our Top 4 contest now!

Over the course of America's Best Dance Crew Season 5, hundreds of entries have been submitted on which ABDC crews will be in the top 4 at the end of this season, in the order of their elimination. Most are out of the running by now and there are still a few unclaimed combinations. If you want to change your vote, here's your weekly chance.   The prize goes to the first person to submit the correct answer, based on which week they submit it. If more than one person gets it right that week, we'll employ a tie-breaker rule.

Click here for contest rules and prizes.  Entries will be taken until Midnight on Monday March 22.

Exclusive video: Hype takes the Booty Shake Challenge!

You asked for it! After the taping of America's Best Dance Crew's Usher Challenge, Chris Trondsen and Glenda Morales convinced Hype to take on a Booty Shake contest. Who do you think won? Thanks to World of Dance, our partner at the ABDC backstage tapings this season.

ABDC March Madness continues! Round One, day 2: Lil Mama quotes

ABDC March Madness (aka the Big Boy Challenge) continues today with Round 1, Day 2 of Lil Mama. Each day we'll give you 2 quotes; vote every day for your favorite so we can crown the 'Best ABDC Judge Comment EVER'. Click here for rules and explanation.  Today's choices for best Lil Mama moments:

poll by twiigs.com