Break: The Urban Funk Spectacular
Dance Review
by Joyce Huang
Issue date: 3/2/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Break dancing, beatboxing and tutting used to take place on the streets of the Bronx where hip hop lovers danced their hearts out on cardboard boxes and linoleums. But you don't have to be from the streets to appreciate hip hop culture. Held on February 7, "Break: The Urban Funk Spectacular," brought that 30-year history to the stage of Lehman Center for the Performing Arts. "Break" appealed to all ages with old school songs from artists like James Brown to new school favorites like Beyonce's "Single Ladies."
Steve Love, CEO of Love Productions, organized the event. Love is praised for extending the limit of dance and creating diverse productions like "Break." The dancers, MCs, DJ and drummers of "Break" have worked alongside well known musicians like P. Diddy and Janet Jackson.
The two-hour performance expanded with skits and a variety of dance concepts including, head spins and windmills.
The computer/robot skit started off with humor: Three guys are fighting over the control of a videogame when suddenly the system takes over the game. The guys run away in fear while delivering a dance routine involving precise popping and locking techniques. The beatbox skit was also a favorite of the audience, many of whom were bouncing around in their seats. Beatboxing is a form of vocal percussion that imitates drums beats, rhythms and turntable-like scratches. From imitating Jay Z's "Jigga" to Busta Rhymes' "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See," the MC was glistening in sweat by the end of his performance. The human percussion collaboration left audience members drumming their fingers on their laps and bobbing their heads. This skit was performed by Peter Rabbit and it involved beatboxing, a DJ on the turntables, and bucket drumming. This performance was arranged amazingly, showcasing the variety of ways that music could be produced. It showed that you don't need expensive equipment to make good music.
Love and the stars of "Break" received a standing ovation from the attendees. However, the children seemed to be their biggest fans. They ran to get their autographs upon the show's completion. Little boys were spinning and dancing around near the stage in hopes to imitate what they've just seen as little girls stared in admiration.
To learn more about "Break: The Urban Funk Spectacular," visit www.breakshow.com. For information on upcoming performances at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, visit: www.lehmancenter.org
Steve Love, CEO of Love Productions, organized the event. Love is praised for extending the limit of dance and creating diverse productions like "Break." The dancers, MCs, DJ and drummers of "Break" have worked alongside well known musicians like P. Diddy and Janet Jackson.
The two-hour performance expanded with skits and a variety of dance concepts including, head spins and windmills.
The computer/robot skit started off with humor: Three guys are fighting over the control of a videogame when suddenly the system takes over the game. The guys run away in fear while delivering a dance routine involving precise popping and locking techniques. The beatbox skit was also a favorite of the audience, many of whom were bouncing around in their seats. Beatboxing is a form of vocal percussion that imitates drums beats, rhythms and turntable-like scratches. From imitating Jay Z's "Jigga" to Busta Rhymes' "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See," the MC was glistening in sweat by the end of his performance. The human percussion collaboration left audience members drumming their fingers on their laps and bobbing their heads. This skit was performed by Peter Rabbit and it involved beatboxing, a DJ on the turntables, and bucket drumming. This performance was arranged amazingly, showcasing the variety of ways that music could be produced. It showed that you don't need expensive equipment to make good music.
Love and the stars of "Break" received a standing ovation from the attendees. However, the children seemed to be their biggest fans. They ran to get their autographs upon the show's completion. Little boys were spinning and dancing around near the stage in hopes to imitate what they've just seen as little girls stared in admiration.
To learn more about "Break: The Urban Funk Spectacular," visit www.breakshow.com. For information on upcoming performances at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, visit: www.lehmancenter.org
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