Features

Photos: Alaska BBoys learn from the stars

Aspiring BBoys from across Alaska flocked to East High on Friday afternoon, hoping for a little facetime with some of their favorite break dancers. The free workshop, organized by Mao Tosi and his group AK Pride, drew approximately 20 BBoys, some as young as 9 years old.

Participants got to learn from some big names on the scene, including Flexum, from San Franscisco, El Niño, from Orlando, Thesis, from Seattle, and Ken Swift, a breakdancing pioneer who launched the art form onto the national scene after he appeared in the 1983 movie "Flashdance."

The workshop and conference were organized by AK Pride and, according to founder Mao Tosi, it is the first of its kind in Alaska. "It's a chance to connect with the kids in the summer," he said. "When we come back to their school in the winter, they'll remember us and we may be able to get them involved."

AK Pride started its outreach with a Polynesian dance group, and after a good response they broadened their reach to include a Sudanese dance group and hip-hop dance at two Anchorage high schools, East and Service.

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