Ill Moves: Hip Hop Dance

Beyonce Announces Official 'Single Ladies' Dance Video Contest

Beyonce Singles Ladies Dance Video Contest

[Press Release Excerpts]

Best Fan-Created Video of "Single Ladies" Choreography To Be Shown On Beyonce's Upcoming World Tour

Beyonce is inviting her fans to create their own versions of her phenomenal "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" clip for the official "Single Ladies" dance video contest. Contestants should adhere precisely to the iconic "Single Ladies" dance routine performed by Beyonce and her two dancers in the original clip - no new choreography should be added.

The grand prize winner of Beyonce's "Single Ladies" dance video contest will receive $2500.00 (US) and have the winning video shown during Beyonce's "I Am..." World Tour 2009.

The "Single Ladies" dance video contest is open to all Beyonce fans 18-and-older in the United States, the UK and Japan as well as the following territories: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada (excluding Quebec province), Hong Kong, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Singapore and Switzerland.

All submissions should be shot in either QuickTime (.mov) or AVI format in either High Definition (1080p or 720p) or Standard Definition (720x480 pixels or 640x480 pixels) in a standard frame rate (23.98fps, 25fps, 29.97fps or 30fps) on a data DVD-ROM (not a playable DVD).

Contestants should include their full name(s), address, and phone number and address submissions to:

  "Single Ladies"
  8033 Sunset Blvd. #948
  Los Angeles, CA 90046

  Submissions must be postmarked no later than March 6, 2009.

All video submissions become the property of Music World Entertainment/Sony Music Entertainment.

Please see full rules for the "Single Ladies" dance video contest at: www.beyonceonline.com.

Lensed in black and white, Beyonce's video for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" features the artist in leotard and high-heels, with a pair of similar-dressed back-up dancers, engaged in an intricate dance routine incorporating a variety of styles -- including hip-hop, jazz, vogue, club, tap and more.

While Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)," with its themes of accountability and female empowerment, became an international chart-topper and ranked as #1 on Rolling Stone's 100 Best Singles of 2008, the artist's stark and iconic video for the song achieved its own independent notoriety when its intricate choreography launched what the Toronto Star called "the first major dance craze of both the new millennium and the Internet." Parodied by Beyonce on "Saturday Night Live" with Justin Timberlake, Andy Samberg, and Bobby Moynihan, the "Single Ladies" dance routine has been recreated in thousands of user-created YouTube videos and counts President Barack Obama among its adherents.

Web Site: www.beyonceonline.com

THE NEW FACE OF HIP HOP CHOREOGRAPY...WHO IS CICI KELLEY?

CiCi Kelly: Hip Hop Choreographer

[Press Release Excerpts]

From Beyonce to MTV, this Atlanta-born, dance extraordinaire is taking her place as one of the greats

You've seen her perform behind some of music's top selling artists.  From Beyonce and LL Cool J to Wyclef Jean and the Black Eyed Peas.  She's made Laurie Ann Gibson and Soulja Boy's mouth drop clean open on MTV and is the founder and producer of the most exclusive choreographer's showcase in the southeast.  She's choreographed commercials for Tyler Perry and coached the cheerleaders for the NBA's Atlanta Hawks.  Her technique is flawless and her style is groundbreaking.  Her name is synonymous with hustle and success, her name is CiCi Kelley.

A native of Atlanta, GA, CiCi essentially grew up in dance schools across the city.  Inspired by her late grandmother, a former dancer, she is extensively trained in every area of dance, from ballet to African to tap.  According to CiCi, "When it comes to being a creative artist, versatility always works in your favor."  She left Atlanta in 2000 and attended The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where after she returned to Atlanta and began to flourish with her unique style of choreography and energetic dance performances. Within months, CiCi became the "it" girl of the south, working with some of the most prominent recording artists today.

Her performances and choreography have been seen on stage and screen while her artistic abilities have been critically acclaimed from the Bahamas to Tokyo.  Her work has appeared on BET's 106th & Park, Tyler Perry's entire summer promotional series for "House of Payne" with artist Chrisette Michelle and MTV's hit reality show MADE, where she serves [currently] as the official hip hop coach.  She has performed and choreographed chart topping concerts, tours and videos for the likes of other artists including Usher, The Fugees, Wyclef Jean, Fonzworth Bentley, Musiq Soulchild, The Black Eyed Peas and Juanita Bynum to name a few.

CiCi is a rising star in the philanthropic world as well.  She is the founder and producer of Phazes of Love.  POL, as it is more commonly referred to, is a charitable dance extravaganza that features the latest works of personally selected choreographers from the Atlanta dance district.  In its second year, CiCi gives 100% of her proceeds to both the Alzheimer's Foundation of America and 100 Black Men of Atlanta's Project Success.  POL serves as a popular conduit between the entertainment industry and the everyday dancer.  She has developed a paramount avenue for attracting entertainment professionals (i.e. agencies, directors and producers) to come and view talented Atlanta-based dancers perform visually spectacular works revolving around the theme of love.  Currently, CiCi is preparing for her 10-city hip hop master class tour, working on a new movie and is in development for her new reality series.

Please visit www.cicikelley.com