It’s hip-hop hooray

FOUR local dance acts are set for a shakedown this month when they compete in a national urban dance youth contest in Melbourne.
The Shakedown Crew Challenge will see Australian hip-hop dancers from across the country go head to head in a grand final at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday 28 October.
Up to 200 performers will strive for excellence at the all-styles hip-hop event and will compete for their share of some of the $20,000 in cash and prizes on offer.
Twenty-two hip-hop crews, including performance groups from Narre Warren, Narre Warren South and Hampton Park will take to the stage during the grand final for the chance to take home one of the biggest hip-hop awards in Australia.
The event will feature a comeback performance by Australian R’n’B legends CDB and dancers of all cultures will join together in an explosion of dance styles and music on stage.
Narre Warren singer and dancer Jayde Robertson and her hip-hop group RNK were preparing to compete against some of the best dance acts in the country and hopeful of coming home with a prize.
Dance group Unda Size from Narre Warren, Baby Bling from Hampton Park and NV-US from Hampton Park will also take to the stage.
Robertson has been doing hip-hop dancing for the past four years and before this studied jazz ballet and tap.
She said she found hip-hop a “funkier” style of dance that enabled her to better express herself.
RNK rehearses every Monday night at the Mechanics Hall in Narre Warren and on Friday nights at the Freeway Sports Centre.
The dance group has a reputation for always being willing to try new things on stage and like many in the southern region Robertson and the crew have done a lot for local performances and were also a part of the Commonwealth Games celebrations.
Robertson competed with another dance group at the inaugural showdown Shakedown Crew Challenge last year and said it had been a really good experience.
She said she was looking forward to this year’s event and was keen to see some new moves and techniques from other dance crews.
In 2005 Jody O’Donnell created the Shakedown Crew Challenge, which attracted dance crews from all over Melbourne and Sydney and was attended by over 2000 people the Grand Final held at Dallas Brooks Hall.
Tickets are now on sale through Ticketek. Prices are $39.90 Single, $35.90 Concession, $99.00 Family (two adults/two children). Children three and under are admitted free.