Dancing In Circles

Tension was high outside Godwin Hall’s gym Saturday, as performers from all reaches of the nation prepared for Circles 9 charity competition, the break-dance event of the year.

It is one of the largest hip-hop charity events on the East coast, and this year the group was raising money for multiple sclerosis. 

“It’s a celebration of different cultures coming together and creating something beautiful,” said senior Breakdance Club member and performer Sarah “Peaches” Thomas.

Last year, Circles 8 raised more than $14,000, which was donated to groups like the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Mercy House, Camp Kaleidoscope, the Boys and Girls Club and the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

The thunderous vibrations emanating from six-foot-tall speakers shook the floor as performers tested their skills.

Once everyone had the opportunity to warm up and meet people from other crews, the main event began with the “Bonnie and Clyde” battles. In this segment, a guy and a girl from each crew faced off in a dance battle. The object was to make the opponent appear to be the lesser dancer.

The event also consisted of a graffiti expo, MC battles and four-vs-four crew battles. 

There were very few women in the performing groups. “Not as many girls can do the breaking because of the arm strength involved,” said sophomore spectator Maggie Park.

John Telfeyan, alumnus of the Breakdance Club, explained that Circles is much more than just break-dancing.  It shows the four elements of hip-hop culture: ‘breaking,’ or ‘b-boying,’ MC-ing, DJing and what is known as ciphering — when dancers gather in a circle and take turns dancing in the center. The name “Circles” derives from the word “ciphering.”

One of the event’s judges, Rudi Goblen, flew in from Miami to be there.

“The whole point of a battle is to make your opponent look like a lesser performer than you…I judge on character, style, agility, finesse, everything you can think of,” he said.

Goblen has been dancing since August 2004 and has certain expectations when judging.

“People think if they come out and do the basics and they’re really clean, and don’t add anything original to it… you need to add energy to it, you need to add YOU to it,” Goblen said.

Although the event was a competition at its heart, there was a level of respect shown by all the performers. After each battle, the members of opposing crews would hug or shake hands and applaud the winner. Between contsests, one b-boy had his young son breaking in the middle of the circle.

Propelled by the adrenaline and energy of the music and the audience, the performers were pushed to feats of strength that seemed to defy gravity and yet at the same time looked effortless, and most importantly, fun.