Moment of Madness breaks it down, yo

Moment of madness breaks it down – yo’

So I was lucky enough to MC a break-dancing and popping competition on Thursday night at Docklands Hotel on Mahatma Gandhi Road.

Popping you say? What is that, a champagne opening competition? A popcorn microwaving marathon? No kind sir, it is not… It is a seriously impressive dance that involves moves I couldn’t possibly do unless I was tied to an electric fence and someone with an itchy trigger finger controlled the switch.

What I was first hit with was the sheer energy in the room as the night kicked off. Let’s be honest it’s dancing and there is always going to be energy, but this kinda vibe could have powered Koeberg station for a year.

Now I didn’t know the difference between break-dancing and popping, but after watching the two forms of dance I would find it hard to class them in the same category.

Break-dancing is very acrobatic, almost gymnastic in appearance, whilst popping is a little less full body flair and more concentrated movements of the limbs. I think. If you are either type of performer and find yourself shaking your head while reading this ridiculously simple explanation of your art , I apologize a thousand times.

Anyway, I digress. The event, aptly titled Underground Kings 2013, was the first of its type in Durban in 2013 and I sincerely hope that it isn’t the last.

If you are like me and your dance moves are limited to the chicken wing and funky monkey, you will be blown away by the sheer physical demands this art commands of its participants. From one handed spins to full body vertical push ups while flicking the legs around, to 360 sideways flips while going head over funky coloured heels ( or rather, sneakers) – the show had it all.

The winners – B-boy Preston “Krazy Kayzo” Kyd ( 2013 Underground Kings Break-dancing champion and 2012 champ) and J-White (2013 Underground Kings Popping champ) didn’t have an easy run (or head spin) to the top – the rounds were fiercely contested in sets of one vs one battles of three rounds at a time, with welcome reprieves for the contestants between sets in the form of performances by various crews of dancers and international grade performers.

All in all, a great event – and I urge you to keep an eye out for the next one, it’s going to be off the hook yo’

Till next time

Take care

- Jason

Follow me on Twitter @jasonMcCall01