61Syx Street Dance Academy presents dance battle at Pyramid Scheme

Students of the 61Syx Teknique Street Dance Academy have been training and practicing for an age based dance battle, featuring 1 vs 1 dance offs from students as young as four years of age. This Saturday, December 19 from 11 a.m - 3:30 p.m. the dance battles will be held at The Pyramid Scheme for an all ages welcome event.

The competition will be judged by three established Bboys, as they determine winners in each age category for cash and prizes. Age groups include 7 and under, 8 to 12, and 13 to 18. Judges feature Omega (GSK/Crooks/TBA), Rox-It (Uncomfortably Fresh/Beatsick Misfits), and Blak Atak (Crooks). These judges, based in Chicago and Indiana, share a love for not only dance but teaching the next generation. In the past they've done workshops and trained with the students at 61Syx and are now returning as judges.

Owner and operator of the academy, Keegan "Seoul" Loye, is hosting the event, while Philadelphia based DJ Ill-Literate will be mixing all music for the street style battles.

The Street Dance Academy offers varying levels of Bboy/Bgirl classes and focuses on the positive influences of hip-hop culture throughout history and the beginnings of breakdance.

"Because of its roots, a lot of people have a preconceived notion of what hip-hop and breaking is all about," says Loye. "We wish to still pay homage to the way that community was brought up, but also show that in the 40+ years that hip-hop has been around, things have changed and evolved. It's still such a new culture that a lot of people don't know how to react to it, we hope to show people that this is a community was made for the kids. And that the only way that we can ever hope for a brighter future is to pave the way for the next generation now."

Michigan's 61Syx Teknique Crew performs through the Coleman entertainment group at colleges across the country. Through their creative dance and positive perspective they are able to express their thoughts and emotions while joining together as friends. The crew performs a set which showcases different styles throughout the history of breakdance, beginning in the 1970s until modern day, bringing entertainment with an educational factor for audiences. 61Syx also widely performs at fund raising, charity, church and art showcase events.

"Breaking in specific is one of the most challenging dances to master. With that being said, when kids step up to the challenge to take on this dance they learned a lot of valuable life skills. These types of events are not made for the competition, but to help inspire and push our kids to become better than they were yesterday," Loye says. "And let's face it, there's not many things out there better than watching children break. The smiles on their faces when they master new moves, or enter their first battle, shows just how positive this dance is."

For a chance to see individual battles from the 61Syx Teknique, the event at the Pyramid Scheme is only $5 for 12 years and under, and $10 for 13 years to adults. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the battles begin with 7 and under battles at 11:30 a.m. At 1 p.m. the 8 to 12 years category will begin, and the finally of 13 and up at 2:30 to close the battles.