Dance2Connect international urban festival Dublin 2018

What is Dance2Connect?

First of all, Dance2Connect is an International Urban Dance Festival, which ran over 3 days early February 2018.

All the more so, the festival showcased:

• dance theatre
• masterclasses
• dance battles
• social dance
• live jams.

Furthermore, the festival was curated by dance artist Matt Szczerek as well as presented by himself and Matthew Williamson.

What is Dance2Connect’s mission?

Secondly, the festival’s mission is to preserve and strengthen urban dance in our communities through Hip-Hop culture and dance theatre’s elements.

Indeed, the festival creates opportunities for the dance community to learn the intricacies of the dance form.

As far as learning it, they can do so through:

• workshops
• performances
• exchanges with high-quality Eu professional dancers.

What were the Dance2Connect’s partners?

Thirdly, the festival organisers partnered with Tallaght Community Arts. Additionally, they received support from Noise Dublin and South Dublin County Council.

As yet, in order to keep up-to-date with their next festival, like their Facebook fan page.

So, now, let me start sharing with you the dance theatre shows running order:

DANCE2CONNECT LIVE RECORDINGS

So, I filmed some of the dance theatre acts. Keep in mind that these YouTube and Instagram videos are in portrait mode. Consequently, I recommend you to watch them on your mobile phone.

In addition to these shows, there was also a Q&A between the dancers and the public.  You can see its overall picture below.

To top it up, this first day ended with a live jam. You can enjoy the below audio-only track from it.

Last but not least, the second day of the festival focused on dance workshops by professional dancers from different hip-hop styles.

Then, the festival was wrapped up with dance battles.

Finally, the following live streams come from Ibrahim Kennedy. He has filmed some of the judges’ showcases and dance battles.

And now, let’s get down to the battles between the different participants:

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2016 Juste Debout world hip-hop dance championships

JUSTE DEBOUT 2016

First of all, f you have missed this year’s Juste Debout world hip-hop dances (now generally held in March each year), don’t worry! You can catch up the finals right now!

Secondly, if you don’t know what ‘Juste Debout’ is, check this article:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juste_Debout

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JUSTE DEBOUT HIP-HOP DANCE CATEGORIES

I filmed dance videos from the following categories:

• New Style Hip Hop,
• Locking,
• House
• Experimental.

JUSTE DEBOUT 2016 LIVE RECORDINGS

Please note these are not all categories that were present at the championships. However, there are snippets of the event!

GUEST PERFORMANCE: FLYING ILLUSION

Thirdly, Juste Debout also welcomed a b-boy/illusion show at the start of the event. If you are interested in, you can watch a snippet of it.

But first, let me share with you the flyer and their tour dates!

They are currently performing in Berlin, Germany for several dates in 2018. For bookings, please visit their website:

http://flyingillusion.redbull.com/de/de/termine-und-tickets/

Finally, please find below:

• recorded finals in all categories
• the flying illusion show.

http://www.redbull.com/en/music/stories/1331780818881/juste-debout-2016-world-finals-report

 

Street School Dance Battles organised by Vigozone in Hamburg (2015)

STREET SCHOOL DANCE

While planning a holiday trip in Hamburg (Germany), I researched any interesting hip-hop dance events in the city.

I came across the street school dance battles event. I received a free ticket for the dance live performances.

The street school dancers were teenagers of different ages with one common goal: giving the best performance they could to the audience.

And what a show! I felt the dance level was pretty high! I watched incredible crew choreography and battles from all styles, such as:

• new style hip-hop,
• locking,
• popping,
• b-boying
• k-pop,
• dancehall,
• afrobeat
• salsa.

STREET SCHOOL DANCE EVENT STAKEHOLDERS

The host himself was pretty good at dancing. He was also very entertaining. 🎉

One of the judges and his dance partner performed their duet choreography.

If you’d like to know more about the stakeholders at this event, check their Facebook event page.

Now, impatient to see what it looked like? Please find below a small slide show.

I filmed:

• 4 battles,
• 5 crew/duet choreography
• 2 dance demonstrations from the presenter.

To watch them, I invite you to subscribe to my YouTube Channel!

If you encounter country restriction issues (blocked videos), I recommend you to download ‘youtube unblocker’ for Firefox and Google Chrome.

2009 inspiring ‘B-Girl’ American free film viewing and cast information

B-GIRL FILM

Although this may not be the most popular film and reviews are quite mixed, I must say it is an enjoyable b-girl film. It is inspiring and empowering for aspiring b-girls and female rappers!

