First URI break dance competition hosted
Laurel Lederman
Issue date: 3/29/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
03/29/06 - The University of Rhode Island hosted its first break dancing competition Saturday night. The competition raised $600 for the URI Break Dancing Team.
It was a successful event, Break Dancing President Odie Maknoxa said.
"It was bananas," he said. "Everyone brought positive energy and knowledge of hip hop."
Competitors came with experience and performed acrobatic flips and dancing on beat.
Maknoxa is hoping to increase hip hop awareness at URI with seminars and lectures.
"We need more of that here. Students who are interested should have the opportunity to learn about the elements of hip hop," Maknoxa said.
"I still feel it today. Damn, Saturday was outrageous," Maknoxa said.
Another goal was to get funding for the Break Dancing club. It wasn't until this year that the Multicultural Center's organization, Music, approved the competition.
"It was one of my goals and dreams to do this," Maknoxa said.
The competition was energetic and vivacious.
"The energy was constant," Maknoxa said.
Groups of dancers came from all over the nation, stretching from California to New York.
"I was shocked at the turnout," Maknoxa said.
"The Knuckleheads from California won first place, $100 and a trophy. There were no competitors from URI because of a conflict of interest.
"I was a judge so I didn't want any URI break dancers competing, it just wouldn't be fair," Maknoxa said.
Maknoxa said he was inspired by a few individuals contributing to the show.
"One of my mentors, 'Keebler,' was a judge. He has inspired me to do this," Maknoxa said.
Maknoxa added, "I also feel inspired by Melvin Wade and Mainlee Kue of the MCC. They are two of the nicest people at URI. They encouraged me to throw this event."
The Break Dancing Club wants to continue hosting competitions, and hopes to bring dancing coaches to URI.
The club holds meetings Tuesdays from 5 to 7 p.m., and Thursdays 8 to 10 p.m. in the MCC.
"The moves, the dancing, it was all on beat. You just had to be there," Maknoxa said.
It was a successful event, Break Dancing President Odie Maknoxa said.
"It was bananas," he said. "Everyone brought positive energy and knowledge of hip hop."
Competitors came with experience and performed acrobatic flips and dancing on beat.
Maknoxa is hoping to increase hip hop awareness at URI with seminars and lectures.
"We need more of that here. Students who are interested should have the opportunity to learn about the elements of hip hop," Maknoxa said.
"I still feel it today. Damn, Saturday was outrageous," Maknoxa said.
Another goal was to get funding for the Break Dancing club. It wasn't until this year that the Multicultural Center's organization, Music, approved the competition.
"It was one of my goals and dreams to do this," Maknoxa said.
The competition was energetic and vivacious.
"The energy was constant," Maknoxa said.
Groups of dancers came from all over the nation, stretching from California to New York.
"I was shocked at the turnout," Maknoxa said.
"The Knuckleheads from California won first place, $100 and a trophy. There were no competitors from URI because of a conflict of interest.
"I was a judge so I didn't want any URI break dancers competing, it just wouldn't be fair," Maknoxa said.
Maknoxa said he was inspired by a few individuals contributing to the show.
"One of my mentors, 'Keebler,' was a judge. He has inspired me to do this," Maknoxa said.
Maknoxa added, "I also feel inspired by Melvin Wade and Mainlee Kue of the MCC. They are two of the nicest people at URI. They encouraged me to throw this event."
The Break Dancing Club wants to continue hosting competitions, and hopes to bring dancing coaches to URI.
The club holds meetings Tuesdays from 5 to 7 p.m., and Thursdays 8 to 10 p.m. in the MCC.
"The moves, the dancing, it was all on beat. You just had to be there," Maknoxa said.
