Breakin’ into style
Remember when hip-hop was “fresh,” in the 1970s and 1980s? OK, maybe not, since majority of VCU students were just being born. However, some VCU students know the elements of hip-hop culture: rap, Adidas, thick gold chains, graffiti tags, a boombox and of course break dance.
Remember when hip-hop was “fresh,” in the 1970s and 1980s? OK, maybe not, since majority of VCU students were just being born. However, some VCU students know the elements of hip-hop culture: rap, Adidas, thick gold chains, graffiti tags, a boombox and of course break dance.
This group of students has been gathering to teach anyone with the passion and the interest to learn, the first lesson being that break dancing is more than just head spins and windmills.
“Break dancing is more impressive than people know,” said junior Gavan Rush, a ten-year break dance veteran. The media only shows intermediate breakers. The advanced breakers are underground.”
For these VCU students this is not only dance but a major part of their lives.
“I’ve been breakin’ on and off for probably four years now,” sophomore Bryan Irvin said. “Break dancing to me is an art itself. I merge my mind with the music and let my creativity flourish.”
The technicality and complexity of breakdance requires great energy. It is the challenge of the mind and body. Rush emphasizes the difficulty in convincing the mind against fear.
“Break dance is teaching your mind and body to do anything, ” Rush said. “Anyone can break, but some people believe in the word ‘impossible.'”
The students will be meeting every Wednesday night at 8 p.m. in the Cary Street Gym. Visitors without a VCU ID must be accompanied with a VCU student or alumni and pay a $5 fee each visit.
For further information, please contact Alex Moy at moyboydesigns@yahoo.com or contact Gavan Rush at rushgf@mail1.vcu.
