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The
Shakedown of Love The power of hip hop dancing is seen not only in the cultures and subcultures it pops up in, but also by the people it affects and the message it sends. Eugene may not seem like the most likely place for a booty-shakin' dance group to tear it up year after year, but Breakdown has made it happen for over three years now. "Our group has incredible diversity," says director Lindsey Cooper. "The dancers range in age from 17-29 … our shows are also totally family-friendly, we have 4-year-olds all the way up to grandparents attending." Breakdown not only promotes family gathering at their performances, but is also completely non-profit and donates all of its proceeds to charity. Recently the group has supported the Relief Nursery, which provides early intervention services for low-income families with children between birth and 6 years old. "We usually support a different charity every year," says Cooper, "but last year we started doing benefit shows for the Relief Nursery, and we were really happy with the relationship we built with them. I am really a big supporter of their cause, so we'll keep on being a benefit for them." The performance itself is a combination of dance, singing and storytelling. Local hip hop sensation Michael Kay narrates, dances and performs a few of his hits at each show. With the backup of a star in the making, a noble cause and the popularity of Oregon's hip hop scene rising each day, Breakdown seems poised to bring their groove to the national stage. I highly recommend checking them out, if not for the bass-thumping beats and popping and locking, then to support a good cause. Breakdown kicks off their "5th Element" show at 7 pm Saturday, April 22 at Churchill High School. The show continues April 23, 28 and 29. Tickets are $7 for youth 11 and under at the door, and $10 adv./$12 dos. for adults. All proceeds benefit the Relief Nursery.
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