B-boy champs meet rap stars

There's going to be a medley of performances at High Spirits to rock your weekend. Take your pick from watching a band of dancers to listeningu00a0to a band of rappers

Ever watched a B-boy artist spin miraculously defying gravity? Ever listened with rapt attention as a rapper belted out tracks leaving you breathless? Now you can watch them both at High Spirits over the weekend.


The Swordfish crew do gravity-defying B-boying stunts

Vinit Shetty of Mumbai-based dance group Swordfish Crew conduct classes for aspiring dancers and put up shows at corporate events. "Our inspiration comes from observing street dancers. Our group started a year back after we watched the Rocksteady Crew, who are globally famous." He adds that movies like the Step Up series have also played a huge role in inspiring dancers across the country.

Shetty's first exposure to break dance came during a visit to Australia. He was inspired by the moves of B-boy Ryan and realised this culture was absent back home. When he returned, he found like-minded members like B-boys Pirate, Hustler, Flame,u00a0 Ray, Sky, Flipper and Illusionist and thus the band was born.

They aren't coming with loads of expectations, though. "Street dancing is new to the city and we are going to find out whether the public likes it," says Vinit.

To add to the fun, 3rd Degree comprising of Pinaki Rattan, Alistair Hatton and Seanu00a0 Aikin will also perform for the event. Started in 2003, 3rd Degree is a Goa-based band that specialises in rapping. "In our country where everyone picks up others' songs, we choose not to rap on other people's music. We write and make our own music," says Pinaki. The band has performed in the city a number of times and love the warm reception they receive in the city.

Their lyrics are in English but they pepper their songs with Indian elements like the sound of the flute, sitar, santoor and harmonium. "So far, it's been a wonderful experience. We are going to surprise the audiences with our line-up of songs," he signs off.

From: 9 pm onwards
At: High Spirits, near ABC Farms, Koregaon Park.