Blueberry Dance Festival “breaking” it down for beginners

MARQUETTE — It’s time to dance, dance, dance!! With the Blueberry Festival just days away, the Blueberry Dance Festival is in full swing.

The timeless, classic and perfection of ballet dancing was taught yesterday for the Blueberry Dance Festival and the Second Skin Dance Shop decided to switch things up for day two. The dance students got to try their hand at breakdancing, also known as b–boying or breaking.

Dance students Marlee Parkkonen says “You have to really hit the moves and exaggerate them.”

“I definitely need to get out of my comfort zone of being precise,” added dance student Charlie Edwards. Although I still need to be precise I can still be very loose, with the movements.”

“It’s like hip–hop but like more, so, it’s really fun,” continued Parkkonen.

Break dancing was first introduced in the 1970s and consists of four main moves. The top rock, down rock, power moves and freezes.
The key to b–boying is being able to break down a move and feeling comfortable with free–styling it.

“My favorite part is the full body energy that goes into it and the battle aspect. You can go against people doing this and it’s an adrenaline rush,” says break dance Instructor Jay Foy.

You can catch dance instructor Jay and his brother for a special hip–hop dance performance Thursday evening at 7:00 PM at the Kaufman Auditorium.  Also, starting on Wednesday, you can catch the Season 10 winner of “So you think you can dance” Amy Yakima working with the young dancers.

All activities will be held at the Kaufman Auditorium.  You can call the Second Skin Shop at (906) 226-2263 for more information.

BLUEBERRY DANCE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:

TUESDAY:

  • 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, dance lessons
  • 7:00 PM Dance Competition

WEDNESDAY:

  • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, dance lessons
  • 4:30 PM – 10:00 PM, Amy Yakima (Season 10 winner, So you think you can dance” teaching dance lessons

THURSDAY:

  • 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Amy Yakima teaching dance lessons
  • 7:00 AM Dance Showcase