Friday, April 30, 2010
Video: Massive Monkees in Korea
Massive Monkees battled in Korea in February 2009. This video shows some spontaneous rap and dance after the competition. From Jeromeskeeice Youtube Channel.
ABDC5 Favorites: Saltare in Week 5's Usher Challenge
Next up in our recap of America's Best Dance Crew's Season 5 favoriteperformances: Saltare's performance of "Caught Up" in NationalsWeek 5 (the Usher Challenge) was voted by our survey respondentsas one of the best for the ABDC5 Season. Here it is. Thanks for the links, Teldon!
Field agent report: Ninjaboi's meeting with Quest at Disney Grad Nite
Field Report Summary: Operation DGN10
Location/Time: 2200 EST, 04/17/2010 – 0400 EST, 04/18/2010
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, Florida
Objectives:
-Meet and Greet with Quest Crew, ABDC Season 3 champions
-Acquire Interview asking reader questions
-Acquire Video of performances
-Acquire reader shoutouts from Quest
-Acquire autographs and photographs
Field Agents: Agent Ninjaboi (and non BABDC affiliated classmates)
Assisting Agents: Agent Nancy (BABDC Moderator), Agent Jerry (Quest Crew LLC)
Background Information:
Disney Grad Nite is an event held at the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL, for graduating senior classes in Florida between 10pm and 4am for 4 nights in late April to provide the equivalent of a senior class trip before AP exams and such begin. Along with allowing guests to ride most of the rides at night with fewer lines, live entertainment in provided (such as Quest Crew, Paramore, Keri Hilson, and All Time Low), today’s top music is played instead of the normal Disney soundtrack, and different themed dance floors and DJs are available.
Click here to read the rest of this VERY entertaining field report. Thanks Agent Ninjaboi!
Location/Time: 2200 EST, 04/17/2010 – 0400 EST, 04/18/2010
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, Florida
Objectives:
-Meet and Greet with Quest Crew, ABDC Season 3 champions
-Acquire Interview asking reader questions
-Acquire Video of performances
-Acquire reader shoutouts from Quest
-Acquire autographs and photographs
Field Agents: Agent Ninjaboi (and non BABDC affiliated classmates)
Assisting Agents: Agent Nancy (BABDC Moderator), Agent Jerry (Quest Crew LLC)
Background Information:
Disney Grad Nite is an event held at the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL, for graduating senior classes in Florida between 10pm and 4am for 4 nights in late April to provide the equivalent of a senior class trip before AP exams and such begin. Along with allowing guests to ride most of the rides at night with fewer lines, live entertainment in provided (such as Quest Crew, Paramore, Keri Hilson, and All Time Low), today’s top music is played instead of the normal Disney soundtrack, and different themed dance floors and DJs are available.
Click here to read the rest of this VERY entertaining field report. Thanks Agent Ninjaboi!
Upcoming Events - Week of April 30
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Post-ABDC Party Room now open - Join in!
The Second ABDC5 Memorial Party Room is now open! Celebrate (or mourn) Thursdays without ABDC, or start some early May Day revelries. Join other like-minded people (orinteresting strangers) to talk about Americas Best Dance Crew, dance, and topics too odd to predict. 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. Thisis your party -- snark, humor, nostalgia and almost everything else(except obscenity and abject disrespect) are expected and welcome!
Image credit: LaughingSquid.com
ABDC5 Favorites; Poreotix from Week 4's Disco Challenge
Moving forward in our recap of America's Best Dance Crew's Season 5 favoriteperformances. Poreotix's performance of "Dancing Machine" in NationalsWeek 4 (the Disco Challenge) was voted by our survey respondentsas one of the best for the ABDC5 Season. Here it is. Thanks for the links, Teldon!
Prelude New England on May 1: Draztik, Static Noyze, Phunk Phenomenon, NIA, E3 & more!
Yes, we will have another post-ABDC Party Room tonight!
Back due to popular demand: tonight there will be another open thread Party Room in honor of TNWABDC (Thursday Nights Without ABDC). It will open at 9:30 and run until whenever.And, as usual you are free to talk about anything as long as it is notobscene or libelous. See you soon!
Favorite video of the day: Hungarian Dance Crew!
A reader commented on this video of a dance crew on Hungarian TV. Though the moves are relatively simple, the synchronization and overall choreography make for a compelling performance.
We are Heroes' Hiro to be featured in Justin Bieber/Sean Kingston Video "Eenie Meenie"
Hiro from We are Heroes will be one of many featured dancers on the new video for Justin Bieber and Sean Kingston's 'Eenie Meenie'. Here's a preview for the video. Thanks for the link, Austin!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
New Contest starts today: ABDC Blowup!
Want to see more of America's Best Dance Crew? We're bringing back some of our favorite images -- but you'll have to look CLOSELY! This is a new contest created the "The 4th ABDC Judge". He's blown up parts of photos from ABDC Seasons 1-5. All images can be found somewhere on MTV.com. Your task: Name that crew.Rules: This contest will go on for several weeks, and the person with the highest cumulative number of answers will win a Tshirt or other merchandise of his/her choice, worth up to $35. If there is a tie, we will randomly choose the winner. To make it a little harder, we are disabling the comments for the contest posts. Send your answer to abdccontest@gmail.com; we will NOT confirm whether you have the right answer. Please do not post your answer in on this site or elsewhere -- we want to keep this fair. If I find that you've posted the answer online, you are permanently disqualified from the contest and banned from all comments. Answers for this week's puzzle must be received by midnight May 3, 2010
Here's this week's image and a clue with VERY DELIBERATELY chosen words: 'sharp dressing for a sharp crew'. Happy hunting!
