Voguein' to Vegas

This talented team of dancers has the moves - and the ambition - to conquer the world. Joanna Davies reports.
The old Mt Albert Methodist Church is large enough to house half a basketball court in its community hall. In here, as little kids shoot hoops, a hip-hop dance crew practises their moves, counting the beats as they step.
Several times a week the seven Lil Saintz, dressed in leather jackets and high-top trainers, meet in the church to rehearse.
In three months, they'll swap the hall for a spotlit stage in Las Vegas, when the all-girl group competes in the World Hip-Hop Dance Championships.
"We get to show off our talent," says 8-year-old Emma Huch, the youngest member of the group. "I'll be there for my birthday, too, so that will be fun."
Nine-year-old Moanekah Va'ai is looking forward to her second visit to America after going there on holiday last year.
"We get to show everyone what we've got at the competition," she says.
Earning a place in the championships is another first for the Lil Saintz; earlier this year they won the junior title in New Zealand's national hip-hop competition.
"We had gone to nationals before but we never placed anywhere until this year, and we won," says Moanekah.
Ten-year-old Karissa Tapu says the crew will practise more often each week until the competition at the end of July.
"We are practising popping, vogueing, breakdancing and krumping," she says. "We've watched the competition on TV before and it will be really cool to go."
The Lil Saintz' biggest challenge might not come from an overseas team, but from another Kiwi crew, Bubblegum.
"Last year they went to the international competition, but this year we beat them at nationals," says Moanekah.
Team manager Vaimoana Va'ai says the team is working hard to do well in Las Vegas.
"In the build-up to nationals they were training four nights a week and on weekends," she says.
"People just see the end result, but hours of work goes into this and we have to fit it around school and other commitments.
"They are really passionate, and they want to do really well."
Ms Va'ai says some of the girls have danced together for four years.
"Some of them have been dancing since they were 4 or 5, and four of them are cousins who have learned together," she says.
The next challenge is to raise $50,000 for the girls to get to the tournament.
"We are going to put on a lot of shows and do community dance classes," says Ms Va'ai. "Even if we can raise enough for airfares, it will take a lot of pressure off the parents."
If you can help the Lil Saintz raise the money they need, please email: saintzhiphopdance@gmail.com
Movers and shakers
New Zealand at the world champs: last year, Kiwi hop-hop group Request won the international adults' title. Two other teams, Sweet and Sour and Dziah 2.0, came fifth and eighth respectively.
In the varsity category (for ages 13-18), Kiwi team Sorority came third in the junior category for children aged 8-12. Bubblegum finished fifth.