On Tour with the Jabbawockeez

élan and I just got back last week from our first Jabbawockeez tour. We partnered with Armed Forces Entertainment to bring the world-famous Hip-Hop dance crew for a two-week, six-show tour at military bases across Japan and Okinawa. It was an extremely successful tour, and our mission of providing the best entertainment to US troops and family members stationed overseas was accomplished.

We presented the idea of bringing Jabbawockeez on tour to Frank, Pacific Regional Manager for AFE, and together we scouted out their Jreamz show at the MGM Grand Las Vegas with our families last summer.

A few months later we got the call and had the opportunity to put the tour together. With our company EMpower Entertainment Group as the contractor, élan negotiated the contracts on our end and assisted with the creative process and technical aspects of the show. I worked on logistics and paperwork. After all, we were traveling as a 13-pack, so there was a lot of prep work and coordination involved. When I finally met with the Jabbawockeez at their HQ, it honestly felt like I was working with my family. While on tour, élan and I were there to make sure that everything ran smoothly, from schedules to production, and to make sure that Jabbawockeez had everything they needed for a successful run.

Being on tour with the Jabbawockeez, I was really impressed with their talent, creativity, work ethic, comradery and humbleness. The first night we landed in Japan, they didn’t waste any time to get a rehearsal in. Mind you, this was after a 14-hour flight from Las Vegas which included a stopover, a two-hour drive from the airport to the military base, checking into lodging and having a quick bite to eat. This was because we had a really tight tour schedule and the first show was the following day.

Stage rehearsals were extremely important for this tour. After all, the show was a dance production. Jabbawockeez used rehearsals for blocking and to make sure the stage was suitable for dancing, floorwork and head spins. They usually ran through their show twice, once without music, then with the full production of music, video and lights. Being a performer myself, I loved watching their rehearsals. They rehearsed without masks and I wish you could see under their masks because they have the best facial expressions. You can definitely see they are having fun and love what they do.

Sound check and tech rehearsals were equally as important. Each show was at a different venue which also meant different production teams. So even though Jabbawockeez traveled with their own production manager who ran their music and video, they still had to make sure all the components worked at each venue and practiced the lighting cues with the crew.

Jabbawockeez gave six amazing sold out max capacity shows. I’m happy to report that they entertained over 5,500 US military personnel and their families stationed at bases across Japan and Okinawa. I really loved seeing how diverse the crowds were and that all age groups were represented. Tons of die-hard Jabbawockeez fans who cheered them on America’s Best Dance Crew came out and couldn’t believe they were finally watching and meeting some of their favorite dancers in person. We were also very fortunate to have four of the original members on the tour.

Jabbawockeez created this show specifically for this military tour. There was so much excitement and anticipation in the air. When it was finally show time, the crowd went wild when the video intro played and the music pumped loud. The Jabbawockeez danced their way onto the stage through shining lights and fog from a smoke machine.

They kept the crowd going song after song with their precision choreography and eclectic mix of urban dance styles including popping, locking and breakdancing. They played up to the crowd by weaving comedy into their routines and even surprised a female audience member by bringing her up to join them on stage for a few numbers.

The highlight of the show was during the finale, after the final bow and mask reveal. On behalf of the Jabbawockeez crew, OG member Phil Tayag expressed their sincere gratitude to all the military members and their families for their service and sacrifices they have made. He gave words of inspiration and encouraged everyone, especially the children, to keep reaching for their dreams. They picked out three kids from the audience which they called them “little Jabbas,” and asked each of them to do an action from either a favorite sport or hobby. The Jabbawockeez turned those actions into dance moves and put it all together in a freestyle dance. Everyone loved it, and it was a once in a lifetime chance for the children to share the stage with their dance heroes.

I don’t think that the bases had anticipated the popularity of the hip-hop dance crew and unfortunately people had to be turned away because of the fire marshal code. After the show at the first base, word quickly spread to the remaining bases to prepare for huge crowds. Some venues even reconfigured their seating arrangements to make it standing room only to accommodate more people and guests waited for hours in the snow and cold to make sure they got in. Because AFE shows are free and open to the military, it’s first come first served, so there was no advanced ticket sales or reserved seating.

AFE made a limited amount of Jabbawockeez tour shirts that were in high demand. Everyone wanted one.  Staff and volunteers wore them and a bunch were tossed into the audience as giveaways before the show to hype up the crowd.

After each performance there was a VIP Meet and Greet for a select number of guests. Jabbawockeez signed autographs, took pictures and chatted with all their fans. They love to connect with their fans. It also gave them the chance to shake hands and thank our military and their families in person.

As part of promoting the tour, the Jabbawockeez did radio appearances at several AFN Networks. Each DJ had a different set of interview questions, but usually centered around how they got started, their experience on America’s Best Dance Crew and what keeps them together. They also had an opportunity to do an interview for one of the air base’s news station.

Even though this was a busy tour, traveling all over Japan and Okinawa, doing 6 shows in 12 days, we still had lots of time for fun. This was also a bucket list trip for the Jabbawockeez. It was their first time officially performing in Japan and for some members it was their first time visiting Japan as well. The long bus rides were filled with music and singing, believe it or not. They love to sing and they are good! We feasted on sushi and ramen off-base and American food on the bases. We celebrated Gavin’s 18^th birthday, the youngest Jabbawockeez cast member. We played in the snow in Misawa and did some sightseeing in American Village in Okinawa. We bought souvenirs and of course took a trip to Daiso.

All in all this was an amazing tour. élan and I are thankful for the opportunity to work with AFE and Jabbawockeez. We created new friendships, strengthened relationships and expanded connections. We look forward to bringing the Jabbawockeez on tour again in 2020 to military bases overseas in different regions.

I would love to hear if you are a Jabbawockeez fan or would like them to perform at your base overseas.

Best,
Marlene

PS – Check out the links below to find the best deals for tickets to watch the Jabbawockeez at their Jreamz Show at MGM Grand. (Search: Jabbawockeez)

Please enjoy these Jabbawockeez in Japan Episodes filmed and edited by Christian Astorga.