The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts transformed into a dance battleground on Saturday night as the Red Bull Dance Your Style competition came into town.
The worldwide dance tournament hosted 16 dancers from across the country in a dance contest featuring eclectic styles and moves as the crowd judged the best dancers in head-to-head competitions all night.
The final battle was one for the books as Briana “Passion” Grey defeated Jesse Sykes to advance to the national finals in Tampa.
See photos of the night, captured by The Star’s Dominick Williams.
“Passion” flies towards “Sweetface” in their first round battle in the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Fans were given colored wands to vote for their favorite dancers at the start of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The results of the contest was decided by crowd vote. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Law does a high kick while battling Gia in the first round of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Law advanced to the second round. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Gia does a backbend in the first round of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
“Sweetface” performs a move in a battle against “Passion” in the first round of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
CJ Rey crawls along the dance floor in the first round of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Local dancer KC battled “King Klutch” in the first round of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. KC went on to advance to the next round. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Local Kansas City dancer “KonWork” flips his hat during a dance move in the first round of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Local Kansas City dancer “KonWork” krumps in the first round of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
“Robozilla” performs a moonwalk move against his competitor in the first round of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
CJ Rey dances in the first round of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
“King Klutch” jumps in the air while facing off against “KC” in the first round of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. KC went on to advance to the next round. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Quixotic Entertainment violinist Shane Borth, performs during a break in dancing at the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
The crowd moves during a dance break at the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Dancers are judged by the crowd on musicality, technical skills, and creativity. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Zuce Morales slides across the floor in the second round of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Spectators react to the second round of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Jesse Sykes raises his arms to the crowd after they vote for him to advance past KC in the second round of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
The final rounds
“Passion” jumps in the air in her battle against E Solo, in the quarterfinal of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Law slides towards his opponent during the semifinal round battle of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Jesse Sykes would advance to the final round. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Law pats the head of Jesse Sykes during their semifinal round battle in the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Jesse Sykes would advance to the final round. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Jessie Sykes strikes a pose in the final round of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The final round allowed competitors to dance three times. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
“Passion” crawls backwards on her back while battling Jessie Sykes in the final round of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. “Passion” defeated Sykes, winning the regional tournament. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
“Passion” flashes a toothy grin in a dance battle against E Solo during the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Dancers are judged on musicality, technical skills, and creativity. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
“Passion” reacts to winning the final battle of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
“Passion” holds the trophy after winning the final battle of the Red Bull Dance Your Style Midwest Regional Qualifier, on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Dominick Williams serves as a visual journalist for the Kansas City Star. His journalistic endeavors cover a diverse array of topics, notably sports, breaking news, human interest narratives, and culinary features.
