Dimepiece submission project 2010

In January 2010 I, Kumari Suraj, sat down with our crew stylist, Raquel "Bambina" Cabrera, to brainstorm a new photo shoot for the women of The Waackers Dimepiece partnership submission. The outcome was a “Tongue n’ Cheek”, LA Funk meets Waackers Couture, industrial masterpiece created by Raquel.  Raquel "Bambina" Cabrera being a graduate of FIDM with a degree in Visual Communications has an incredible eye for style and thinking outside the box.  Her ingenious creative "know how" was just what the group needed to pull off this shoot.   Www.dimepiecedesigns.com 

The following is Raquel's take on the project.

"When putting together the looks for this shoot I decided to use random industrial pieces creating an edgy, sexy look that would appeal to DimePiece.

Different elements were incorporated into each look. Be it anything from chains to broken glass, tulle or rope. To go from looking at a photo of a model with a tiger mask and lethal nail (see dimepiece website) to seeing my ladies embrace the new vision I created for each of them was uplifting. I feel like this group embodies the essence of Dime Piece. Not because of it’s fly clothes but because when I see your vision I see our dance, Waacking.

Here’s a breakdown of my favorites looks. On Coco (Celeste), I broke apart box cutters then attached the razor blades to a leather strap and wrapped the strap around her shoulder and waist as a belt. This look had to be my absolute favorite for the complement of the ridged metal and the softness of the lace and pearls.  For Q (Quinetta), I smashed wine bottles to glue the various chunks of glass onto a pair of satin gloves. (These were officially dubbed as her battle gloves!) With Yoda, I attached broken chain links to a piece of black leather trim. I then placed giant black and white feathers in between the links. The trim was wrapped around her neck to appear as the neck piece for her top.  My most challenging piece was Tiffany’s top. I wanted to make a bustier out of newspaper clippings so I took the pages and folded then like an accordion. From there I cut out the clippings, shaped it to her body and hot glued the piece together. Who know I could do origami!"

To see the rest of the shoot visit The Waackers Facebook Fan page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-WAACKERS/182989671404

Keep a look out for The Waackers upcoming projects...

The Waackers - The featured crew in Toni Braxton's new video "Make My Heart"!!!!

WATCH THE VIDEO!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0yo9XHAsZw

Claude Racine, Rosero McCoy's assistant (Choreographer), called Noel "Papi Ban Ban" Bajandas in regards to Rosero being interested in putting The Waackers in the video. The whole video concept was inspired by the underground dance scene.  That included Waacking, Voguing, Stepping, Trannies... all that good stuff. Rosero remembered The Waackers from the ABDC audition.  His assistant, Claude, directed him to our freestyle video. So.... Claude called Papi, Papi called Rosero who then told Papi he was to be one of Toni's main dancers in the video as well as having The Waackers do there thing and represent. Noel "Papi" told Rosero, that he would speak to the rest of the crew and see what they say, and of course you know what they said!! YES! Rosero asked The Waackers to come in for the audition so the director, Billie Woodruff, can see us. Papi went through the whole audition process with the guys and than it was The Waackers turn. "We turned it OUT! And all the director said to us was "You guys are gonna be a lot of fun to shoot". BAM!! In there like swimwear" - Noel "Papi Ban Ban" Bajandas

The choreographer, and director knew The Waackers were gonna add a funky element to the shoot, which its exactly what they wanted. Toni Braxton LOVES The Waackers, and so did the rest of the video crew and dancers. We looked BEAT!!! 

The name of the video is called "Make My Heart" and it features, Noel "Papi Ban Ban" Bajandas, Raquel "Bambina" Cabrera, Q, Tiffany "Clementine", Junkisha, Duo, Miss CoCo, and Yoda Pop.  

Read about other experiences with Toni from The Waackers.....

Duo - (Micheal Terrell)

"My experience with toni was very good. She was very open and was willing to talk with anyone. I feel our artform was represented very well and we got a chance to show what we got. Thanks to Rosero for the oppertunity and look out for us this year and the future"

Miss Coco - (Celeste Zarpas)

"when papi told us that we had been personally asked for to be in Toni braxton's new video i was more than excited. we were asked to come in and freestye infront of the choreographer and of course we put on a show. we all came as our individual character but molded together to become the great, unique force known as The Waackers. being on set all day felt like just a day laughing, looking beat, and doing what we love as a crew as opposed to actual "work". the music came on, the lights came up and we did our thing. we looked beat, we gave face, we hit mean poses, and most importantly we had fun together while bringing our style of dance into the limelight. long live the waackers ♥"

Q- (Quinetta Willmington)

"Begin on set wit my family THE WAACKERS was amazing!!! We had tons of energy that we shared with not only our fellow dancers, but directors as well!! Working with Toni Braxton was the bomb dot com. She's so beautiful and her body is BANGING!!! Im excited to see the finish product!! The Waackers were featured alot throughout the video...sooooo we'll see how it turns out!!! IM OUT LIKE EXITS ------"

The Waackers Private Show For Madonna in LONDON!!!!!!

