Thank You: Greg Campbellock Jr (1952-2010)

We lost another legend this week. Greg Campbellock Jr (born Greg Pope) passed away on Thursday, January 28, 2010. He is considered an influential figure in the history of locking. As a member of “The Lockers,” he was part of a group that pioneered the way for street dancers in mainstream media with appearances on Saturday Night Live, Soul Train, the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and performances at Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall. Formed in 1973, they built on the locking style that was originally created by Don “Campbellock” Campbell. The members contributed steps and choreography ideas inspired by their own styles and personalities. Greg was one of these members along with Fred “Mr. Penguin” Berry, Bill “Slim the Robot” Williams, Leo “Fluky Luke” Williamson, Toni Basil, and Adolfo “Shabba Doo” Quinones. There were additional members who substituted in the group through the years.

Known as a generous figure within the street dance community, his influence on the current generation of lockers continues to be felt worldwide. He was a mentor and a contest judge at locking events. In summer 2009, he sponsored an elite locking camp in Las Vegas for new school dancers who wanted to train.

You can see a clip of a memorial video for Greg here, created by Legend of the Soul Brothers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1clq-lyZq60

Word of his passing traveled quickly among the LA street dance community in a matter of hours; through phone calls, text messages, status updates on Facebook, and tweets. Many folks have come together to show their love and support for Greg and his family. At Homeland, there is a fundraiser planned for the family to cover their needs. What Greg brought to the spirit of locking will remain in his students. For that, we are grateful. Thank you, Greg, for all that you gave us.

We Thank You: Coco

He’s had a long dance career spanning over thirty years. And today, OG popper Coco is inspiring a new generation through his continual investing and mentoring in students at Homeland and the local poppin’ scene. Along with a handful of other OGs, Coco has been contributed to the guidance of the new school with tips on technique, dance history, and personal wisdom. His intense hitting techniques combined with his waves and animation are benchmarks for many new poppers. And as a contest judge, he has shared his expertise and valued opinion with the growing culture.

You can see a clip of Coco in action here at Homeland:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqv75FzGiDA

He danced with Hugo “Mr Smooth” Huizar during their days touring with music artist Gerardo (aka, Rico Suave) in the early ‘90s. Today, he shares history with the new school, even blessing the Monday night class at Homeland with his understanding of New Jack Swing. As he continues to make his mark in a new decade of dancing, we say to him, “Thank you, Coco.”

We Thank You: Iceman

His name has become synonymous with Homeland. This old school bboy has been a central figure in the Los Angeles breaking community as a contest judge and a mentor. Without his sacrifice, many of us would not have a home at Homeland. From supervising the Monday and Tuesday night open sessions at Homeland to mentoring young kids who perform at community festivals in Long Beach, Iceman has influenced many dancers through his persistence, mental toughness, and generosity.

You can see a clip of Iceman getting down here at Homeland:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBlQrwneL74

Only a bboy like Iceman can share the history of this dance culture along with giving careful, well-thought out instruction to new students. He's seen it all. Years ago, he represented the West Coast chapter of Rock Steady Crew. Today, he is raising up a new generation of dancers through Homeland. Iceman, we thank you.

We Thank You: Tabo

Hailing from Okinawa, Japan; Tabo is an old school popper whose influence has been felt among many new school poppers in the greater Los Angeles area and Orange County. Specializing in robot, animation, snaking, and intricate hitting techniques; Tabo has shared much knowledge with many students over the years at Homeland Cultural Center in Long Beach, Carbon, or at private sessions. While he prefers to stay out of the spotlight, we want to show love and respect to this Japanese OG who brought his "lazy Okinawa style" to our shores and blessed an entire community of poppers in the early 2000s.

Very little footage is available online for Tabo, but you can see one of his most prominent students, Slim Boogie, in action here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL7gz6Lfw24

Without Tabo, many poppers would not have the foundation to push the envelope in mixing intricate hitting with other styles. We thank you, Tabo, for blessing us with your knowledge.

