On this episode of Art Bazaar, we talk with Paul Solarte & Dan Cao, breakdancers with the Hidden Characters Crew, also known as HXC.

Hidden Characters is a breakdancing crew founded in 2002 here in Allentown, PA by local b-boys. Many of the dancers were still in high school when they formed the crew and have since gone on to perform around the world. Most of the original dancers are still involved and still dancing and a new generation has also stepped in to keep the culture going.

Dan has been with the crew since 2016 and Paul started working with Hidden Characters in 2018 and officially joined the crew in 2022. In that time they've worked on organizing practices, sponsorships, community outreach as well as hosting their own events. One such event is taking place right here at the Alternative Gallery on Sunday September 17, 2023 and is called Breaking Steel: Nothin But Style.

Breakkonnect - https://breakkonnect.com/event/2290

Facebook Event - https://www.facebook.com/events/210942465135452

Instagram - @Brknsteel

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https://www.facebook.com/thealternativegallery

https://www.instagram.com/alternativegallery/

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00:00 - Introduction

01:45 - Getting started with dance

06:22 - The Gathering/Philly Breakin Scene

9:58 - Breakin Crews in Allentown Then & Now

11:23 - Practice spaces post-Pandemic

13:50 - Open Floor at the AG

14:43 - What's Krumping?

16:12 - All Styles

17:27 - What's a normal dance practice like at AG?

18:30 - The community of breakdancers

21:16 - Traveling to dance

24:40 - South American Breakers

26:51 - Way more breakin events in the Tri-State area

28:28 - Dance events taking place at colleges

29:05 - What's causing the breakin community to grow so quickly?

30:12 - Why is breakdancing getting the Olympic push now?

30:45 - Culture Vulture

32:05 - Not compromising your art, create selfishly

33:38 - Improving the Allentown dance community

34:42 - Schools being a central location for dance practice & events

37:58 - Getting more linked in with local colleges

38:47 - Creating more opportunities for the youth

39:45 - Advice for those getting started in breaking

41:35 - How has dancing changed your lives?

42:50 - Food as art

44:00 - Getting harassed by the cops for dancing

47:42 - Brkn Steel: Nothin But Style