So obviously my name came out of the hat first to battle, against Si – B-Boy Crackroc (which is spelled incorrectly in the video below, my bad).

So lets get straight to the point, here’s the qualifying battle:

As it transpired, Crackroc won and even though he got lucky hitting that beat at the end of his throwdown, he had a lot of style and different dynamics. So well done to Si…

Next time I won’t be holding back

The rest of the jam was awesome as always, incredible cyphers and battles with a few bboys from Scotland there representing.

Unfortunately the next Attention to Detail jam is on 21st March when the Masterz Crew are performing at a Castleford Tigers rugby match. So we’ll be dancing around on the pitch, but you should still go check out ATD in Wakefield, it’s the best regular bboy jam ever in the Universe!

“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.”

Gore Vidal

Last Sunday me and Phil ventured down to Wakefield for Attention to Detail to attend Flo’s workshop.

Here are my key points I took away from what was covered:

• Style – use all your body parts in creative ways to add original flavour to your moves. The feet do most of the moves, but your heads, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes add the style
• Create new top rock moves and interpret the same moves on the floor to come up with new footwork.
• Musicality – listening to the track and picking up on the recurring accents such as cymbal crashes every 8 or 16 beats etc. Make sure you go down to the floor at the start or end of a bar (on the accent beat and not randomly part way through a count of 8 beats) and hit your freezes on beat.
• To contrast with freezes and fast footwork try to add slow elongated moves when there are long droney notes and accents in the music – this adds another dimension to your throwdown instead of everything being aggressive and as fast as possible. Mixing up the tempo and dynamics adds style and makes your set more interesting.
• Power moves – for whipping and kicking power train sweeps, both directions with both legs. Then practice entering the power move from sweeps. Sweep to flares, sweep to mills, swipes etc.

Practising power moves brought us to the end of the workshop…

I had previously done one of Flo’s workshops covering the same areas a year or two ago, but it was great to be reminded of the key aspects that a lot of people are unaware of when they’re breaking.

It’s all about the music, it is a dance after all!

I just wanted to write down these key points to review what I learned before I forgot again, but maybe you will have gained some useful knowledge from it too… and if Flo holds another workshop you’ll know to check it out because it’s all amazing stuff, going much deeper than just how to do this move or that move, instead covering the stuff that really matters for those who already have a bit of experience breaking.

Laters potatoes!

And why not a quote from Flo for this post:

“Her life long ambition is to go see Stevie Wonder?!?

What kind of an ambition is that??

My life long ambition is for Stevie Wonder…to come see me!”

Florent Gonthier

I hope so, because I shall be adding a few new posts in the next week to get you up to date with recent goings on.

Seeing as I’m lazy and somebody else has already edited and uploaded this video, I’ll start with the Masterz Crew show that kicked off an MMA event inside a cage! Which I’m not even in, as I was working in Edinburgh doing rhythm activities with 3000 Girl Guides.

You can see a brief bit of The Masterz skills at the start of this video:

So if you’re interested in hiring The Masterz B-Boys to perform a breakdance show at your event, just get in touch to discuss the details and obtain a quote.

Check back soon for video delights of The Masterz awesome Oceana Chinese New Year show as well as battle footage from recent events! If you’re lucky I might even include a little bit more footage from the Martial Arts Xtreme show.

Click here to subscribe to the ICameToDance.com RSS feed, so you can be notified when I get round to adding new posts.

See you soon home boys and girls.

“He who is taught only by himself has a fool for a master.”

Ben Jonson

So here it is a day late, or 364 days early…

Happy Birthday B-Boy Philthee

Last night town was absolutely dead, hardly anybody anywhere – it was freezing and there’s an abundance of snow everywhere! However, WE ARE THE PARTY, so we had an absolutely awesome night jamming where ever we went… some were even breaking on the street… in the slush and snow! Dedication or what!

Phil was of course killing it, busting out flares to the max and everyone else was repping hard. I even popped out a couple of front flips and everyone went mental, cause they’d never seen me do it before ha ha Phil started throwing down on the road while the traffic lights were on red, then the Police turned up and told us they’d seen us obstructing traffic on CCTV… Bruce’s response – “Yeah it was sick wasn’t it?! He was killing it!” hahaha.

Monday was also Aahid’s, Afro’s and Shane’s Birthday and if I’m right in thinking Jingle’s Birthday on Tuesday too? I might as well just say Happy Birthday to all the b-boys who’s Birthday it was recently, you’re all lovely and I hope you enjoyed yourselves!

