“Hey, that kid’s wearing a skateboard helmet!”
This would not have been an out of place comment had it been heard on a half-pipe, but instead it was half-mumbled by a stranger inside “The Tavern,” an American University version of Hoya Court. The reason for the helmet? To perform headspins, a staple breakdancing move.
This past Saturday, American University held its fourth annual benefit, known as “Breakin’ for Birney.” The name comes from the grade school, Birney Elementary in Southeast Washington, to which the night’s proceeds go. A $5 donation was suggested, but any amount was accepted. A community service group out of American University called Amerikids sponsors the benefit. Much like D.C. Schools, Amerikids visits the school and helps to tutor kids, and fosters an encouraging and safe learning environment. Once a year, Amerikids throws this breakdancing fest, which draws b-boys and bystanders alike from the entire East Coast, an amazing feat, considering that most participants are still in high school.
The event started at 7 p.m., but not until two and half hours later was there a crowd of people so thick around the breakdancers that people had to pull up chairs just to see the swinging legs of a windmill. Before then, there were small scattered circles of kids teaching each other, preparing somewhat intensely for what one could have falsely misinterpreted as a breakin’ competition. An amateur DJ spun hip-hop CDs and kids lingered, waiting for the real show to start. Then, around 9:30 p.m., local hip-hop DJ Anonymous jumped on the decks to the claps and shouts of the already bulging breakdance circle, and it was at this time the real breakin’ began.
Those comprising the circle, at this time with a diameter of about 20 feet, was surprisingly diverse in ethnicity, age, as well as style. However, this should not have come as much of a shock considering that hip-hop and breakdancing, although originated in the poverty-stricken South Bronx, has always appealed to all kids across class, race and gender barriers.
However, most of the b-boys were African-American and Asian-American, decked out in the standard breakdancing Adidas gear. The guys would hop in and out of the circle, making sure not to cut someone off. Everyone showed etiquette and respect to the others through claps and high-fives of appreciation and admiration after their time in the circle.
The most amazing of the b?boys’ manners, however, were those demonstrated to the girls who hopped in the circle as well, confident to strut their stuff. There were wild claps and shouts from everyone outside the circle when a girl jumped in, and the boy breakers were always quite chivalrous, letting the ladies go first. Try finding that kind of enthusiasm for gender equality on a half-pipe.
Breakin’ for Birney IV brought together not only the sexes and different ethnicities, but also the different scenes. Hip-hop kids mingled with interested punk kids, as well as those there just to support Amerikids. There was a genuine feel of unity and respect for everyone breaking, playing and watching. Even a handicapped boy with leg braces joined the circle, sporting a jersey with “LAZY LEGS” across the back.
Although this event only occurs once a year, an air of ease and familiarity surged through the crowd; it felt as if a big family had gathered to show each other their new breaking skills. Not only does this event sponsor a good cause, but it demonstrates that the street spirit is still alive and breakin’, with or without a helmet.
