British hip-hop dance crews Diversity and Flawless will star in a 3-D dance movie to be called "Street Dance". According to Hollywood Reporter, plans for the movie began long before the two crews competed on Britain's Got Talent. "Producer and Vertigo co-founder James Richardson signed both dance troupes to star in his picture after seeing them perform last year at the U.K. Street Dance Championships in July [2008], long before the duo wowed mainstream television audiences alongside Susan Boyle et al."
"Due to shoot in August, "Street Dance" follows the exploits of a dance crew in training for the Street Dance Championships, who are forced to work with ballet dancers from the Royal Dance School in return for rehearsal space. Despite having no common ground they join forces to find a way to win... " 'Street Dance' is a global phenomenon and we want this film to showcase to the world the extraordinary talents of British street dancers," Richardson said." photocredit: Getty Images
Over 30 dance crews and b-boys will compete for $10,000 in cash and prizes, including R2D2, Rhythm City, Fr3sh, Point Blank, and other crews that stood out (for me) at the New York Season 3 auditions for America's Best Dance Crew. The producers and audition judges for ABDC 4 will be attending WOD NY, scouting the talent-- join them at the event and you'll probably witness at least one of the Season 4 competitors!
But wait, there's more: the four industry showcase crews for the event are America's Best Dance Crew alums -- Beat Freaks, Ringmasters, Iconic, and Boogie Bots. Judges include Geo Hubela (Iconic), Beau Fournier (Fanny Pak), and Karla Fournier (Kaba Modern). These crews will also be around for a meet-and-greet session from 6-7pm.There will be scads of merchandise sold, crews to watch, and even an afterparty. The World of Dance (presented by dancetagtv)combines choreography, freestyle dance, fashion, and youth cuture to make it a premiere dance competition.
So, if you're on the East Coast and enjoy America's Best Dance Crew, definitely attend this event! I'll be there!
- The Independent posts an interview with Ashley Banjo, leader and choreographer for Diversity, winner of Britain's Got Talent. Two favorite quotes from the article:
"Key to the 11-strong group's win was Danielle Banjo .. who trained at the Royal Academy of Dance. Her influence and that of his ex-boxer father Funso, who introduced him to opera and Wayne Sleep's television shows, meant Banjo and his younger brother Jordan were steeped in dance from an early age. "I was watching routines in my pram", he says.
British street dance choreographer Jr Timey said: "I'd say it's only a matter of time before there is something like America's Best Dance Crew in the UK"
- The Daily Mail's interview with Banjo mentions how he is also studying for his master's degree in physics and biology. According to Banjo, ''It seems to me the entertainment industry is cut-throat and if you don't have a plan B up your sleeve then you're likely to come a cropper...As far back as I can remember, my parents drummed into me the importance of doing well at school. I'm not going to be spinning on my head when I'm 50, but as a qualified scientist I can always earn a living."
- LA Times summarizes Diversity's win, wonders when America's Best Dance Crew will perform for Barack Obama, and posits that "America's Best Dance Crew" could easily become "World's Best Dance Crew" if MTV put their minds (and money) to it. It's probably an expensive venture to bring them out and put them up, but looking at events like the World Hip-Hop Dance Championship in Las Vegas, we know that the crews are out there."
- Just in time for Father's Day -- get your Diversity shirt! Thanks for the tip, Kashrich!
Pharside from Supreme Soul will be opening up his very own dance studio in the California Bay area. It will be home to Supreme Soul, Lost kids, Machine Gone Funk, Academy of Villains and other notable crews. The studio, called House of Mayhem, is located at 2335 S. El Camino Real in San Mateo, CA. At the opening on June 27, they will be celebrating with close friends from America's Best Dance Crew Season 2 crews, including Fanny Pak, Fresh Select, Boogie Bots, and ASIID.
Pharside plans to bring in teachers from all around the United States, training students on various styles of urban dancing including house, popping, hip hop, new style, krump, and bboying. According to Pharside, "Not only will they learn theses styles but history that goes behind it, and the legends that pave the way, for us dancers today." With this very first ALL URBAN STYLE dance studio, hewill try to mix studio dancers in with street, hopefully bridging the gap between them.
JabbaWockeeZ performed at JET Nightclub at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas on May 30, 2009. Coh4777's Youtube Channel has an outstanding view of the America's Best Dance Crew Season 1 champions. Thanks for the tip, Adobostreak!Here's part I:
America's Best Dance Crew celebrities walked the red carpet for the MTV Movie Awards on May 31, 2009. Christian Siriano (winner of Project Runway Season 4) interviewed Quest, Lil Mama, and Mario Lopez about their looks. Click here for the Lil Mama interview and for Mario Lopez. JC Chasez was also in attendance, but didn't succumb to Siriano's scrutiny.
British hip-hop dance crews Diversity and Flawless will star in a 3-D dance movie to be called "Street Dance". According to Hollywood Reporter, plans for the movie began long before the two crews competed on Britain's Got Talent. "Producer and Vertigo co-founder James Richardson signed both dance troupes to star in his picture after seeing them perform last year at the U.K. Street Dance Championships in July [2008], long before the duo wowed mainstream television audiences alongside Susan Boyle et al."
