It's been a long time since I last blogged on AnD (I feel like I'm writing that each time I make a new Entry :) )

The second half of 2010 was really busy.

In May (yes, I know it's still first half but I though it was worth mentioning), I did a workshop with KRUMP's originator Tight Eyez

June, July and August were filled with dance practice especially as I went to train with some dancers in a train station. Totally different feeling than in a studio but much better if you like freestyling!

August also saw one bad news. After 3 or 4 years of flexibility losses and increasing knee pain I finally decided to make it to the doctor. Until then, I was hoping it was just a lack of training but the truth came out quickly.
I had been suffering tendinitis at both of my knees. Don't worry though my knees are now healed and though I'm still far from having recovered all my flexibility (especially at the hips level) I did a lot of progress already.

Beginning of September saw me move to a new place (not far from the previous one though).

Then I went to Japan for 3 weeks like last year.
I was very happy to meet a lot of dancers (pro or non-pro) as well as AnD's Shimizu Kazuya and Koga Mitsuki.
I also had a lot of fun dancing against kids superdancer Kazane (finalist @ Juste Debout 2009 )and her crew.
I definitely miss styles like punking and soul dance that are not practiced over here


Not much to say about November  nor December.

Happy New year 2011 to all!

The shows in May went well and I'm planning to upload a few videos this week-end if I'm not too lazy that is. One of the performance in our show (unfortunately I didn't take those classes) featured Lionel Hun of Cirque du Soleil in Macau (I know he knows some AnDers though he's not a member himself)

This year dance, wushu and work took me so much time and energy that I didn't blog that I didn't visit AnD as much as I was used to.

Now, the dance class season is over so I might have a bit more time though there'll be summer workshops and I began training in the hall of a train station here in Brussels.
I was a bit surprised but we're actually quite welcome there as long as we put down the volume if they ask and leave when they close the station.

Except for that not much to say on past activities.
In 10 days I'll be visiting my father for the first time since he moved to France.
2 workshops with Lionel Hun.

Then in October I'll be heading to Tokyo again for 3 weeks. My days there will be spent as last year with the exception that I'm planning to go see Amuro Namie's concert if I can get a ticket.

As most of those who read my entries (yes, I know there aren't many lately) should know that I have a dance show around this time of the year.
This year it'll be on May 1st & 2nd as well as on May 16th but today I don't want to talk about this.

I would like to introduce some work done by a friend of mine during her free time.
Please, do not hesitate to comment on this entry or to bring other people to this entry. I will forward all feedback to her.

First here are a few of her photography work.



Next to photography she's also creating some hair accessories




And she's also doing some modeling next to it.

For those of you who would like to see more of her work, you'll find more of her photography work on: http://substitut.deviantart.com/


Once again, as I know that there are a lot of people with interest in those arts on AnD, please, feel free to comment.

2 weeks ago, on March 7th, The Juste Debout 2010  International dance battle took place in Paris.

Like last year, I took a train to Paris early morning and came back to Brussels on the next Day.
This year, I didn't met with many other people from Belgium (except for my house teacher and former hip hop teacher) ADN who was entering the competition (after qualifying in Italy).

On the other hand, I watched the whole show with AnD's official artist StyleRene and her friend.

I was also able to meet some of my Japanese teachers Shuho, Hyrossi, Shingo and a few other Japanese dancers.

The event went very well as far as organization was concerned! the battle ended around at 10:30pm (unlike last year were it ended at 1 pm).
Great work from the DJs with a better choice of music than last year.
This year I would say that the top categories were house dance and locking.
(especially as personally I though that they deserved victory. My teacher ADN and another Belgian Dancer named Karim Flex lost also in quarter final.
The Best 4's team were OG and Adnan (last year's winners) and 3 French teams all members of the same crew, Serial Stepperz (same crew as my teacher)
This year the big surprise was Chinese lockers (China was for the first year on the qualifiers tour) and the Chinese lockers ended up winning the locking category. A well deserved title if you ask me they were awesome. (and defeated Japan's famous Hilti & Bosch in the first round).

Hip hop was ok, and the winners had probably less technique but so much groove that they deserved their victory.
One thing to add is that Undercover, Ibrahim from Belgium and Laura from Paris, made it to the semi finals.

Popping level was OK. Awesome performance again from Salah and Pepito (yes, together).
nice performance of the chinese team too. As well as Japan's KITE & Madoka but the winners were French (Dey Dey & Nelson)

House dance's level was also really good. I'm a bit sad that Shuho and Hyrossi lost in quarter final


Results (copied from Juste Debout's official website):

Popping: Nelson et Dey Dey ( FRance)
HIP HOP: Niki and Marta ( Sweden)
House: Yugson and Malcolm ( FRance)
Locking : Bing Bing and YA ( CHINA)
Expérimental : Skorpion ( France)
Top ROCK : YNOT ( USA NY)

some videos available here: http://canalstreet.canalplus.fr/tendances/juste-debout-2010

Wow, I didn't realize that I haven't blogged since October.

Anyway, last week was awesome.

First He Jing De came to Belgium for a 9 days seminar. As I had to work, I could only follow about 3 days of class but still I really enjoyed. Of course, it confirmed what I already knew my stances sucks and I have lost a lot of my flexibility. Those were far from great in the first place but at least they were OK. Anyway, that only means that I'll have to focus on that from now on.

Also, Mr. Wiggles form Electric Boogaloos (LA) and Rock Steady Crew (NY) and Ynot from Rock Steady Crew (NY) came to Belgium for a 2 days workshop in popping and top rocking. As it was at the same time as He Jing De's seminar and as schedule for the second day was not ideal for me, I only followed the first day. After two hours of wushu in the morning

Those 2 classes were just awesome. They mostly focus on basics but with so much details/input/history (who knows about the one in funk music?) that you learn a lot in 2 hours. Mr. Wiggles was the first person I had learn popping from (I believe there was an entry about last year's workshop). And each time, I feel like I'm learning more than I would in 3 month of a usual popping class (which I'm not able to folow as most of them have schedule that doesn't suit me).
Also as since October, I've been able to learn popping from guys like Fishboy, Jr. Boogaloo, Madoka and, of course, KITE it was even more interesting than the first workshop.

A video recommended by Mr. Wiggles:

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHE6hZU72A4

The main Event of Juste Debout will be on march 7th so I'll be going to Paris on that day.