We Thank You: Poe One

Coming into this new year, we're looking back at some of the most influential and generous teachers that have blessed the street dance community in greater Los Angeles. Without them, today's new school generation would be misguided. We needed these mentors to direct us and challenge us to move past our weaknesses. They taught us to be humble, to work hard, and to enjoy the daily journey of being an artist. This week, we want to shine a light on them, as their dancing speaks for themselves. Today, we want to show love to Poe One, who is a well-known old school bboy from StyleElements, Monsta Squad, and Killafornia.

You can check out a clip of Poe One here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luod7zIEr_w

And another interview clip of Poe One here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHN335PK5iM

We remember Poe One judging contests, impressing us with his creativity in cyphers, and representing with Style Elements in the finals for Freestyle Session 7. But it is his continual involvement in investing in the young generation that is his legacy. We thank you, Poe, for all that you've done.

Listen In: Rufus Troutman's "All Things Are Possible"

Our song of the week is Rufus Troutman's funky "All Things Are Possible." The talkbox effect is heavily pronounced. For poppers, this is the kind of new school funk that gets your head bopping. Listen for the bassline and start practicing. Music lovers will recognize Rufus as the nephew of legendary Roger Troutman. (Photo above is from a Google Images search for Rufus Troutman.)

Check out a clip of Rufus Troutman's jam here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVPBvEiO71I

And you can check out his website here:

http://www.rufustroutman.com/

Enjoy!

Spotlight On: The Waackers

Spotlight On: The Waackers

One of the local dance cultures that have grown tremendously in popularity since 2003 is waacking. Many young female street dancers who are in the underground scene have embraced waacking as well as women in the hip hop collegiate choreo scene. Even Kaba Modern’s UCI team featured an opening waacking piece in their VIBE XIV performance, largely credited to member Hikari Murakami. In Los Angeles, there’s a group called the Waackers that has been making a big impression under the leadership of Kumari Suraj, aka Frankie Douglas. With mentors like Tyrone Procter, the Waackers have grown in their skills as well as making themselves visible in the local club and fashion scene.

Like many dance teams, the Waackers have embraced a “TV channel” approach on Youtube, calling it WaackersTV. You can see a clip of them here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0XDjtboEGk

And you can see their website here:

http://www.TheWaackers.com/

You’ll notice that their technique involves a lot of upper body movement, angles, and posing. They’re a fascinating group that holds a lot of promise in shaping their culture in 2010. We’re chomping at the bit to see what creative ventures they pioneer in Los Angeles in the coming months.

Spotlight On: Soul 2 Soul BBoys

If there was a bboy crew that repped consistently at the Homeland Tuesday night sessions, then it would be Soul 2 Soul. This group of breakers have solid foundation along with individual strengths that make them a force to be reckoned with. They are extremely competitive and have the battle spirit that can set a cypher on fire. Soul 2 Soul is affiliated with Funny Bones Crew, one of the most well-known poppin’ crews currently in Los Angeles. With a deep lineup of talent, these bboys are a constant presence at breaking contests.

You can see a clip of members of Soul 2 Soul here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6C1QoTxyr0

Their members are also of a wide age range, which promises new talent to grow and mature in the future. Many of their youngest bboys will likely learn from their elders and be mentored along the way, which is great for the growth of this dance. As the Long Beach underground scene thrives, we hope that the Soul 2 Soul BBoys will continue to make their presence felt through 2010.

Spotlight On: Warriors Crew

One of the newest poppin’ crews hitting the underground Los Angeles scene is the Warriors crew. With a name linked to the 1979 cult classic film The Warriors, this crew has a diverse cast with members from France and the U.S. Their styles are quite different as well; embracing Electric Boogaloo style, animation, and tutting.

One of their crewmates, Marie Poppins, is from France. She won the 1on1 poppin’ contest at the 2009 Hip Hop International in Las Vegas. She is also a member of Foreign Exchange and has competed in recent contests.

You can see a clip of Marie Poppins here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEaXsSqlrq0

Two other members, Shockwave and Tinman, have been seen repping in cyphers at Homeland, Carbon, and poppin’ contests in Los Angeles and Orange County. Shockwave has displayed a strong boogaloo foundation while Tinman has excelled at animation.

