Summer 2010 in Los Angeles

Summer 2010 is gearing up to be a hot one in Los Angeles. There are highly anticipated contests coming up including Homecoming on June 12, BBoy Pro-Am in July, and the Homeland Jam in late July. The dedicated dancers are training hard every week. You can see it at Homeland, Groove Night, and private sessions across the city. There's something in the air. Everyone is itching to break out this summer and make their mark.

This competitive spirit is good for the whole community. We've realized that hip hop dance isn't local - it's global. The winners of the 1on1 poppin' and 1on1 lockin' contests at Homecoming will qualify for the R-16 competition in Korea, one of the biggest showdowns in that country. Going international is the dream of many hip hop dancers. We yearn to teach workshops overseas and to compete with the very best from other countries. There's a mentality that if you can first conquer your city; then move on to your state, then country, and then worldwide. Dancers who go on to compete at R-16, KOD (Keep on Dancing), Juste Debout, or the U.K. BBoy Championships are considered high level competitors. They're the role models for many of the new school.

So there's a lot of hope for the next three months. After Memorial Day Weekend, we're officially kicking into the summer season. Los Angeles comes alive during the summer - with huge contests held every month, bringing in competitors from other states and countries. There's something about being in this city during this time of year. The energy is tangible. And the great weather means you can dance inside as well as outside. It's perfect for cyphers and for that "jam" feeling where everyone is just grooving and having a good time. So, where will you be this summer?