MAD crew bound for Sydney

Crews from the Marlborough Academy of Dance (MAD) will soon head to Sydney for the ABCC World Hip-Hop Championships and Dance Life Unite Championships from 1–3 October.

The Madness and Mad Nation crews will compete in hip-hop, while Mad Fusion and Mad Grace will take the stage in jazz and contemporary categories.

Before departing, MAD hip-hop director Fleur Hebberd was eager to give Blenheim locals a taste of the performances they have spent months preparing.

“We're going around just to inspire everyone and show them what our MAD community is up to” she says.

The crew performed at the Forum in the CBD and other locations around town.

“It was just nice to see so many people come out of the shops and have a look, and some family came down to support the girls” says Fleur.

ICEY Bradley will also compete as a soloist at the ABCC World Hip-Hop Championships. MAD duos Sam and Immy, and Fili and Rosa, will travel to Tauranga at the end of October for the Hip Hop Unite World Championships.

The performers participated in regional qualifiers to make it through to the Championships, achieving strong placings against their peers, Fleur says.

Reflecting on the dancer's commitment, Fleur says:

“Both Krystal and I are so incredibly proud of our dancers heading away, they all deserve the experience as the time and effort to prepare is immense and their commitment is truly amazing.  We hope they have fun and make special memories with each other and represent their community with pride."