ABDC5 Favorites: Blueprint Cru for Week 3's Lady Gaga Challenge
More in our recap of America's Best Dance Crew's Season 5 favoriteperformances. Blueprint Cru's performance of "Bad Romance" in NationalsWeek 3 (the Lady Gaga Challenge) was voted by our survey respondentsas one of the best for the ABDC5 Season. Here it is. Thanks for the links, Teldon!
JabbaWockeeZ profile in Las Vegas Weekly: Seeking Massage Therapists as 'interns'
Las Vegas Weekly talks about JabbaWockeeZ upcoming Las Vegas show. Read it here (thanks for the tip, Karen Chu!). Some highlights:
- They have been putting in 20 hours days to handle all the choreography, training, press, and meetings needed to mount the show
- JabbaWockeeZ member Chris Gatula joked about internship opportunities with the crew: "Any chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists if they want to do any interning..."
Mailbox: Korean popstar shoutout to SoReal Cru Andrew, ICONic GEO website, Jungle Boogie
- Korean pop superstar Jay Park Beom has a shoutout to SoReal Cru's Andrew Baterina at 4:50 in this Stirfry TV video,. Thanks for the link, Georgie!
- ICONic leader GEO (from ABDC Season 1) has launched a new website: HipHopGEO.com. GEO blogs about his work and his dance. From GEO: "I want to create a space where artists can set goals following a positive example. If they're a dancer they can make it a career and a business by taking on the lifestyle of being ICONic and putting it in motion, like I did...It's time for the Be ICONic motto to make its way into the industry."
- Jungle Boogie will be featured performers at the National Talent Search show in Atlanta on June 11. NationaltalentsearchUSA.com has the details, including a special section for dance crews who want to compete in the regional competitions across the US
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Talk of Fame at the ABDC Finale: Poreotix, Blueprint, Saltare, the judges, Randy and more!
Albert at Talk of Fame has assembled clips of his interviews on the red carpet after America's Best Dance Crew's Season 5 Finale. He talks to Randy Jackson about the West Coast's dominance, Omarion about his work on ABDC, Blueprint Cru and Saltare about the East Coast jump rope routine in the finale, Jungle Boogie on showing their bodies, Lil Mama calling Poreotix the new Ninja Turtles, We are Heroes on Poreotix, and how Poreotix incorporated the crowd in their winning routine.
ABDC5 Favorites: Hype 5-0 in Week 2 Music Video Challenge
More in our recap of America's Best Dance Crew's Season 5 favoriteperformances. Hype 5-0's performance of "3" in NationalsWeek 2 (the Music Video Challenge) was voted by our survey respondentsas one of the best for the ABDC5 Season. Here it is. Thanks for the links, Teldon!
Video Mailbox: Funny Boxcuttuhz Promo, Beat Freaks with Jimmy Fallon and the Roots
Boxcuttuhz members Lando Wilkins and Bam Martin created a pretty funny video to promote their BoogieZone tour in Germany. There's even a little dancing on it. From OuttheBoxTV Youtube Channel. Thanks for the tip, Kid Bowser
- Beat Freaks just released a video of some 2009 performances, including performing with the Roots in New York, and backstage from their appearance on the Jimmy Fallon Show.
Video: Swagger Crew performs at KollaborationATL 3
Swagger Crew performed at Kollaboration 3 in Atlanta in April 2010. Video from Tempress Youtube Channel.
Thanks for the link, Brandon!
Thanks for the link, Brandon!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Video from the Hidden Kaba Modern archives: KM in Beijing
Kaba Modern's Mike Song is now posting videos of some of their older performances, on his MikeOSong Youtube Channel. Here's their performance in Beijing in 2009.
ABDC5 Favorites: Static Noyze on ABDC5 Week 1' Chart Topper Challenge
More in our recap of America's Best Dance Crew's Season 5 favorite performances. Static Noyze's performance of "Whatcha Say" in Nationals Week 1 (the Chart Topper Challenge) was voted by our survey respondents as one of the best for the ABDC5 Season. Here it is. Thanks for the links, Teldon!
Report & videos: US Bollywood America Competition -- with a winning mix of Bollywood and hip hop
The U.S. Bollywood America Competition was held on April 17, 2010 at the Strand Theater in Boston. The competition featured the top 9 Bollywood filmi-fusion teams that placed at regional dance competitions across the U.S. The purpose of this show was "to bring people back to their South Asian roots and show the performing cultural arts of South Asia in North America". The winner was Wanted Ashiqz, from New York. The runner up was Nashaa, from Los Angeles (click here to watch Nashaa's performance). You can find out more about the competition at bollywoodamerica.info and more about the Indian dance scene at desidanceteams.com.
One of the members of Wanted Ashiqz is Gaurav Gulati, a long-time member of the Blogging Best Dance Crew community. He wrote to us: "Our style is very different from other recognized dance crews. We mix in elements of hip hop with our roots of Bollywood...In this particular performance we did a tribute to all the iconic dancers in Bollywood and in American pop culture who have inspired us to keep dancing." Here's the performance -- congratulations Gaurav and Wanted Ashiqz!
One of the members of Wanted Ashiqz is Gaurav Gulati, a long-time member of the Blogging Best Dance Crew community. He wrote to us: "Our style is very different from other recognized dance crews. We mix in elements of hip hop with our roots of Bollywood...In this particular performance we did a tribute to all the iconic dancers in Bollywood and in American pop culture who have inspired us to keep dancing." Here's the performance -- congratulations Gaurav and Wanted Ashiqz!
Video: Vogue Evolution with Britney Houston at Kansas University
Vogue Evolution performed with Britney Houston at Kansas University in April 2010. Video from BritneyHouston Youtube Channel.
