MZUKA DANCE AWARDS WINNERS

As the invitation to #madAwards read

The crowning of the best in our industry happened. A night we saw a pulling of an enormous crowd of artist gather to celebrate the dance industry. The show attracted presentations that do not usually fit the normal stage, we saw top performers raise the bar live on stage and as it would have been, alot of challenges were put behind to have this night be a night to remember. I sit hear and contemplate what could have gone right and what could have been done better but am quick to restrain myself from forgetting how far we have come. I celebrate #MadAwards for not being the best but for showing a great first step towards the right direction. I celebrate the likes of Ian Wainaina who worked tirelessly to gather the right artist for the show, Bboy harry for having the guts to stage direct, Bboy Kay(Breaksession) for handling the the crews and organizing the guest list for the show. Chiluba dance aka the beast behind the man for carefully organizing the performances and making the experience formidable. He tells me that he is yet to get to his best and for him this was just a tip of what he is made off. The dancepeeps team came through for the content developed but this was logged behind this very able graphic designer-Alfred aka the Mad talent from Africa. The team was headed by EZ(FBI) who bore the idea and was responsible for gathering the organizing team. 

But today we talk winning, I would like to take this opportunity to celebrate winners who by your vote are the best in the industry. 

• Best YouTube Sensation & Best Afro/ Dancehall Crew- Kenya Legacy - Nairobi
• Best Male Dancer- Kanda Junior -Nairobi
• Best Female Dancer - Carol - Jims and Dims
• Best Dance Crew-Igiza - Nakuru
• Best HipHop Crew-G-Syders - Nairobi
• Best Latin Dance Crew- Salsa Afrique-Nairobi
• Best Choreographer- Bruz  -The Band-Nairobi
• Best Modern Dance in Drama Festivals-NYS-Nairobi
• Best Dance Event/ Show-Jims Experience
• Best Dance Advert/Media-Trust
• Best Sport Celebration Dance- Gor Mahia
• Best Dance Music Video Pakacha - D.K
• Best Dressed DanceHall Crew: Jims & Dims - Nairobi
• Best Dressed Male/Female Dancer -Luwi - Tsunami (Nairobi)
• Best Judge :-Joanne Ball Burgess
• Best Performing/Dance Artist- Willy Paul
• Best Dance Song-Furi Furi -Jimmy Gait & D.K
• Best Corporate/NGO/Govt supporting Dance- Nairobi City County
• Most promising Crew-seraphics-(all Girls)
• Best Alternative Dancers-Viva Marimba -  (Nairobi)
• Best BBoy /B GAL-B Boy:  Zungu - Tanzania.

For being the best and standing out. we salute you. As we try to raise our standards, get better rating and make this art a profession that is well paying, we hope to challenge all of the industry players to step up their efforts so that we increase our presence in the entertainment industry and to push for a self servicing industry. Instead of waiting for the storm to calm let us Dance in the rain.

MZUKA AFRICA DANCE AWARDS NOMINEES

BEST MALE DANCER
1. Jackso - Dabs (Mombasa)
2. Bruce - The Band (Nairobi)
3. Leemo – B12 (Mombasa)
4. Chiluba - DSI (Nairobi)
5. Daniel - Igiza (Nakuru)
6. Kanda Junior (Nairobi)
7.  Freddy - F.B.I (Nairobi)
8.  Manu - Titans (Nairobi)
9.  Joshu - Jims and Dims (Nairobi)
10.  Coldy - All Stars (Nairobi)
11. Brayo Mifwit - Boom Crew (Nairobi)
12. Dru Dancemafia (Nairobi)

BEST FEMALE DANCER
1. Joyce - Igiza (Nakuru)
2. Lucy - Shrink (Nairobi)
3. Gaya - Yawa (Kisumu)
4. Annita - Zawadi (Nairobi)
5. Carol - Jims and Dims (Nairobi)
6. Farida - G-Clef (Mombasa)
7. Aggy - Sarakasi (Nairobi)
8. Naomi - (Nairobi)
9. Clemo - Side B (Nairobi)
10. Tumi - Alter Quins (Nairobi)
11. Lady Tasha - (Nairobi)

