Battlefest Live Vegas

by Rod Mijares, May 11, 2008

Members of the Formality from Las Vegas while waiting for their turn to dance.  Photo by Rod Mijares

Parents, do you know where your kids are last Saturday on May 10, 2008 between the hours of 6 and 11 pm.?  You don’t have to worry. They were in good hands under the watchful eyes of the Bbox Entertainment judges and their staff.

A total of 10 groups of dancers converged and vied for the first prize at the Battlefest 2008 at the grand ballroom of the Renaissance Hotel in Paradise Street, Las Vegas, Nevada where teams from Northern and Southern California and from Las Vegas compete for the best hip hop dancers in the West Coast, if not the whole America.

The groups were the Pac Modern from Long Beach, California, 909 from Riverside, California, Hi-Fi from Las Vegas, Meccamee from Las Vegas, Formality from Las Vegas, Hypnotix from Las Vegas, Prophecy from Bay Area, Northern California, Team Nacu Rythmz from San Diego, California, Khaotic Groovemintz from Bay Area, Northern California and "220" from San Diego, California.

Aside from the above groups which were officially competing as the cream of the crop, other groups performed special dances to put icing to the event.  They were Essence from Los Angeles, Orange County, Phoenix Dance Company from the Bay Area, Expressive Doubt from Los Angeles, Chill Factor from Las Angeles, Impact from Bay Area, Urban Fx from San Diego, Sheroes from Los Angeles and to finish the night with their unforgettable performance was the Rascals from Las Vegas.

AJ, not his complete name, of course, but a famous and a by name among hip hop dancers being the President of the Bbox Entertainment opened the contest by welcoming the participants, as well as, the hundreds of kids in their college teens along with a good number of supporting parents, brothers, sisters and fanatic friends of the dancers.

All in all, approximately about 450-500 people were in attendance and maybe more. The dancers were outstanding and the choreography was magnificent. Watching them was like watching “Dancing with the Stars” minus the celebrities but with the appearance of the same professionalism and dedication evident on the faces of each one of them.

Notable special performance to the delight of the crowd was from Chill Factor from Los Angeles, a group of eight guys who performed a number of dances according to theme songs from various TV shows.  They started with the sound of broken records that made you asked, "What was that."   However, as the pieces changed to a more recognizable ones, their dances were so magnificent and entertaining and made you want more.

The intermission was highlighted with the World Famous "Survival of The Illest" 3 and 3 All Styles Battle where a group of 3 dancers from each team were showing their wares individually and challenging their opponents to answer with what they have in their arsenal that would match or even better than their opponents.  It was fun to watch as they kind of taunting and provoking the other group but in essence was just a mere challenge to dance their best.  Camaraderie and the love of the dance was evident when hugging and shaking hands replaced the taunting.

It was apparent from every group and every performance that each music and each choreography were danced and performed in a way that depicted the kids lives.  Each movement danced into perfection so coordinated and so synchronized. You would feel the intensity and the dedication put into it with each movement of the body from the head, the face, the hands, the arms, the torso down to the hips, legs and feet. What’s amazing was that each group or participant of 6 kids up to as high of 50 kids like the "220" from San Diego moved in unison and in perfect harmony as if only one person was performing.

Audience were completely mesmerized and captured.  Even competitors shouted their approvals in appreciation of the other groups.  At the end, even only three teams won, everybody, I mean everybody was happy because they knew they have performed their best from the hundreds of hours of practice and sacrifice, they have shown that they can dance and dance well.  Not only for the audience but for themselves.  For this, they hugged as a group and as one for they have one thing in common and that is to dance, the hip hop way.

Formality from Las Vegas was chosen third, 220 from San Diego was awarded second and Meccamee from Las Vegas was the judges unanimous choice as the best of the best.

The event was supported by Imeem.com, Platfourm Clothing, Thoroughbredz, 3 Style Attractions, Cerritos All Stars, Barrelman Productions, OneCyper.Com, Press Energy Drink, Press H20 and Filipinopeople.com.