Your Host
T-RExXx
26 year old Tyrone Edwards (aka t-rexxx) is a role model in his community. As the Art of Business program leader of Remix, Tyrone’s ability to take real world scenarios and input them into his programming is a serious advantage to program participants. His list of contacts and connections is extensive and his skill at connecting people is a gift. Outside of The Remix Project, he is one of Toronto’s most popular promoters and has built himself a very profitable career as a young entrepreneur and co-founder of entertainment company Won-By-One. Through Won-By-One Tyrone has worked with a diverse portfolio including recording artist Ne-Yo, corporate giant Heineken and many more. Tyrone is one of the creative forces behind Toronto’s mega-popular Nostalgia and Shuffle Parties and the creative lead on the Tribute event series. Finally, Tyrone is also a co-founder of the Concrete Hoops Basketball Program in Canada and Swaziland.
Contact Info: trexxxremix@gmail.com
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ftp21
Performers
Trish
Trish is next big thing in hiphop. Her debut album is MUCH anticipated and O.U.C.H. is honoured to have her as our headlining performer in 2009!
Check her out here: www.trishmusiconline.com
Youtube: TrishMusicOnline
Rated Inc.
Rated Inc. is back! This outstanding and wildly entertaining performance group got the crowd up and out of their seats when they performed at O.U.C.H. 2007.
For the last four years Rated Inc has been a familiar face on TV, dancing in videos for artists such as Rihanna, Melanie Durant, Sean Paul and more. Rated Inc. Consist of 4 very diverse and enthusiastic and very well talented dance groups that go by the names of: Rated X - Xcitement - Rated G - Girls - Rated E - Entertainment - Rated PG - Parental Guidance Rated Inc. is a very dynamic group of hard working individuals, dedicated to entertain at any time and at any place. Rated Inc. has taken Toronto by storm!
Check them out on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ratedinc_ent
Judges
Diana Reyes (aka “Fly Lady Di”):
Revered as a fashionista and dancer, this multi-dimensional Toronto native has won Art Awards in both elementary and high school and briefly attended McGill University for Art History. Her dance skills were featured in the movie "Honey" (2003 Universal) as well as music videos for Tweet, Fabolous, Ashlee Simpson, and Fall Out Boy's "Dance Dance" (winner of the MTV's"Viewer's Choice" Award). Most recently she can be seen dancing in the So You Think You Can Dance Canada Promo on CTV. She has performed in 35 live art shows in her first 6 months of doing live art, which gave her highlighted press in The Village Voice, TRACE, Complex, YRB, LUSSW (Japan), Lady Caprice (France) and FREE Magazine and to name a few. With a style unseen before in the History of Art, Di combines her influences of Art Deco, Graffiti and Cubism to create work that pulsates from canvas to viewer, providing a soulful look into her inner thoughts and emotions. Visit her website .
Miles Faber:
Miles began sharing what he had learned with others by participating in workshops across North America and teaching classes on his own and with Alive Danceworks. One of his groups even won a competition that saw his choreography performed by his students in Disneyland.Not only did he participate in the Calgary B-boy scene, battling regularly with his crew, but he also lent his talent to various visiting entertainers such as 2 Live Crew and Dirty Vegas. In the year leading up to his appearance in the top 10 of CTV’s So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Miles joined Mayhem’s Finest, a Toronto crew with a long history. Their accolades include first place in Toronto’s Funkfest 2008, first place in T-Dot Love, and second place in the FAME North America tour. Visit his website. .
Mariano Abarca:
Mariano is one of Toronto's premier b-boys, and, unquestionably, an audience favourite. He is famous for his incredible footwork, and innovative style of intertwining popping, b-boying, and hip-hop. As an established Toronto b-boy, Mariano led his crew, "Bag of Tricks" to international acclaim at "The Battle of the Year 1999" in Leipzig, Germany. Mariano's crews have, furthermore, earned championship titles in UK, Korea, and here in Canada.Mariano's extraordinary style has allowed him to dance in several music videos, commercials, and television programs. Thus, he has worked with artists such as Vivica Fox, Tom Green, Mya, K-OS, Wyclef, Arrested Development, Grand Master Flash, De La Soul, Rob Base and DJ Easy Rock - to name a few. Remarkably, he was provided the exceptional honour of performing for the Prince of Wales. Currently, Mariano is working with ABS crew to develop his ideas and style into a full-length stage production. Mariano Abarca is a role model, an innovator, and a true urban artist.
