MTV winners and finalist to perform at The MACC.

MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew launched an old school phenomenon into modern pop culture. With millions of fans phoning in each week for an American Idol-style of elimination, two groups seemed to rise above the rest with their creativity, style and talent. Now, on Saturday, July 19, those MTV winners and finalist—the Jabbawockeez and Kaba Modern—will perform live at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s A&B Amphitheater.

The Jabbawockeez were established in 2003 as the brainchild of original members Joseph Larot, Kevin Brewer and Phil Tayag, a group of friends who longed to showcase freestyle dance. The group has since evolved to include 11 members, six of whom will travel to Hawai‘i with their signature white masks and logo outfits.

In their dominant showing on the MTV program, the Jabbawockeez proved week after week that they were innovators, setting new standards for freestylers and B-boys alike. (Check out the action at www.jabbawockeez.com/videos.html.)

Kaba Modern’s routines for MTV audiences tended to be more methodical and calculated, demonstrating years of choreography and self-taught training. The group came together on the campus of University of California Irvine, originally formed in 1992 to perform at their Pilipino Culture Night. The group has evolved into a family of dancers, each bringing different styles and backgrounds to a revolutionary group of street artists.

Also joining the show are Lisa Lisa (one of the original freestyle music sensations of the ’80s, with Billboard chart-topping hits), Angel the Original Cover Girl (who performed throughout the ’80s with the Cover Girls, also with many Billboard hits), Maui’s own Dani Girl, IA, Kutmaster Spaz, DJC, DJ Freeflow, plus an old school B-boy showdown between Maui and O‘ahu.

Gates open at 6 p.m. and Falva Zine DJ’s will start up the music immediately; the live show starts at 6:30. Tickets are $37 in advance; $45 on the day of show. Advance tickets are available at The MACC Box Office, at 242-SHOW (7469) or online at www.mauiarts.org. Advance tickets are also available at Premiere Video & Music on Ohukai by Tesoro in Kihei, Old Lahaina Book Emporium on Front Street in Lahaina and Request Music on Market Street in Wailuku.