Video: Southern Movement talk about ABDC and moving to Los Angeles
Southern Movement talk to Chris Trondsen and Fanny Pak's Glenda Morales on the red carpet after America's Best Dance Crew Season 5 Finale. They talk about coming back to ABDC, their favorite crew from Season 5, what they've been up to, and their plans to rep the South while moving to Los Angeles.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
ABDC Favorite Performances from the regional auditions: Blueprint Cru
Blueprint Cru's regional audition of 'Feel on It' was voted one of the best performances in America's Best Dance Crew's Season 5. Here's the performance. Thanks to Teldon for his link collection.
And, for comparison, here's Blueprint's original audition that I taped in New York back in December 2009.
And, for comparison, here's Blueprint's original audition that I taped in New York back in December 2009.
Videos and Ninjaboi's first report from Quest's appearance at Disney Grad Nites
Ninjaboi and much of his high school class attended Disneyworld's Grad Nights on April 23-24. Quest Crew was one of the featured performances at the event. Ninjaboi met with Quest for about 2 minutes and has a video (actually more of an audio since it was dark). Click here to listen.
He'll have a fuller report of his experience, along with some visuals of Quest's freestyles on some of the smaller stages. In the meantime, here's a video of Quest's performance on the Main Stage from 3xiledAngel's Youtube Channel:
He'll have a fuller report of his experience, along with some visuals of Quest's freestyles on some of the smaller stages. In the meantime, here's a video of Quest's performance on the Main Stage from 3xiledAngel's Youtube Channel:
Videos from World of Dance Dallas: Poreotix, Static Noyze, Ghost Crew, Illovation (WOD Dallas winner)
World of Dance Dallas was held April 24, with dozens of crews performing in exhibition and competition. Competition results:
-1ST PLACE= ILLOVATION
-2ND PLACE= BROWN BAG SPECIAL
-3RD PLACE= MARVELOUS MOTION!
From Airjsen23 Youtube Channel, here's the performance by Poreotix.
Click here to watch the videos from Static Noyze, Ghost Crew, and Illovation.
-1ST PLACE= ILLOVATION
-2ND PLACE= BROWN BAG SPECIAL
-3RD PLACE= MARVELOUS MOTION!
From Airjsen23 Youtube Channel, here's the performance by Poreotix.
Click here to watch the videos from Static Noyze, Ghost Crew, and Illovation.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Exclusive video: Tallie Brinson (Strikers) and choreographer Chuck Maldonado interview at ABDC Finale
Choreographer Chuck Maldanado and Strikers All-stars member Tallie Brinson talked to Chris Trondsen and Fanny Pak's Glenda Morales after America's Best Dance Crew Season 5 Finale. They talk about the Stepping performance at the ABDC finale, their projects including Fresh Beat Band (where Glenda is now performing) and Stomp the Yard, and possible plans to have a Strikers/Fanny Pak collaboration.
Video: Glenda (Fanny Pak) and Maryss (Beat Freaks) do a SHOES goof
Both Maryss (Beat Freaks) and Glenda (Fanny Pak) are now dancing for Nickelodeon's Fresh Beat Band. The two of them goofed in their trailer to 'Shoes'. Language warning, but it's FUNNY. From FannyPakTV Youtube Channel. Thanks to Alex and others for the tip.
Friday, April 23, 2010
ABDC5 Favorites From the Regional auditions - Saltare
Saltare's performance of "Imma Shine" at the East Coast regional auditions was voted by our survey respondents as one of the best dances in America's Best Dance Crew Season 5. Here's the dance. Thanks for the links, Teldon!
Mailbox: Lil Mama "1 of TV's Best Judges"; Blueprint Cru shirts; Fanny Pak's Glenda in movie trailer
- The New York Post names Lil Mama as one of TV's 5 best judges, call her "the real, messy thing".
- Threader.com has added a Blueprint Cru shirt to their merchandise line. Buy it here. Threader also sells shirts for We Are Heroes, Beat Freaks, Boogie Bots, Ringmasters, and Philippine Allstars
- Glenda Morales of Fanny Pak makes a VERY brief appearance in this movie trailer to get people to turn off their phones
Video: Beat Freaks Backstage at Champions for Charity Show
The Beat Freaks attended America's Best Dance Crew's Champions for Charity Show. They filmed backstage showing some of the action, and their reactions. From the FreaktheFashion Youtube Channel.
Upcoming Events: Week of April 23, 2010
- 4/30-5/1: Beat Freaks at Disney Grad Nights in Orlando, FL
- 5/1: DraZtik, Phunk Phenonomen, NIA, and many other crews at Prelude New England in Boston
- 5/1: Wyld Styl performs at 'East Meets West' VIII in Houston, TX
- 5/1: Heavy Impact workshop at Team Millennia Dance Studio in LaHabra, CA
- 5/2: Vogue Evolution at The Mezzanine in State College, PA
Thursday, April 22, 2010
ABDC5 Memorial Party Room now open - Join us!
This is your party -- snark, humor, nostalgia and almost everything else (except obscenity and abject disrespect) are expected and welcome!
Credit: Smaran Dayal, Gifparty.tumblr.com
ABDC5 Favorite Performances from the Regional auditions: Poreotix
Poreotix' performance to "Love Story" in the West Coast Regional auditions was voted one of the favorites for America's Best Dance Crew 5 Survey. Here's the dance. Thanks for the links, Teldon!
Yes, we will have a party room tonight, even without a new ABDC show!
There have been numerous requests for an open thread tonight, so that loyal ABDC fans can continue to meet and party even though Season 5 has ended. It will open at 9:30, as usual, and run until it stops. And, as usual you are free to talk about anything as long as it is not obscene or libelous. See you soon!
Survey Results: ABDC5 Top Performances
Our survey on the favorite performances for America's Best Dance Crew Season 5 received over 1500 votes, with up to 10 choices per vote. As sometimes happens, the results showed some major fan groups for the different crews. For that reason, we will post the top 11 vote-getters, but not rank them. Interestingly, there was one choice for each of the challenges, so we'll use that as an ordering device. Over the next few days, we will post videos for:
- Blueprint Cru: 'Feel on It' (Regional Audition)
- Blueprint Cru: 'Bad Romance' (Lady Gaga Challenge)
- Blueprint Cru: 'Funhouse' (Magic Challenge)
- Hype 5-0: '3' (Music Video Challenge)
- Poreotix: 'Love Story' (Regional audition)
- Poreotix: 'Dancing Machine' (Disco Challenge)
- Poreotix: 'Hip Hop Nation'
- Poreotix: 'Tetreotix' (Last Chance Challenge)
- Saltare: 'Imma Shine' (Regional audition)
- Saltare: 'Caught Up' (Usher Challenge)
- Static Noyze: 'Whatcha Say' (Chart topper challenge)
Video: Fly Khick Wendy performance at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel
Fly Khick member Wendy danced at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida in March 2010. Video from the WendySimmons Youtube Channel. Thanks for the tip,Chris!
Exclusive video: Royal Flush at ABDC Finale
Royal Flush talked to Chris Trondsen and Fanny Pak's Glenda Morales on the red carpet after America's Best Dance Crew Season 5 Finale. They share some love, talk about upcoming World of Dance performances, their experience on ABDC, and their other upcoming performances.
Survey Results (with video): Quest had the Favorite Champions for Charity Performance
Over 2400 votes were cast in our survey on the best performance on America's Best Dance Crew's Champions for Charity Show. The favorite was Quest Crew with 34% of the vote, followed by JabbaWockeeZ with 29%. Click here to watch the episode; you can see Quest's performance at 21:24 and JabbaWockeeZ at 35:39.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
MUST See Video from Quest's Dtrix: The full cypher at Champions for Charity upclose!
Dtrix from Quest Crew shot a shaky but amazing video --from the ABDC stage -- of the full cypher that took place at the end of America's Best Dance Crew's Champions for Charity Show. This video -- a MUST SEE -- is on theDOMINICShow Youtube Channel. Thanks for the tip, Snoop DoggyStyle!
Last day for our ABDC5 Top Ten Survey
We will close our ABDC5 Top Performances survey at midnight tonight. So,if you don't like the way the votes's been going, get your own votes in now! Then, starting Friday, we'll post videos of the top 10 favorite performances plus the top vote getter for the other Nationals crews who didn't make it to the Top 10. Click here to vote.
Exclusive Video: Omarion talks about which crews he WANTED to see battle in the finale!
We JUST retrieved a few more interviews from America's Best Dance Crew Season 5's Finale, and will post them in the next few days. Here's our talk with ABDC Judge Omarion, where he describes the battle he would have liked to have seen in the finale, his views on whether the fans vote 'right', how he characterizes his own dance style, whether he's planning to return for another ABDC season, and more. Note: I make a quick appearance on this interview to talk to Omarion about our ABDC Madness competition. My voice is not usually that high -- I was hoarse from all the shouting and noise on the finale red carpet!
Poreotix on E! News April 22
Poreotix will appear on E! News on April 21, according to tweets from Poreotix' member Jet Li. The show airs at 7:00 on the East Coast; check your local listings for airtime.
Video: Poreotix teach some moves on The Ellen Show
Here's video of ABDC Season 5 winners teaching some robot thrust moves on The Ellen Show on April 14, 2010.
Mailbox: Arnel Calvario reviews ABDC Champs for Charity, video of JabbaWockeeZ Milkshake Debut
- At LA Times, KM founder/choreographer Arnel Calvario reviews America's Best Dance Crew's Champions for Charity show with his usual insight and with quotes from ABDC crew members
- Hollywood TV filmed the action at JabbaWockeeZ launching two milkshakes --'JabbaZabbaWocStar ' and 'Woc Me Up Before You GoGo'-- at Millions of Milkshakes in Los Angeles
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Video: LXD at TED 2010
This video shows an extended program from Legion of Extraordinary Dancers (LXD), performed on the TED 2010 stage in March 2010. Thanks for the link, Mike!
Video: JabbaWockeeZ cut it up and sing a little on the streets outside MTV
Chris Trondsen caught up with JabbaWockeeZ outside the studios after Americas Best Dance Crew's Champions for Charity show. This is your chance to see their wilder side with joking, singing, and outrageous answers. Our Pacific Rim friends, Kaba Modern's Arnel Calvario (talking Lemon Hot Cheetos), and Manny Garcia also oop in on this one.
World of Dance Dallas 4/24: Poreotix, Static Noyze, Ghost Crew & more!
World of Dance hits Dallas on April 24. The lineup is still being developed but includes America's Best Dance Crew 5 winners Poreotix, as well as ABDC5's Static Noyze and Ghost Crew. In addition, there are at least 14 other crews performing in exhibition and competition. Some familiar names include Marvelous Motion, Footsoulgerz Krew, and Brown Bag Special. Click here for more details and to buy tickets.
Here's a video from World of Dance Pomona from YAKfilms, to give you a feeling for the excitement at World of Dance events.
Here's a video from World of Dance Pomona from YAKfilms, to give you a feeling for the excitement at World of Dance events.
