Touching down in Melbourne today, Jun Quemado is the international guest judge for this year's AHC competition. Jun will also be conducting a workshop tour around Australia over the next few days. Catch him in Melbourne at the following studios and be inspired! Sunday 2nd October - Passions Studios and Monday 3rd October at Unitd Styles Studios. Don't miss you opportunity to be inspired - Register to secure your place. www.ueg.com.au

Love Making

Photos taken by JM Photography

Taking time out of their busy rehearsal schedules, Colette & Dru took on the podiums and set the atmosphere at Love Machine for Saturday's opening night. Thanks to MC Naps, DJ Mike$, Benki & the Love Saturdays team for a great night =) 
Check out Dru's latest piece to Ryan Leslie's "Rescue You" here. Featuring other Melbourne talents Leroy Curwood & Trevor Santos. With such a jam-packed month, our calendar is booked out with exciting events so stay tuned for more Melbourne lovin' over the next few weeks!

Rewind Ladies and Lady B

Picture Description: [Rewind ladies from left to right: Ana, Jacqui, Emma, Anna, Charlene, Colette & Mandy]

[ During the colder months, we decided to keep ourselves warm by filming a video to Beyonce's "Til the End of Time". We quickly threw together our outfits consisting of various black pieces from each others wardrobes and took over a factory setting to shoot Mandy's latest choreograph. Check out our clip here. ]

Australian Hip Hop Championships 2008 Preliminary Heat 1 - Review

Picture Description: Rewind qualifies for the Australian Hip Hop Championship Finals 2008

Dancing to a full house, 8 Crews brought their best to the stage as the first preliminary for the Australian Hip hop Championship concluded at Melbourne Music Academy last night. Rewind, Beatphonik and DVP all advanced to the finals for the Open age category, whilst Isolation Jnr advanced from the Under age category.


Video: Rewind @ A.H.C (Heat 1) 01/03/2008

We had an awesome display of talant with a Krump showcase, the awesome hip hop choreographer and singer: Timomatic and the breaking sensation, Mass Mayhem all taking to the stage. The vibe from the crowd was awesome and definitely left them wanting more! The good news is there is more to come with the next preliminary round on the 23rd of March 2008 at Wesley College, Prahran.

Everyone be sure to come and support this upcoming heat as its gonna be awesome!!

Peace
Steve.

Australian Hip Hop Championships 2008!

Who will be crowned the 2008 Australian Hip Hop Champions??

The definitive competition in hip hop dance has arrived and the dance industry in Australia is about to change forever...

This is your chance to experience the artistry and technique that is hip hop dance with the best of the best from the Australian dance scene going head to head. Get ready to experience the ultimate dance showcases from across our nation! With over $10,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs and your crew's chance to be the best in Australia* there's only one question on everyone's lips – who will it be?

With 3 Huge Preliminary Rounds and 1 Massive Final, only 1 crew will prevail. The search for Australia's best dance crew has begun…

Please visit http://www.ueg.com.au/index.php for full details including event dates and ticket prices.

REWIND have been confirmed to be competing in the 2008 Australian Hip Hop Championships. Which heat is REWIND in you may ask? Well its a secret =D , so be sure to attend both heats in Melbourne and support the event. If your an inter-stater, Heat 2 is in Bankstown, NSW so go and support all the crews!!

Hope to see you there!!!

Peace. Steve
REWIND

REWIND Vs. JIGSAW SNEAKERS @ GET SERVED TOUR Feat. Omarion, Marques Houston & Avant (Vodaphone Arena, Melbourne)

Picture Description: GET SERVED TOUR Feat. Omarion, Marques Houston & Avant... Now to also feature Rewind and Jigsaw Sneakers.. lol

Hey guys, apologies for the lack of updates as things have been absolutely hectic! Well as some of you may or may not know, the 'GET SERVED TOUR' feat Omarion, Marques Houston & Avant will be hitting Australia in November and heading to a few cities around Australia before finishing the Aussie tour at Vodaphone Arena (Melbourne Park), VIC on Friday 9th November. Proudly presented by C4 Events and Platinum Concepts.

