Red Bull Dance Your Style National Dance Competition in Atlanta this weekend

Now in its fifth year, the competition will feature 16 dancers competing Saturday at Underground Atlanta.

The event will also feature musical performances from Atlanta hip-hop groups Soulja Boy and Dem Franchize Boyz. Toosie, the viral dance sensation behind Drake’s 2020 hit “Toosie Slide” and former Dance Your Style judge, will pay homage to Atlanta’s most famous dances.

This is the first time Atlanta has hosted a national competition. Red Bull Dance Your Style has previously taken place in Las Vegas, Washington, DC, New Orleans and Chicago.

“The dance scene in Atlanta has come a long way,” said Don Soup, a two-time national finalist known for his dancehall-inspired routines. “It’s amazing that the world can see something so beautiful.”

Credit: Carlo Cruz

Credit: Carlo Cruz

Red Bull Dance Your Style begins tonight with a Welcome to Atlanta launch party at MJQ. Friday and Saturday will continue with two workshops and a creators’ laboratory at the Omni Hotel.

Dance Your Style Battle Night at Center Stage, which takes place Friday evening, features six American dancers competing against six African dancers. The evening also includes a two-on-two open style dance competition.

Bryan “B-Bop” Donaldson co-hosts and hosts Battle Night. Having moved from Seattle to Atlanta in the summer of 1995 when he was seven, he says growing up and seeing young people dancing locally invented dances at Skate Towne on Old National Highway made him realize that the culture of Atlanta street dancing is infectious.

“Our dance history isn’t talked about much in Atlanta, but it influences the world, just like our music, fashion and entertainment,” Donaldson said. “We’re bringing a different type of swag and flavor to the dance world.”

The weekend includes a pop-up dance session on the Atlanta Beltline at A/V Radio and a Sunday rooftop brunch at Coda.

Two-time national finalist Carlito “King Luffy” Walker brings his flexible, robotic-style body movements and contortions to both Underground Atlanta and Center Stage.

Born in Austell and raised between Lithonia and Stone Mountain, Walker’s friend convinced him to drive from Atlanta to Orlando for the Dance Your Style 2023 competition. There, he auditioned for the competition’s regional qualifiers in Tampa.

Credit: Yvonne Gougelet

Credit: Yvonne Gougelet

Walker advanced to the final in Chicago. He was the only dancer to advance in his category who was not from Florida.

“Everyone got a big applause,” said Luffy, who was born in Austell and raised in DeKalb County. “When they called me, all I heard was my buddy in the background, cheering me on and a few claps here and there. I did the work and was able to take it to the next level.

Walker reached the final this year after qualifying in Memphis earlier this year.

Credit: Daniel Zuliani

Credit: Daniel Zuliani

Actively stretching and doing breathing exercises during her training, Walker says having the national finals in her hometown this year is a way to relieve stress.

“I’ve always fought out of state,” Walker said. “My family can now be there in person, instead of watching me live. It’s another day at the office, so it’s time to get to work.

Soup says Red Bull Dance Your Style will show visiting dancers that Atlanta’s dance scene is family-oriented and full of Southern hospitality.

“People think of fighting like we’re on ‘Stomp the Yard’ and ‘You Got Served’ type stuff, and they don’t think that really exists,” said Soup, a former Atlanta resident. “Atlanta dancers have always created a haven to welcome other dancers who are new to the game.

Donaldson says the National Finals and Red Bull Dance Your Style Weekender will help give Atlanta’s dance scene the same respect as music and entertainment.

“It’s time for something this big to come to Atlanta for street dance culture,” Donaldson said. “It’s going to be epic.”

Red Bull Dance Your Style takes place on May 18, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., at Underground Atlanta. More information and tickets are on The RedBull website.