‘America’s Best Dance Crew’ tour hits L.A.
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In the 20th show of what began as their 25-city grind, the ‘America’s Best Dance Crew’ tour found its way to Los Angeles last night to the delight of thousands of fans.
Jabba WockeeZ, Super Cr3w, Fanny Pack, ASIID and BreakSk8 literally rolled into town to play the Nokia Theater last night. Glenda of Fanny Pak demonstrated for some of us in the press room the ‘coffin-like’ size of the performers’ beds on the bus that they’ve had to travel in (a little bigger than a full-sized couch). But no one was complaining. There have been no major, bone-breaking mishaps on tour, and if anything, because of the grueling nature of their schedule, crews have become stronger physically and performance-wise. So, now that they’ve gotten all of those other cities out of the way, on to L.A.
Everybody loves free stuff, so Energy Man (of Vitamin Energy Water, which sponsored the tour) was a hit roaming back and forth through the aisles with prizes to give away as DJ E-Man and Virman of Power 106 kept the crowd moving with hits. Speaking of the crowd, it was a pretty mixed affair with lots of pre-teens, teens, 20 somethings and older throughout in the crowd. There were some moms there WITHOUT their children.
Each crew came out with a quick routine that highlighted their styles and reminded the crowd of why they were there. L.A.’s own Fanny Pak was first. The face wave and the backup (love those moves!). Then came the smoothness that is BreakSk8, then the hypeness that is A.S.I.I.D., the sick tricks that is Super Cr3w, and the precision theatricality that is Jabba WockeeZ. Great performances before each crew’s spokesperson took the mic to introduce their crew. Do Knock for Super Cr3w, Dellalicious for ASIID, Matt for Fanny Pak, Jordan for BreakSk8 and Phil ‘Swaggerboy’ Tayag introduced the Jabba WockeeZ which were, even with the success of the second season, still the most popular group there. They had the most T-shirts in attendance, with lots of Super Cr3w and Fanny Pak, and even a smattering of ‘Know Your Rank’ Supreme Soul shirts.
The groups each did a signature routine (like Super Cr3w’s ninja) and a compilation dance filled with a few of their most popular numbers (like Fanny Pak’s high school poisoning and Missy Elliot ‘Get Ur Freak On’ performances). Then the themes started. First, a tribute to the best brother and sister duo ever in music (sorry Osmonds): Janet and Michael Jackson. Collectively, the crews came out to Janet’s ‘Rhythm Nation,’ as they had done in season 2. Then they broke off to do their own routines. The biggest cheers were probably for Fanny Pack’s ‘All Nite,’ ASIID’s ‘If,’ and Jabba’s great two performances (Michael Jackson’s ‘Dancing Machine’ and ‘P.Y.T.’). When Jabba’s members each took their turn with the Michael impressions at the end of ‘Machine,’ it brought the crowd to its feet.
Then breakdancing took over the stage. Super Cr3w and Jabba Wockeez exhibited their exceptional skills with floor routines and acrobatics that showed why these two crews won each season. BreakSk8 added their unique style as well, displaying moves that made ‘70s dance queen Donna Summer take notice (the group performed with her).
This transitioned to an ‘80s and ‘90s retrospective where the crews meshed together to do popular dances to popular songs of the past couple of decades. Fanny Pak and ASIID took the lead in this portion, and there was even a quick ‘Vogue’ section where Fanny Pak’s Matt and Beau, and ASIID’s Joey and Tristan, took the stage to vogue it up behind ASIID’s Dellalicious, who became Madonna.
A lot of work! But the crews did get an intermission somewhere in there, which allowed the crowd some exciting extras. Currently on the radio with his ‘What You Got,’ Colby O’Donis bounced out a couple of hits. Then two local, and very popular, dance crews performed. First was Fysh n’ Chicks, with the all-girl group from Season 1 sporting some sexy street moves and a very cool glow in the dark section where the stripe on their jackets formed symbols and eventually the group’s name. Then came the fan favorite Kaba Modern. I’m not sure that any other crew, except maybe Jabba, is as popular or well-traveled as Kaba. They performed some of their well-known routines, and a couple of new ones. Their sharp, crisp, sexy moves prompted a few audience members next to me to continually mutter ‘The show got it wrong on them.’
Also before the second half of the show started, a dance contest featuring a girl with shockingly deep red hair, another young lady, a 10-to-12-year-old kid and a 3-to-5-year-old kid ended when the crowd voted that the 3-to-5-year-old won the backstage passes that were offered. Big Boy from Power 106 emceed the contest.
When the tour crews returned, there were some mock battles, starting off with ASIID versus Break Sk8. Then Fanny Pak interrupted and took on both groups, calling out Jabba Wockeez. Jabba took the stage, pushing off the Pak, but were soon surrounded by Super Cr3w on razor scooters. Then the Jabba-Cr3w battle commenced, but it was short-lived as the crews all joined together for a final performance.
In the ‘meet and greet’ afterwards, many of the crews with L.A. roots partied until well after midnight despite having to jump on a bus for today’s Las Vegas show. Kids asked to have shirts signed, pictures were taken from all angles by well-wishers, the mother of Fanny Pak’s Tiffani proudly displayed her glitter-adorned Fanny Pak tshirt, and Super Cr3w’s Vex had family (including his ‘s to the chest’ mom) and friends galore taking over, ordering 10 shots of Patron to start with! After watching these crews struggle and worry and fight and cry all season long, it was good to see them being treated like celebrities.
-- Jevon Phillips
Photos: Wendi Kaminski / NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE
