Humans are pretty awesome when you think about it. Sure, you see terrible stuff on the news but there is so much more positive and good in the world than there is bad. People are also incredibly talented. When they can hone their passion and share it with the world, it can be a truly moving and uplifting thing. Like dancers, for example.
A group of dancers from two completely different genres battled it out in a competition that has now been viewed over 1.2 million times.
The dance battle all started with a dance group and event called the Montreal Swing Riot. The event and the dancers that participate are all about fun, swing dancing, lindy hop, and everything that has to do with Montreal. On their website, they state their manifesto as:
A dance event that promotes Lindy Hop, good swingin’ jazz and the Montreal street culture. A venue for people to express themselves and leave it all out on the dance floor. A moment that unites dancers and spectators together in shared creativity and inspiration.
Montreal Swing Riot features a full weekend of dancing in the heart of the Montreal International Jazz Festival, competitions and showcases, three nights of live music. Come share and get inspired!
Dancers from all over can sign up to do workshops and competitions throughout the Montreal Swing Riot – including the ‘Vintage vs Modern Street Dancers (formerly Lindy Hoppers vs. Street Dancers)’ invitational.
Who participates in this epic battle of swing dancers versus hip hop and break dancers?
Swing dancers chosen by the organization will battle against a team of top street dancers representing hip hop, krump, popping, locking, waacking and break. The winners chosen by the crowd will be declared champions of the Invitational Battle.
The Montreal Swing Riot has had multiple videos uploaded to YouTube showcasing the battle of rhythm and moves. However, it’s this video, in particular, that is really dropping jaws across the world.
Along with the uploaded video, Montreal Swing Riot broke down what type of dance each group would be performing as well as the performers’ names.
Modern Street Dancers represented waacking, locking, popping, breaking, hip hop and krump: Taminator, Venom, Wook, Rawss, Bourrik, Ddimplz, Treklock , Scramblelock, Boombeast, Jigsaw, Cherry and Zepol Rock.
Vintage Street Dancers represented vernacular jazz dances like the Charleston and the Lindy Hop: Nathan Bugh, Gaby Cook, Annie Trudeau, Aleix Prats Ferrer, Joyss, Gina Helfrich, Anthony Chen, Rebecka Decavita, Emelie Decavita, Zack Richard, Natalia Rueda, Jonathan Desroches and Marie-Anne Rochon.
In the twenty-minute battle, each group nails each of their genres perfectly. Not one person ever misses a step.
Back and forth, you travel from the roaring 20s to the hip-hop hey-day of the late 80s and early 90s. It’s amazing to see each genre of dance being preserved by these extremely talented people who have an incredible passion.
As for the commenters on YouTube? They couldn’t wait to share their love and awe for these talented people.
“This is the most amazing and impressive video we have ever seen. The human race at its fullest potential. This video represents love and unity and that music touches the human race no matter what color you are or race or creed. Music lives in us all. What a blessing to watch this tonight…so much love,” said ColorFul Life Productions.
“This is a strong argument for replacing violence with dance battles. This was just awesome,” shared J T (we totally agree!).
It’s a battle that has to be viewed for yourself. Get ready to be glued to the screen as these dancers ‘fight’ it out in the finale.
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