Hundreds of people gathered in the Anderson room of the Michigan Union last Saturday, forming a giant circle. Some spectators stood on chairs around the edge of the huddle. Police officers stood guard around the back. Others gathered toward the middle, leaving a small section of floor exposed like the center of a stadium. In front of them were two teams of three on opposite ends, each waiting for its turn to throw down.

An MC took the mic and spurred on the battle. One dancer after another, passing from team to team — the b-boy competition had begun.

This was the Diag Hip Hop Festival — relocated to the Union due to rain. The event was planned by a brand new group on campus called Hip Hop Academy as a way of generating attention.

The festival was straight out of a dance film, and overwhelmingly impressive for being witnessed in reality. During the b-boy competition finals, the dancers used their turns, timing and teammates to perfection. Every big move inspired a collective “Oh!” to sweep over the crowd. While the competition was isolated to six participants at a time, there’s no question the b-boy performances get everyone involved, no matter the age and no matter the experience. From the DJ to the dancers, from the MC to the crowd — everybody elevates to the same level.

B-boying

The words “b-boying” and “b-girling” constitute another way — many would say the proper way — of referring to the style known as “breakdancing.” While considered a street dance style that values improvisation, it has concrete elements and a clear structure within which performers work. And despite its ability to impress the crowd, b-boying can be a fiercely personal activity.

Such is the case with campus b-boying group Element 1. A drastically less competitive atmosphere characterizes the mood at the Mason Hall posting wall every Monday and Wednesday night, when the group holds it meetings. Music blares through the building — sometimes three or more songs in different areas of the hall — and b-boys and b-girls practice their moves while passersby look on.

There are no battles like those in the weekend’s Hip-Hop Festival, but rather a casual air of self-discovery and collective positivity. Some are there preparing a specific routine, while others are purely practicing technique. In these past two weeks, as Element 1 has been bringing in new members, many of the participants are learning the art for the first time.

LSA freshman Eleni Zaras is one such newcomer. In her second week with the group, Element 1’s leaders could see Zaras beginning to improve. But as many are with new endeavors, she was nervous to start.

“I came last week,” she said. “It was the first time I came and I got there really early, which was a little scary.”

Zaras didn’t have to worry for long, though, as an older member quickly helped to get her started on some basic moves.

Element 1 has resources for people of any level looking to b-boy. At the same time, it has an elite Performance Group for which the group holds tryouts every year. It dances at student and charity events, and uses its opportunities to spread its art on campus. Every year, Element 1 holds an event called Master the Art, which draws crews to Ann Arbor from around the country for a competition and celebration of multiple dance styles.

In developing dancers’ performance talent, Element 1 prides itself on self-improvement.

“B-boying is really individual,” said LSA junior and Element 1 President Jun Tai Kim. “In my opinion, b-boying is all about creating your own style. Everybody comes out and people can give you feedback on your stuff.”

Despite the perception of breakdancing as a male-dominated art, there is a healthy balance between b-boys and b-girls at Element 1 practices.

Megan Kao, a sophomore in the School of Engineering, is on the board of Element 1.

“I’m a b-girl,” she said.