Latest news with #WorldHipHopChampionships
Otago Daily Times
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
‘Allies' set to take on the world
The success of dancers from Dunedin's Rasa School of Dance on the national stage, including one crew qualifying for the world's top hip hop competition, is "a dream come true" for school principal Lisa Wilkinson. "It still feels quite surreal, we were the only South Island school there and everyone is super excited that we did so well," Ms Wilkinson said. Last week, a small contingent of Rasa dancers travelled to Auckland to compete in the New Zealand Hip Hop Dance Championships alongside hundreds of top hip hop dancers and crews from across the country. The event was divided into two major sections — the New Zealand-only Championship and the World Qualifier events, where dance crews in various sections vied for a place in the top five and the chance to represent New Zealand at the 2025 World Hip Hop Championships in Arizona, United States. Coached by Danielle Veenvliet, the seven-strong Rasa School of Dance "Allies" crew, all aged from 14-18 years, competed in the Small Crew Varsity section against 18 other teams. Their first dance earned them sixth place and a spot in the final, where they danced their hearts out, landing fourth place and qualifying for Arizona in July. "Everyone was in shock to have made it through — the Allies crew were competing against a lot of very, very good teams," Ms Wilkinson said. "Getting through to the finals was exciting enough, so to make it through and qualify for Arizona was a dream come true. It is the pinnacle of world hip hop, with 3000-4000 of the world's top dancers competing." Ms Wilkinson said the combination of consistent effort and competition experience for the Allies crew, which had been coached by the knowledgeable Ms Veenvliet for eight of its 10 years, was the secret to its success. The Allies crew were not the only Rasa School of Dance students to achieve great things — two duos and an individual dancer also had success in the NZ-only Championship section. The "Rulaz" duo of Jeila Morrison and Ruby Martin achieved second place, while the "2Lanky" duo of Toby Paris and Charlotte Cardno were placed third. Ms Wilkinson also acknowledged the achievement of Rasa dancer Shiah Taele, who was selected to compete in the solo section of the NZ-only Championships and made a strong showing. "It was great to see our dancers doing so well." With only three months before the "Allies" crew will need to be in Arizona to compete at the 2025 World Hip Hop Championships, from July 26-August 2, Rasa School of Dance will have to pull out all the stops on fundraising. "With travel and accommodation, it is going to be very expensive to get there, so we are launching in to fundraising as quickly as we can," Ms Wilkinson said. "Not only is it the top competition in the world, it is also a week of workshops, professional development and networking." To donate, visit or visit the Rasa School of Dance facebook page.
Globe and Mail
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
Orlando Lucas to Compete at World Dance Crew Championships in New Zealand
Vancouver, Canada - April 4, 2025 - Orlando Lucas, a multi-talented dancer and actor from Vancouver, British Columbia, is set to showcase his skills on the world stage this April. The 19-year-old performer will compete with two elite dance crews—Identity Dance Company (IDCO) and Crew 24—at the prestigious World Dance Crew Championships in Auckland, New Zealand. Lucas, who has made a name for himself in both the acting and dance industries, has been part of several high-profile television productions, sharing the screen with Sandra Bullock and Viola Davis in The Unforgivable. His credits span across ABC, CBS, The CW, Hallmark, and Netflix, demonstrating his versatility as an artist. While his acting career flourishes, dance has remained a central passion, leading him to international competitions and multiple gold medal wins. Reflecting on his journey, Lucas shared, 'Dance has always been a part of who I am, but competing on the world stage with these incredible teams has pushed me beyond my limits. Being part of IDCO and Crew 24 has been an incredible experience, and I can't wait to represent New Zealand at the World Finals.' A Rising Force in the Competitive Dance World Orlando Lucas' journey in dance has been marked by discipline, dedication, and success on the global stage. Beginning his formal dance training at a young age, he quickly rose through the ranks, performing with Fresh Groove Productions in his hometown of Vancouver, Canada and securing a bronze medal at the World Hip Hop Championships in 2022. His talent and commitment earned him a spot with IDCO, a New Zealand-based megacrew, which claimed gold at the Pacific Qualifiers of the World Dance Crew Championships in 2024. They were also invited to showcase in the opening an closing events at World of Dance Finals in Los Angeles in July of 2024 where Orlando was a featured performer in one of the segments. In addition to competing with IDCO, Lucas also formed Crew 24, a nine-member team of top-tier dancers. Within months of their formation, Crew 24 won gold at the Pacific Qualifiers, securing their place at the World Finals in the Small Crew category. Their recent gold medal win in Australia, where they defeated the reigning world champions, has further solidified their standing as a team to watch. International Recognition and Influence Lucas' extraordinary influence extends beyond competition. With a significant social media following—nearly 2 million followers on TikTok (@notorlandolucas) and 160,000 on Instagram (@theorlandolucas)—he has built a global audience, inspiring aspiring dancers and performers. His engaging content and performances continue to attract international attention, solidifying his reputation as a dynamic entertainer. Looking Ahead to the World Finals With the World Dance Crew Championships in Auckland fast approaching in April 2025, Orlando Lucas is preparing to take the stage alongside his teammates, representing both New Zealand and Canada in one of the most competitive dance events worldwide. As a performer who seamlessly transitions between screen and stage, Lucas' upcoming performances promise to captivate audiences and judges alike. About Orlando Lucas Orlando Lucas is a Vancouver-born dancer and actor known for his roles in television and film, as well as his success in international dance competitions. Having worked alongside major Hollywood names and competed with award-winning dance crews, Lucas continues to make an impact in both the entertainment and dance industries. Media Contact Company Name: Orlando Lucas Contact Person: Gallit Ziv Email: Send Email Phone: +1-604-219-7291 Country: Canada Website:
