Cue old-school, underground hip-hop music. Enter b-boy, game face on, busting out his best moves, sealing it off with a floor pose -- one hand holding up the entirety of his body weight. Pulsing bass mimics pulsating heart. It's the ultimate break dancing battle scene. No, this isn't the movie, "You Got Served." It's the real deal for Sacramento break-dance crew, Flexible Flave.

The renowned b-boy crew, the only one in Northern California to travel to international competitions, is preparing for their upcoming competition, "Ashes 2 Ashes," here in Sacramento, which will be held at Bella Vista High School on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 5 p.m.

The competition includes, The Pathway to the Crown, a 1-on-1 battle that is the fourth round in "Ashes 2 Ashes," whose winner will head to Portland to continue in King of the Hill. It also includes a 3-on-3 crew battle, again, whose winners will advance in "Ashes 2 Ashes."

It's going to be a humongous event for Sacramento," says Dominic "D-trix" Sandoval, crew member of Flexible Flave, who is entering the 3-on-3 competition.

The fundamentals of b-boying include popping, locking, break-dancing moves, and "dancing on beat," explains ARC student Vince "Vincanity" Horiuchi, competition promoter and member of Flexible Flave. But it is the personal touches that make the individual unique and better than the opponent. The only way to develop a personal style is to practice. And if Flexible Flave is based on anything, it's practice.

"I practice between 2 and 5 hours a day," says Horiuchi. As a crew,

he says, they practice between 3 and 5 days a week.

Practice and dedication are just as important, if not more so, than talent, when the crew recruits its members. If one were to aspire to join Flexible Flave, there is a "second generation" crew to join first, Legendary Steps, that serves as a training ground. With talent and dedication, these up-and-coming dancers may eventually get into Flexible Flave.

Flexible Flave has 20 members total. The crew is more like a family, says Horiuchi, than a dance team. The funky family has traveled to competitions in France, Taiwan, Tahiti, Portugal, and more.

"We go all over the world," he says.

All trips are sponsored by the organizers. "They pay for the trips because they like to advertise America and Flexible Flave," Horiuchi says.

Horiuchi describes break-dancing as "now a culture, not a trend," one that is here to stay. He encourages the people of Sacramento to come to the competition, explaining that Flexible Flave is known more internationally than locally. He wants Sacramentans to know what's going on in their own city.

Horiuchi says he hopes break-dancing will gain more popularity, not only in Sacramento, but nationwide, saying that in Korea, "b-boys are celebrities." With all the amazing talent, discipline, and astounding gravity-defying moves, one would think b-boys would have more of a local following. Horiuchi attributes this lack of involvement to the American government. He points out that France's government sponsors art; therefore France has the money to throw huge events.

"In America, the government tends to be against anything that has to do with hip-hop," Horiuchi says.

Referring to the violent reputation of rap-concerts and hip-hop in general, Horiuchi feels that b-boy events shouldn't be targeted just because a couple people "cause problems."

People who simply have an appreciation for the music, culture, and dancing will likely enjoy the event, as will those who don't know the first thing about break-dancing.

"You're coming to see an art form, to get a glimpse of what the scene is like," Sandoval says, encouraging both sexes to attend. "If you're a male, you can come and see something you don't usually see; ladies should come out because out of over 1,000 people, 90 percent are males!"

The event opens its doors at 3:30, although the competition begins at 5 p.m.

KSFM 102.5 is sponsoring the event.

"They promote us and get our names out. I'm definitely excited," says Sandoval.

Student Admission is $8, while general admission is $12. From each ticket, $2 will be given to breast cancer charities.

The entertainment doesn't stop at the competition. If one isn't able to attend, there is an 18+ pre-party and after-party, both held at the Stoney Inn at 1320 Del Paso Blvd. The pre-party is $5 on Friday night, Oct. 27, and, at $7, the after-party follows the competition on Saturday night.