What a Weekend......

For some the weekends are for rest and relaxation, for wild Saturday nights and overindulgent lazy Sundays but not for us Dance-Stationers! Oh no, for us, weekends are made for battling. And this weekend was a BIG one. So big in fact, that I have had to re-write the lyrics to the Bangles classic "Manic Monday":

"It's just another voiceless Monday,
It's a result of Sunday,
Cos that's my cheer-day,
It's just another voiceless Monday!"

It was of course the street-talent weekender with battles in krump, popping, hip hop, house, breaking, 'me against the music' and waacking. No surprises - it was the waacking that was our main focus.

The Saturday comprised of the pre-selection and once again a few of our own decided to throw themselves to the wolves - all in the name of fun! Waacking disciples @Trixiecantswim, @SusieQ_licious and @CarleeBanks all entered as did resident teacher extraordinaire @MlleGinger - but with very different intentions, Ginge was in for the kill we were more 'in for the thrill.'

Despite this being our second time 'out' so to speak, it seemed infinitely more terrifying this time round for a variety of reasons. Consequently I feel that us managing to get through the 45 seconds (who knew this could last for an eternity) without throwing up was an achievement in itself, but we werked it out - @SusieQ_licious was particularly on it- and came off feeling sufficiently satisfied before going to quench the terror-induced thirst with a quick coca-cola. Thereafter, the weekend went on to improve exponentially as @MlleGinger qualified for the finals the next day along with DS friend @EleanorOfficial, Bagsy and Julia - and so the hype began! 

What can I say about the next day - aside from the fact that I am very glad of my ability to multi-task! The semi-finals came first (Bagsy vs. Julia and @MlleGinger vs. @EleanorOfficial) with Mademoiselle Ginger and Bagsy going through to the finals. You could already feel the passion burning at this stage, especially when @MlleGinger and @EleanorOfficial (comrades in arms and facing each other at Funkin Stylez for the second year running) came together to battle it out to the sweet sounds of Lady Marmalade - two fierce and fabulously dressed ladies + fierce track = FIRE! But this was nothing compared to what was coming ...... 

Although there was a rather longer wait for this next instalment than anticipated (seriously does one not learn that there are ONLY sixty seconds in a minute at school these days - I need to have words with the minister for education) there were some highlights, including 'it's not unusual' dropping during the me vs music prelims - (although seriously if you can't do the running man like a dork then you shouldn't be allowed to dance to this track) and it gave the competitors some time to get 'in the zone,' besides, the final was SERIOUSLY worth the wait. 

True we were yet again reduced to gibbering, hollering, nervous wrecks on the side (even in the position of the not-so-glamorous assistant).

Yes we may have made some enemies in the form of other spectators by kneeling and screaming so loudly I'm pretty sure whatever the nearest doctors surgery to Brixton's Plan B is will be seeing a large number of cases of perforated eardrums in the coming days. 

For certain did I give myself repetitive strain injury from repeatedly making the Holla gesture.

But was any of this regrettable?!? - NO FRIGGIN WAY! Getting to see someone fulfil a goal -and not just satisfactorily but absolutely kill it -  as a result of pure power and passion is an experience that nothing can detract from. Bagsy put up a determined fight but @MlleGinger was sooooo embedded in the music, it was exhilarating and impossible to beat. For that oh Ginger one you amply deserved your crown and we salute you with this aptly named track: