Champion dancers from across New England

Rapid-fire head spins, twirling windmills, and breathtaking backspins are hallmarks of breakdance, an urban dance style that, along with graffiti art, rap and DJ-ing, is a primary expression of hip-hop culture.  Born on the streets, “breaking” has now become a worldwide phenomenon.  The exciting invitational breakdance competition at this year’s Lowell Folk Festival features some the region’s most dazzling dancers.

The practitioners of this dance are called B-boys, B-girls, or breakers. The style has its roots in African American percussive dance forms that, on the streets of New York City in the 1970s, mixed with Latino and Caribbean styles. Many cite the crowd-thrilling energy of the “Good Foot Dance” introduced by James Brown in 1969 as one of the direct inspirations for the breakin’ style.  Early hip hop DJs throughout the city began experimenting with “break-beat,” in which short, percussive sections taken from existing records were isolated and repeated.  The “break,” as famed Bronx DJ Afrika Bambaataa describes, was "that certain part of the record that everybody waits for--they just let their inner self go and get wild."  

Particularly in the Bronx, breakdancing took off and became popular in the form of informal dance competitions between dancing groups or “crews.” Dance moves eventually incorporated elements of Brazilian capoeira and Kung Fu to further dazzle the crowds. In part because it offered an alternative to traditional street gang activity, hip-hop culture and breakin’ spread throughout American cities during the 1970s and ‘80s. 

The competitions held in the middle of the dance floor at the Dutton Street Dance Pavilion will include a panel of expert judges, live DJ and feature at least eight dance competitors each day.  The program was organized by Boston BBoy whose motto is:   "Humanitas Provectus, Humanitas Assimulo," Latin for "preserve the culture, advance the culture." Dedicated to advancing and preserving hip-hop culture, Boston BBoy serves as the nexus for underground dance, education, and performances in the area.