Dominic Sandoval (aka Quest's Dtrix) picked for So You Think You Can Dance Allstars
Fox announced the Dominic Sandoval (known to ABDC fans as Dtrix in Quest Crew) has been chosen to compete on the So You Think You Can Dance All Stars show in Summer 2010. Here's a clip from his appearance on SYTYCD Season 3, dancing hiphop with that season's winner Sabra Johnson to Ne-Yo's 'Make it Work', which was choreographed by Shane Sparks. Thanks for the link, Khanh!
Ninjaboi's Reviews ABDC5 (aka Seasoned Fries) & key success factors for ABDC Champions
What made this season so great? Here are just a few high points.
-Great love between crews. There’s already talk about making a crew of Season 5 members called Seasoned Fries, and there was little to no drama backstage that I picked up on.
-Amazing dancers. I will say that there was not a single bad dancer on the stage. Even Saltare learned, and taught a few things of their own. In reality any crew could have made it to the top. Some would have had a harder fight than others, but that much talent on stage so evenly spread out among all the members… it was inspiring.
-Overall legitimate proceedings. Yes, this was the season of intern screwups. Yes, Blueprint didn’t deserve to be in the bottom so many times. Yes, some say Saltare overstayed their visit, Ghost should have made it, and Poreotix may have been getting by more on fanbase than other crews were. But if you look back at it, the eliminations made sense to some degree. Even when people were crying over BreakEFX or Static Noyze, their injured members would have held them back in future weeks, or severely affected the careers of the dancers in question if they pushed on, and a timely exit on a strong note really would be a prudent action. We ended up with the strongest top 4, imo, in ABDC history, one of the best top 2s, and one of the best top 3s.
-Champs Challenge. Enough said. That was probably the best episode in ABDC history.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Exclusive interview video: We Are Heroes on inter-crew crushes, advice for women dancers
Chris Trondsen and Kaba Modern's Yuri Tag were able to interview We are Heroes just before the press interviews ended at America's Best Dance Crew's Champions for Charity show. They answer fan questions on what it's like for a relatively new crew to work together, which males they like from the other championship crews, how it feels to be the only female ABDC champions, and what advice they'd give other women dancers to distinguish themselves from their male competition. Much thanks to World of Dance, our partner and the sponsor of a lot of great upcoming live dance events featuring ABDC alums.
Videos: Performances of Fr3sh Dance Company and Fr3sh Juniors at Main Event 2
Fr3sh Juniors and Fr3sh Dance Company performed in exhibition at the Main Event 2. Click here to watch Fr3sh Junior's moving tribute to friends and inspirational people who had passed away (video from djzmudpony's Youtube Channel). The Fr3sh Dance Company performance had some new moves that made us wish that the smaller crew had stayed longer on America's Best Dance Crew Season 4. Note: this performance ended earlier than planned due to some technical issues at the event.
Will there be an ABDC Season 6?
No announcement was made at the America's Best Dance Crew Season 5 Finale or on the Champions for Charity show about a Season 6. So -- what's the story?
I spoke to some of ABDC's producers about it after the finale. The simple answer: the producers are currently in negotiations with MTV, but nothing has been decided. There may be some issues about ratings that would impact plans. If there is a Season 6, it would likely be on a weeknight instead of Sunday, based on ratings for the previous seasons. And, if there is a Season 6, it might differ from prior seasons (e.g., more international crews, return of ABDC alums), but this is also part of the current negotiations.
To support this report, here's a Pacific Rim Video interview with producers Howard Schwartz and Abe Hoch. They talk about Season 5, the possibility of Season 6, as well as the charity show and Hip Hop International 2010.
I spoke to some of ABDC's producers about it after the finale. The simple answer: the producers are currently in negotiations with MTV, but nothing has been decided. There may be some issues about ratings that would impact plans. If there is a Season 6, it would likely be on a weeknight instead of Sunday, based on ratings for the previous seasons. And, if there is a Season 6, it might differ from prior seasons (e.g., more international crews, return of ABDC alums), but this is also part of the current negotiations.
To support this report, here's a Pacific Rim Video interview with producers Howard Schwartz and Abe Hoch. They talk about Season 5, the possibility of Season 6, as well as the charity show and Hip Hop International 2010.
Video: Side Project (with Geek Chic members) at MIT Footwork 2010
Geek Chic is a crew that made it to Regionals consideration for America's Best Dance Crew Season 5. There was no video available of the crew performing. This almost makes up for it: Side Project (aka SidePro) is composed of 4 of the 7 members of Geek Chic. Here's their performance at MIT Footwork on April 3, 2010, from Shuugo88's Youtube Channel:
Fan-made Video: Blueprint Cru Tribute
Here's another well-made fan tribute, this time for America's Best Dance Crew 5 runners-up - Blueprint Cru. From RhodaBoat56's Youtube Channel.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
We want your feedback on some ideas for upcoming contests
Now that America's Best Dance Crew 5 is over, so are our regular contests. We've gotten some reader ideas for new contests, and wanted to get your feedback on these. Do you like the idea? Would you enter? Suggestions for improvement? Other ideas?
The three contest ideas:
The three contest ideas:
- ABDC Blow-up - Once or twice a week, we would post a picture showing a portion of an earlier ABDC photo. There would be some means to identify the crew or person, but it would not be obvious. Readers would email their answers and the person with the most right answers wins
- ABDC Trivia - Once or twice a week, we would post a trivia question about the show. The answer would be findable somewhere on the internet (e.g., in video, picture, or interview) but not too obvious. Readers would email their answers and the person with the most right answer wins
- BABDC Dance-off - Readers would email videos of their own group's performances. We would post them on the site and then have a poll allowing readers to vote for their favorites. The video with the highest vote count wins.
