B-Boys and B-Girls assemble and freshen up your sneakers: Fresh Coast Championship is back for its second year.
LMNO Productions, with support from the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan on July 22 will bring back this breakdance battle and festival, which offers a positive perspective on hip-hop culture as an integral part of the vibrant art community in the Okanagan - one where break dance is a tool for community development, youth engagement and creative expression.
At Fresh Coast Championship, breakdancers of all ages from the Okanagan, and beyond, battle live for a grand prize of $1000. There will also be live painting, vendors, demo booths, food trucks and drinks all taking place at Jubilee Grandstands in City Park. The Championship is totally free to attend and open to all ages. The public is welcomed to enjoy the festivities, cheer loudly, and experience some of Canada’s most dynamic dancing talent.
Legendary DJ Felix Fusik from Fort Lauderdale, USA is bringing his catalog’s funkiest beats for the competition and the judges are some of Canada’s top breakdancers. Paul (Kaze) Thurton (owner of Simply Swagg hip-hop studio in Toronto and part of Super Naturals Crew) has worked with the likes of Drake, Wu-Tang Clan, T-Pain, NAS, Common, and has performed at the Juno Awards. B-Girl J-Kay Mendoza (from South Korea, currently based out of Vancouver) represents the Now or Never Crew and is an active member of the Project Soul Show Company.
Judges will also be teaching public workshops on Sunday, July 23rd at the Rotary Centre for the Arts and Latinesque Ballroom from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Workshops are open to anyone and cost $15 or four classes for $40. Register in advance at admin@freshcoastchampionship.ca, at the LMNO Production/Fresh Coast booth during the championship on Saturday, or drop-in.
Event sponsors are Hotel Zed, Nature’s Fare, Trace Water, Annuva Solutions, Amro Travels, The Bakery Boardshop, and 9Round Kickboxing.