You can see clips of Shockwave and Tinman here...

Shockwave:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMzXBuAchyk

Tinman:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzsZ427BKHE

And another member, Ouadir, also hails from France. He has competed in contests in Los Angeles and has spent time training with many poppers out here.

We’ve got our eyes on the Warriors Crew in this year of 2010. With their competitive streak, these poppers are definitely looking to make an impact on the scene. We’re anticipating seeing more from them in the next few months.

Spotlight On: Distinguished Gentlemen

Our spotlight crew for today is another poppin' crew, Distinguished Gentlemen. They hail from various parts of the Greater Los Angeles area, representing the cultural diversity of the region. "DG," as they are affectionately labeled, have been representing on the battle/contest circuit as well as being supporters of the Homeland community in Long Beach.

In early 2009, DG performed a showcase at the Funk Dungeon contest near the Hollywood and Highlands area. Several of their members are seen including Rayphunk, Eddie, Kosho, Keumsae, and more. You can see their performance here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pBe2wUIwWQ

They've also been competing at previous Homeland Jams and other local contests. DG is also known for representing the funkiness of the Electric Boogaloo style. They have that West Coast / LA flavor that works well with the individual talents of each of their members. With the Los Angeles scene spawning more poppin' crews all over, we're excited to see Distinguished Gentlemen getting their chance to shine in the spotlight.

Spotlight On: Funk Assassins

Here's another round of our spotlight features on crews coming up in the greater Los Angeles area. But this time, we're bringing you a different perspective by simply presenting examples of these crews in action via media online, with a brief introduction. By highlighting these crews, we're expressing our hope to see more of these men and women in the near future. They're a treat to watch. First up is Funk Assassins, a poppin' crew that has been hitting the contest scene with several of its major players in the past year. They're a crew with international members from the U.S., Korea, and Japan.

At the Homeland Jam last July 2009, two of the Funk Assassins - Hiroto & Slim Boogie - dominated the 2-on-2 poppin' contest and took first place in the finals. You can see a clip of the action here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=logRBAXC3g0

One of the strongest poppers out there is Keumsae, another Funk Assassin originally from South Korea, who won first place at the 1-on-1 poppin' contest at the GCS Santa Ana store this past Saturday, January 16, 2010. She took on several poppers in earlier rounds before facing off against Warlock and Johnny 5 (both Funny Bones crew members) in the finals. You can check her out in a prelim round here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdt_OawbwmY

Funk Assassins is developing as a strong poppin' crew with their battle experience. You can see influences from OGs like Tabo on their dimestopping and intricate hitting techniques. We're hoping to see more of the crew members mentioned above as well as the rest of the Funk Assassins on the battle/contest circuit soon.

Listen In: Djam-L's "She Can't Love You"

Here's another song to close out the week. It's "She Can't Love You" by Djam-L. Grooving bassline, a catchy hook, and a fast beat keep this song live and funky. The talkbox effect is very distinctive. (Photo above is from Djam-L's myspace site.)

You can hear a clip of the song here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgepYatR-dE

And you can check out Djam-L's myspace site here:

http://www.myspace.com/djaml

Enjoy!

Kids & All Ages Classes: Culture Shock LA Community Class, Sundays 7pm

To round off our week-long series on kids & all ages classes, we present Culture Shock LA's Sunday community class. The class has rotating instructors who range from current CSLA members to guest teachers. And the range of styles taught run from hip hop choreo to bboying to locking and tribal fusion dance. Held at the South Bay Dance Center in Lomita, this community class is offered at a $5 donation from 7pm - 8pm. And many young Future Shock LA members have been seen taking this class along with high school and young adults. (Photo above is from the Do Something Showcase page on Culture Shock LA's website.)

Info on the class includes:

Sunday Community Class

New styles and instructors each week

at South Bay Dance Center, 24817 Western Ave, Lomita, California 90717

7pm - 8pm

$5 donation

More info at: cultureshockla.com

You can see a video clip of one of the classes here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKbTJt2AFVs

For the young student who wants to get a broad introduction to different styles, this CSLA community class is a great fit. Also, it's a good opportunity to see the CSLA and FSLA family in their home studio. Since Future Shock is a junior team mentored by Culture Shock LA, it's been a thriving venue for kids who want to train themselves in many styles. We hope that this community class will also be a welcome introduction for your kids.

