Disclaimer: In Real Life is a platform for everyday people to share their experiences and voices. All articles are personal stories and do not necessarily echo In Real Life’s sentiments.
The Malaysian dance industry has been working on a hugely awesome project for the past year and it’s finally coming to fruition!
Have you heard about the latest big dance show?
The Phaze International is an online global dance competition by Malaysians.
It is organised by some of Malaysia’s largest dance associations: Dan-Zee, UNC Group, UNC Productions, SDACA (Malaysia Street Dance Art & Culture Association) and AEVDC Group. They also have 5 judges who are all really big names in the international dance community.
It is an ambitious project motivated by and for dancers, but Malaysian dancers most of all.
Of 87 applicants, only 26 were chosen – and 5 of them are from Malaysia!
The applications come from over 25 countries. 5 of the finalists comprise Malaysian dance crews: Zeppo Youngsterz, Kinate Fam, Malaysia All Star DC, Vyration DC, and TCARTSBA.
There was a premiere screening of the grand finals last night that IRL was fortunate to be invited to attend. What we saw blew us away!
Each of the dance crews had to submit an audition video that they were given full creative freedom over, which resulted in some really cool and unique video concepts. Malaysian team Vyration DC even submitted a video that had a horror marionette puppet master concept!
The Malaysian teams were particularly strong.
They were not only highly skilled and talented in dancing, but the creativity behind their videos really shone through.
It is a testament to the hard work and passion of our Malaysian dancers that 5 local teams managed to gain entry into the finals.
Malaysian dancers are actually very talented
The Phaze International hopes to put Malaysia on the international dance map and to demonstrate that Malaysian dancers are just as talented and committed to the art of dance. The competition aims to revolutionise the dance industry by entering the digital era with guns blazing.
The competition hopes to inspire Malaysians throughout the pandemic as the dance industry was hit hard by COVID-19. The competition is banking on what organisers call the “creative era”, using TikTok and Instagram as examples of how dancers have found some degree of following despite pandemic restrictions.
Purchase of the pass to watch the finals online does include a vote for your favourite dance crew video. Do support our Malaysian dance crews, as their videos are extremely impressive and audience votes comprise a small percentage of their marks!
One of the finalists in the competition is Malaysia’s own resident breaking champion: Lego Sam, a potential future Olympian.
He started dancing at 13 years old, and has danced for 13 years since.
Lego sam showing us an elbow injury he had from breakdancing at the age of 14, when he was new to the sport
Paris 2024 is the next Olympics, and Sam is flying off to Paris this weekend to try out for the qualifying rounds.
Despite his skill and dedication to breaking, he remains grounded and rational. “Of course I want to win,” he said. “But I know it is going to be very hard.” He works hard at his craft every single day, even when there are no competitions. He described his support system as extremely important – not just his family and friends, but other professionals such as his physiotherapist.
Lego Sam’s motivation for winning competitions is his love and pride for Malaysia. “Before I go onstage, I always think Malaysia Boleh,” he said. He wants to show the world that Malaysia is highly capable of producing international class dancers.
The Malaysian dance industry really does deserve support.
Their attempts to put Malaysia out there globally while supporting local dancers is an admirable endeavour, and deserves the support of not only the Malaysian government but also us ordinary people.
Although great amounts of initiative were demonstrated by both the organisers of the competition and the Malaysian participants, it is now up to us to help the Malaysian dance industry keep the ball rolling.
You can catch the grand finale of The Phaze International here on the 27th of November 2021 (Saturday), for USD3 (about RM12.75).
And make sure to share this article to show your support to the Malaysian dance industry!
For more stories like this, read: 5 Talented Malaysians Created A Horror Game to Help People Understand Smoking Addiction, How Pak Cu, a Malaysian National Heritage Living Person, Is Keeping The Tradition Of Wayang Kulit Alive and How This Malaysian Started Her Own Jewelry Brand With Only RM200.
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