Exclusive Interview: JabbaWockeeZ - the uncomfortable facts behind the masks, their Vegas show, love for underappreciated ABDC Crews
JabbaWockeeZ spoke to Chris Trondsen and Kaba Modern's Yuri Tag after America's Best Dance Crew's Champions for Charity Show. They answered questions from our readers, including who came up with the idea for the masks and how the masks are somewhat uncomfortable, info on their upcoming Las Vegas Show (with a shoutout from Beat Freaks Maryss), how ABDC has changed since Season 1 (bigger budget!), their favorite dance experience since Season 1, who from ABDC they would want to collaborate with, and shout outs to some of overlooked ABDC competitors.
Video: JabbaWockeeZ dancing with fans Josh & Jeremiah on the ABDC set
Josh and Jeremiah are two talented kids who have been major fans of JabbaWockeeZ. They've posted several videos of them dancing to JabbaWockeeZ routines, viewable on the jmeb6 Youtube Channel. The kids were able to visit the America's Best Dance Crew set during the week of rehearsals for the Champions for Charity show. Here they are, dancing with their idols. Thanks for the tip, Karen Chu!
"4th ABDC Judge" renders his Final Judgement: Champions for Charity
Click here to read the detailed review of the group dance and each crews' performance. Thanks, "The 4th ABDC Judge!"
Videos: Power 106 talks to ALL the ABDC Champions before the Give Back Show
More interviews, this time from The Mando Show at Power 106. He talks to each of the crews about how it feels to be back on the America's Best Dance Crew stage, what's happened since their ABDC seasons, and who they feel is their greatest competition among the champions. Here's JabbaWockeeZ, We are Heroes, Quest, and Poreotix. And, here's Super Cr3w:
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Videos: Main Event 2 winners: Capital Funk, Static Noyze, Rhythmology
The Main Event 2 in New Jersey on April 10 showed a strong field of competitors. The winners were:
- First Place- Capital Funk
- Second Place - Static Noyze (with many of the members who appeared on America's Best Dance Crew Season 5)
- Third Place - Rhythmology
Intriguing video of the Day: 'Bad Romance' with American Sign Language (ASL)
This isn't really a dance video, but I find the incorporation of American Sign Language with some basic dance moves pretty compelling. This is from the 50Hearts Youtube Channel. A few questions for readers: Do you think this is disrespectful to ASL users (an opinion expressed by some Youtube commenters)? If not, what other songs do you think would benefit from similar treatment? Would it be totally gauche for America's Best Dance Crew to have a show devoted to dealing with disability (deafness, wheelchair bound people. etc)?
More Champion Interviews: Super Cr3w, JabbaWockeeZ (with Beat Freak Maryss)
More backstage interviews from America's Best Dance Crew's Champions for Charity show from Pacific Rim. (Note: We should have our own interviews with the crews -- featuring our readers' questions -- available very soon.). They talked to Super Cr3w about how it felt to return to the ABDC stage and their post-ABDC activities. And they have a great interview with JabbaWockeeZ that is stolen by Beat Freak Maryss from Paris telling everyone (in three languages) to get tickets for JabbaWockeeZ' upcoming Las Vegas show.
Recaps for the Champions for Charity Show
- We'll Fix it In almost keeps it clean and suggests 2 new challenges for ABDC 6: Reggaeton Horn and the Baby Challenge. I wonder if Mario will volunteer to help with that last one... Oh, and they also plumb the mysteries of ABDC's giant rubber checks (makes you wonder what Poreotix got)
- Too Interesting for Twitter gives Quest the win for the night, and loves Jalen
- Spoil the Ending implores you to go to the MTV site and watch the full episode before it's removed
- Video reviews: ACONNECTIONTV, Taizuke
Friday, April 16, 2010
Video: Quest answers our readers' questions
We have a joint interview with Pacific Rim at the America's Best Dance Crew Champions for Charity taping. Here's Chris Trondsen working with PacRim interviewing Quest about their tours, being recognized on the street, competition plans, and Aris talking about dancing on the ABDC stage.
Exclusive Video: Fanny Pak performance at The Main Event 2
Fanny Pak performed in exhibition at the Main Event in New Jersey on April 10, 2010. This event was hosted by Fr3sh Dance Company.
Master mixes available for ABDC's Champions for Charity Show
District 78 posted their master mixes for the Champions for Charity show. It includes the group dance and the master mixes for Poreotix, We Are Heroes, Quest Crew, and Super Cr3w. They were not responsible for JabbaWockeeZ' music this week. The site also has mixes for most of ABDC5 performances.
Videos: Backstage with JabbaWockeeZ, We are Heroes, Poreotix, and Jalen
Koifysh.com has three videos posted within hours of America's Best Dance Crew's Champions for Charity taping. Click to watch JabbaWockeeZ and We are Heroes -- both show the crazy celebratory mood backstage and give a good feel for the crews' moods and their post-ABDC success. And here's the interview with Poreotix and Jalen:
Send some love to the people responsible for the Champions for Charity show!
This post is only for positive comments about the people at ABDC and MTV who brought us the Champions for Charity show (and ABDC Season 5), and for the Champions for Charity causes. If you have anything else to say, please leave your comment in the Party Room.
Photocredit:Yo RandyJackson UberTwitter
Upcoming events - Week of April 17
- April 17: Kollaboration Atlanta, featuring Swagger Crew and 7 competitors
- April 17: Bollywood America Filmi-Fusion Championships in Boston. Includes 11 dance teams in competition and exhibition. Proceeds go to Red Cross' Haiti Relief Fund. DEFINITELY CHECK OUT THEIR VIDEO!