Now I’ve got to go do some real work, so here’s your ‘quote’ for today…

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Philthee
Happy Birthday to you!

Me

We rang in 2010 at Chen’s party this year. I had an absolutely incredible night starting seeing school friends at a local bar and then joining the crew at Chen’s. Just a few minutes after the countdown to the new year and there was already a cypher going on the living room floor. Which soon turned into the very first battles of the decade, despite alcohol consumption levels soaring…

B-Boy War vs Technical Tony followed by Zeus vs Philthee:

That’s probably the best I’ve ever seen Tony dance, skillz! (I substituted the last ‘s’ of ‘skills’ for a ‘z’ there because I’m just that street.)

Resolutions for 2010

So, no doubt you’ll already have been asked what your New Year’s Resolutions are. I wonder if you’ve even managed to make it till now (5th January) on your quest to give up eating chocolate or smoking or whatever you were pretending to do… Normally my New Year’s Resolutions are general minor things like ‘keep having fun’ and ‘meet even more sexy ladies’ because I usually can’t think of any improvements on my amazingly fun life, ha… However, towards the end of 2009 I’ve realised several things and that I need to take action!

Now is the time!

So, I shall be working away to ensure my business thrives this year in this currently unsatisfying economic climate amongst other positive actions to enable me to continue to have fun, meet  sexy ladies and avoid having to listen to my brother Rob’s life advice. Shut up, being a self employed professional magician and drum circle facilitator IS a job  and there is no way, at all ever, that I would apply at McDonald’s!

Anyway, after all the business productivity New Year’s Resolutions comes b-boying. This year it’s gonna be on like Donkey Kong! The first training session of 2010 was super bad ass and I’ll explain…no, show you why in the next post.

Until then – remember to wear layers and don’t run on the ice… unless you’re aiming for a masssssive fun slide, in which case I recommend running on a dry spot first then jumping onto a lengthy polished patch of ice for maximum fun, speed and distance…

“Now, in order to answer the question, “Where do we go from here?” which is our theme, we must first honestly recognize where we are now. “

Martin Luther King Jr.

B-Boy Goodies of Loveliness and The Masterz Showcase Battle Highlights

If you’re admiring that fine ICameToDance.com clothing and wish to acquire a top to look cool in just click here now and receive free shipping when you use the promotional code UKWINTERSHIP. The light coloured tops are significantly cheaper and you can get yourself a basic white t-shirt for a measly £13 – do it! Although I’m rather pleased with my black hoody and I even wore it out on Saturday night. Everyone loved it long time

I know the design looks very bright and pretty funky with the paint splatters… I think it suits it like that. But for you boring plain people who can’t handle it, I’m working on some simpler designs to satisfy your mediocre needs.

Unfortunately there wasn’t very much usable footage of our showcase battle from the Shed Bar on Thursday night, so there’s only a short little bit at the end of today’s video. You should have been there really! And if you were, thanks for coming

To end with how about an appropriate quote for how I feel at the moment…

“If you can read this make me a sandwich!”

There is also a massive range of really cool b-boying clothing, including caps, t-shirts and hoodies available on Zazzle designed by other people. Check all the breakdance clothes out here.

Our showcase battle at the Shed Bar was supposed to be next Thursday, but it’s been moved forward. So unfortunately a couple of our crew members can’t make it – not to worry, I got some bad assssss b-boys in to cover. It’s gonna be off the hook! … If there ever were a hook in the first place…

“Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils.”

Louis Hector Berlioz

I watched the footage of the Freerun Champs earlier this year, which Livewire won, but nowhere featured the awesome b-boying show with Junior, Cico, Blinxx and more as well as Diversity, who won Britain’s Got Talent! Have a look for yourselves, some mighty impressive moves!

Damn! I wish my planche would be somewhere near as impressive as Livewire’s or Junior’s… I’ve been working on it a bit recently though. I’ll be back on the hardcore no foot press up and human flag training soon! You’ll see… you’ll alllll seeeee!

Here’s a link to Livewire’s YouTube channel. It’s definitely worth checking out his many other videos. There’s even one of him battling with Trinity Warriors against Leeds very own Ghetlow Pirates and others over 2 years ago!

Today’s quote:

“The thing about hip-hop is that it’s from the underground, ideas from the underbelly, from people who have mostly been locked out, who have not been recognized.”

