Several passing students stop to watch the breakdancers practicing in the EMU’s basement lounge, The Break. A contorted body flails in a twisted shape, almost hovering in the air before each knotted limb unfolds and springs the dancer back on his feet.
The urban dance, also known as b-boying, will be showcased in the EMU Ballroom this Friday. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., teams can register and spectators can admire the professionals practicing for the competition.
University freshman Dan Lam decided to create an entertaining event that also breaks down the prejudices about urban minorities, while raising money for a good cause: OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland.
After being tagged with anti-Asian racial slurs on campus, Lam approached the Vietnamese Student Association and found out he wasn’t the only student affected by racism at the University. Together, the mission for the “Breakin’ down the EMU” event was created.
“I am bringing this event to the campus because there are many terrible misconceptions about urban minorities: that everyone tends to be a part of gang-related activities. Breakdancing keeps many people from being a part of those negative activities,” said Lam, who is the project manager.
Teams are traveling from Oregon, Washington and Canada to compete, said Matthew Vu, co-director of the Vietnamese Student Association. He said the organization would like to make this an annual event and bring teams from California next year.
Starting at 8 p.m., at least 16 professional teams will compete two-on-two, battling to a DJ playing hip-hop, jazz and funk music. Three judges will select each round’s winning team, who will move on in a bracket-style elimination, in hopes of collecting the $200 cash prize, Lam said.
Hieu Pham, a University freshman, has been breakdancing for six years and belongs to a breakdancing “crew” called “Moon Patrol.”
“I still feel like I’m learning,” Pham said. “Once you feel like you stop learning you start getting passed up and lose.”
Pham said the most important element of breakdancing is having stamina, in addition to balance and staying in shape. He will be competing with a friend from Washington on Friday, but other members of “Moon Patrol” will also compete, he said.
“I work on stuff that will destroy my opponent. I don’t work for the crowd or the judge,” Pham said, adding that judging is often difficult because it is very subjective.
Participants will be judged on character, completeness of run, creativity, and other criteria, Pham said.
Similar breakdancing events have been carried out at Portland State University, Reed College, University of Washington and along Hawthorne Street in Portland, Lam said.
Lam said he believes the EMU Ballroom will be filled to its capacity of 800 people, and with ticket prices at $8 for students and $12 for general admission, the event will raise between $6,400 and $9,600, with all net proceeds going to Doernbecher.
Lam said that as a first-generation Asian-American, his parents couldn’t afford the expensive dental surgery Lam needed when he was five. After being turned away multiple times, Doernbecher gave him the surgery even though his insurance wouldn’t cover the full cost.
“Children should not be denied health care simply because they cannot afford it,” Lam said. “Around 50 percent of all patients at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital are under-insured or not insured at all.”
If breakdancing partners want to register, they can sign up between 6:30 and 7 p.m. on the day of the event, or e-mail Lam at [email protected].
Tickets are available at the EMU ticket office.
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