Ill Moves: Hip Hop Dance

Merce Cunningham Dies: A Giant Passes

I just found out that Merce Cunningham died Sunday night. No, he doesn't have much at all to do with hip hop dance but he was one of the great figures of modern dance and someone who all serious dancers should know about and all choreographers can benefit from considering more closely:

"Mr. Cunningham ranks among the foremost figures of artistic modernism and among the few who have transformed the nature and status of dance theater, visionaries like Isadora Duncan, Serge Diaghilev, Martha Graham and George Balanchine."

I studied modern dance in college from 1977 to 1982. I saw Cunningham's company a number of times over the years and even took a master class with him when I was an undergrad. As a young choreographer, he was one of my biggest heroes.

RIP, Merce.

Official Site: Merce Cunningham Dance Company

Introducing the Crews: America's Best Dance Crew Season 4

Between a surprisingly interesting press release from MTV to provide the descriptions and the official YouTube Playlist from Fanscape, I have the easy makings of an introduction to all 9 crews competing in the new season of Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew set to kick off Sunday, August 9th.

I was originally going to focus on just the hip hop crews but, heck, they made it so easy for me, let's see what the hip hop dancers will be up against!

Competing Dance Crews in Alphabetical Order:

AFROBORIKE (Las Vegas, NV)

Comprised of fiery Puerto Ricans and Cubans, Afroborike is a hot Salsa crew ready to bring their own brand of raw and sexy Latin dancing to America. These dancers are hungry to experience the "American dream" and long to have the freedom of movement they have seen in American music videos.

ARTISTRY IN MOTION (North Hollywood, CA)

An all-female crew trying to break the stereotype of "bootyshakers," they are strong-minded women who bring their own contemporary and original style called "contemp-hop." Proud feminists, this all-girl group knows their energy, force and sex appeal make them more than capable to take on and dominate any all-male crew in their way.

BEAT YA FEET KINGS (Washington, D.C.)

This D.C. crew will take the stage with their very own dance style called "Beatin' Ya Feet." Their performances consist of a unique mix of footwork that could make them unstoppable. Although their style is currently only known around the D.C. area, the Kings believe they have created something the rest of the world should see and catch up to. Featured on "It's Showtime at the Apollo" and an MTV inauguration special, they are slowly making their way into the public eye. Combined with their fresh style, this crew also exudes humility and, when they need it most, a hard energy that could make them champions.

FR3SH (Matawan, NJ)

With a unique blend of jazz and funk, Fr3sh infuses a sense of humor into their choreography and compare themselves to the movie "The Breakfast Club," priding themselves on being rowdy and rebellious. Their mix of sarcasm, humor, cockiness and raw talent could take them all the way to the top.

MASSIVE MONKEES (Seattle, WA)

This Seattle crew have grinded their way through national and international competition at the highest level over the past five years. They have won a number of prestigious titles including B-boy Summit 2000 and the World B-boy Championships at Wembley Arena in London, England. The Monkees are actively involved in their community, working at local centers with children, coaching child sports and teaching b-boy classes. They even have their own holiday, as April 26th was dubbed Seattle's official Massive Monkees Day in 2004. With this much talent and personality, they could be next in the line of b-boy crews to walk away with the $100,000 prize.

RHYTHM CITY (Bronx, NY)

Struggling on the streets of the Bronx with little to no familial support gave Rhythm City no other option than to stick together, and they intend to use their original style from the Bronx -- "the birthplace of hip-hop" -- as a secret weapon. The crew has placed highly in an array of dance competitions including Invasion, Blazin' the Stage, The Main Event, Switzerland's Dance 2 Dance and, most recently, they won first place at Culture Shock EDC. From living in foster homes to surviving abuse, exposure to life on the streets has taken its toll on each member. As a result, crew leader Alonzo Williams created Rhythm City, a nonprofit organization dedicated to getting kids off the streets and involved in dance.

SOUTHERN MOVEMENT (Nashville, TN)

Urban cowboys that hail from the country music capitol of the world, this crew fuses hard-hitting hip-hop choreography with country line dancing. They pride themselves on being able to hang in the club one night and a country bar the next. Referring to their style as "Hick-Hop," this crew plans to bring something unexpected and their main goal is to change the way America views the South and its residents.

VOGUE EVOLUTION (New York, NY)

The first openly gay crew to ever compete on the "ABDC" stage, the five members of Vogue Evolution are out, proud and determined to live their lives the way they want to. Their distinctive "vogue" style of dance mixed with hip hop makes this crew unique, along with working to educate others on AIDS/HIV awareness. They hope to touch everyone watching with their outspoken flare.

