Ok so I'm not talking about the Hoedown Throwdown but the one and only THROWDOWN - the monthly battle held in Brixton's plan B. It's always a hype night but tonight it was the LAST EVER waacking battle! As such, it was always going to have a little bit extra but I don't think anybody expected it to hit the levels that it did.
For starters SO many waackers entered that right from the prelims the atmosphere was electrifying. Everyone was going all out and it was obvious that everyone had really stepped up their game. Particularly ingenious were the entrances with everybody werking it to the max. Of particular note were: (of the @Waacktitioners) the Prince of England (@NikSnode) standing directly under a red light and then strutting down the bleachers like he was on a deadly mission; Tin Mantis with his acrobatics and GLOWING GLOVES (which I wasn't at all tempted to steal); @EleanorOfficial werking a fur coat like only she can; Dance Station's own @MlleGinger intermingling with the unsuspecting audience to great effect; and Spike who went all tango-tastic to the crowd's delight. Even Dance Stationers @trixiecantswim, @susieq_licious, @CarleeBanks and DS friend Miss Mane seemed to have been infected - living off the enthusiasm of all present and (in the case of Carlee and Trixie) the fact that they KNEW THE SONG!!!!!!!!!. Unsurprisingly the aforementioned 5 (plus Bagsy, Divalicious K and Jade) went through to the quarter finals and this is where it got MENTAL!
What followed were some of the best rounds I've ever seen (and I know I'm not alone in this opinion) - they were just sooo exciting, especially seeing the @Waacktitioners pitted against each other and watching how this played out.
First up was @MlleGinger vs. Tin Mantis both of whom bought it. With props (physical) and FIRE (metaphorical) galore it was hard to move your eyes fast enough. The originality and dynamism of these two is really something to witness and something that makes it very hard to determine a 'winner' meaning that an extra round was needed (yay from an audience perspective) raising the excitement levels of the battle to such a level that I'm pretty sure they were illegal.
Then came @MissEleanor and @NikSnode - fierceness overload and even more props (although of a slightly less savoury nature this time - hmmmmm). Again the level of dancing was off the charts but what was even more entertaining were the interactions between the two on the sidelines of the battlegrounds with @MissEleanor clearly portraying her disgust at the Princes' very unprincely behaviour (evidently Harry is the influencer and not William) to great aplomb. Thus it's the confidence and presentation of these two that always gets me. You've got to love how waacking let's you fully embrace self-expression and push it to the maxx and it still be enjoyable to watch.
From here, it was the men who went through to the semis bringing more wonderful theatrics but being knocked out by Divalicious K and Bagsy who went on to create a final of two very different interpretations of waacking - something that is very interesting for the audience - that Divalicious deservedly won, great to see a fierce dancer not being afraid to embrace her femininity and make it look strong not simpering.
By this stage the adrenaline of everyone in the building was so high I'm pretty surprised there weren't any medical emergencies during track from the hat (in fact I think I'm going to have to suggest that werkaholism is added to the medical dictionary as a genuine affliction to prevent any future catastrophes) only luggage disASters on the way home when delirium had set in.
Overall it was an AMAZING night. It is really hard to describe the effect that events like these have on the collective morale of those present but I definitely don't think anyone feels blue the next day and for good reason. It's amazing to see a scene that doesn't discriminate but lets you get what you want out of it and evolves as a result. So major props to all involved, I could not have been in Alyssa's shoes.
Thanks @KatyMillsLondon for the photos
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