From breakdancers battling to ballroom swinging, the art of movement has become an athletic competition around the world. Since the late 1990s, Angolans have been gyrating to the speedy, 140 beats-per-minute sound of kuduro, an electronic genre that melds African polyrhythms with Caribbean soca and four-on-the-floor techno. Like hip-hop, kuduro has long been associated with athletic street-dance moves and one-upmanship, but as a dance form, it melds West African, Caribbean, and Angolese techniques with American-style popping and locking. Os Kuduristas, a five-piece Angolan dance troupe formed this year, aims to bring kuduro to the rest of the world and challenge others who like to trip the light fantastic. Tonight, after a demonstration and workshop, the Kuduristas take on D.C. hip-hop dance crews Urban Artistry and Lionz of Zionz, with music provided by D.C. DJs Sol Power and Underdog. Kuduro dancer MC Fogo de Deus will contribute vocals, calling out the names of dances and throwing in some chants to make tonight’s show an exhilarating dance-off.

The demonstration begins at 7 p.m. and Os Kuduristas perform at 8 p.m. at Tropicalia, 2001 14th St. NW. Free. (202) 629-4535. tropicaliadc.com.