Just to fill you guys in, the Get Served Tour ran a small national dance competition in each of the states consisting of Heat 1 and Heat 2, where the winners get to battle it out on stage at the Get Served Concert in a 'You Got Served' style dance battle. For the Melbourne competition, Jigsaw Sneakers took out Heat 1, while Rewind took out Heat 2 which was held @ Bass Lounge. These two crews will now go head to head live on stage at Vodaphone Arena when the tour hits Melbourne. SHOULD BE FUN!!!!

Artists, Omarion, Marques Houston and Avant are set to provide an exhilarating and explosive stage show with state of the art sound, lighting and video production at all the venues!

This concert will go off with early bird tickets already SOLD OUT!! For more information please visit www.ticketek.com.au, or http://www.getservedtour.com/

Peace.
Steve
REWIND

Our Backyard

Supporting Aussie Hip hop, thought Id plug this for RoboGirl - Check out Rewind this Sunday!

http://www.myspace.com/ourbackyardhiphop

"Our Backyard - FREE Hip Hop Event- this upcoming Sunday!!!

Show your support for the 8 registered crews - Battles will commence at 1pm sharp and throughout the afternoon so get there early! All spot are filled! Registered crews will be announced tomorrow!

First prize: $400

The massive lineup also features Sydney City party rockers Bliss n Eso,

plus breakers crew Wickid Force, Tall Man Sound System feat. MC Julez, Dragonfly & Jason Anxious (USA) with DJs Affix & Sizzle, hip hop dance crews Rewind, Beatphonik, Souljetz and Fusion, popping crew Nomadic Funk showcases by the New Scool Rulez Crew and krumping masters Royal Kaos Fam plus an emcee freestyle battle

There will also be an APRA Songwriter Speaks session on the day, chaired by leading female MC Liones, featuring Macromantics and Countbounce from TZU in conversation about their lyrical inspirations.

Our Backyard promises to be a non stop, high-energy, eye-opening exploration of hip hop culture. Sunday September 16 from 1-5pm at the Arts Centre, Playhouse, 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Entry is free!

This free, all ages, alcohol, drug and smoke-free event is brought to you by The Push.

the Arts Centre in association with Multicultural Arts Victoria as part of Mix It Up presents
Our Backyard
16 September 1 - 5pm
the Arts Centre, Playhouse
FREE EVENT

for more info contact Arna push_it@thepush.asn.au "

Updates!

Picture Description: Montanasa - The largest scale battle comp to hit Australia | Montanasa MySpace | Montanasa on GrooveDance

Updates!:

- Videos are still being edited - Sorry for the delay as its been really bz the last few weeks on Rewinds return from LA...

- Rewind performed at Parkmore Shopping Centre over the weekend- Thanks everyone for coming and supporting the show (despite the small stage we managed to pull it off!) and congrats to Aspirations for putting on a great production. Shoutouts to all the crews that performed that day as well!

- Montanasa is coming up in about a month (30th Sept)- I can personally say that this will be the best production for the dance scene ever put up in Australia. Expect to see battles from the best Australia has to offer in Bboying, Krumping, Popping, Locking and House. Tickets available soon- Will keep you posted. For other events in Sept visit: WWW.Groovedance.COM

- Did anyone get JT Tickets? I DID! Im hoping to get some info about if (or when) Marty or any of his dancers will do some workshops down here...which will be so so awesome. Chris Brown made an appearance at MMA for workshops conducted by his Dancers- Maybe JT will turns up to some workshops too? Will let you know when i get the info...

Wez

Distractions

Video Description: Nicole Scherzinger- Whatever you Like

While i sort through the 4 Hours of video that Steve took overseas, i thought id distract you with some pussycat action from Nicole Scherzingers new video with TI. Sure it sounds a bit like Blindfold me by Kelis but ...who cares? Banging beats so its definitely one i'm gonna be dropping at the clubs...

