BYSK: What defines a REAL Hip-Hop Dancer

Buddha Stretch from Elite Force Crew defines it.

BSYK: GET FEATURED on PDSTYLE

So here at pDstyle, we’ve been getting a lot of feedback asking WHY are they only 2 teams REPRESENTED on our EC HISTORY page. The answer is really simple. Last FEBRUARY this past 2009 YEAR we had posted an OPEN INVITATIONAL to get your story heard. Post is here: http://pdstyle.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/project-ec-history/

We had it up for quite awhile above all the new posts just to remind you guys that we were still doing it. During that time, “Sam the Locker,” who actually took the time to recount the history of R.E.S.E.T. and post it up on FaceBook as a public note, was the only response we received. The video of Rhythm City, after they exploded into our ever growing dance scene, was conveniently out there on youtube already–easy! So the rest of the East Coast Dance Community, where are you at?! (ALL OGs, DANCE TEAMS and CREWS, choreo, freestyle, etc).

LUCKILY, if you don’t have the time to put together a THOROUGH written history of your team (including beginnings, merges, break ups, etc.), then we have a sweet alternative for you.

BYSK: DANCE 4 LIFE

If there is anything positive about dance, its that dance can DO positive things. It can make you feel you good. It can entertain. It can express, and it can inspire (as well as other things, too)! DynamiQ Faction hasn’t lost vision of this positivity by helping establish a dance showcase to promote awareness on social and community issues that could possibly effect most of us. After a year and a half since their humble beginnings, this Queen based team still manages to do some GOOD with dance.

More after the JUMP

BYSK: Brooklyn Terry tells it how it is

 

AMEN. Style or NOT, the OG says it best. Dance.

ELEMENTS X

ELEMENTS X has been getting a lot of HYPE since they switched their showcase to a full out competition. Even more so is the competition that will be at the event, as well as the cabinet of judges who will be at the event.

Here’s the list they leaked out.

Andrew Baterina (SoReal Cru Director)
Adrian Causing (FR3SH Executive Director)
Kyle Hanagami (NeverLand Artistic Director)
Leslie Hubilla (FR3SH Artistic Director)
Rocko Luciano (Boxcuttuhz)
Glory Mendoza (Funkanometry SF Artistic Director)
Brian Puspos (SoReal Cru)
Lando Wilkins (Boxcuttuhz Director)

You know what this ALSO MEANS? — YEAH, you got it — WORKSHOPS. ELEMENTS will be having a 2 DAY WORKSHOP with all of these judges starting Sunday, the day after the competition…and ending Monday.

TO sum it up…ELEMENTS X Tickets On Sale TOMORROW, 10am at GSU Link! Also available through Ticketmaster and Box Office – http://www.elementsdancecomp.com

SKOOL DISTRICT

Last weekend, I got the opportunity to go see World of Dance at San Mateo. There were two teams that stood out to me: V.I.P. (repping San Jose; directed by Krisuan Rosales) who placed 2nd, and SKOOL District (directed by Jay Chris Moore) who placed 3rd –Poreotics took first. Both these teams, however, provided the HYPE and SWAG that a lot of the audience was craving for that day.

Although SKOOL District was announced as an LA area team, Jay Chris’s project actually SPANS 4 AREAS (including and outside of LA) across the United States as “Academees.” As the next level towards his first conception of THE ACADEMEE, which was a project to attempt to make it onto America’s Best Dance Crew, Season 4; the idea further evolved as different “academees” were created.

• ACADEMY OF VILLAINS (SAN MATEO)

• ACADEMY OF HYPE (HAWAII)

• ACADEMY OF SWAG(LOS ANGELES)

• ACADEMY OF PHR3SH ( PHILADELPHIA )

Yes, my dudes. PHILLY is on the map thanks to collaborative contributions from PHR3SH SELECT. So next time you see SKOOL DISTRICT, east coast…show them some love, because they’re reppin our coast (as well as  west coast, and the “pacific”). –Now that’s real east meets west love.

KNOW YOUR RIVALS

(You can also tell which academee is which from the song selections).

–MM

WORLD OF DANCE TOUR 2010

PINKY: What are we doing tonight?
BRAIN: The same thing we do everynight, Pinky. TRY TO TAKE OVER THE WORLDD!!!

Not!…Troz.

But really, since its premier in Pomona, CA, Myron Marten’s World of Dance tour has expanded exclusively–reaching the Bay Area, NEW YORK CITY, and even San Diego. This upcoming 2010, WOD is taking over an indepth tour of the midwest to the east coast. Notable major moves include the WOD TOUR coming to ATLANTIC CITY, NJ on JUNE 12, 2010; CHICAGO, IL on MAY 22, 2010; WOD BOSTON in ROXBURY, MA SEPTEMBER 18, 2010; and WOD Washington D.C. SEPT 25, 2010.

Peep the proposed tour date schedule. http://worldofdancetour.com/event.php?eid=15 Slots and roulette at Caesar’s Palace and Harrah’s anyone?

because you should know: the lockers

Don Campbell may not be a familiar name to many, but he should.  Around the 1960s, he combined elements of existing dances and combined them with funk elements (and a few of his own moves) to create the style of dance known today as LOCKING.

Fred Berry, known by many old-schoolers & avid TV watchers as “Rerun” on the show What’s Happening!, was also a member of this group.  Take a look at this clip – aired on August 26, 1976 – and see a set of dancers who were ahead of their time.

What’s Happening! - Episode 3, “My Three Tons” – Originally Aired August 26, 1976.

Because You Should Know: Buddha Stretch

Much has been said about the different styles of dance in our scene – popping, locking, tutting, waving, bboying, house, wacking / punking, choreography, the list goes on.  However, we shouldn’t forget, at the heart of everything – dance is dance.  Check this out:

Buddha Stretch was one of the pioneers for choreography as we know it today.  He was the very first choreographer to teach hip-hop in a mainstream dance studio – New York’s Broadway Dance Center – in 1989.  (Longer than many of us have been alive!)  Dancers of his generation weren’t confined to one style, and that’s what made them great.

“Do what the music dictates… That’s what defines me, the MUSIC…”

Buddha Stretch’s Bio @ BDC

BYSK: Newark, NJ — mecca of HOUSE movement

This video is a goldmine for the history of  house music heritage that came to be from Newark, NJ. I think everyone should realize what a rich cultured state we have.

More things you should know from the other counterparts of our East Coast breatheren coming soon!