2000:

 

The ViKiNGs dance group began in mid-2000 by chance. Liz Honey, president of the Vikings Sports Club> was approached and asked if she could find a group to dance for an upcoming social event. Agreeing, she found a group of teenagers who were willing to provide some entertainment for this event. They had no intention of forming a dance group, thinking that this was only a one-off event. However, the enjoyment and satisfaction of performing drove ViKiNGs to realise acommon passion: dance.

The “ViKiNGs” name came from the basketball team Vikings. The name ViKiNGs came to Liz because all the dancers played for the Vikings. These basketball players then created their first dance routine - which they still laugh about to this day.

 

The original ViKiNGs group consisted of Liza Arriagada, JR Gamboa, Lucky Gamboa, Acey Rodriguez, Ajay Rodriguez, Czearen DeOcampo and Jerome Go. It wasn't until early 2001 that ViKiNGs recruited Lizelle Magayanes and Karen Jehodo for their first major performance, the Side A concert. Anthony Lawang also performed with them for this event. Chris Oray joined the group towards the end of 2001 by 'innocently' showing up at all rehearsals with Acey. Chris joined Vikings serving as a replacement for Anthony, who had decided to concentrate on his break dancing. Anthony joined the Broken Krayonz and Fresh Sox crews, peformed with Cat Empire and travelled to the US and Japan to study breakdancing & hip-hop.

 

So a strong group of ten dancers took 2002 in their stride. It was in this year that ViKiNGs heightened in popularity, hence bringing in numerous opportunities to showcase their great talent. Performing for international artists, Freestyle and Gary Valenciano, two video clips for upcoming artists (including Israel) and many other events around Melbourne; ViKiNGs made their mark in the way of dance groups. DJ Ray collaborated with ViKiNGs for the first time on the mix for the Gary Valenciano concert, which was bold and creative. DJ Ray has continued mixing for ViKiNGs ever since.

However, October 2002 saw the departure of Lucky and JR as they boarded a plane to continue their lives in Canada. To add to this loss, Jerome was also sadly farewelled on his way to the Philippines in December 2002.

The remaining six ViKiNGs (AJay founded the DisFunktion crew) attempted to remain optimistic about their next performance, despite losing three members. Just as luck would have it, Jem Hirose arrived in Melbourne from the Philippines 2 ½ weeks before their next performance. With his impressive dance history and skill, hailing from a popular dance group in the Philippines, Jem joined ViKiNGs days later.

As ViKiNGs regained their balance & confidence for the year 2003, they were again hit with another loss; Czearen exited the group due to other commitments. Again, luck was on their side, with history repeating itself. As Czearen departed the group, JR arrived back in Melbourne just weeks later - for good!

 

So at the start of 2003, ViKiNGs were Liza, JR, Acey, Liz, Karen, Chris and Jem. 2003 turned out to be their best year yet.

 
Their first major event in 2003 was the Groove Melbourne contest, run by Hoopdreamz Enterprises from Sydney. ViKiNGs' creativity stunned their rivals and they won both the R&B dance and overall Champion titles. Their act included many props and costume changes; most famously they started the dance by tagging “ViKiNGs” on stage! Next up was the Urban Quest, run by Dandenong Plaza. ViKiNGs ventured far into the east side and snatched the R&B dance trophy back to the west. Their momentum was building…

In April 2003, Hoopdreamz Enterprises invited ViKiNGs to open the show at their Groove Sydney event. ViKiNGs really wanted to make a big impression on the Sydney R&B fans, and they worked long hours to make a brand new act. The theme was “ViKiNGs Reloaded” and the style followed the recently released Matrix Reloaded movie. ViKiNGs were truly pumped up, and the Sydney fans went crazy when ViKiNGs suddenly appeared in long black coats, and dark sunglasses. A highlight of the choreography was the “bullet time” slow motion sequences and fighting scene. ViKiNGs made many friends in Sydney especially Soul Elements, NBD and SKB.

 

In October 2003, ViKiNGs hosted their own event: ViKiNGs Exp0sed. This was a big success and they worked really hard to perform 4 showcases on the night, finishing with their (now famous) Matrix performance.  There was a also a dance contest as part of this event, which was really popular.

 

The first big event in 2004 was Battlegrounds.  This brought the top crews from Melbourne vs Sydney.  ViKiNGs were up against Caramell, but they weren't intimidated.  As usual their creative ideas came together with backlit screens, elaborate costumes and a dramatic story line.  Sadly Battlegrounds was to be the last performance for Acey. Of course we all wish him all the best in whatever he does in the future.

 

Soon the dance scene was gripped by the "You Got Served" movie and the exciting new "battle" style for dancers.  ViKiNGs proved to be really strong in these challenging individual battles where you have to bring it right there on the spot or else get wiped out in front of the crowd.  ViKiNGs won the Burn City battle comp, and made the final of the Round One battle comp, only to be beaten by Anthony's crew.

 

October 2004 saw ViKiNGs host their second event: RAW on the Dancefloor.  After the success of the dance comp in their ViKiNGs Exp0sed event in 2003, they really want to make this event a big dance comp that would encourage new, fresh crews to step up to the stage. 1st Prize was set at $1,000, which has not been seen in Melbourne funk/r&b comps for many years.  RAW turned out to be a huge success - 11 crews entered and showed us all so many fresh and new ideas.  The winners were Funkey Fresh, followed by Yeah Baby Pop and Platinum.  The venue (National Theatre) was totally packed out with many people turned away.  So the atmosphere was electric, especially during the finale when ViKiNGs called for the audience to come up on stage and battle ViKiNGs and members of other crews! Special mention must go to the incredible efforts of Karen of ViKiNGs, who choryd the opening act with 50+ students from her KStar Evolutionz dance studio.

 

ViKiNGs at this point were Liza, Lizelle and Karen, which actually made for a really tight showcase during RAW.  Liza and Karen also repeated a variation of that showcase at Filo Fiesta in November 2004, which was also really tight and slick.

 

But soon ViKiNGs were back to full strength.  By November 2004 they had recruited Cyrus from Platinum, bringing attitude, talent and professionalism to the max.  JR also returned with a new intensity and power, and with polished singing talents. Anthony rejoined ViKiNGs, bringing years of experience in the break and hip-hop scenes both around Australia and internationally.

 

Late in 2004, Israel and ViKiNGs were kicking around an idea to put together a big, professional show, and to involve all the top dance crews in Melbourne as backup dancers.  With Israel's 1st single "Wake Up With You" doing so well in the charts and ViKiNGs still riding high after RAW it seemed like the perfect time.  They decided to go for it, and quickly recruited Detour, Funkey Fresh, Platinum, Replay and Rewind - what a lineup!  The show will be held on 14 January 2005 - we hope everyone will come and show their support for Israel and the r&b/funk dance scene in Melbourne!

 

In Jan 2005, Vikings hosted Israel in his own concert event.  This event presented Israel’s perspective on his journey through the music industry, in a full-length concert/musical production that blended Israel’s original music, dancing and drama. Israel was backed up by rappers KA$H and Vallerie.

Melbourne’s hottest dance crews were dancing back up for Israel, as well as acting : Detour, Funkey Fresh, Platinum, Replay, Rewind and of course ViKiNGs.
 

The ViKiNGs lineup for 2005 is: Acey, Anthony, Chris, Cyrus, JR, Karen, Liza and Lizelle.  So watch out Melbourne - you better bring your best coz ViKiNGs are back in full effect!