By the way, If your around Parkmore Shopping Center (Keysborough) next week, check out Rewind who will performing around 7.00pm on Friday for Aspirations Hair! (Our first show since Rewind arrived back from LA....)

Wes

Home Sweet Home

Video Description: Triple 8 Funk (NZ) and Rewind (AUS)


It’s the start of a new week and all of Rewind have now touched down from LA and are back in Melbourne (Well, except for Liz who has another month to go).

It has been posted already in a previous comment but if you want to see a full list of the finalist and their scores check out this link HERE.

I’ll be catching up with them later this week for a full round-up interview about the experience and what they thought of the event as a whole. Right now, it’s time to come back to reality and focus on what’s happening on our shores…

Also check out the Myspace pages of Steve and Susie from Rewind to see some AWESOME action shots of Rewind live on stage in LA for HHI! (*Visit Rewinds top friends on MySpace: MySpace.com/RewindDanceProductions)


There has been posts of the 10th, 7th, 5th, 3rd, 2nd and first place at HHI on YouTube but I can't find anyone that has the show of Rewind at HHI. Steve has told me that Australia was considered the underdog at HHI and hence many people didn't expect what hit them when Australia made the top 12 (We Showed THEM!). Although the show for The Game at MMA wasn't the complete show (due to stage limitations), if someone cant post it that would be awesome...

Just to update everyone what’s coming up:

- Rewind will be making an appearance next month at Parkmore Shopping Center for Aspirations Studios
- Vince and a few other Melbourne dancers will be performing for Czarinas album debut launch at Shamiana
- There are many dance events happening in Melbourne during the month of September including the massive Montanasa- a fusion of Krump, Bboying, Locking, Popping and House battles on the most high-tech stage in the Southern Hemisphere- The Palms @ Crown Casinos (Proudly supported by MMA, United Entertainment, The Nation of Sound and Groovedance.com). Check out groovedance.com for more on Montanasa and other events.

Keeping you in the Know

Wes

Video Description: Triple 8 Funk, 5th for HHI 2007

On behalf of REWIND... Thankyou =D

Picture Description: REWIND on stage at the HHI 2007 Finals

Rewind have walked away from HHI 2007 with their heads held high. Some may say Rewinds journey has ended, but for me it feels like this is just the beginning of our quest to take on the Hip Hop world.

As most of you that have been following know, Rewind qualified 5th out of 38 Crews from around the world to make the Final 12 in Hip Hop International 2007 held at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Centre, Redondo Beach (Los Angeles) on 29th July, 2007. Rewind finished the competition in 8th place. A top effort for our first time on the world scale. (For top 3 placings, please refer to previous blogs)

It was an amazing experience that will be one of the biggest highlights of my Hip Hop/ Dancing career. Not just performing, but meeting all the other crews and seeing the different styles and amazing shows each and every crew put together.

On behalf of the Rewind Crew, I'd like to once again thank all those that helped us to achieve what we did. In particular, Acey & Anna (Detour)and Monica (Beatphonik). You guys are amazing and we wouldn't have been able to do this without you guys.

Also a huge thanks to everyone who wished us well and supported us from the start. Rewind hopes that this journey will inspire more Australian crews to take part in Hip Hop International whether it be Junior, Varsity or Adult, and inspire new generations of Hip Hop Dancers to continue the legacy.

Rewind has taken with them the experience, skills and knowledge from this competition and hope to return to Hip Hop International next year with an even bigger and better show.

One Love. Hip Hop.
Peace. Steve. REWIND.

One, two and three....

If you haven't already checked youtube for the home made versions of the top three performances at HHI, here they are in all their glory...


Video Description: Eklectik, 1st


Video Description: Kaba Modern, 2nd



Video Description: Phillipine All Stars, 3rd

Personally I thought Kaba's show killed it- They were first in all their qualifiers and for some reason, they got second in the finals.

