A New Year, A Fresh Start

So after a few months of planning and brainstorming, this new year has finally given me the drive to start pushing out the UUDO(Utah Urban Dance Organization).  There are some big plans for this but we want to get the ball rolling and really start getting people interested in this outlook.  The University of Utah has so many students that have a huge interest in different urban dances but not a lot of outlooks to go towards.  The Salt Lake area also has a large variety of very talented and passionate dancers that do not really have a collaboration point for which they can come together.  This organization is looking to change this and help build the scene here in the Salt Lake area.

I have found Utah dancers in general to be some of the most humble and motivated people when it comes to learning a style of dance.  However, the sources from which to learn is no where near the capacity of other states.  This organization is looking to provide students at the U and people in the Salt Lake are a location and direction for which they can motivate and become better dancers.  The organization is also looking to provide a very positive outlook and hopefully show everyone the talent that this city brings.

Recap of Top 6 Federation

B-Bboy Federation

It is approaching closer and closer to the B-Boy Federation finals where one crew will be crowned champions of B-Boy Federation 2010-2011 and winner of plane tickets to any B-boy competition in the nation.  Last Saturday was the first battle of the top 6 and every crew came hard and prepared.  The battle of the night had to have been Flavanoids and Ground Houndz.  Being in this battle was so intense and entertaining.

Flavanoids crew came prepared and came rocking some new designs with Ensoul.  Thanks to Chris Owens (Flavanoids) for designing the shirts and Thanks to Ensoul for printing the shirts.  Check the design below.

Footage will be posted soon..

Opening up to the world of dance

Recently, my group NoiZ and I have taken it upon ourselves to start training in other styles of dance and really absorb the feeling of the dance.  This month has been an odd set of training but a very worthwhile experience.  

The first set of training is in modern, ballet, and jazz.  This is definitely an off topic when it comes to urban dance.  It is a very different flavor but that doesn't mean that it can't be tasted and enjoyed.  Our training is led by some of group members Mykklyn Stanzione, Keiko Doi, and Monet LaPine.  These dancers have had training in this area and to learn their technique and conditioning really helps train our body in other aspects we would never think with urban dances.

The second set of training is in funk styles, particularly popping.  This style has always intrigued me for a long time and has given me plenty reason to learn and work on.  This style definitely takes a lot of discipline and work to get certain styles of funk.  From the words of Poppin John, "work on one style as hard as you can so you can really get the feel of it."  The training of popping the muscles are really something that can only be achieved with hard work and time.

A Very Therapeutic Thursday

I am so blessed that I am around such a strong group of individuals.  It is truly amazing to be a part of my crews lives and to do what I do with them.  And to be a part of two amazing groups is definitely an enjoyable experience.  Rocking the B-boy life with my crew Flavanoids is amazing.  Each B-boy in this group is not only strong dancers and very driven, but they are also amazing people.  We work so well together both in the circle and out.  We always have so much fun growing as dancers and as friends.  Check out our first battle in the B-boy Federation right here.


The other group that I am so blessed to be with is NoiZ Crew.  These guys always push me to new boundaries in all types of styles.  Whatever the style, we have such a drive to learn and become stronger as individuals.  We always have the craziest happenings whenever we hang out and always take every experience as a lifelong event.

The reason I am bring this emotional speech is just the amazing Thursday night that I had with some of my friends from NoiZ.  Being able to meet other dancers and support the dance scene in Utah and truly get to dance our hearts out in the most unexpected places.  What an amazing night we had!

UVUs Best Dance Crew


It was great to see all these new groups forming for this purpose and to have fun and give them something to aim for.  It was great seeing a lot of new people and even people I have not seen in a while.  Definite props to Ground Houndz for tearing the floor up with 2 Bboys and definitely enjoying the experience.  I would also like to give a big congrats to Double Vision for really being dedicated and putting their hearts on the floor.  For the time that they have been dancing and being in a group together, they really showed that they came to win.  I was talking with NoiZ about them and saw that what they offered had a lot of potential and they should continue to pursue what they do.  Double Vision also got 2nd place for their performance so there is a big high five to all of them.  There performance is right here.  Quality is bad but I did what I could.  Enjoy!





















Also a big congrats to Swagger Rangers for winning the competition.  They definitely show a lot of potential in their dancing and hope to see them grow in the scene.  There performance is below:

Dancer of the Week

Jeka Kalotkin (Movement Lifestyle)

I wanted to keep this going by sharing another dancer that has caught my eye.  I was first introduced to this dancer by Tadd Gadduang.  He showed me a video of a group called "Movement Lifestyle" which consists of Shaun Evaristo and a couple of other amazing dancers.  There was one dancer that definitely caught my eye in the video.  That dancer is Jeka Kalotkin.  I definitely love the way she moves and she shows a ton of emotion when dancing.  Here is a video of her below so definitely check her out!

Lots of Stuff Happening This Week In Utah

Federation Recap


Federation Round 3 was a great success! It was great recapping with all the Utah B-boys and I was glad to hang out with a lot of them.  Our crew, Flavanoids, did a great job!  It was awesome to see how much we have improved as individuals as well as a group.  The chemistry between us work really well and create such a strong crew.  I also want to throw a huge shout out to Wasabi "AKA Kaleena Chung".  She did such an amazing job battling in the one on ones.  She is definitely coming up!  Also really great to see more promoters out at these jams.  Great to see Ensoul tearing it up with their clothing line.  Really great to see more people giving support to the Bboy community.  Check out their page on Facebook:

Ensoul

UVU's Best Dance Crew


Another event coming up this Thursday is UVU's Best Dance Crew.  They have already run the audition but there will be a lot of awesome dance groups performing.  It's also really great to see organizations such as universities bringing out the dance scene a lot more.  This is something that I definitely want to throw out when the time comes for the University of Utah.  I hope to bring the dance scene out more to these campuses and it is great to see that UVU is already getting started with this.  Check out the event on Facebook here:

UVU's Best Dance Crew

Cypher Assault 3

Coming up this Saturday is the Bboy Cypher Assault 3.  This event is a 2 on 2 Bboy Battle with a 1 on 1 Popping Battle.  The battle is this Saturday from 6-11 PM at the Brick and Mortar Skate Shop (561 W. 200 S. Salt Lake City, UT). This event will also feature a special guest judge Poppin John.  There will also be a workshop with Poppin John which is something I DEFINITELY recommend to anyone wanting to learn some fundamentals of popping.  Check the Facebook link below:

Cypher Assault 3

This Saturday!!

Bboy Federation

------------------IMPORTANT!!!! VENUE CHANGE!!!!!!!!-------------------------------

-SUGAR HOUSE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB | 968 East Sugarmont Dr. (2225 So.) 

Attention: Due to a scheduling error on the part of the Arts Alliance, the venue is unavailable this weekend. THE BATTLE HAS BEEN MOVED

- PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE CHANGE -

info@bboyfed.com

(801) 458-6959

for questions.

Dancer of the Week

This is sort of a newer thing but I figure that I should take the time to find some dancers that really inspire me and really give me reason to continue to dance.  This is a community and a culture in which everyone can get together and really collaborate on our talents.  I feel that people sometimes segregate this community into styles and "races" of dance are formed preventing a full connective community.  It is only when we respect and collaborate with other dancers that we can create this bond in the area that everyone can see.  Anyhow, the person I picked for today is:

Mike Perez

I have met and talked to this guy and he brings a lot to his community and to dance in general.  He is an urban choreographer and dancer and truly has a talent for it.  Mike lives in Las Vegas where he will generally teach classes as well as dance with his crew "Ateam" and "High Profile".  Here is his latest piece.