WE ARE HEROES (Los Angeles, CA)

This group of effervescent young women came together from New York, Idaho and as far as Japan to fulfill their dreams of dancing in Hollywood. Growing up in all corners of the globe, they were inspired by everything from Fred Astaire to Michael Jackson and have honed their dancing into something they call "Glam Style," which they hope is good enough to crown them the first girl crew to win "ABDC."

Official Site:
Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew

Audio Push Teach YOU How To Jerk

Audio Push: How To Jerk Instructional Video

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MySpace: Audio Push

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Madonna Grimes Workout, Extreme Entertainment, Hyphy Head Injuries?

• Hip hop dance with Madonna Grimes for All Star Workouts on FitTV

• Hottest new Hip Hop Dance Company In Delaware: Extreme Entertainment
  

• Neurologists Claim that Hip-Hop Leads to Head Injuries

The Groovaloos: GROOVALOO Promo Video & Tour News

GROOVALOO 40 Second Promo

GROOVALOO is a hip hop dance show from The Groovaloos!

Over at Hip Hop Press:
GROOVALOO, NBC's "Superstars of Dance" Winner,
Kicks Off August Run at Los Angeles' El Portal Theatre

Rock Steady Crew 32nd Anniversary

[Press Release] Rock Steady Crew 32nd Anniversary, July 22-26

Free Concert With Biz Markie, Grand Puba, Roxanne Shante, Cormega, U-God, Sean Price, DJ Premier, Bishop Lamont, Masta Ace & Edo. G, Dujeous, Tanya Morgan and More!

July 16, 2009, New York, NY -- The Rock Steady Crew is ready to embark upon the 32nd Anniversary celebration, which will take place at various venues throughout New York and New Jersey on July 22 through 26.

The ceremonies kick off on Wednesday July 22 and 23 with some dance workshops with legendary choreographers including Rock Steady President Crazy Legs, Mr. Wiggles, Cricket, Snapshot, WandeePOP and Steve Seda. At 10:00pm on Thursday July 23, Mr. Wiggles will host the For The Funk of It Funk Styles Party at 320 Studios in NYC (320 W 37th St).

On Friday, July 24, witness some intense action with the "Frienemies" battle at 101 River View's Grand Hall (101 Sixth Ave), as dozens of the best Bboys and Bgirls in the world enter the cipher to claim their respect and an all-expense paid trip to represent the U.S. in the UK Bboy Champtionships.

On Saturday, July 25, everyone returns to 101 River View for the popular crew battle competition. Groups of 5-8 world-class dancers go head-to-head to win $2,000 in cash and prizes. 

Rock Steady Crew will round out the weekend in a big way at Newark, New Jersey's Lincoln Park with the "Rock Steady For Life" Free Outdoor Concert and Food Drive. All attendees are encouraged to donate canned food as they enter the park to help local families in need. An all-star DJ line-up will play between sets all day, with DJ Eclipse, DJ Scratch, DJ Swan, DJ Evil Dee and Q-Tip in rotation.

The End of the Weak crew will begin hosting the show at noon, and performers throughout the day include Biz Markie, Grand Puba of Brand Nubian, U-God of Wu-Tang, Roxanne Shante, Cormega, Sean Price, Bishop Lamont, DJ JS-1 with special guests, Dujeous, Masta Ace & Edo. G (A&E), Tanya Morgan, DJ Premier, Blaq Poet, Kaze, Tiye Phoenix and surprise guest performances!

For more information on the Rock Steady Crew Anniversary and to see schedule updates, go to www.CrazyLegsWorkshop.com and www.rocksteadycrew.com

For interviews, press information and event press admission, please contact Dove at dove@tygereye.net with complete contact information, editor's contact and specific dates that coverage will run.

SCHEDULE
Rock Steady Crew 32nd Anniversary, July 22 - July 26

Wednesday, July 22
Workshops – All Styles Day
Time: 12:45PM – 7:30PM
Location: 320 Studios - 320 West 37th Street, 14th Floor (btwn 8th & 9th Ave.) - 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, N, R & Q train to 34th St.

*12:45 – 2:15pm Free Youth 9 – 13yrs. old Bboy /Bgirl Foundation Workshop: Crazy Legs
* 2:30 – 4:00pm House Workshop: James "Cricket" Colter
* 4:15 – 5:45pm Classic Party Dance Styles Workshop: Deena 'Snapshot' Clemente & Wanda 'WandeePOP' Candelario
* 6:00 – 7:30pm Salsa Workshop: Steve Seda

Admission: $20.00 per class (REGISTER ONLINE NOW)
You want to know how it's done? These speakers are the best at what they do and share insight on how they make their magic happen.

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Thursday, July 23
Workshops
Time: 12:00PM – 8:00PM
Location: 320 Studios - 320 West 37th Street, 14th Floor (btwn 8th & 9th Ave) NYC - 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, N, R & Q train to 34th St.

