August 30 | Lessons @5pm | Competition & Dancing @6pm
Havana Club, Cambridge, MA
DOORS OPEN AT
4:30 PM!
Solo, In Pairs and Together! In this Meet & Compete, Latin Dancers (Salsa, Bachata, etc.) and Hip Hop Dancers (Locking, Break Dancing, etc) will face off in a high-energy battle celebrating movement, culture, and friendly competition.
Meet Your Organizers
Liz Lister
Sean Jones
Our Vision
We met in the Latin dance scene and soon bonded over a shared love of dance and community.
We’ve seen how different styles often borrow from one another, like breakers using salsa steps and hip hop steps popping up in bachata, and wanted to create a space where these communities compete, collaborate, and celebrate together.
Drawing inspiration from personal experiences and Montreal Swing Riot, Battle of the Beats was created to bring both communities together. This is more than a battle; it’s a cross-cultural exchange, a chance to show off your skills and discover new ones, and a space to share the floor.
What to Expect
Location: HAVANA CLUB
5-6 PM: Two Beginner-Friendly Lessons to Choose From!
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Hip Hop: Megatron
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Latin: Lumyr
6-7:30 PM:
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Competition with a panel of judges from both communities
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A break for social dancing (salsa/bachata/hip hop)
7:30 PM: The winners are crowned and we dance!
FREE to compete and to participate
Bathrooms on site
Street Parking available
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Meet Your Judges
Event Rules
General Rules for all competitors and participants
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Everyone is eligible to compete. This is an All Levels event
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You are not a confirmed competitor until you receive a confirmation e-mail or text
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To be considered for the individual prize and to be eligible for Round 2, you must dance solo at some point. If you are only competing in the Round 1 group battle, this is not required.
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We expect respectful and sportsmanlike conduct. Anyone in violation of this will be disqualified and asked to leave
*More details on code of conduct to come
Round 1
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In pairs, groups or individually, dance when your music comes on. (Ex: bachata dancer dances when bachata music plays)
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Each team will have a few sets to show off, and the judges will tally points to see who is in the lead
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To be considered for the individual prize and to be eligible for Round 3, you must dance solo at some point. If you are only competing up to the Round 2 group battle, this is not required.
Round 3
Flip the script
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In pairs, groups or individually, dance when your opponent's music comes on. (Ex: bachata dancer dances when hip hop music plays)
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Each team will have a few sets to show off, and the judges will decide which individual dancers, one from each genre, have the highest scores. Audience chooses which team wins.
Round 2
Conversation
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In pairs, groups or individually, the top dancers of both groups face off and must dance to all music: 1 set where hip hop music is played, 1 set where Latin music is played
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To advance to the next round, each individual, whether dancing with a partner or not, must dance solo at one point
Rep your style