Buffalo’s highly anticipated B-Boy and B-Girl battle is just days away. Each year, the best in the urban dance business come together to show off their mad skills, under the lights at the New Era outdoor stage. This is an incredible opportunity to see over 100 amateur and professional dancers and 50 local and international artists, as they come together to battle it out for top prizes and hometown pride.
Battle @ Buffalo is an all ages event, that allows young artists and hiphop dancers to express themselves in front of large crowds, earning them respect from their friends, their fans, and the industry. “Under the Lights gives an even broader audience a chance to come together, participate in B-Boy and Hip Hop culture, and support local dancers, artists and vendors,” says Shane Depree Fry, cofounder host of Battle @ Buffalo.
Battle @ Buffalo does a great job at bringing all of Buffalo together, to enjoy all that hiphop culture has to offer, including breakdancing, DJing, emceeing and graffiti. It’s an excellent way to show our youth that their artistic skills are appreciated on a larger, legit level. “Our desire is to nurture young artists and create a positive environment that promotes unity and respect across diverse demographics,” says Heather Russell, cofounder of Verve.
WHAT: Verve Dance Studio’s fifth annual Battle @ Buffalo Under the Lights
BATTLES: B-boy (breakdancing) and All Styles (a wide variety of urban dance styles). In each category, teams of two dancers will face off, from preliminaries to a final battle “under the lights” of New Era. Winners of both battles will earn cash prizes and more importantly, the Battle @ Buffalo title to add to their accolades.
CAP DESIGN CONTEST: New this year is the opportunity for 50 artists to design a New Era cap. Each participant will receive a blank 59/50 cap, art supplies and two hours to create their design. The winner receives $250 cash prize and a 24-cap run of their original logo from New Era. All art styles are welcome.
LIVE MUSIC: Under the Lights has a lineup to keep attendees dancing all day. In addition to DJ Exx of Dynamic Rockers NYC, DJ Trevthorne, and DJ Sike gracing the turntables, the event will feature sets by DJ Milk and Cochise, and Buffalo band Rhubarb, playing live funk.
LIVE GRAFFITI ART: Local artists will be making canvases come alive throughout the day.
KIDS’ ACTIVITIES: Free workshops in different dance styles will be held throughout the day. Kids may also visit Verve’s interactive art tent for a watercolor workshop and to create their own pieces.
SNEAKER DONATION DRIVE: Verve will be collecting gently used sneakers for local charities. Attendees get a raffle ticket for each pair they donate for chances to win prizes from Verve & New Era.
FOOD TRUCKS & VENDORS: Buffalo’s best food trucks will keep festival-goers satisfied as they check out wares from local vendors, many of whom will be women or minority-owned businesses.
VERVE ANNIVERSARY: 2015 marks the fifth year of the New Era sponsored Under the Lights, and the tenth year for Verve Dance Studio itself and their signature monthly event Battle @ Buffalo.
WHEN: Saturday, August 29th, 2015 Noon – 10pm
WHERE: Outside the New Era Cap Company World Headquarters 160 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY 14202
www.vervedancestudio.com
facebook.com/vervedancestudio
IG: VerveDanceStudio
@VerveDance