This weekend in Atlanta, the street dance community is gearing up for a competition with some serious pop-and-locking stakes. The Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final is descending upon Underground Atlanta tomorrow, where the country’s best street dancers will shuffle, slide, and battle it out for a spot in the World Final set for Mumbai in November.
Atlanta, a city with a choreographic legacy that can to easily hold its own alongside its musical roots, plays host to this high-energy event for the first time. As the dancers prepare to face off in unexpected 1v1 battles to surprise music selections, the city’s history of dance trends from the “Bankhead Bounce” to the “Dab” takes the spotlight. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the event brings an opportunity to showcase a dance scene “full of Southern hospitality.”
There’s plenty to look forward to beyond the competition itself. Hip-hop acts Soulja Boy and Dem Franchize Boyz will pump up the crowd with performances, while dancers such as Toosie – yes, the one behind the viral Toosie Slide – pay homage to Atlanta’s rich dance culture. Dancers from around the nation, including Atlanta’s own Beasty, King Luffy, and Don Soup, are set to mesmerize with their moves in a crowd-judged format that leaves no room for the pre-planned. The dancers will to simply rely on the crowd’s favor, foregoing a traditional judging panel, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
“The dance scene in Atlanta has come far,” said Don Soup, a notable competitor at the event in a statement obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It’s amazing that the world gets to see something so beautiful.” Tickets for the can’t-miss event are up for grabs for those ready to watch the action unfold live.
But the dance extravaganza isn’t just about the competition. A series of workshops open to the public, an after-party DJ set by South African duo TxC, and various showcases mean the chance to not only witness but also directly engage with the pulsing heart of street dance culture. King Luffy, another Atlanta native and competitor, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, it’s “another day in the office, so it’s time to put in work.”
The cityscape of Atlanta will writhe and pulse with the rhythms of freestyle, pop, and lock this weekend. For those wishing to dive into this cultural foray, information and tickets are available at Red Bull’s website. It’s time for the A-Town dancers to bring that different type of swag and flavor they’re known for to the forefront, proving once again that in the realm of street dance, Atlanta is not just a player but a game-changer.
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