B-Girl is a 2009 dance film written and directed by Emily Dell and starring Julie Urich, Missy Yager, Wesley Jonathan, Drew Sidora, Aimee Garcia, James Martinez and based on director Emily Dell’s 2004 short film of the same name.

B-GIRL FILM STORY PLOT

The story goes as follows. In Brooklyn, Angel is a breakdancer who lives with her mother Gabby.

Her abusive boyfriend Hector won’t accept that she wants to break up. One night Angel and her best friend Rosie trade hats and jackets and Hector fatally stabs Rosie thinking she is Angel. When he realizes his mistake he stabs Angel too.

Rosy dies and Angel is heavily injured. After many weeks of recovery, Angel wants to break dance again but is having difficulty.

Gabby moves with Angel to Los Angeles to live with Angel’s grandmother, where she believes Angel will be safe.

Angel gets a night job at a car rental company and goes to college during the day. She also joins a group of break dancers who need a sixth member to compete. An outsider in this male-dominated world, she has to claim her place in the circle, first by performing a lyrical rap poem at a huge break competition and then by competing at the same competition in an amazing display of dance artistry and skill.

FILM 

 FILM DVD AND MERCHANDISE

You may want to order it as a DVD or buy film merchandise at the following online shop:

http://bgirlmovie.bigcartel.com/

CAST AND BEHIND THE SCENES

If interested, you can read this interview with the main female character Julie ‘Jules’ Urich:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1552422/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm

For full cast information and the making of the film, check out these links:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0964179/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm

https://www.youtube.com/user/BGirlMovie

Finally, you can listen to the soundtrack with the music player integrated into the previously mentioned online shop home page. You can also search on YouTube for songs. Since they aren’t all that commercial you may not find everything on YouTube, though!

B-Xtreme breakdance crew live performance at Bray Summer Festival 2014

B-XTREME breakdance CREW

As you can see from the below picture, Bray Summer Festival lines up lots of cool acts for both adults and children like the B-Xtreme breakdance crew. If you haven’t made it this weekend, don’t worry as it will still continue until the start of August 2014!

B-XTREME CREW MEMBERS

I have had the pleasure to attend the B-Xtreme high-energy acrobatic interactive breakdancing show at the Bray Summerfest.

The crew is composed of 3 dancers from New York City, USA:

• Anthony Ready Rosa
• Christopher Cuba Munoz
• Jose Mini Collon.

THEIR PERFORMANCES AND AWARDS

These award-winning performers have not only brought dance from the streets but have exhibited their talents to:

• colleges
• festivals
• half-time
• shows
• films and special events around the world.

They performed at the well known America’s Got Talent TV show in 2013.

Their shows are packed with:

• acrobatic stunts
• hilarious antics
• and the hottest dance moves.

By combining their cutting-edge dance choreography with performing talents, they deliver an unforgettable experience that leaves crowds cheering for more.

LIVE RECORDING

I filmed their live performance on Saturday 12th July in Bray. They both delivered a brilliant dance routine and got the audience involved.

So sit tight and watch the whole video! Follow them on Facebook if you like!

 

 

2014 Juste Debout World Hip Hop Dance Championships (selections and finals) new collaborations – event pictures and videos

Juste Debout (“just upright”) is an international and annual dance competition founded in 2001 by Bruce Soné in France which focuses on street dance styles. The four main categories are hip hop new style, house, locking and popping. They have also been welcoming experimental dances since few years.

This year, Juste Debout has also organised a whole week of activities prior to the event, such as dance workshops with the international judges and parties in various places.

I had the chance to attend the Slinked party and enjoyed listening to the Champion Sound live band. Please view below few pictures of the programme and videos of the event.

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They have also added two new disciplines: Just Dancehall by ragga jam and Just4Rockers. Both organisations are based in France and have an international scope.

I have been mostly attending the Just4Rockers breakdance cyphers in the “Salle Marcel Cerdan” in Bercy stadium and watched the finals of all disciplines on the main stage.

I am now happy to share with you videos and pictures I have taken at the event and hope you will feel the same vibes as I did. The competition was fierce and the show very much worth it! The organisers were also lovely.

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It is important to be know that Just4Rockers venue was also a dance practice room. Although it was mostly dedicated to breakdancing, you will also find other dance styles (hip hop, popping, rn’b). Since there are quite a few videos (9 videos for this section and 3 videos of experimental dances finals), I am re-directing you to my youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/emelinej1/videos

You will also find last year’s Juste Debout event videos if you are more interested in the other dance styles. So, feel free to subscribe to it!