Steve has confirmed Rewinds final place was actually 8th. This is a great achievement for us Aussies and I can't wait for them all to get back home so we can get an inside look at the event and the whole experience!

Question: Whats your thoughts on the top three?

The Final Results

Well the results are in with the top three placing like this:

World Battle Results:

3rd: Philippine All-Stars (Phillipines)
2nd: Kaba Modern (USA)
1st: Eclectik (Trinidad & Tobago)

I really dont have much info at the moment and i hope Steven can give us an inside scoop on how everything has gone so far!

So where did Rewind rank? Well, all I can say is that the qualifying round the night before already ranks the top 12 in the world going into the finals. The dance they perform in the qualifier is normally what is performed in the final, so the qualifying round would give us a good idea of what the final results would look like (Given they are using the same judges as the finals).

Why is the results from the qualifer different from the final? Well, i can only say that it would have come down to execution...One crew who may not have danced as well in the qualifer may have killed it in the finals (or vice versa).

Once i get a hold of the full top 12 ranks ill let you guys know. We'll also have a heap of videos of the event as well as a full video interview with the crew upon their return!

Its been a pretty full on week and I know the guys are pretty exhasted by the whole experience. Admittadly a part of me is disappointed, but I cant tell you how PROUD I am of Rewind and all the hard work they have put in for representing the Australian Hip hop Dance Industry, a now becoming a WORLD CLASS dance crew!

More updates to come,

Wez

Rewind (Aus) Qualifies 5th out of 38 Countries

Video Description: HHI 2006 DVD Trailer

Well Aussie people- feel proud of your representatives! Rewind out of 38 countries have come 5th in the pre-qualifer to the finals tomorrow night (Monday night, Australian time). That means Australia has made it into the top 12 in the world to compete in the finals! YAY! Steve and the crew have updated me via text so i haven't really got much for you at the moment except that they were up at 7am and they were still waiting for results at 12am that evening (17 hours later)...The top 5 qualified like this:

5th- Rewind (Australia)
4th- Physical Funk (Germany)
3rd- Philippine All-Stars (Philippines)
2nd- Eclectik (Trinidad & Tobago)
1st- Kaba Modern (USA)

The other crew in the final 12 to watch out for would be 7th qualifier, Dziah (NZ).

As for Psalms (Aus-Syd), I think they just arrived today and didn't make the cut. I asked myself, "Why would you travel half way across the world to arrive on the same day all jet lagged to perform at a world level?"...Some of my info is second hand so I'm hoping that i was wrong about that!

Right now they are resting, getting a good nights rest for tomorrow- The final showdown...

Go REWIND!

Keeping U Updated...

A Quickie Update

Video Description: Rewind in LA!

Just some quick updates:

- Rewind assisted Aspirations Studios this year at HBIA AND Aspirations Director, Tracey is again, Senior Australian Hairdresser of the Year 2007! Thanks again to the Replay gals! Pics going up soon
- Rewind is training hard in the US at the moment for HHI this weekend! They'll be attending the US finals as well which is also this weekend...
- Rewind met the Pussycat dolls choreographer whilst shopping ;p and met up with some of our good friends of the Funkanometry crew (Sup 2 JP, RJ and Shannon!) who we have performed in Melb...
- Jacqui of Rewind, will be performing with Mishanda this weekend at Billboards (Friday 27th) as well as at DJ Perils new venue for Soul Clap- The Gravity Bar
- Added some new track for listening and/or downloading. Im feelin Israels new track with Fabolous- check out 'Songs in the spotlight' on the left side of this page
- DJ Atomiks new 'Cherry Mix' to download from this site Soon!

Keeping u Posted

Wes

The Rewind HHI Crew - Vince

Video Description: Interview with Vince for HHI

Vince, being Rewinds choreographer gets a special video interview! Check out the clip above for footage of Vince and the crew, taken 7am on the morning Rewind left for LA.