BEST DANCE CREW
1. F.B.I - Nairobi
2. Everlast - Busia
3. The Band - Nairobi
4. Dabs - Mombasa
5. D.S.I - Nairobi
6. Tsunami - Mombasa
7. Yawa - Kisumu
8. Jims and Dims - Nairobi
9. Igiza - Nakuru
10. Gospel Warriors - Eldoret
11. Alterim – Nairobi
12. Christ Soldiers – Kajiado
13. I.D.U – Uganda
14. T-Africa – Tanzania
15. Sarakasi Dancers - Nairobi

BEST HIPHOP CREW
1. B-boy Squad - Nairobi
2. Sisko - Nairobi
3. Dabs All Stars - Mombasa
4. Street Error - Malindi
5. The Band - Nairobi
6. Boom Crew - Nairobi
7. F.B.I - Nairobi
8. So-Sick - Eldoret
9. Limbo - Nairobi
10. Jims and Dims - Nairobi
11. Detour – Nairobi
12. G-Syders – Nairobi

BEST AFRO/ DANCEHALL CREW
1. D.S.I - Nairobi
2. Igiza - Nakuru
3. Altermin - Nairobi
4. Le- Afrique - Nakuru
5. F.B.I - Nairobi
6. Dynamix - Embu
7. Platinum - Nairobi
8. Kenya Legacy - Nairobi
9. Sarakasi - Nairobi
10. Alpaccino - Nairobi
11. Mystical - Mombasa
12. Flammers – Nairobi
13. All stars – Nairobi
14. Unnik -  Nairobi
15.Sarakasi - Nairobi

BEST LATIN
1. Salsa Afrique - Nairobi
2. Dance Village - Nairobi


BEST CHOREOGRAPHER
1. Chiluba - D.S.I (Nairobi)
2. Freddy - F.B.I (Nairobi)
3. Marqus - Titans (Nairobi)
4. Stone - Sisko (Nairobi)
5. Bruce - The Band (Nairobi)
6. Jackso - Dabs (Mombasa)
7. Githendu - The Band (Nairobi)
8. Mbarack - I-Emas (Nairobi)
9. Edu - Sarakasi (Nairobi)
10.E-Sir – Sarakasi (Nairobi)
11. Sule – The Band (Nairobi)
12. Renee – Dashy


BEST MODERN DANCE IN DRAMA FESTIVALS
1. NYS - Nairobi
2.Nembu Girls - Nairobi
3. MCK Kariokor - Nairobi
4. Technical - Nairobi
5. Kegonge Boys - Embu
6. Lions - Kisumu
7. Nairobi Aviation - Nairobi
8. KSMC - Nairobi
9. Zetech - Nairobi



BEST YOUTUBE SENSATION
1. D.S.I - Nairobi
2. F.B.I - Nairobi
3. The Band - Nairobi
4. Street Pokers - Nairobi
5. Dru Dance Mafia - Nairobi
6. Kenya Legacy - Nairobi
7. Igiza - Nairobi
8. Heat Makers - Thika
9. Mystical - Mombasa
10. Art in Motion - Nairobi
BEST DANCE HOUSE
1. Sarakasi - Nairobi
2. Yawa - KLisumu
3. K-PAG - Nairobi
4. Sarari Cats - Nairobi
5. Dance Village – Nairobi
6. Academy of Dance & Art - Karen

BEST DANCE EVENT / SHOW
1. Break Session
2. Dance Unplugged
3. Sakata
4. Jims Experience
5. Spa Fest
6. Banjuka - Eldoret
7. Talanta Dance Festival - Mombasa

BEST DANCE ADVERT/ MEDIA
1. Close Up
2. Trust
3. Always
4. Safaricom
5. Faulu
6. Snap

BEST SPORT CELEBRATION DANCE
1. Kemboi
2. Sofapaka
3. Oliech
4. Gor Mahia
5. Strathmore
6. Kenya Queens Malkia (Volley ball)

BEST DANCE  MUSIC VIDEO
1. Weka Weka - P Unit
2. Pakacha - D.K
3. Lipala Dance - Sauti Sol
4. Show - Victoriua Kimani
5. Balance - F.B.I

BEST DRESSED DANCE CREW
1. Alpaccino - Nairobi
2. Shakers - Nairobi
3. Black Blingers - Nairobi
4. Tsunami - Mombasa
5. B12 - Mombasa
6. F.B.I – Nairobi
7. Jims & Dims – Nairobi
8. I.D.U - Nairobi

