Rhythm Emphasis Break Dancing Club

The Olympics, an international competition of a wide range of sports, began in Greece more than 2200 years ago. Originally it included classics such as wrestling and running. The modern day Olympics began in the late 1800s and expanded to include tennis, cycling, swimming and shooting.  As times changed, so did the competitions.

This year is the 128th anniversary of the revival of the Olympics. And once again, new sports are being included – notably break dancing.  

Break dancing began in New York in the African American and Puerto Rican communities.  According to the Encyclopedia Britannica “Break dancing is largely improvisational, made up of variations of “standard” moves or steps, including freezes, powermoves, downrock, and toprock. The emphasis is on energy, movement, creativity, humour, and an element of danger. It is meant to convey the rough world of the city streets from which it is said to have sprung.”

Many schools have clubs for those interested in the sport. Ronald E. McNair High School in Stockton has Rhythm Emphasis. Although it disappeared during the pandemic years, a new crop of bboyz (breaker boys) has rebooted it and is excited to learn that their love of dance could take them to the Olympics.