Feeling the vibe - live

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Three junior reporters danced their way home after watching an epic dance show, Live Vibe, earlier this month. The performance was created more than a decade ago in London by Hakeem Onibudo, a British dance teacher/choreographer. He helped choreograph the British pop group Pet Shop Boys' Fundamental World Tour in 2006 and worked on Flo Rida's smash-hit video Low. The Live Vibe show featured the Philippine All-Stars, the two-time world hip hop champions, who have danced for such superstars as Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Nicki Minaj, and Jennifer Lopez.

It was an unforgettable night for our three junior reporters. Here are their memories.


After the successful debut of Live Vibe in Hong Kong in December 2010, Hakeem Onibudo rocked the city once again.

"There's not enough room in Hong Kong for people to express themselves and to find themselves; there are many different ways of living," Lydia, the event's co-host, told us.

This was the major reason for Onibudo to launch Live Vibe Hong Kong - to show something different.

Onibudo said: "If you stay only in your own box, your work will be very similar. Think outside the box.

He said this many times during the show.

Dancing was new to me and I can't remember ever being to a dance show before. But I really enjoyed the crazy ambience of Live Vibe.

I'm used only to expressing myself through writing and taking photographs, but now I can also express myself through dancing. Seeing the performance of the Philippines All-Stars helped me discover my own wild side.

I loved the show!

Stanley Lam



Hakeem Onibudo with junior reporters (from left) Stanley Lam, Crystal Tai, and Pearl Tin.

British choreographer Hakeem Onibudo said the technical expertise and organisation of the backstage crew during his latest Hong Kong show was better than in the past.

However, he admitted that Hong Kong's different culture, language and mentality all posed challenges for him.

"The culture here's quite reserved," he said. "I found I have to work harder to reassure myself that I'm doing the right thing, whereas in London [it's easier because] people are more open."

Onibudo also said local dance styles were mostly influenced by YouTube and MTV. He stressed that people needed to "think outside the box".

He said: "I go around the world and I see people being safe with their work rather than just playing the music and dancing. What are you thinking about? What is your message?"

In a city that lacks room for people to express themselves, Live Vibe was a great platform for Hongkongers to explore their own character and personality - and a new way of letting their hair down after another hectic day of work and monotony.

Crystal Tai


"Let's get crazy tonight!" Hakeem Onibudo shouted. "I want to challenge myself. To do this in London is not a challenge. It's more challenging to come to a country with a different culture and language."

The theme of the show - designed especially for us Hongkongers - was "identity".

Onibudo said: "Sometimes people may ask themselves 'Who am I?', or 'Who do I represent?'. It's important for people to find themselves and express themselves in their own way."

There was lots of interaction with the audience throughout the show. "The response from the audience was good, especially at the end when everyone stood up, dancing together," Onibudo said.

He taught the audience some simple dance steps during the show. With all the performers on stage at the close, we were able to dance together and finish off the show in style.

Pearl Tin

Young Post organises regular activities for our junior reporters. If you wish to join, send your name, age, school and contact details to [email protected] with "jun rep application" in the subject field

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