BEST DRESSED MALE/FEMALE DANCER
1. Mute - F.B.I (Nairobi)
2. Sanchez - B.B (Nairobi)
3. Shebo - Dabs (Mombasa)
4. Ravin - Alpacchino (Nairobi)
5. Luwi - Tsunami (Nairobi)
6. Maggy - (Nairobi)
7. Kelly -  D.S.I (Nairobi)

BEST JUDGE
1. Ian
2. Wyre
3. Joan
4. Bonless
5. Qqu
6. Mbarack

BEST PERFORMING/ DANCING ARTIST
1. Wyre
2. Akothe
3. Kris Eh Baba
4. Bahati
5. D.K
6. Willy Paul
7. Nameless
8. Wahu
9. Amani
10. Avril
11. Size 8

BEST DANCE SONG
1. Sari Sari - D.K
2. Sura Yako - Sauti Sol
3. Furi Furi -Jimmy Gait & D.K
4. Get Down - Madtrax
5. Kode - Airforce
6. Balance - F.B.I

BEST CORPORATE/ NGO/ GOVERNMENT SUPPORTING DANCE
1. Nairobi City County
2. Urban Bites
3. Youth Fund
4. Ministry of Culture
5. Lucozade
6. Trust
7. Cellulant

MOST PROMISING CREW
1. Shakers
2. The Crew
3. Ceraphics
4. X- Acid
5. Zawadi
6. LXD (Mombasa)
7. Street Error
8. Unique Crew
9. Alter Queens
10. The Pillar
11. The Dream
12. Platinum
13. Unnik Crew

BEST ALTERNATIVE
1. Viva Marimba -  (Nairobi)
2. Sound of Africa - Nairobi
3. Kenya Utamaduni Ngoma - Nairobi
4. Bomas of Kenya  - Nairobi
5. Tarumbeta - Nairobi
6. Sons of Africa -
7. Jambo Mambo
8. Afro Jungle Jeeges
9. Shangaza
10. African Footprint
11. Abaki Simba

BEST B BOY/ B GAL
1. B boy Dennis - F.B.I (Nairobi)
2. B boy  Ommy - F.B.I (Nairobi)
3. B boy Allan - So- Sick (Eldoret)
4. B boy Aqua - Boom Crew (Nairobi)
5. B boy More trix - Dabs Allstars (Nairobi)
6. B boy Riser - Dabz (Mombasa)
7. B boy Monsta - Street Error (Malindi)
8. B boy Mifwit - (Nairobi)
9. Kijibwa - (Mombasa)
10. B Girl Keys – Uganda
11. B Girl Cindy – South Africa
12. B Boy Zungu – Tanzani
13. B Boy Seki – Tanzania
14. B Boy Amani - Rwanda

THE STORM THAT IS VID

I know, this will sound a little dramatic but I like it. Bboy vid is one great artist, commonly known for his spontaneous Air Chairs, he has managed to accomplish what many only dream of. He is reserved and thats why most of us think the Bboy is shy until you meet him schooling opponents on the floor. When I met him I did not think much of him but his eyes told a story of a ferocious warrior whose blades are sharp and ready to go. Now residing in Niederrohrdof Forholzli, Switzerland Vid tells me of his new life and how  everything is constantly changing,

Dancepeeps: when did go to Switzerland?
Bboy Vid: I arrived here on March 14th 2015.

Dancepeeps: Let me drop the bomb. First things first,you are a dad now.

THE GIFT THAT MEANS ALOT TO BBOY VID

 
Bboy Vid: Yes am a dad now.God blessed us with a beautiful daughter:)

MOTHER-DAUGHTER SELFIE

Dancepeeps:Congrats man, so proud of you, How does it make you feel?

Bboy Vid:Thanks bro! *Clearly excited* I appreciate. Oh men, I luck words to explain how it feels. Its the most amazing and extremely awesome thing in the world. Its the best gift ever man! It's amazing.

THAT BOND OF ONE THAT COMPLETES THE TWO.

Dancepeeps: I know, so now you have a new boss. lets talk dance.
Bboy Vid:sure thing.

Dancepeeps:How can you compare your dancing now and one year ago?

Bboy Vid:There is a great difference because I feel I have improved my dancing. I have gained more knowledge about dance, been taught and learnt from great dancers. My inspiration and technique has been influenced by the new knowledge and I am humbled and thank God for opportunity to grow as a dancer.

Dancepeeps:You are a bboy by origin then other forms of dance comes after. Do you feel Bboy is one dance that trully defines you?