Kids & All Ages Classes: Adverb at Bea Hive Dance Studio, Wednesdays 8pm

In Garden Grove, there's another great all ages class for kids who want to get exposed to popping, locking, and bboying. This one is at the Bea Hive Dance Studio on Wednesday nights at 8pm, taught by multi-talented street dancer Adverb. He is a co-founder of the hip hop troupe Serious Effect and he represents Mellow Drama Crew and In Rhythm With Him. Adverb is trained in locking by the renown group Chain Reaction and has been performing and judging competitions in LA and OC for several years. He is also listed as a staff teacher at the Bea Hive. (Photo above is from the image gallery of the Bea Hive website.)

Info on the class includes:

Poppin', Lockin', Breakin' Classes

Wednesdays, 8pm-9pm

$5/class

at Bea Hive Dance Studio, 9627 W. Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, California 92841

For more info, call the Bea Hive at 714.638.5601 or go to www.beahiveballroom.com.

You can see a clip of Adverb performing here at 0:38:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOR1KwrvksM

What kids can expect from this class is a comprehensive introduction to poppin', lockin', and breakin' styles. It's given at a very affordable rate compared to other classes in the LA & OC areas. Plus, the large spacious floor at the Bea Hive suits the class since you'll need plenty of room to try out basic footwork exercises for breakin' and some high jumps for lockin'. The class is also recommended for young students who want to learn a little more about the history of these dance styles. Parents will feel at home in the studio as there are waiting areas with chairs and tables, plus the nearby shopping mall offers alternatives to waiting. Once again, this class is a great offering from the Bea Hive staff.

Kids & All Ages Classes: Tiffany Bong at Homeland, Mondays 7:30pm

Another great set of classes for kids of all ages is also at Homeland but on Monday nights from 7:30pm - 9:00pm. This class is a locking course taught by Tiffany "Jimini" Bong, who has a playful, energetic approach to teaching her students. Tiffany is a member of the Syrenz Crew, has danced with Culture Shock Los Angeles, and has competed at numerous high level competitions including Hip Hop International and How Tha West Was Won. While many of the regular students are of high school and college age, the class routines are appropriate for young kids who want to get an introduction to locking basics. (Photo above is from the Myspace site for Homeland.)

Info for the class includes:

Homeland Lockin' Class (free)

Monday nights, 7:30pm - 9:00pm

at Homeland Cultural Center, 1321 E. Anaheim St, Long Beach, California 90813

For more info, contact tiffanybong78@gmail.com

You can see a video of the locking class here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlg8MQZ0Eyw

This class was started about three years ago and has introduced many of the youngest lockers to the underground street dance scene. While Monday nights at Homeland has the regular free open session for poppers and lockers in the main room, Tiffany's class happens in the adjacent side room. It's rare to have a free street dance course nowadays so this is a great opportunity for kids eager to learn. Plus you don't have to attend the previous week's edition in order to jump in on your first time. Just go ahead with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Often, you'll hear a lot of laughter from this group every Monday at Homeland. Their communal energy is infectious!

Kids & All Ages Classes: BBoy Iceman at Homeland, Tuesdays 6pm

Every Tuesday night, there's one place to be in Long Beach for bboys & bgirls and that's Homeland Cultural Center. From 6pm - 10pm, Homeland hosts a free open session in the main room where many of LA's best bboys have practiced over the years. For kids of all ages, this open session is especially worthwhile because of Mike "Iceman" Rivera. He supervises the free sessions and is a well-respected figure in the street dance and bboy community. Formerly from the West Coast Rock Steady Crew and a frequent judge at bboy contests, Iceman also fosters a community service performance program where Homeland dancers of all ages showcase at local venues including middle schools, the Aquarium of the Pacific, and the Martin Luther King Day Festival. On Tuesday nights, Iceman has taught several kids, around ages 6-12, the basics of bboying as part of the session. (Photo above is from the Myspace site for Homeland.)