- April 17: Beat Freak Keeley workshop at House of Dance, Ventura, CA
- April 17: Fanny Pak at Wilson Dance Studio Hip Hop Showcase in Pittsburg, CA
- April 17: JabbaWockeeZ launching signature shake at Millions of Milkshakes, Los Angeles 3pm
- April 17: Prelude Midwest in Cicero, IL
- April 18: The One Showcase in Chicago, IL
- April 21: Feng (Quest) is dancing again!Hip Hop Class at Quest Learning Center, Artesia, CA!
- April 22: Royal Flush workshop at Oviedo High School in Oviedo, FL, 5-7pm. Proceeds go to help the school
- April 23: Royal Flush workshop at Jones High School in Orlando, FL, 4-6pm. Proceeds go to help the school.
- April 23: Northwestern Best Dance Crew competition, with exhibition performance by Southern Movement, at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa
- April 23: We are Heroes performance and Q&A at Drexel University in Philadelphia
- April 23-24: Quest Crew at Disney Grad Night in Orlando
This weekend in Chicago: Prelude Midwest AND The One Showcase!
This is a major weekend for hip hop dance in Chicago. There are two events this weekend featuring the best of the Midwest. ABDC and other TV dance shows have neglected this region but so here's a chance to see what they are missing:
- Prelude Midwest is on Saturday April 17 at the Olympic Theater in Cicero. It features 12 competing crews and 4 exhibition crews. Judges include Brian Puspos (SoReal Cru)
- The One Showcase is on Sunday April 18 featuring Kaba Modern, Blueprint Cru, and 16 different crews (with little overlap with Prelude). Some familiar names: FootworKINGZ, M.A.D.D. Rhythms. This has sold out in past years, so get your ticket today!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Survey: Best performance in ABDC's Champions for Charity Show
Please vote for the best performance, not just for your favorite crew! Note: I took down the 'worst' poll -- all the performances were great, and for this show we should focus on the best.
Party Room/Critics Corner now open - Join in!
The Party Room/Critics Corner for ABDC's Champions for Charity Show is now open! Join other America's Best Dance Crew fans who want to debate about ABDC Season 5 and the ABDC winners from every season. 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 won't stop, so stick around for more action, reaction, and interaction. Which crews still have what it takes? Which crews should have been on this show instead and are REALLY the all-stars? What would you want to see on a Season 6? This is your party -- snark, humor, bitterness, nostalgia, creativity, and almost everything else (except obscenity and abject disrespect) are expected and welcome!
Live Play-by-Play Blogging for ABDC's Champions for Charity Show open now!
Del and Nancy will be co-hosts of this live play-by-play of America's Best Dance Crew Champions for Charity show. 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.
Videos: Backstage interviews with JabbaWockeeZ, Super Cr3w, Quest, We are Heroes, Poreotix before the Give Back show
LA Times met with all the America's Best Dance Crew winners before the taping of the Champions for Charity show, and posted videos with each of the crews. Here's a sample -- the JabbaWockeeZ interview where they talk about their training and how they've changed. My favorite part of the article: "Power 106.. was backstage with us, and they asked all of the crews who would win in a five-crew battle. Everyone was diplomatic, with some saying that it depended on who was on that day, but Poreotix did say that Super Cr3w may have the edge." Read and watch the full article here.
Survey: Best performances in ABDC Season 5
Time to vote for your favorite performances of America's Best Dance Crew Season 5. Since almost every crew performance was nominated, I've included ALL of them, plus the three most popular group performances. Please vote for UP TO 10 choices. I will leave this survey open for about a week. Then, I'll have a countdown, with links or embeds of the most popular performances.
Click here to vote (the survey is so long, it needs to go on a second page!)
Click here to vote (the survey is so long, it needs to go on a second page!)
Video: Toni Braxton's 'Make My Heart' featuring Beat Freak Shorty, Fanny Pak, and Strikers
Toni Braxton's latest music video 'Make my Heart' features many America's Best Dance Crew alums including Fanny Pak, Strikers All-Stars, Shorty (from Beat Freaks), and (we think) some Vogue Evolution. Thanks Any1 and Ravoo!
Join us tonight for Live Blogging, the Critics Corner/party room, and more!
Thank God it's Thursday! This is the last new show for Americas Best Dance Crew for a while. Watch America's Best Dance Crew's Champions for Charity Show 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 related to ABDC, MTV, dancing and other things. Which ABDC winner really IS the best? What do you want next season? Also at 9:30 pm ET, Del and will be doing live play-by-play while watching the show, so feel free to tune in and join the wordplay 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, I hope to have som backstage interviews, a new survey, a new game/contest and other surprises.
Survey Results for group performances: West is the Best, East needs work
Results from our survey on the America's Best Dance Crew 5 finale's group performances:
- 66% of the 1,165 respondents thought that the West Coast crews (Poreotix, Heavy Impact, Hype 5-0) had the best group dance. Details here.
- 57% of the 1,062 survey respondents voted the East Coast as their least favorite group performance. Details here.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Video: Kaba Modern Legacy's performance at The Main Event
Kaba Modern Legacy was one of the exhibition teams at the Main Event 2 in New Jersey on April 10.
Another Crew addition for ABDC's Champions for Charity: Jalen joins Super Cr3w
Some readers are not happy that Aris is filling in for Feng in the Quest Crew performance on ABDC's Champions for Charity show tomorrow, since Feng is still recuperating from an injury. So, I wonder how they feel about the latest news: Jalen will join Super Cr3w onstage!. For those who haven't seen Jalen in action -- he's 8 years old and a bboy veteran. Here's a recent performance; see more on his Ricknlo Youtube Channel.
Exclusive Video: Saltare interview at the ABDC Finale (with a Jungle Boogie introduction)
Saltare talked to Chris Trondsen and Fanny Pak's Glenda Morales after the finale of America's Best Dance Crew Season 5. After an introduction from BJ from Jungle Boogie, the crew talks their closeness to Jungle Boogie, getting sexy on ABDC, how they accomplished their goals on ABDC, how they felt about their elimination against Blueprint, and what it was like working with the other East Coast crews in the finale.
Exclusive Finale interview: Quest's Hok and We Are Heroes joke, dance & promise "1 big orgy onstage"
ABDC4 Winners We are Heroes and Hok (from ABDC3 winning crew Quest) were definitely in party mode when they talked to Chris Trondsen and Fanny Pak's Glenda Morales on the red carpet after the America's Best Dance Crew Season 5 finale. There's clowning, dancing as they discuss passing their crown on to Poreotix, working with Poreotix and Quest ("one big orgy onstage!), how Hok inspires fans to take off their clothes, and the Champions for Charity show featuring SuperJabbaQuestotix.
Video: Promo for ABDC's Champions for Charity Show
MTV Remote Control has a promo for the Champions for Charity Show, featuring highlights (but no new footage) of winning moments from JabbaWockeeZ, Super Cr3w, Quest Crew, We Are Heroes, and Poreotix.
Competition results (with videos) for World of Dance Pomona
While the exhibition crews from America's Best Dance Crew attracted major attention at World of Dance Pomona, there was also a fierce competition. The results:
Click here to see the performances by Sexy Boy Special (Choreo Cookies) and Academy of Villains.
- 1st place GRV aka Academy of Swagg
- 2nd place Sexy Boy Special aka Choreo Cookies
- 3rd place Academy of Villains
Click here to see the performances by Sexy Boy Special (Choreo Cookies) and Academy of Villains.
Mailbox: Quest substitution, Massive Monkees Day, JabbaWockeeZ Milkshake Launch (with video)!
- It's been confirmed that Aris of Quest will be replacing Feng for this week's America's Best Dance Crew Give Back show. Thanks for the tip, ABDC Insider and Ninjaboi!
- May 29 has been declared Massive Monkees Day in Seattle, to honor their 11th Anniversary. The 'holiday' will be celebrated with a major dance event.Thanks again, Ninjaboi!
- JabbaWockeeZ will be creating a signature milkshake at Millions of Milkshakes in West Hollywood at 3pm April 17, to hype their upcoming 20-day show at MGM Las Vegas.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Got questions for the ABDC winners? Let us know!
Sorry for the late notice on this, but if you have some questions for JabbaWockeeZ, Super Cr3w, Quest, We are Heroes, or Poreotix, leave them in the comments. I will try to get them to Chris Trondsen in time for his interviews after the give-back show. Please send them by midnight Wednesday April 14.
Video Shoutouts to BABDC community at WOD: Feng, Royal Flush, Jungle Boogie, Hype, Blueprint, Heavy Impact, Static Noyze
Isaac attended World of Dance Pomona on April 10, went over to dancers from all the America's Best Dance Crew teams, and filmed shoutouts for BloggingBestDanceCrew and for specific members of our community. There are personal messages from Feng (Quest), Blueprint Cru (including a question about JC Chasez' flirtation/critique), Royal Flush, Heavy Impact, Hype 5-0, and Legacy (So You Think You Can Dance). You can find this and all his tribute videos at FIREburner Youtube Channel. Thanks Isaac!
Poreotix on The Ellen Show Wednesday April 14
It's Poreotix's turn on The Ellen Show. The America's Best Dance Crew Season 5 champions will demonstrate their winning moves on the show to air Wednesday April 14. Check your local listings for time and channel. Thanks for the tip, Chocobo Pie and others!
Exclusive video: Swagger Crew describe plans for "Seasoned Fries" - a team with members from multiple ABDC5 crews
Swagger Crew talked to Chris Trondsen and Glenda Morales on the Red Carpet at the Season Finale for America's Best Dance Crew 5. The crew talks about Twitter fans, how they felt about their ABDC performances, all the shows they are lined up for (including plans for a World of Dance performance by a team made up of Swagger Crew, Hype and members of other crews to be called Seasoned Fries), why they're glad they were on ABDC, and many other plans (including possible TV and movie deals!)
Exclusive video: Rhythm City performance at The Main Event 2
The Main Event 2 was held in New Jersey on April 10, with 22 groups dancing in exhibition or competition. Over the next few days, we will share videos of some highlights, including all 3 of the winning crews. One of my favorite aspects of shows like Main Event and World of Dance is that they show larger groups and longer, more realized routines than are possible to air on TV competitions.
Up first -- Rhythm City returned this year with a 13-minute exhibition routine. They were the winner of Main Event 1 in 2009 before they appeared on Americas Best Dance Crew Season 4. Here is Part I.
Click here to watch Part II.
Up first -- Rhythm City returned this year with a 13-minute exhibition routine. They were the winner of Main Event 1 in 2009 before they appeared on Americas Best Dance Crew Season 4. Here is Part I.
Click here to watch Part II.
The winner of our ABDC Madness competition is: JC Chasez!
Exclusive Video: Hype 5-0 on their last chance challenge, Poreotix/Blueprint callouts, and romance!
Chris Trondsen and Fanny Pak's Glenda Morales talked to Hype 5-0 on the red carpet after the taping of America's Best Dance Crew Season 5's finale. They talk about their last chance challenge rehearsal performance (shown on MTV.com but not to the ABDC studio audience), why they think the judges didn't fully support them, their Poreotix/Blueprint callout on ABDC, romances with other crews, and their plans!
Video: Andrew Baterina performing Chris Brown's 'Sex'
A very slick video from SoReal Cru's Andrew Baterina on the AndrewBaterina Youtube Channel. Thanks for the tip Xavier!
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