On 13th of April in Shadow club the most prestige dance event of the year has happened, and its’s name is M357 BattleZone 2008 Dance Championship. That’s occasion of higher importance as for it’s organizer – Laboratory Of Dancing Arts Model-357, the biggest Russian dance school, as well as for all the dance community. This annual event is growing year after year, involving more and more dancers and fans of dancing. This year Shadow club was filled up with students and dancers from russian-speaking countries, and the best representatives Model-357 Lab. performed on the stage, decorated with giant poster M357 Battlezone with its’ symbol – dragon. Battlezone 2008 joined dancers from all the sides of Russian Federation & Ukraine – from Saint Petersburg, Chelyabinsk, Kaliningrad, Krasnoyarsk, Saratov, Kiev. Quantity and quality indices were over the expectations, cause there were more then 1300 guests and Juste Debout 2008 stars Twins and Serge & Kapela (France) and krump legend Tight Eyes (USA) were invited for show and jury of Hip Hop, House and Krump battles.

The evening was opened by Model-357 Lab. students showcase – they demonstrated their progress. Intermediate group directed by Anton Jukov, Antonio Krichenko and Stas Alekhin was followed by Anton’s group Master-class and Vika Blinnikova’s sexy girls. Right after there was Ksenia Rylskaya and her group Girls Only in wonderful go-go dresses. Sergey Zaborshikov’s Intermediate group also made very strong performance. And the last but not the least were Max Yurov’s girls, who showed two dances with reincarnation from hip hopers to sexy ladies.

Besides student shows there were team shows: Black&White duo – Vanes and Stas, Cheba-staya, Island Dance, Mochito Tricks and Dance Idea of Boris Zavaritskiy. By the way, Model-357 made some great surprises for everybody. The first one was Pradd Bros. – rap crew from Spb. And after them: Les Twins show! This guys made the crowd go crazy like on Bercy in Paris. All their performance was kind of unreal – reality was confirmed right after the show, when it’s turned out that Laurent broke Larry’s chin. This crazy twins are just kids, gods, demons – at the same time!

After such an action it was really complicated task for other performers to make an impression. But Serge and Kapela, two crazy-legged steppers from France, made it happen. That was real house stocking and positive energy all around. Next was Tight Eyez’s performance -indescribable and unspeakable! Krumpers shout were heard by all Moscow citizens no doubts. Somebody couldn’t keep themselves from tears, cause Model-357 made so important things and someone’s dreams come true. It was first time when three foreign shows were organized for russian dancers.

Zone of the battles was opened by Hip Hop M357 students battle. Jury was represented by Boris Zavaritskiy, Ksenia Rylskayam Anastasia Soboleva and Egor Sokolov (Russia). Twelve participants were beforehand chosen on preselection. In final met Iola, Katya Sgarkina and Yana Toropova – very talented dancers, but the strongest one was Iola – she became absolute winner of this battle!

After student battles Profi battles on Hip Hop, House and Krump started. Hip Hop nomination was judged by Larry & Laurent – Les Twins duo (Russia). There were more than 7 participants, so firstly there was organized preselection to chose 16 battlers. Instead of 1×1 system Twins offered Seven To Smoke and two finalists were going to battle with Twins. These two were Vovan Gudym and Yura Kirillov, who decided to put off his sneakers and danced just in socks. But it didn’t help him – Twins has chosen his opponent Vovan for technique and amazing musicality.

In House battle there was the same system and jury was Serge and Kapela. Among participants who made preselection there were such strong dancers as Lacy, Roman Burykin, Nina Yalovaya, dancers from SPB Impress crew, but it was Oksana Romashkine who turned out to become the winner – her teammate Lacy gave her the pas, cause this victory was so important for her.

Before Krump battle there was ceremonial and long-waited presentation of Model-357 first dance videoclip featuring Girls Only team. This unique project of professional video about dancing officially came out on this special day. It was supported by live-performance of the artists and creators of the exclusive track Dmcb, Batishta and MC Check. And right after the presentation there were free champagne and screaming in honor of Model-357 Lab. 10 years annual.