Info for Homeland includes:

Homeland Cultural Center

1321 E. Anaheim St, Long Beach, CA 90813

Tuesday nights, 6pm-10pm

Free Open BBoy Session

Call the Homeland office at 562.570.1655

You can see the myspace site for Homeland here:

http://www.myspace.com/homelandlb

This session and Iceman's instruction are highly recommended for kids who want to learn bboying. Iceman is adept at helping kids master the basic with the strengths they already have. Above all, he maintains a high energy, spirited vibe that encourages kids to have fun with their dancing. Parents should make sure their kids have knee pads and beanies because their little ones will likely be rolling and spinning around the floor by the end of the night. Also, it's recommended to first call the Homeland office to inquire about bringing your kids to Homeland for classes with Iceman.

Kids & All Ages Classes: BBoy Don Sevilla at 511 Spot, Saturdays 1:30pm

One thing we hear a lot from parents is "Where can my kid learn that breakdancing?" Of course, the usual response is to clarify if they mean bboying, popping, locking, waacking, or another form of street dance. The fact is that there are a handful of great classes in Los Angeles and Orange County for kids who want to take all ages classes and get a first taste of street dancing. But parents sometimes have a hard time figuring out where to start. So this week, we wanted to go parent-friendly and help kids find classes that might inspire them. First off is a series of Saturday classes taught by old school BBoy Don Sevilla at the 511 Spot in Santa Ana. Don is a well-respected and generous member of the local street dance community. He's been dancing since 1982 and is a member of Soul 2 Soul BBoys, Funny Bones Crew, Urban Poets, an advisor for Culture Shock Los Angeles, and a leader of the In Rhythm With Him dance ministry team. (Photo above is from the Facebook page for Saint City Session.)

Info on the classes include:

Saturday Street Dance Classes

at the 511 Spot, 511 E. Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana, California

1:30pm - 2:30pm

$10/class

You can see a video of BBoy Don sessioning at the 511 Spot here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG-GJVFiqNg

And you can see a video of BBoy Don working with middle school kids as part of the Illuminate summer arts program at Hollenbeck Youth Center in Boyle Heights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH1y5d6ohPQ

Don's Saturday classes are recommended for kids who want to get an introduction to breaking, aka bboying. It's an all ages class at a safe and spacious venue. The instruction is well-paced and adjusted according to the level of the students. No prior dance experience is necessary since Don is great at explaining the basic foundation of breaking. Young students can expect to get a good work out, so bring your knee pads and beanies. You can also walk away from a class with a few simple drills to help you practice on your own. All class fees are for the operation costs of the 511 Spot, which also hosts the Saint City Sessions every other Thursday nights.

You can also find more information on the classes here:

http://www.UrbanArtsOutreach.org

Listen In: DJ Renegade's "Conversation"

Our listen in feature for the week is DJ Renegade's "Conversation." It's got a hard-hitting beat and a dramatic, moody string section in the back. When you're popping to it, you might imagine yourself in an intense movie setting. The bassline is pretty awesome too. (Photo above is from DJ Renegade's myspace site.)

You can check out a clip of it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgV98Supxk8&

And you can check out DJ Renegade's myspace site here:

http://www.myspace.com/djrenegade

Enjoy!

Upcoming Event: Battle Shock 2010 (Saturday, January 9, 2010)

Our anticipated upcoming event featured today is actually happening tomorrow Saturday, January 9, 2010 in Lomita, CA! It's Battle Shock 2010 presented by Future Shock Los Angeles (FSLA), the junior team for Culture Shock LA. Both FSLA and CSLA have been making significant moves in the hip hop dance community throughout 2009 with their annual showcases and ongoing Sunday community classes. But it's great to bring the contest aspect back to the community, especially when it's intended as a fundraiser. (Photo above is from the Culture Shock LA website.)

