Street dancers have more guts than I do. You won't find me bustin' a move in public, not only because I'm lacking the guts, I'm lacking the skillz. I have to be honest with myself. I'm a "wannabe." I can't do the dance moves, I don't speak the lingo and I don't dress the part.
Surprisingly, the street dancers I met didn't care. They put up with my ignorance and answered my questions. And the more I learned about this method of self-expression, the more intrigued I became.
Quick disclaimer: In no way am I calling myself a street dance expert. However, my persistence and unabashed curiosity led me to a handful of people who are in the know about the street dance phenomenon. Here's what they told me.

So, what is street dancing anyway?
"Street dancing is self-expression done to urban music," says Diz Dalla$ and CUB, hip-hop enthusiasts and music producers who play at Overtime Sports Lounge. Usually it's informal, unorganized, and done in a public area.

Street dancing is a very general term that encompasses several kinds of dance, including hip-hop and break dancing, both trendy in South Taiwan.
Originally from West Africa, hip-hop was popularized in the 1970s and 80s in New York and is now an internationally recognized dance form. For some dancers, hip-hop is a way of life. "Hip-hop is more than just dancing and pop music seen on MTV," says Diz Dalla$ and CUB. "It's MC-ing, freestyling, producing, DJ-ing, fashion, attitude, and a social movement." True hip-hop enthusiasts also speak a language that is otherwise unidentifiable to others.
Break dancing, also known as B-boying or B-girling, emerged out of the hip-hop movement in the South Bronx of New York City. Break dancing is not just fancy footwork, it's more like acrobatics! Many of the break dance moves include spinning, flips, handstands, headstands, kicks, flares, swipes and something called "suicides." Popping, locking and breaking are also elements of this funky dance style.

The hip-hop and break dance scene in the South.
Hip-hop and break dance first made a hit in Taiwan in the early 1990s. Since then, dance studios have popped up all over the island, fueling the craze. Now, on high school and college campuses or in community centers, dancers can be seen rehearsing choreographed street dance moves.
So who are these dancers? The hip-hop dancers are energetic males and females often between the ages of 15-23. The B-boys are usually males, 15-19 years old. Although there are a few B-girls out there, you can probably count them on one hand.
I was privileged to meet a real break dance teacher named Ocean. With his flexibility, upper body strength and sense of rhythm, Ocean is the type of dancer young B-boys aspire to be like. Amazingly, he didn't start break dancing until he was 19 years old! Now, he dances 4 to 5 hours a day, keeping him in excellent shape. "I plan to dance until I'm 50 or 60," he says confidently.
Ocean's most important break dance accessories are his hat and wrist guards. The hat has a special mesh netting on it that grips the floor, allowing him to spin on his head.

The wrist guards provide stability for handstands. Some dancers also use helmets for the tricky head spins. And, of course, all B-boys need some funky tunes to play on a portable CD player!
I visited Style dance studio, where Ocean teaches, and met four of his break dance students. Dressed in torn, baggy clothing and sporting some piercings, the guys could easily be labeled as "troublemakers." But I quickly realized that these B-boys are simply trying to achieve a certain look that complements their fearless attitudes.
When asked why they like to break dance, one guy quickly responded, "because it's so cool!" I think he means, "the girls dig it," but he wouldn't come right out and say that. Regardless of their reasons for wanting to learn, these guys know that it takes discipline, guts and a strong dose of desire to become a break dancer. "You can't be afraid of falling," one guy said. According to Ocean, you just need to learn how to fall. Amazingly, he's never been seriously hurt. But when I asked his girlfriend if she has ever tried break dancing, she shook her head and adamantly replied, "it's too dangerous!"

I want to learn: Where can I go?
Most street dancers have had little or no formal dance training. They learn the moves from their friends, other experienced dancers or MTV videos. Many of the B-boys who break dance in the streets have never attended a dance class either. However, classes are available for those who want to learn.
One popular venue is the World Gym on LinSen 1st Road. On any given day, at least one street dance class is available to members. Classes offered include Hip-Hop, Latin Jam, MTV Dance, and Pop Dance. Qualified teachers and groovy music keep these classes well attended and full of energy. What a great way to burn some calories!

Break dance classes are quite a bit harder to find, but Style dance studio is a good place to start. Ocean teaches break dancing to kids as young as 7 years old. And he is a firm believer that anyone can learn at least some break dance moves.

I just want to watch... Where can I go?
If you prefer to keep both feet firmly on the ground at all times, you can opt to be an observer of the street dance scene. To watch break dancing, head to the Cultural Centre or FengShan's Women, Children, and Youth Center any night of the week. These are the most popular places for B-boys to gather. They don't seem to mind people watching them, but don't expect to see an MTV-style routine. The break dancers usually just take turns perfecting their moves, and some of them are content to simply sit and chill out. You may have to attend a dance competition to see an actual performance.
Hip-hop dancers are easier to find. Just visit a high school or college campus. Many students can be spotted practicing choreographed routines for talent shows or just for fun. One group I encountered had already been practicing for 6 hours on a Saturday. They were preparing for an upcoming dance contest.
If you just like to listen to some hip-hop music from talented DJs, check out the Overtime Sports Lounge on Friday nights. This summer, they will be promoting their latest CD, Concrete Evidence, and are always looking for talented artists to work with. A variety of bars, pubs, KTV houses and discos also cater to the hip-hop mania.

World Gym
(07) 968-7888
165, LinSsen 1st Road, Kaohsiung City
Style Dance Studio
10F, WuFu Road (across from DaLi department store)
(07) 241-1859
Overtime Sports Lounge
303, YuCheng Rd., 2F, ZuoYing
(07) 550-8326
dizcent@hotmail.com