Local break dancer Aaron Melanson (pictured), and his wife Kendra, hope their upcoming Last Standing break dance battle and networking weekend will provide break artists a unique opportunity to hone their skills, as well as offer Hatters a chance to learn more about the expressive style of dance.--PHOTO CREDIT TO GLEN CO PHOTOGRAPHY
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Medicine Hat is set to become a friendly battleground this weekend, as break dancers from Canada and beyond travel to the city to take part in the fifth annual Last Standing break dance battle and networking weekend.
Started in 2018 by Medicine Hat dancers Aaron and Kendra Melanson, Last Standing is one of only a handful of break dance events held in Alberta.
Funded by Canada Council for the Arts, the three-day celebration allows break dancers of all ages to gather and form connections within the break community, compete against other talented individuals and grow their skills during free workshops.
“Last Standing really creates community,” Kendra Melanson, event co-organizer and founder of Medicine Hat’s Elementz Dance Studio, told the News. “(It helps) connect and build Canada’s artists scene, which is really actually important because breaking just got into the Olympics.
“In the past, breaking was seen as a street sport (but thanks to a number of talented Canadian break artists) there’s a very good chance that Canada will have a good standing in the Olympics for breaking … So to have a unified artists scene before we hit the Olympic stage is really important.”
Dancers, expert judges, special performers and workshop leaders will kick off the festivities Friday evening with a meet and greet held at the Medicine Hat Lodge from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Then Saturday afternoon, dancers will break out their skills during competition battles, which will take place at Medicine Hat High School, with doors opening at 1 p.m. and battles beginning at 2 p.m.
Members of the public who have experience in break dancing are invited to join in battles for a $15 competitor fee. There are three categories of battle: 2-on-2 battles for all genders and ages, with a prize of $1,000; 1-on-1 battles for B-girls of all ages, with a prize of $500; and 1-on-1 battles for all genders 18 years of age or younger, with a prize of $300.
Battle judges include Toronto B-boy and international break competition winner Benzo, Winnipeg break scene pillar B-boy Dark Mark and Toronto-based, internationally inspired B-boy and entrepreneur Dyzee.
Spectators are welcome. Admission is $10 for people 11 and over, and $5 for 10 and under.
On Sunday, dancers move to Medalta where several free public activities will be taking place, including workshops, networking opportunities and live performances.
Workshops are geared toward people of all ages experienced in break dancing. Several notable artists will be leading the workshops including the top U.S. break dance coach B-girl Bonita, who will be teaching from 11 a.m. to noon; Dyzee teaching from noon to 1 p.m.; and actor and Olympics break dance adviser B-boy Wicket, who will be teaching from 1-2 p.m.
Following workshops are networking opportunities and live performances, 2 p.m. to midnight.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit laststanding.ca.
