EVALUATION OF By, Zac and Maleny THE BEGINNING…

„ African Americans in the 1960’s were oppressed in , New York where breakdancing was born. „ Early breakers consisted of gang members, instead of using violence they created a dance style mixed with capoeira and other martial arts, to release aggression. WHY B-BOY?

„ Dj Kool Herc was the first person to use the term B-boy which is used widely today. „ Bboy (Break boy) was because the dancers would dance on the “break” or the bridge part of the song. MEANING OF THE MOVES

„ Movements are very sporadic or wild doing things some might not think possible. „ Creates an escape from everyday problems „ Release of aggression and energy. „ Brings people together to just dance. MOVEMENT

„Early Breakin’ consisted of mainly rather than the spins and sporadic moves used today. „1969 released a dance video called “Get down on the good foot” which gave early breakers the initial idea behind breakdancing. THE 4 COMPONENTS

„ Footwork / Floor work Various stepping and sliding moves while you are close to the ground

„ Uprock / Dancing while standing up

„ Power moves Spinning moves (head-spins, windmills, flares) „ Freezes/stalls Moves that require you to use strength & balance to hold a set position. Attire Baggy clothing is commonly affiliated with breakdancing since it is piece of Hip Hop culture

Objects that are often used • Helmets • Elbow/Knee pads • Bandanas • Arm bands • Beanies Breakin’ isn’t gender or age specific but to this The Dancers day remains dominantly male. Performed solo or in “crews” MUSIC

„ A wide Variety of genres but traditionally and Hip Hop. „ All Breakdancing Music is combined under a category called “Break- Beats” „ Common for the crowd to clap on beat. „ Audience commonly shouts in approval if they like a certain style or move. (Woo!, OHH!, Clapping, and Cheering during a b-boy performance isn’t disrespectful. DANCE SPACE

„ Cypher or Dance circle „ Cypher is a freestyle circle where dancers usually one at a time jump in on at a time to show off their moves. „ Ideal space for dancing would be a smooth surface with plenty of room to move around. „ Audience usually is circled around performance vs. a stage and audience. CONTRIBUTION

„ B-boying creates a release from society’s everyday pressures and brings people together to just dance and have a good time. (Not having to worry about race, gender, age, etc.) Now with T.V. shows such as “America's best dance crew” helps people just sit back and enjoy. EVOLUTION OF BBOYING

„ Drifted towards being „ Still connected with the Hip- performance based rather than Hop Culture. collective because of the media. „ Starting the Bronx, now is a (more commercial) worldwide dance. „ No longer affiliated with gangs „ New moves have been created as much to expand the variety and self expression of each dancer. „ More Female breakers (B-Girls) than before. Breakin’ Today Very well known and respected as an enjoyable expression. Open to everyone and more common than ever with the media promoting it. END NOTE

„ Now we have a great respect for the founders of bboying who were oppressed and through their struggle created the dance. „ Appreciate how race, gender, or age doesn’t matter and all can put their differences aside. „ Helps people relieve, stress, and express themselves in a constructive way.