And after here comes KRUMP – with heading letters! Universe never seen so explosive battle! Tight Eyes created exciting energy and turned dancers on, so they battled as that was their last chance or they was going to die after the end. That was confirmed by final, where met Alex from Pangz Fam and MAG from Slamz Fam. He won, but this victory turned out not to be easy – he got concussion of the brain…

Can’t keep mysef from paying attention that it was first time when profi battles in Hip Hop, House and Krump nominations attracted the strongest dancers all over the Russian Federation and judging was made by world top dancers. Krump battles was rised to higher level, judged by Tight Eyes and gathered greatest russian krumpers. BTW thar were also Les Twins who couldn’t keep themselves from taking part in Krump competition – that was real dance madness!

On award ceremony Hip Hop student battle winner Iola got cup, mini-laptop and M357 club card for a year. Profi battles winners: Vovan (Hip Hop), Romashka (House) and MAG (Krump) got super cups by Model-357, diplomas, sighed by jury and money prizes. While everybody tried to calm down after so emotional event, iDance spoke to Alexander Azymov, Laboratory Of Dancing Arts owner and M357 Battlezone 2008 organizer, about his expectations and the results.

Alexander: As always, I’m dissatisfied *laughes*. You probably noticed that I prefer only enormous sizes. Media support was also maximal: 4 photographers, 3 video cameras, MTV has made report for News Block. That’s why I expected maximal results. And now feeling that everything was awesome, I want more anyway: more guests, more dancers…

What do you think was the most awesome?

No doubts Tight Eyez! I’m sure it’s not only my opinion. His workshops, show and Krump battles – I’ve never seen the same in my life. Tight agreed for long-terms work and his next visit is planning on September.

Despite of all the troubles Les Twins have also come to Model-357, haven’t they?

Yes. There were many organizational troubles, but we turned out to succeed and Twins’ve finally came to us. Of course it’s a great success, but because of it we had to change Serge & Kapela’s workshop schedule, to change the promotion, to inform people once again and explain them the situation. But I still can’t keep myself from being happy about their coming.

How were Tight Eyez’ and French classes in Model-357 Taganskaya?

It was sold out! There are very spacious halls comparing with studio Model-357 Belorusskaya and Taganka could fit into all the students. Everything here, all the conditions and equipment are rather better. Official opening for the students is planning on 15-20th of May.

And workshops themselves were amazing, video just couldn’t reflect that energy and feeling. Tight Eyes seems to be kind and nice person, but when he doing classes he turns bang! After workshops – Krump jams. I’m sure that soon european dancers’ll come specially to his workshops, like Grichka. I want to reach european and then international level for sure and organize the event better and better. French dancers Serge, Kapela and Twins were also amazing, but since May we’re planning workshops of american dancers only.

Where is it possible to take presented on Battlezone clip and track Model-357?

DVDs with clip and video BattleZone 2007 were given for free just on the entrance. Also everybody was offered to buy 4 kinds of t-shirts with M357 logo – students who performed on the Battlezone stage and all the staff wore them – that looked so cool! This t-shirts were sold in first half an hour and now it’s planned another series of t-shirts with dragon design – that’s’ new Model-357 symbol. DVDs you could also get on Model-357 reception or to download from Internet. We also announced our new project called 1st Dance Channel – live from dance events and many more!

So, what are your another plans?

We’re developing and finding new ideas, making all the best for dancers. But as you already know I’m dissatisfied. So looking for new Model-357 projects – coming soon! Among them are Tight Eyez workshops in September, amercican gurus of House and Hip Hop, 1st Dance Channel, new exclusive Model-357 track and much more. And of course Battlezone 2009′s going to be enormously great and knock out everybody by it’s power. We’re finding out mistakes, improving and going to perfection!

M357 Battlezone 2009 – International Dance Competition

12th of April 1Rock Club in Moscow City became a home for an iconic and number one dance event in Russia called M357 Battlezone 2009, organized by Alexander Azymov, owner of the biggest Russian dance studio – Laboratory Of Dancing Arts Model-357. This year the event proved his status of International Dance Competition and involved dancers from all over the Russian Federation and CIS, from France and USA. View more…