The ultimate purpose of my Journey To The Centre Of The Earth last week was to take in some of the battles at the Rocksteady Crew 30th Anniversary. This year is my 30th too. 1977 needs to stick together.
If I can just interrupt myself here (self: “Sure. Why not?”), I’d like to use this moment to highlight the fact that the Rocksteady Crew was formed to keep the rock steady, ie: to preserve b-boying (breakdancing) in it’s true form and keep it from dying out. In 1977. The summer of my birth. Claims that b-boying arrived, peaked and was abandoned in the 1980s are therefore miseducated and without foundation, not to mention chronologically wayyyyy out of the ballpark– a fact that is only reinforced by this 30th anniversary dealy right here in 2007. Thanks for listening.
I wasn’t too sure what to expect. On the one hand, these guys have been around forever. For sure, they would know how to throw a decent battle or two. On the other hand, they are b-boys, not exactly renowned for their organizational aptitude. I think I got what I didn’t know I was expecting: a Red Bull sponsored event (all b-boy battles this millenium are powered by ginseng) with elements of brilliance (top-notch b-people from all over America and The World) and chaos (raise your hands, everyone who likes standing/dancing on granite!)
A fleet of cop cars across the street, thankfully having nothing to do with the battle.
The unexpected highlight for me– and for much of the crowd, judging by the wide-mouthed grins that filled the room– was the appearance of the Curfew Breakers, a crew of well-practiced and better-dressed 5-11 year olds who followed RSC’s Bonita all the way from Arizona, with their doting parents in tow, and a littany of moves and combos almost polished enough to put them in league with their grown-up contemporaries. (As grown-up as a movement of people who live their entire lives in oversize track pants can ever be said to be.)
Curfew Breakers review battle footage, make stragegy adorable.
Often at battles, a little kid will show up. She’ll do a couple of moves b-mom or b-dad taught her, and then proceed to stay in the circle too long, holding up the battle until everyone gets frustrated. This was not the case last weekend.
The Curfew Breakers showed up at the B-Girl Fight Club vs. Frenemies battle, where they duked it out hard, mainly against some of Montreal’s finest b-girls. They were creative and focussed, and constantly, constantly practicing. Then at Saturday’s 5 on 5, they actually won their first round battle. I think everyone in the room drew in a sharp breath when Crazy Legs stepped up to the microphone to announce (I’m paraphrasing) It’s hard for the judges to award points for moves only almost completed… but it’s even harder to advance a crew that’s holding back, and proceeded to hand it to the kids to teach the room a lesson. Confidence and the appearance of having earned it make up the trump card in breaking. Message received.
Intense? Adorable? In-your-face? With better shoes than you? Man, you shoulda been there. Luckily, I grabbed some video. (Sorry about the sound quality– it was super-loud and everything was bouncing off the granite in all directions. Too much for my wee digital camera microphone.)
These are almost sequential, so watch ‘em in order:
Lynx vs. Curfew Breakers
Montreal B-Girls vs Curfew Breakers
Small Pink Ball of Fury
Related posts
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- B-girl or Breaker: What's in a name?
- B.O.T.Y. Canada
- "You Owe Me 20 Quid!"
- B-Girl Stance
- Legume crew, represent.
- "It's called Two-step because it has two steps"
- (un)traditions
- This just in: B-girling is easy!
- Toronto, day 2ish or something
