Inside My First Red Bull Dance Your Style Event: A Reminder of Why Dance Matters

On May 16, I attended my very first Red Bull Dance Your Style competition which took place in Atlanta, GA. Although it was my first time in the audience, the event had been on my radar for a few years. Through my work on Dance to the Beat and my podcast, This Afro Dance Life, I've spent countless hours getting to know Atlanta's Afro dance community, hearing dancers' stories, documenting their journeys, and learning about the moments that have shaped the culture.

I first discovered Red Bull Dance Your Style in 2024 through social media as dancers shared their experiences representing Team Africa. Realizing I had completely missed such an important moment for the Afro dance community was disappointing. Watching it from afar, I promised myself I wouldn't miss the next opportunity to witness this culture on a global stage.

This year, I didn't.

One of the dancers featured in Dance to the Beat and interviewed on This Afro Dance Life, Cece, returned to the competition as one of only three judges, a remarkable milestone after previously representing Team Africa as a competitor in 2024. Another dancer whose journey I've had the privilege of documenting, Lenataa, took the stage with Haus of London, delivering electrifying performances during the breaks between battles.

Seeing both of them play such prominent roles at one of the world's biggest dance events filled me with pride. These weren't just talented dancers I admired. They were artists whose journeys I'd been fortunate enough to witness up close. Watching them shine on an international stage felt incredibly special.

Cece Herbert serves as a judge at the Red Bull Dance Your Style Atlanta Qualifier

My daughter joined me for the trip, and we turned it into a mother daughter adventure centered around something we both love: dance.

From the moment we walked into the venue, I knew this wasn't just another competition.

A dancer commands the circle as spectators gather around the floor during the Red Bull Dance Your Style Atlanta Qualifier competition

The room pulsed with energy. Dancers, creatives, and fans packed every corner, all united by a shared love of movement. Battle after battle, competitors pushed themselves to extraordinary levels, showcasing incredible musicality, athleticism, creativity, and heart.

Then Haus of London took the floor.

As soon as Lenataa appeared, I couldn't help myself. I was cheering at the top of my lungs. Watching someone whose story I'd come to know perform on a stage like this was one of the highlights of the evening. It wasn't just about the choreography. It was about celebrating how far she'd come.

Lenataa Goka performs with Haus of London during the Red Bull Dance Your Style Atlanta Qualifier

Throughout the night, dance circles formed whenever the music started. Strangers became supporters. Spectators became participants. At one point, even a videographer standing near me put down his professional composure (and camera) and started dancing. The energy was simply impossible to resist.

Dance is contagious.

Later, I found myself standing near the winner's mother as the final battle came to an end. When her son was announced as champion, she erupted with pure joy. Pride, relief, love. It all poured out at once. For a few moments, complete strangers celebrated together as though we'd known one another for years.

Luffy Carlito Walker (King Luffy), winner of the 2026 Red Bull Dance Your Style Atlanta Qualifier, during one of his performances.

That may have been my biggest takeaway from the night.

Yes, the dancing was extraordinary.

Yes, the competition was exciting.

But what stayed with me most was the community.

Red Bull Dance Your Style wasn't simply a dance competition. It was a gathering of people connected by movement, creativity, and culture. It was a reminder that dance creates belonging. It builds friendships, opens doors, and connects people across backgrounds, cities, and continents.

As I left the venue, I couldn't stop thinking about Dance to the Beat.

This is exactly why we're making this film.

The world often celebrates the viral videos, sold out workshops, and championship titles. But beneath every achievement is a community that helped make it possible, a culture built by artists who dedicate their lives to movement long before the spotlight finds them.

Seeing Cece and Lenataa contribute to one of the world's premier dance events reminded me why these stories deserve to be preserved. Their accomplishments weren't just personal victories. They reflected the continued growth and global influence of Afro dance itself.

Catching up with Cece Herbert in between dance battles

That night wasn't simply a reminder of why I love dance.

It was a reminder of why these stories matter.

And why Dance to the Beat matters.

All Photos captured by Photographer Mia Rickets