Info for the event includes:

Battle Shock 2010

Saturday, January 9, 2010

2pm - 7pm (Battles start 3pm)

1 on 1 all styles battle

2 on 2 breakin' battle (adult & one 18 and under teen)

$8 at door, $6 with canned good or toy donation

at South Bay Dance Center, 24817 Western Ave, Lomita, CA

You can find the website for Culture Shock LA here as well as info on FSLA:

http://cultureshockla.com

All styles battles are incredibly fun to watch because it can be a free-for-all. You'll get poppers, hip hop choreo dancers, waackers, and maybe even a few krumpers. It's definitely hard to judge an all styles battle so crowd control and appeal is always a factor. Best of luck to all the contestants tomorrow as it will likely be a fun spectacle to watch.

Upcoming Event: Bea Hive Dance Studio Anniversary Showcase (Saturday, January 30, 2010)

One of the best kept secrets in north Orange County is the Bea Hive Dance Studio. Located on 9627 West Chapman Avenue across from a 24 Hour Fitness, the Bea Hive hosts one of the best facilities for dancers of all genres: smooth floors, wall-to-wall mirrors, an indoor juice bar and a friendly staff. The studio is hosting its anniversary showcase on Saturday, January 30, 2010 and it's going to be an intimate gathering for the local communities in Garden Grove and north Orange County. Dancers of all genres will be present showcasing their talents in salsa, ballet, hip hop, and street dancing. (Photo above is from the image gallery on the Bea Hive website.)

Info for the event includes:

Bea Hive Dance Studio Anniversary Showcase

Saturday, January 30, 2010

8pm

@ the Bea Hive, 9627 W. Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, CA

You can find the website for the Bea Hive here:

http://www.beahiveballroom.com/

The Bea Hive is an underrated venue, which deserves a lot of love from our community. Renown bboy crew Killafornia used to host Wednesday night practices here. And Maximum Stylez held the Undadog competition here in the fall of 2008. The Bea Hive has been generous with its space as a venue for street-dancing events while being flexible to the challenges of hosting them. It's amazing that the staff are so open to our community as they already have their hands full with classes in salsa and the Latin dance scene. For their anniversary showcase, you can expect a great family environment for dancers of all ages. Without places like the Bea Hive, we wouldn't have spots to session, work on choreography, or teach classes.

Upcoming Event: Pro-AM 2010 Tour Las Vegas (Friday, Feb 12-Sat, Feb 13, 2010)

Everyone knows the impact that Pro-AM has had on the local street dance scene. As an international performing arts conference, the Pro-AM Tour has hit venues in multiple countries, leaving a legacy of inspiration and history-making in its wake. Zulu Gremlin and the Waterhole Kids bring the Las Vegas edition of this tour for the 14th Anniversary from February 12-13, 2010. You wan't want to miss this unprecedented gathering, especially if you haven't had the chance to go to a previous Pro-AM. (Photos above are from the facebook site for Pro-AM 2010 Las Vegas.)

The competition categories are going to be intense this year. There's a 3 on 3 breakin' battle, a group choreography competition, a 2 on 2 poppin' contest, a DJ battle plus master classes, panels, a fashion show, performances, and workshops. Media Sirkas will be performing along with a turntablism demo from DJ Rectangle. The lineup sounds like a well-organized event that will give the casual attendee a thorough experience in hip hop culture and the arts.

Info for this event includes:

Friday, February 12, 2010 (starting 2pm) to Saturday, February 13, 2010 (ending 2:00am)

at Circus Circus Hotel & Resort

2880 Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV

You can see the facebook site for Pro-AM 2010 Las Vegas here:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=216368522298&index=1

Many of us have fond memories when Pro-AM came to LA whether it was our first battle or one that inspired us as a viewer. Pro-AM remains one of the consistently enjoyable experiences for hip hop aficionados largely due to Zulu Gremlin's leadership, foresight, and the work of his production team. It has grown to be part of current hip hop culture due to its global reach. And it's a forum for well-respected, established teachers to pass on knowledge of their art form to a younger generation. As the mainstream media continues to circle around the street dance world, events like Pro-AM will keep the community grounded and well-informed from the originators of our dance, music, and visual arts.