Bboy Vid:*laughs* You are absolutely right, Bboy is a dance technique that truly defines me.

Dancepeeps: and you were recently in a redbull workshop. Tell me about That.

Bboy Vid: Yeah, that was a dream come true. The workshop was super dope , awesome,great but the biggest attraction was the professional Bboys that taught. They literary explained what really takes to win a Redbull Bc One tittle and any other bboy battle.It was quite the challenge.



Dancepeeps: What is the difference from the kenyan Workshops?

Bboy Vid:This guys got the best. I mean International Breakers teaching guys who have won Bboy events like Redbull bc one, BOTY and the like.In Kenya we have great Workshops but we lack International Bboy Workshops which are a different experience all together. My hope is that this will end soon and I have a great feeling about this.

Dancepeeps:Who are some of the guys you Interacted with?

Bboy Vid: Mr. Wiggles, Bboy Mounir, Bboy Junior  and Bboy Menno.

POSTED BY BBOY MENNO ON HIS IG BBOY VID ON THE REDBULL WORKSHOP.

Dancepeeps:That is a very good list.A very good one.

Bboy Vid:Yeah getting down in the cypher with this guys was incredible.I threw down man. This was a chance of a life time.

Dancepeeps:Nice. I never knew you as one to back Down. Have you heard that FBI are competing at Hip hop International?

Bboy Vid: I heard and read about it on Facebook. That is a very good deal and my prayer is that it all works out.Dance in Kenya need to be recognized for sure because 'Kenya Got Talent'. I wish them all the best and hope they select a good team that is going to represent FBI and Kenya as a whole.The need to select the best Kenya can offer. Its tricky but I hope they make a wise decision on who to pick.


Dancepeeps:Any word for the breakers and dancers
 in Kenya?

Thanks bro, Never give up in this breaking Life.Wishing all dancers the best and especially FBI, GO GO GO HARD!

THE FUTURE IS HERE

FB:click BBOY VID

A DAY FOR OUR MOTHERS-MOTHERS DAY

Good evening, here is to a great day and happy tidings to a day we celebrate our dear mothers. I happen to be very close to my mum and draw so much social skills from her. I am humbled every time by her great work in raising me and my siblings and that's why I take tonnes of space to say, "MUM, YOU ARE THE BEST!"

I am not alone. A couple of industry Players had this to say Today:

 "To the strongest women in our lives, our mums, happy mothers day today and everyday of the year"

CHILUBA ARTHUR

DSI

CREW LEADER

JOHNNIE WUPS OF DETOUR.

  

"Eunice kamau Happy mothers day mom and all mothers. you are a jewel that makes everyone shine in the family.your love is beyond measure and  your support is  a blessing.happy mothers day mom love you ."

YOUR SON JOHNNIE WUPS

CREW MANAGER

DETOUR DANCE CREW

FRED WACHIRA OF SWAP UNIT.

"Happy mothers day to all women in the world, The world ceases to exist without you, Mum, I love you for life."

FRED WACHIRA

SWAP UNIT

LOGISTICS MANAGER

#KEDANCEAWARDS

 




"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials and heavy and sudden fall upon us, when adversity takes the place of prosperity, when fries desert us, when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate and cause peace to return to our hearts."

IN TRUE COLORS GOD GAVE MOTHERS A HEART OF UNMEASURABLE CARE. FREDDY MILAYA AKA MILAN.

FREDDY MILAYA

FBI CREW LEADER AND DANCER.

WE CELEBRATE MAMA CHILUBA

The strength that is a mothers love is amazing. As we close this day, we celebrate a mother who has given us a phenomenon dancer. Hats off for MAMA CHILUBA!.

Remember to leave your comments and suggestions below. Happy mothers day it is.

THE LABOUR WE ARE

TODAY WE HOPE

I had hoped to do this earlier for even I had posted a facebook post on this day but as project planning would have it, I was arrested by a pen and paper, not forgetting my son's excitement for play with dad. I get it, we as employees are engulfed so much in being the best at work that we sometimes forget what importance is there in coming home with the same energy that we left in. For almost an year now, I have been glued in my imagination of what this factor of production called human capital is being treated in the dance industry.

