Danis Kool's Poppin Review for 2010

Where is the Sydney summer?

Danis Kool's Poppin Review for 2010

Has it been a year already?

The People:
There is a handful of new faces in the scene. Good to see they are full of enthusiasm. A good amount of the younger poppers has really stepped up this year. The older poppers this year have played less of a roll this year probably due to other commitments. I for one have been less active this year.

Styles:
For the first time ever I would say the majority style for the year is straight Popping.

The Mentality:
I feel that a lot of people (including me) has forgot about the fun of dance. A lot of poppers are too caught up with trying to be the best, maintaining their pride, ego and other people's expectations. I've seen poppers going to clubs and 'training'. I say let loose, be silly and let the music move you instead of 'trying to adapt to the music'.

I felt this year the poppers are more tolerable and understanding towards other ways of doing the dance compared to their own. Of course there are still the 'nazis' out there only accepting that a particular way is the only way of doing the dance.

Cities:
Maybe I'm being bias but Sydney takes the cake again for being the city with the best popping scene. Melbourne has grown steadily this year with a couple of major events throughout the year. This year I've seen some hints of life in the Adelaide and Tasmania scene.

I attended a Brisbane event this year which turned out to be the biggest popping event ever in Brisbane (poppers competing wise). Relatively speaking, compared to Sydney it's not really big. A $2 battle has a bigger turn out in terms of people competing. The event itself was huge as it was funded by the Brisbane council. A lot of younger poppers in the scene, and with a little help, mentoring and time by the elders hopefully they will grow up into something crazy.

The city that really stood out for me was Perth because it reminds me of how the Sydney scene used to be, many very enthusiastic poppers wanting the scene to get bigger, loving the funk, the popping scene being in the shadows of the bboy scene etc.

I've probably have mentioned this before, but I'm glad that each city has their own flavour in the dance.

Classes:
Check out the CLASS TIMETABLE page on OPS. Compared to the other states Sydney has the most classes in the country. I feel that the supply is slightly larger than the demand for classes.

Jams, Events and Competition:
I felt that this year there was a good amount of events in the scene. There is a good balance between supply and demand. 99% of popping events that I've attended had a fair amount of poppers participating.

For the first time ever there was no Dancekool Volume for this year. Jerome from Critical Hype has stepped up this year to host the biggest event of the year (in Sydney). The Remix competition in Brisbane has great potential to be huge.

Jaye from Cross Over Studio started running a monthly popping event called Funktion, it is peer judged, a point system like in a grandprix (nothing serious) but the most interesting aspect is competitors are able to bring 10 tracks to be played randomly during the comp. Based on what song was in the pool, not all songs were 'popping' friendly so it makes it quite a challenge to dance to and entertaining to watch. For me it's a good indicator to see the other poppers' tastes and judging ability especially those who haven't yet gotten an opportunity to judge otherwise.

This year will probably be the last time that 'Code' events (organised by Dance Generation Studios) will be held because The Dragon Lord aka Lenny will be undertaking a mythical journey away from Aust.

My criticisms in terms of events, is having the same old judges judging. Take a look at the RESULTS page on OPS and you can see for yourself. Another thing that bugs me is poppers leaving early after being eliminated (perhaps to go cry?). Stay for the whole duration, socialise, jam, and support the event.

With several new studios opening in Sydney, it has opened up new jam spots for people want to jam indoors. The Sydney Entertainment Centre is planning to be demolished either in 2011 or 2012.

Music and DJ:
In terms of Sydney events, DJ Libre has pretty much been 'the DJ' to spin at events in 2010. I haven't seen Naiki play at any popping events this year. There are a few young bloods that has DJ-ed at 'all style' dance events, their receptions were good, so hopefully we will hear more from them in 2011. For smaller events music is usually played via and ipod or laptop.

DJ Libre giving us a salute

I felt that this year poppers are more into the hard hitting instrumental songs. Personally it's not my first choice in songs probably because I have trouble dancing to it. Was really feeling the electro funk with a disco beat this year.

International Guests:
This year has been the year of the EBs, with Wiggles, Pete and Suga Pop all visiting Australia. I felt that this time around, the scene wasn't as star struck as it was when international guest were over a few years ago. I find this a good thing because it really shows the maturity of the scene.

Imagine poppers becoming so star struck they become like little girls watching a Justice Crew performance.

Poreotix crew also visited the country but they didn't manage to meet any poppers during their stay except for SA. Funktion from ABM crew was here for a few days, managed to jam with the locals, catch some surf and almost getting some fistacuffs action. A few members of Animation Crew (Korea) were also here for two days, disappointingly (to me) their skill level is still based off words even though there was an opportunity to show it.

In terms of pacing (for workshops), there wasn't much time in between guests. Efficient time should be given in between guests so the poppers are able to process what was taught and able to put what was learnt into their repertoire.

The Boogaloo vs Gstyle Battle:
I'm sure almost every popper in the world would of heard of this, the infamous battle between Tempo/Slick and Jazzy J/Jrock.

There are other angle of this battle posted on youtube

With the all name calling, fan boys and supporters talking crap to the other fan boys and supporters, e gangster-ism, people creating anonymous youtube and wcp accounts, posting of defamatory videos and the list goes on. The dance has definitely showed it's ugly side. As you would expect a huge amount of hype was generated, but come d day it never really lived up to what was generated.

The result of this battle? Besides more s**t talking, nothing really because both sides (and their subsequent fan boys) claimed that they smoked the other. A battle to decide who is better in two rounds? At least make it 4 rounds since for some reason it didn't happen in a raw circle.

If I had to call a result, I would give it a tie (Slick beats Jazzy and Jrock beats Tempo). I've also heard every combination possible of who won what round etc.

Australia in the International Scene
With the internet, youtube and social networks making it easier for the scene to reach out to the international scene. I'm just going to mention people who has physically represented Australia.

Poppin Jack (SBZ) represented Australia in Singapore early this year. His first round loss in the R16 qualifiers was quite questionable.

Andre (Nomadic Funk) went on a dance adventure to the USA and Japan. From the stories he told me, he indeed represented Australia.

Alan made some noise for Aust during his trip to France. He entered the R16 qualifiers but didn't make it to the battle rounds.

Hopefully in 2011 more Aussies will be travelling overseas and having an opportunity to represent the country. Juste Debout qualifiers will be happening on the Jan 11th 2011 in Singapore, but no one from Australia is competing. R16 in Singapore anyone?

Conclusion and Prediction for 2011:
The Australian scene has continued it's growth from the previous years. The demand for popping in Australia has definitely subsided a little compared to the previous years.

Salah, Storm and Frantick will be here in the country during 2011, hopefully the scene will be able to openly hear out their perspective on the dance, jam, battle and chill with them. To those guests who are flown to the country by people who are not in the scene, please make some time so you can meet the locals.

Some major events and projects are being talked about, well see if it will see the light of day in 2011.

Is this the year that Australia will make some serious noise internationally?

As for me for 2011, it's going to be training twice a week, writing down all my concepts, judge less events, dj more, maybe teach a regular class, maybe travel overseas, unite the Australian scene, represent Australia and get my flexibility and fitness up. Of course fitting all this into my other commitments in life.

Have a Safe and Productive 2011!
D.L Kool