Brandon Roache:
Rated Inc. was founded in 2002 by Brandon Roache from the Jane-Finch community and a friend. Roache began dancing as a child and spent his time mastering his skills, exploring the Toronto dance scene, and being involved in the dance industry as much as possible. When it seemed as though he had been making an impact in the dance community, Brandon and a friend decided that as two young men coming from at-risk areas, Rated Inc. would be founded as an outlet for youth to express their love for dance and entertainment. Rated Inc. aims to bring youth off the streets and onto the stage. Rated has been known for it's evolution over the years, due in huge part to Roache’ consistent evolution as a choreographer and leader. The group started as Rated PG and with its ever changing group members, dance styles and audiences went through a series of Rated Inc. groups. Today Rated Inc. is known for its main group, Rated X for eXcitement. Rated X is recognized for it's 'islands meet the streets', blend of dancehall and hip-hop choreography. Under Roache's leadership, Rated Inc. transformed from more than a dance group into an organization. Rated Inc. went from performing at small scale community events to running it's own large-scale festivals with support from community partners and funders. As well Rated X is requested to perform at high profile industry events, such as Luminato, The Gemini Awards, Much Music MOD Live-To-Air show, Dusk Dances, Apathy Is Boring (as backup dancers for Michie Mee), Island Soul Harbourfront Festival, and for various music videos. Rated Inc. started at the bottom of the ladder from holding practices behind the Jane-Finch gas station and has climbed the ladder and evolved into a popular umbrella organization and social enterprise. While it has not always been easy, passion for the arts combined with strong leadership, community support, and dedication by the management team of Rated Inc. have been the elements that have made this a strong movement.
Being from a marginalized area since birth, Roache has never been to Jamaica but feels so in touch with his roots after being exposed to Jamaican culture while growing up in Toronto's Caribbean community. Rated X has recently received the opportunity provided to them to travel and network with influential people on an international level so that they can continue to make progress on a level that is inspirational and in touch with their roots, while introducing the rest of the world to who they are and what they can do coming from where they come from. In the last year at the Ignite the Americas event, Rated Inc. was introduced to the opportunity to meet some very influential people in the dancehall industry. Rated X was recognized for their talent and how inspirational they are for so many young people and how closely related to the dancehall scene they are while living so far away. Rated Inc. was offered the chance to be involved in an international documentary focused on the Jamaican dancehall scene. This December, Rated Inc will be sending founder/choreographer Brandon Roache and other board and/or group members to Jamaica in order to meet various dancehall artists and dancers, as well as become a part of the documentary that helps expose the talent that Canadian, more specifically Toronto, dancehall has to offer. Roache continues to leave his impact in the dance industry with his ever-changing dance choreography and music blends, and is recognized as one of OUCH’s alumni judges.
Tasha "Tazz" Ricketts:
Tazz was born to dance. As the key dancer for Blaze Entertainment, Canada’s premiere dance company, Tazz is not only an extraordinary dancer but she also is a talented choreographer. She has toured and performed along side some of the worlds most recognized artists such as Sean Paul, Shaggy, Flo Ryda, 50 Cent, Rolling Stones, Akon, Beenie Man, Jully Black, Fabolous, and Kardinal Offishall to name a few. With Tazz’s unique style she has provided artistic directions for music videos, films and live performances. Born on the beautiful island of Jamaica her choreographic style is influenced by the dancehall culture. Tazz’s choreography has put her in high demand in the overseas market doing workshops in places such as Japan and Mexico. Keep watching as Tazz spreads her passion for dance across the globe.