*2:00 – 3:30pm B-boy / B-girl Foundation Workshop: Crazy Legs
*3:45 – 5:15pm Funk Styles Workshop: Mr. Wiggles
*5:30 – 7:00pm B-boy / B-girl Master Class Workshop: Crazy Legs
*7:15 – 8:45pm Funk Styles Workshop: Mr. Wiggles

Admission: $40.00 per class (REGISTER ONLINE NOW)
You want to know how it's done? These speakers are the best at what they do and share insight on how they make their magic happen.

"For The Funk Of It" Funk Styles Party
Time: 10:00 PM – 3:00AM
Location: 320 Studios - 320 West 37th Street, 14th Floor (btwn 8th & 9th Ave) NYC - 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, N, R & Q train to 34th St.
Hosted By: Mr. Wiggles
DJ: Doc
Admission: $15.00 ( GET ADMISSION NOW )
Must be 21 & Over
Self explanatory. Come get loose and show us what you got. 

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Friday, July 24
Frienemies
Time: 3:00PM – 9:00PM
Location: 101 River View, Grand Hall - 101 Sixth Ave. (btwn Grand & Watt) – 1, 2, A, C & E train to Canal St.
Hosted By: Rock Steady Crew
DJ's: Crazy Legs, Skeme Richards, Charlie Rock and Jazzy Jay
Admission, : $20.00 ( GET ADMISSION NOW )

Frienemies is about representing in the ciphers. Every B-boy and B-girl is on their own! No preset battles. In the early to mid 80's, breaking was at an all time high throughout the world. Crews were rolling thick and a lot of them were at peace. The only time they didn't get along was when it was time to battle in the club. Rock Steady Crew and New York City Breakers were going to places like Negril, The Roxy, Kennedy High School and other places where jams were going down. No one was worried about hurting someone's feelings or concerned with battling their own friends, but rather battled with a fierce will to win. We were all "FRIENEMIES". 'Frienemies" is the place to battle that person that you chill with on a regular basis and show him/her that they're not as good as they brag about all the time.
The Winner receives an all expense paid ticket to the United Kingdom and will represent the U.S. at the UK B-Boy Championships. The winner must be a US Citizen. Proper ID is required.

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Saturday, July 25
5 - 8 Crew Battle / Spy Awards
Spy Awards : The Spy Award is being presented to El Nino & Bboy Crumbs
Time: 3:00PM – 9:00PM
Location: 101 River View, Grand Hall - 101 Sixth Ave. (btwn Grand & Watt) – 1, 2, A, C & E train to Canal St.
Hosted By: Crazy Legs
DJ's: Skeme Richards & DV One
Admission: $25.00 ( GET ADMISSION NOW )
The Winner receives a $2,000.00 cash & prizes.

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Sunday, July 26
"Rock Steady For Life" Free Outdoor Concert & Food Drive

 PLEASE BRING CANNED GOODS TO HELP LOCAL FAMILIES

Time: 12:00PM – 8:00PM
Location: Lincoln Park - 1 Lincoln, Newark, NJ (Broad St & Clinton Ave)

Hosted by: End Of The Weak
DJ's: Eclipse, Scratch, Swan, Evil Dee & Q-Tip
Performing Artists: Biz Markie, Grand Puba (Brand Nubian), UGod (Wu-Tang), Roxanne Shante, Cormega, Sean Price, Bishop Lamont, DJ JS-1 (w/Special Guests), Dujeous, Masta Ace & Edo. G (A&E), Tanya Morgan, DJ Premier & Blaq Poet, Kaze, Tiye Phoenix and special surprise guests!

Take PATH, Amtrak, or NJ Transit trains to Newark Penn Station. Buses: #70, #62 and #39 will bring you from Newark Penn Station to the corner of Broad and Lincoln Park. Cab fare to Lincoln Park from Penn Station is approximately $4.00. Log on to www.njtransit.com or call NJ Transit for up to date (800) 722-2222 bus and train schedules and travel information.

"Rock Steady For Life" Official After Party
Time: 10:00PM – 3:00AM
Location: 320 Studios
DJ's: Awesome Two
Admission: FREE
Must be 21 & Over - INVITE ONLY

For subway or bus directions go to: www.hopstop.com
For driving directions go to: www.mapquest.com

Contact: dove@tygereye.net
Note to media: If you are interested in covering any events during the Rock Steady Anniversary, please submit coverage request with full contact info intended run dates for your coverage. Thank you!

Official Site: Rock Steady Crew

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New Boyz - You're A Jerk Music Video

MTV News - What It Is & How To Jerk

Got Me Jerkin' - Pepsi Music Mic Pass

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Rye Rye: Bang Music Video f/M.I.A. & The Dancers For Bang

Rye Rye - Bang f/M.I.A.

Available on iTunes: Rye Rye - Bang

The Dancers For Bang

MySpace: Rye Rye