Russell Simmons

Subscribe to my blog; you know you want to. Just enter your email address in the box on the top right of the page. Simples!

Where are you going? …Before you leave, take a second to check out my new Funky Fresh Threads clothing designs. I came up with a bad ass paint splattered design similar to the logo on my video blog posts the other day. The amazing thing about the store that print them, Zazzle, is that you can customise your order entirely and choose whatever style of top and colour you want. Have a look and see if there is a style you’d look fresh in. Personally I like the hoodies, but the basic t-shirts are pretty cheap ass! Make sure you use the Promotional Code: UKWINTERSHIP to get free shipping before 10th December!

Move Biatch! ICameToDance.com (Dark Fabric) Hoody by icametodance

Masta Ace – Fresh Jive 28th November 2009

9pm onwards tonight at The Elbow Room in Leeds there will be a 7 to smoke bboy battle and later on Masta Ace performing all the hits at  Fresh Jive!

The first Fresh Jive event in a while, which is nice I know Shane Fenton (B-Boy 10Tonn) and the Fresh Jive/Speak to the Streets crew have had a busy year, so keep up the good work guys! I’m sure there are some awesome events in the pipeline for next year!

The Haggis Horns – Local funk band are also playing tonight at The Wardrobe with their new singer Lucinda Slim. If time will allow it, I might try go to Fresh Jive and then over to The Wardrobe to catch the gig for an ultimate night of pure hip hop and funk!

The Masterz Crew Showcase Battle

12 Midnight at Shed Bar Thursday 3rd December

After an absolutely awesome night out b-boying at Tiger Tiger on Tuesday, my mate Luke, a manager at Shed Bar in Leeds thought a breakdance performance would be the perfect fun and different entertainment for the Shed Bar’s 1st Birthday on Thursday 3rd December. So The Masterz Crew have been booked to get our groove on the only way we know how – B-BOY STYLE!

We’ll be warming up from about 11pm ready for the show to start around midnight – a 3 on 3 exhibition battle lasting between 10 and 15 minutes! I’m not sure of the 3 on 3 crews yet, but obviously the side I’m on will smoke them foooools on the other side! It’ll be like The Battle of Briggate all over again!

After the showcase battle we’ll stick around to jam for the rest of the night. You’re all welcome to come along to watch and party with us later … even the uncool people who were planning on staying at home watching YouTube bboying videos, you can come too!

Thursday the third of December two thousand and nine – Put it on your calendar, if there were a hook it would be totally off it!

Attention to Detail – The Hop

Wakefield 13th December

The next ATD is set to be full of festivities! With a Christmas themed fancy dress competition for the b-boys and b-girls it is definitely going to look interesting!

As well as the usual battle format which is always awesome, this time there will be special exhibition battles and showcase performances… and Fusion has asked me and Ross to do a 3 round exhibition battle with a bit of a twist. I’m not entirely sure if that’s for definite yet, but either way I’ll probably be there having fun so come down!

Just Jam International B-Boy Event Video

14th and 15th November – Newcastle, Dance City

Earlier this month I told you about Just Jam International and how much it sucked that I wouldn’t be able to make it, boohoo :’( so here is a sweet compilation from Sole Heaven of some of the b-boys who battled on the day. If I watch it fullscreen, turn the sound up and squint I can pretend I was right there in the audience…

Click here for more footage of the full bboy battles from Just Jam International.

Sole Heaven have written up a rather lovely review complete with photos too, have a gander here.

That’s the end of that chapter. Hopefully I shall see you at one, if not all, of the awesome b-boying events in the next few weeks, but for now here’s some fantastic advise for life:

” Do your kids a favor – don’t have any. ”

Robert Orben

Peace out!

Check out some of the elements of hip hop in its original form with popping, locking, bboying, rapping and DJing. They even threw in a couple of magic tricks in their routine -funny stuff! I was planning on doing similar bits of magic in my throwdowns… just another reminder that everything you think you have created has probably been done before!

ELECTRO ROCK – A BBOY EVENT FROM LONDON 1985

Man, I wish I had a tracksuit as cool as that…

This is the middle part of a few videos of the whole event, you can check out the rest of the videos on that guys YouTube channel – he’s got some pretty awesome old school videos. I’m currently listening to The Specials live in 1979.

“All you punks and all you teds,
National Front and natty dreads,
Mods, rockers, hippies, and skinheads
Keep on fighting till you’re dead!”

The Specials – Do the Dog