MAKE IT COUNT

I have engaged a few professionals, talked to my colleagues and hell even engaged dancers just to get an insight on what is and is not. I will be careful because I might rub a few wounds and I do not wish that this article be the well read, mis intepretted piece on #KOT that ends up loosing its mean all the while not solving the emminent matter or issue as the local shows may call it. Yes! I play this scenarios in my head and none of them ends with the industry growing, jut a taste of unfavoured fame that ends up as that proverbial fire in the forest that fades off  never to rise again since there no more trees to burn.


Far off is the structure and the body of operation in the dance industry in kenya. sometime I wonder if whether its an industry or just a todler that is never growing up. *Careful :) * its true because we are hurting and the art everyday is stagnant, without cause and direction, because no real issues are being sorted. we have no structure, no unity of purpose and infact no standards set for the dance fraternity, so now every Tom Dick and Harry (Bboy Harry No pun intended) can get in and try a shot with all the mediorce dancing and management skills we can think off. I can't blame this rugged "wanna be" managers because they see an opportunity and take it, but I blame us, us who understand the art and are ready to die for it. we need to talk, engage and advice more on proper ways to legthen a crews life, how to choose a manager or damn even how to dress for a performance.





The industry players need to come together because our human capital is under paid, un trained and poorly managed. This song has been sang over and over and over but to no avail of change. Today is a day we celebrate our labour force and efforts but for the dance industry we hope. we hope for a future with great tidings, a future that our painful past shall curve. You are the change and if you don't grow in mind and skill we all are doomed to fail.

FOR IT IS IN STANDING TOGETHER THAT OUR WEAKNESS WILL BE OUR STRENGTH

I encourage all of us to engage, leave your comments and suggestions on this topic below.  

TODAY WE HOPE

WORLD INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY

I woke up upbeat because for me this year is a great year for my writing and dance growth. evidently, its also a great and very crucial day for the dance industry because it is our day. we celebrate dance today and involve new audiences in an aim to spread the knowledge in dance. I have for a while been troubled by how our ability to create has been hindered by our mind block and how  the "copy paste" mentality has deprieved us the opportunity to access our most creative and wildly daring nature in our art form. 

I refuse to give up and today I open my eyes to this new light of association and collaboration. The new path of selflessness. The official dance day message delivered by The President of the International Dance Council CID- ALKIS RAFTIS encourages free participation and inclusion of other forms of art to tell dance stories and to educate. I do not wish to pre empty this so just go ahead and read the speech.

The official message for

Dance Day

29 April 2015

    A century ago famous Russian organizer Sergei Diaghilev revolutionized ballet by inviting the most talented painters and musicians of his time to contribute to his performances. I have the impression that present day choreographers neglect the other arts, do not feel the need to present their creations alongside their equals in other fields.

   I am sure audiences would appreciate more arts included in dance performances, starting with the classical arts: painting, sculpture, theater, music, poetry, architecture, as well as more modern forms like photography, cinema, multimedia, lighting design, sound design. Let me go further in proposing to enrich choreography with the humanities (history, literature, philosophy and linguistics). Personally I would particularly enjoy storytelling, martial arts, and - I mean it very seriously - culinary arts.

    There is nothing new to it, ancient Greeks in their symposia combined all the above. After 25 centuries we could return to the idea that a complete performance combines as many arts as possible.

    This year the International Dance Council CID joins forces with a sister organization to celebrate Dance Day. The International Association of Art IAA/AIAP is a non-governmental organization whose offices are next to ours at UNESCO. Our common proposal is to combine dance with painting, drawing, sculpture or other forms of creative work in the visual arts.

    Many thanks to Ms. Rosa-Maria Burillo from Mexico, World President of IAA/AIAP, who mobilized artists from dozens of countries suggesting they cooperate with choreographers, dancers and dance teachers in common events: performances, exhibitions, happenings, flashmobs, worship meetings, therapeutic sessions and (why not?) banquets!

Alkis Raftis( researcher in the field of dance, including ethnographic research on traditional Greek dance. Also, Raftis is the president of International Dance Council at UNESCO)

                                                                   Alkis Raftis

                                      President of the International Dance Council CID

                                                                UNESCO, Paris

 Remember to leave you comment and suggestions on the comment section below.

                                                  

STEP UP ALL IN Trailer Official - Ryan Guzman, Briana Evigan

Wondering where to watch the fifth instalment of step up?

-Century Cinemax Junction, Nairobi
- Fox Cineplex Sarit, Nairobi
- Planet Media, Prestige Plaza Nairobi
- Nyali Cinemax, Mombasa
- Planet Media Mega City Mall, Kisumu