Upcoming Event: Elemental - Sisterz of the Underground (Saturday, January 9, 2010)

Elemental is actually this coming weekend and we can't wait! Many local street dancers will be congregating at the Dragonfly this Saturday, January 9, 2010 to celebrate popper Preying Mantas' birthday as well as an all-female lineup of emcees, DJs, and stellar dancers. It's a powerful statement from the ladies of our community to assemble together in this intimate club space. (Photo above is from the facebook page for Elemental.)

Info for Elemental includes:

Saturday, January 9, 2010

10:00pm - 2:00am

at Dragonfly, 6510 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Dance crews that will be gracing the floor include the Syrenz, Foreign Exchange, Extra Credit, the Waackers, Jojo & Fluidgirl, and more to be announced. Music artists include Medusa, DJ Shortee, Lady Fingaz, DJ Eva & MC Julz, Roxanne, Miyuki, Neb Luv, DJ Daemia, EM-1, Jeanine Da Fean, Trouble, Kaydence, Crykit, and De La Femme. There will be live graff art from the Wench and live visuals from VJ Illskillz (Mekanix). Asia One will be hosting.

You can see the facebook page for Elemental here:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=206275403287&ref=mf

Those of us who went to this venue last year for Preying Mantas' birthday will remember a vivid night of performance and packed cyphers. While you have to be there in person to experience it fully, we think that events like Elemental are crucial to keeping the street dance culture alive in Los Angeles. Many poppers, lockers, and bboys have had their origins in the club or rave scene. And these club outings continue to be part of the dancer lifestyle for many here in LA. It's safe to say that the energy will probably pick up around 11pm or closer to midnight for this event, as usual club shindigs go. But Elemental is gearing up to be one of the more anticipated nights for LA street dancers. We need something big to kick off the new year and this just might be it.

Upcoming Event: VIBE XV @ UC Irvine (January 31, 2010)

There's no better way to kick off the new year by looking at the upcoming events we're all hoping to attend in the LA and OC areas. Perhaps the biggest hip hop choreo competition in January is VIBE XV held at the UC Irvine Bren Events Center. Mark the date: Sunday, January 31, 2010. This year, VIBE is brought to you by Kallusive and Lambda Theta Delta. The $23-25 ticket price is worth it because this is one night where you can see some of the best choreo teams showcase on stage. You can also expect a healthy dose of underground street dancers - poppers, lockers, bboys, and waackers - to show up in some of the stage-side cyphers throughout the evening. (Photo above is a flier from the facebook site for VIBE XV.)

The team lineups are stacked! For the competitive category; we have 220, Barkada Modern, CADC, Choreo Cookies, Common Ground, GRV, Kaba Modern, Mass Appeal, NSU Modern, Pac Modern, and Team Millenia. In the exhibition category; we have Anbu Black Ops, Boxcutthuz, Culture Shock LA, Entity, Funkanometry SF, KM Legacy, Mavyn, Sheroes, Super Galactic Beat Manipulators, and Surreal. And for the preshow; we have BBoys Anonymous, Kreative Movement, MCIA, and Underground. It's a jam-packed night that is sure to bring some of the best dancers from the choreo scene all together in one place. CADC won 1st place in the competition category last year at VIBE XIV. So all eyes will be on them to see if they can repeat.

You can find the site for VIBE XV here:

http://www.vibedancecompetition.com/

Info for VIBE XV includes:

Doors open at 5:30pm, show starts 6:30pm

At UC Irvine Bren Events Center (100 Bren Events Center, Irvine, CA 92697)

What makes VIBE XV the place to be on Sunday, January 31 is that it captures all the chaotic, high energy of the Los Angeles, Orange County, and Inland Empire choreo scenes. The event boasts a great venue with great lighting and production values for a stage show. The crowd is always enthusiastic. You'll literally feel the ground shake if your neighbors are chanting and stomping for their favorite team in the bleachers. And it's an opportunity to see everyone in this scene dress and dance at their best. Anyone who wants to venture beyond what they see in reality TV dance shows will want to come to VIBE and see these teams with their own eyes.

Bring your cameras. Get there early for parking. And prepare to spend the rest of the night cheering for awesome dancers on stage. If America needs an epicentre for the hip hop choreo world, then VIBE XV will be the perfect candidate for that role on January 31, 2010.