Some consider James Brown's 1969 hit, "Get on the Good Foot," as the original starting point of breakdancing, his stage antics — a combination of energetic drops and spins — having inspired a widespread "Good Foot" dance. Others speculate that breakdancing was first performed by rival gang leaders as a way to determine whose turf would host a rumble, the motions and gestures a reflection of the upcoming confrontation rather than a means of artistic expression. Regardless of its origins — which seem to stem from the African dance tradition of performing an array of footwork patterns, spinning and gymnastic-type moves — breakdancing managed to permeate popular culture beginning in the early 1980's, when "battles" between street dance crews attracted public attention and MTV exposure. Elements of breakdancing can be found in urban dance to this day and plenty of folks strive to keep the old-school rituals alive. The talented urban dance artists of New York City's Break! Urban Funk Spectacular pay homage to 30 years of hip-hop dancing via national tours, performing breaking displays of agility and strength against a soundtrack of live spins by a DJ with his own set of moves. The group brings its show to Ruth Eckerd Hall this Friday. Fri., May 4, 7 p.m., 1111 N. McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater, $24 and $29, 727-791-7400, rutheckerdhall.com.
This article appears in May 2-8, 2007.
