Bboys Emerge in the Dalat Community

Kai Fraser

A number of students from Dalat International School have been promoting an unfamiliar and unusual practice: breakdancing!

What is breakdancing, and why do people do it? The term 'breakdancing' was a term coined by the mainstream media. It was an attempt to use a more 'professional' word to refer to an aspect of hip hop culture that most Bboys, or 'break-boys' refer to as Bboying. 'Breakdancing' referred to a publicized form of the art, and often many bboys viewed the terms 'breakdancing' or 'breakdancer' as an incorrect or derogatory term. The reason being that the media exploited 'breakdancing' for their own gains instead of preserving its original intent: to be an art that promoted self-expression.

Simon Jeong (10), and Chia Hoong Ewe (10) are two notable pursuers of the art. When asked why they sought to conquer 'Power Moves' (moves that primarily consist of spinning in circles) such as flares (originally a gymnastic move) or air tracks, Jeong replied “I want to do it because it's cool.”

That is a good reason as any to start practicing. Ewe, on the other hand, claimed, “It's fun to

be able to connect with friends.”

This is also a worthwhile claim, considering that the entire culture blossomed from the idea of bringing people together. The duo consistently meets up in the weight room multiple times a week to train for their strength to learn new moves, and on Fridays, go to the beach to put their learning into practice.

A few months ago, Mr. David Nguyen was asked to perform in a dance for opening of the RLT Christmas drama performance, Tales of Wonder, in collaboration with Dalat dancers Mandy Lim (9), Amanda Low (9), and Thizbe Balzer (12). Mr. Nguyen then later asked his former student, who happened to be the aforementioned Jeong, to help him out by partaking in the dance. Shortly thereafter, their training began and spanned a period just short of two months before the day of the performance arrived.

During the rehearsals for the show, Mr. Nguyen mentions to the other dancers the irony of

performing hip hop dance in a public setting, seeing as it is the very thing hip-hop seems to be against. The dancers begin to listen intently as he starts to delve deeper into its history and hip hop's "four elements."

Inevitably, the day of the performance arrived. Friday the 4th of December was the first night of the performance. The minutes before the start of the show were tense. The dancers, actors, and even the audience did not know what to expect. As the music began to play, the audience started to get engaged; and by the time the dance was complete, the audience was warmed up and the dance itself was well received. The dancers claimed they'd be happy to perform again for such an enthusiastic crowd.