The Waackers were asked to share a private performance for the original Material Girl herself... Madonna!!! It was an incredible night for The Waackers and well worth the blood and sweat….

Monday March 29^th, 2010 Kumari Suraj received a text from a friend (and one of Madonna’s dancers) asking her and The Waackers to create a show for a private performance in front of the original Material Girl herself, Madonna!  This request was based on The Waackers showdown battle against The London Waacktitioners Sunday march 28^th at Madame Jojo’s in London. 

Thrilled by the opportunity Kumari and The Waackers set to work immediately to create an amazing 5 minute show in 2 days for MAJ.  As Miss Coco (Celeste Zarpas) says all the time, “We work well under pressure and in crisis”.  An inside joke of the crew.

Everything was top secret, except for the actual day (Thursday) even up to the very last minute.  Madonna and her intimate crew of dancers and friends wanted no photos no paparazzi! Just dance! Thursday night The Waackers rushed from their tech rehearsal for B.supreme at The Royal Festival Hall around 10:30pm to meet their contact at the Tottenham Court station in London’s west End.  

When the crew arrived at the station the contact wasn’t there.  Kumari Suraj then received a text to proceed to Club Runway on New Oxford st.  and to make it there by 11pm or else!!  Top secret suspense!

Fortunate enough the crew made it in time.  It was a pleasant surprise to see some of London’s finest in attendance.  Everyone from Clara to Dance2xs to some of London’s best freestylers. 

The vibe of dance was just right when Madonna arrived. Everyone was hype and she seemed relaxed and ready to enjoy some good dancing.

Kumari Suraj was told repeatedly by her original contact, and Madonna’s personal assistant for this show, that Maj was overly excited about seeing The Waackers live!!  She had been told so much about The Waackers from LA that she giggled and screamed throughout the performance.

Verdict after the show?!?  Madonna LOVES The Waackers!!!!!!!!   Good things to come for the hard working crew this year!!!!   Thanks again to our friend in London for the amazing opportunity and believing in us!

***The Waackers who auditioned - Kumari Suraj, Miss Coco (Celeste Zarpas), Clark Kent (Lashaun Price), Cha Cha Bones (Frances Nieves), Bambina (Raquel Cabrera), Junko Sasaki.  

THE WAACKERS LOVE MADONNA TOO!!!!

Quinetta aka "Q" - from The Waackers featured in Estelle's new video "Freak" w/ Kardinal Official

Our girl Q is killing the game!!  This amazing Philly native now living in Los Angeles is working her "know how" and pushing the game for women in the dance industry!  More importantly "black women" in the very color conscious LA commercial industry.   With a laundry list of artists she has danced for since moving to LA, Q has been booking everything from Usher to Toni Braxton and now Estelle.  We love our Q and are so proud if this tenacious hard working woman on the move!!!!

Click the link below to watch Q in Estelle's "Freak" video!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rN5XmvRu

K0Soooooo 

More facts about Q you may not know.....

 Q was born and raised in the city of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Living in a city known for its artistic expression, Quinetta was introduced to the world of dance at an early age and since then she has been honing and perfecting her craft especially Hip Hop and Dancehall. Quinetta continued dancing throughout high school and in college she joined The Mighty Oracle dance crew, a primarily male hip hop dance crew, out of Hampton, VA.    

       Quinetta proved early that she had the drive and talent to be a professional dancer. Not only can she be as hard hitting and aggressive as the guys, but she could also be feminine, sexy and precise adding to her undeniably captivating stage presence making her a dynamic performer. 

       After graduating from Norfolk State University in 2007 with a degree in Nursing, Quinetta moved to Los Angeles California with fellow Mighty Oracle members. She along with the group began to make a name for themselves both collectively and individually. 

       Quinetta was immediately signed with Bloc LA, one of the premiere dance agencies in the US. Through Bloc she has been able to work with many talented artists and companies. Some of her credits include Jordin Sparks musis video S.O.S. and Nikes latest campaign featuring Charlie Murphy as Leroy Smith My Gift to The Game.