Vince's dance experience spans over more than 10 years now and he has performed for all the major Australian RnB or Hip-hop artists including Jade Macrae, J-Wess, Israel...just to name a few. He teaches at all the top Hip hop dance schools here in Melbourne and is a well respected choreographer throughout the Australian dance scene...and we all know respect is certainly something that is well earned. Video clips; TV appearances; Massive live shows and not to forget, leading Rewind to be the number 1 dance crew in Australia...What next for the superstar choreographer?...Sky's the limit!...

REWIND has 'L.A'nded =D

Picture Description: The Crew having dinner at Ruby's Diner

Heya Guys!!!.. its great to be here to post our first official blog while in Los Angeles. Eveveryone arrived safely after a long 14 hour flight. Anywho, I must say that the weather is beautiful here. It was about 30 degrees yesterday and today the sun is shining but not so humid.

What have we done so far you ask??? Well getting around is pretty tricky as w'ere getting used to driving on the opposite sides of the road and the traffic rules. Everywhere you go you almost have to get on the freeway everytime which is 7 lanes wide but still chocca's. This is like the land of SUV's and Chrome Wheels where almost every corner has a burger place.

All of us are still getting used to the tipping with food and adding tax to everything we pay for. Basically its the price of whatever we buy plus 8.25% tax. If we eat in a sit in restaurant, its price of the meal, plus tax, plus tip which is about 10-15%.

We havent started training as yet so just been doing some sight seeing, catching up with our fellow american buddies and shopping down Melrose Avenue which was awesome. (W'ere gonna go back cause we ran outta time. Its similar to Chapel Street but 100 times better!!!! While shopping at an awesome shoe store called Sportie L.A, we ran into the Choreographer who features in "Search for the Net Pussy Cat Doll' who happily took a happy snap with the girls...sorry i dont know his name...lol).

We also stopped by Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio for a quick peak.

Tomorrow w'ere off to Disney Land for the day before our greulling traning starts.
Heres one of the many photos we have already taken, but for now, keep checking back for some updates.

I also have a video diary that I update regularly for Wes to tell you about our daily experiences but may be available pending editing by Wes when we get back.

Lots still planned ahead but thats the update for now.

I'd just like to say this we all miss you guys and thankyou to everyone for their support and well wishes.

Much Love. Steve and the whole Rewind Crew =D

Striving for the X-factor

Picture Description: Has Rewind got all the pieces of the puzzle to win HHI?

Well, its a sad time for me. Tomorrow, I'll be waving goodbye to my crew as they step through the International gates and board the plane for a 20-something hour flight to Los Angeles. So although I'm sad, its an exciting time for Rewind. The whole of last week has been refining the performance adding bits and pieces here and there to enhance the show and to satisfy the competition criteria ... but is all this tweaking really enough?

There are so many factors that go into winning a competition- There are factors you can control: "Have you shown enough variety in your choreography?" - "Have you got enough formation changes?" - "Is the music time frame too long or short? (with no swearing...)" - "Are the costumes comfortable yet attractive?" ...then there are external factors like: "Who are you competing against?" - "Who's judging you and what is their background?"...

Considering all of that, there is also the x-factor (and I'm not talking about the TV show!). What is the X-Factor? I don't really know - but for me, its just 'something' that makes you say "that show is the one thats gonna win...". If there were two crews who did similar shows- its the x-factor that would separate the one that wins and the one that comes second. I guess I would call it the overall 'Entertainment' factor but somehow i think its more than that...

I think it has something to do with the chemistry of the dance crew coming together and sharing their passion for dance to the world. Friendship, positive teamwork, fun and enjoying what you love doing the most: all of that comes across on stage as well.

Time creeps up so quickly when you do large scale comps like HHI - Questions about whether you have done this or completed that....and you get lost in whats important in the dance show- to simply enjoy the moment.

