Melbourne Lawyer Sid Mathur Joins BLAZE THE SHOW at Hamer Hall, Now thru 1/27

After a nation-wide search for Australia's best streetdancer, Melburnian Sid Mathur has been selected to join the cast of Blaze the Show for its Melbourne season at Hamer Hall from tonight, 23 - Sunday 27 January 2013.

After two days of gruelling auditions with 30 other shortlisted dancers from across Australia on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 October, Sid Mathur impressed the production's selection panel, which was helmed by Blaze the Show's dance captain and choreographer Kendra Horsbugh and So You Think You Can Dance star Demi Sorono.

"Sid is a very experienced dancer, skilled in different styles. He picks up choreography very quickly, but he also moves very well as a freestyler," said Kendra Horsburg. "He has a very pleasant, cooperative and open attitude, which made working with him very easy. For Blaze we don't just need the best dancers - and there were many in the audition - but we also need someone that fits the team. Sid will be a great asset to the show and I look forward to working with him."

A graduate from University of Melbourne Law School and a practicing Supreme Court solicitor, Sid Mathur discovered his love of dance in 2002 when he was introduced to the street styles of popping and B-Boying by Dance United's Arch Ilias. Like panelist Demi Sorono, Mathur has made a name for himself in the dance community as one of the finalists Australia's first and third season of Network Ten's So You Think You Can Dance. Mathur is also co-director and manager for Australian Hip Hop Championship-winning crew, The Collektive.

As a choreographer and dancer, Mathur has appeared in music videos and live shows for local artists including Marvin Priest, DVS, Fawaz Ibrahim, and international stars including Mario, Fabolous, Li'l Kim and 50 Cent.

"I'm really excited to joining the cast of Blaze," said Sid Mathur. "I'm looking forward to learning all the intricate routines and dancing alongside the world's best streetdancers and breakers - and doing my bit to put Melbourne's street scene on the map."

Mixing nightclub vibes with West End production values and the raw impact of a music gig, Blaze the Show is a high-energy showcase dance that the whole family will enjoy. Featuring music by Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Kanye West, David Guetta and Snoop Dogg, Blaze The Show comes to Arts Centre Melbourne in 2013 following a successful premiere at West End in London and the sold-out tours in the Netherlands and the UK.

Arts Centre Melbourne presents Blaze the Show at Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall, tonight, 23 January - Sunday 27 January 2013, 3pm Thursday - Sunday, 8pm Wednesday and Friday - Sunday.