Vlado Footwear, The Los Angeles Clippers & The Chani Girl Foundation Present 'Showdown LA' Where Jerkin' Crews Compete at This One of a Kind Community Event

LOS ANGELES, March 11 /PRNewswire/ -- As Jerkin' mainstreams, new dance crews and artists are competing and performing at events throughout the Nation. Now, in a one of a kind dance competition in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Clippers and Vlado Footwear are joining forces to bring the Jerkin' Community to the forefront of family entertainment, with Showdown LA on Saturday, April 10th, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The event will showcase dance crews battling it out 'Jerk' style and is  expected to attract thousands of youth from around the area. Up and coming Jerkin Crews, along with some of the Nation's most seasoned Crews, will compete  for top recognition as the NJA SHOWDOWN LA Champion.  Participating crews will vie for trophies, shoes, apparel and cash. This one of a kind event is geared toward  bringing the greater Los Angeles community together with entertainment for all ages.

Every generation has its own rites and rituals, but they all share the desire to identify themselves from their predecessors and create something unique. The Jerk movement has become a dance phenomenon that not only consists of unique leg work to a new sound of music, but it incorporates a lifestyle that features  skinny jeans, bright energetic colors, and brings individuality back to the table that exceeds the typical "trendy movement," and The Ranger$ stand for it all! The Ranger$ are the top Jerkin Crew on the circuit right now, winning awards and holding on to a strong fan base of over 800,000 followers and they only recently got started. The rap group New Boyz wrote and recorded a hit in Los Angles entitled 'You're a Jerk' pushing the Jerk culture further into the phenomenal mainstream status it is today. As the jerk culture continues to flourish, major music labels are signing Jerk artists, like the Ranger$, at a rapid rate and searching for the best Jerk groups on the internet. Vlado Footwear tapped into that internet market earlier in the year with the National Jerk Association (NJA) and a video Jerk competition, which saw over 600 entries  come in from across America.

"We are giving kids an opportunity to come out and show off their talent," states founder of Vlado Footwear, Jill Kim. "This movement is much more than most people understand. We are not only bringing the families together for some great entertainment, but also for education and awareness into very creative new and positive culture."

Expected crews include The Ranger$, Action Figures, UCLA Jerk Kings, and the LOL Kidsz to name a few. A special musical performance by youth advocate and the 2009 Pop Artist of the Year, 'Chani,' along with the Youth Unity Group of some of Hollywood's most talented young vocalists, who participated in the 'We Are The World The Next Generation 2010' remake, which Chani produced, through her Chani Girl Foundation www.chanigirlfoundation.com 

To register a crew, the cost is $125 per team with a maximum of 6 members allowed per team. Entries can be submitted through the Los Angeles Clippers and Vlado Footwear websites.  Registration will close April 1st, 2010 or when the 32 team limit has been  reached. Tickets for the event will be made available to the public at a cost of  $20 online pre-sale through the Los Angeles Clippers or $25 at the door. The event will provide musical entertainment, live DJs, local area vendors, who will provide the attendees with fun gifts and information and there will be areas for dancers to collaborate with other dancers in between competition  times. Surprise celebrity guests will also be on hand for photos, autographs and performances and event sponsors such as Future Heretics, NJA Skinny Jeans, American Apparel and Spectro Shoes, the official Jerk dance shoes, will be on hand showing the latest in fashion. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Los Angeles Covenant House.

All registered team participants will receive a ticket to the LA Clippers vs Golden State Warriors game on Saturday night after the competition. The first 1,000  people to purchase tickets to the event online will also receive a ticket to  the Clippers game and a free event t-shirt with a total value of over $65. The event, as well as the Jerkin' movement, promises to encourage families and their  communities to focus on positive activities.

VISIT: www.vladofootwear.com for more information on Jerkin'

SOURCE Vlado Footwear