So to my krew: be confident and show them how we do it in Australia BUT don't lose sight of why we started dancing in the first place- to inspire others and share our passion to the world!...

Questions: Whats your definition of the X-Factor?

Rewind performs this weekend!

Picture Description: The Game, this weekend

Next week Rewind is set to leave to go to the US to take on 30 countries from around the world to compete in the Hip hop international dance comp. The nerves are definitely kicking in for most of the crew as rehearsals become more intense.

Rewind performed a ‘closed door’ show for a dance industry audience only last week. The audience consisted of many of our dance mentors in Melbourne to get feedback on the current show and they had many constructive criticisms of our show. As a result, Vince and the crew have reviewed the show and have decided to go through with a number of changes to the show- The bad thing is for us is it almost like re-doing a whole new show. In particular, song choice is going through an overhaul- that would mean mix will go through its 10th draft (and that’s definitely not the last).

The feedback was important to get the show to a world standard level. But, time is running short now and with Rewind leaving next week, the pressure is on to get the dance completed. Good thing is, Rewind works well under pressure…

If you want to see the show yourself to give us feedback, Rewind is showcasing the performance this Saturday, 3pm at ‘The Game’ Krump Competition at MMA. Please come down and show your support! (Check out the flier above for the details)

Rewind HHI Crew- Interview with Monica

Picture Description: Raw, Beatphonik talent- Monica

I first saw Monica as a crew member from the now disbanded, XS-Tekniq. In a short period of time, she has achieved a level style and execution that most dancers train years and years to obtain. This natural talent has lead her dance technique to be the envy of many female hip hop dancers in Melbourne. We're thankful and honored she has accepted to compete along side Rewind and with her involvement and I dont think we could have asked for a stronger line up of female dance talent for the HHI comp...(Watch out HHI...Mwahahahaha!)


Whats your full Name?: Monica Rivo

How long have you been dancing?:
I've been dancing since mid-2004..

Which crews have you performed with?:
I am forever grateful to XS-Tekniq, performing with this crew introduced me into the dance scene. Have also performed with Hey Mamma (collaboration with Vikings girls). Have been fortunate to dance with Rewind previously, alongside our American friends for a Van Son show. I am currently in Detour & Beatphonik with whom I've grown as a dancer in both crews. Love you guys! A huge thank you to all, especially the above, who've aided me through the journey so far. Your encouragement keeps me going.

What has been your most memorable experience with Hip hop dance and why?:
The memorable experiences have been throughout rehearsals, events & comps - particularly the 'Chess' show with Beatphonik.

As well as the wave of emotions whether it be the adrenalin generated by the cheers from the crowd, the uplifting feeling when executing choreography or the joy after a performance. It's been awesome to be able to share it all with my family BP. It's also been memorable to have met many great people, formed close friendships, not to mention meeting my beautiful guy James. It's been very rewarding to have inspired others to pursue dancing too!

Something quite unforgettable to me is a memory which begun years ago when I never knew hip hop dance crews existed. I watched in awe of Rewind performing at Mercury Lounge. During the dance I can recall saying to my mates, "Wow... I want to dance with them". From that memory I viewed Rewind a pioneer in the hiphop dance scene. They're a good bunch of friends who I still admire, and now it's an honor to compete against the world with you guys..... yippeeeee!

What are you looking forward to most about going to LA and competing at HHI?:
Am definitely looking forward to the warm weather & spending QT with Rewind. We'll be hitting the theme parks, taking dance classes, shopping & visiting our American buddies. In terms of competing at HHI, I can't wait to meet & watch the other talents from around the world and performing at such a high-level comp. The nerves & excitement will be flying high no doubt!

Do you have any tips for other hip hop dance crews or dancers?:
Some tips for aspiring dancers and those who are just starting out.. Dance with passion. If you love it, go for it. Encouragement helps but believe in yourself. Feedback will help you improve. Challenge yourself - attempt & experiment with different styles and practice makes perfect!

All the best,

Mon