Around two hundred and fifty b-boys and b-girls filled Capri Hall last Friday to watch and compete in breakdance battles at Fight After Christmas – an event put on by Kill Beats, Vancouver’s largest and most respected series of breakdance competitions.

Dre MacPhee, one of the organizers, hasn’t been in the circle for a battle in over three years – mostly because he isn’t as damage proof as he once was but he smiles and will tell you he doesn’t want to get a bald spot doing so many headspins. Nonetheless, Dre and cohorts Rob Madden and Mike Rhodrguez, are committed to throwing consistent competitions to help push and strengthen the breakdance community in Vancouver.

The Kill Beats website is still in the making but you can stay tuned by adding “Kill Beats” as a friend on Facebook.

For this entry I had the pleasure of working as a lighting assistant to photographer Rhoderick Lising, also known as AREML. Be sure to check out his website for more gritty and urban photography.

In the offices of Variety – the children’s charity, where the Miss World Canada auditions were being held, a room full of girls talked and laughed nervously as they waited to be interviewed by the audition panel.

Chatting with some of the girls, I found each of them open, inquisitive and confident, despite their nervousness. Interestingly, not once did I hear anyone refer to the contest as a beauty pageant. No one seemed worried about her lipstick or eye-liner. Instead they discussed things like charity fund-raising, volunteerism and other bonding experiences they were anticipating through the pageant. Clearly they were excited to be there.

The meeting room next door was converted with studio spotlights into a simulated stage setting with a panel of three interviewers. One by one the girls came in and talked about their achievements, hopes and expectations. After each audition there was a quick consult on how the interviewers felt about the candidate’s suitability. It was much like what you see on TV really.

The Miss World 2010 Canadian preliminary pageant will take place May 3-7 in Vancouver and I hope to be there with my camera to extend this photo essay.