Posted on May 23 at 1:12 a.m.

Dear Editor,
I recently had the pleasure of attending the show "Break" at the Granada Theater upon the recommendation of a friend. I thoroughly enjoyed it as I have been a fan of old school hip hop, well since the old school. I was shocked to read the scathing review put forth by Elizabeth Schwyzer, who in her editorial criticized the inclusion of the "token asian girl" in the ensemble and the "rastafarian" as if dreadlocks made someone that automatically. I find these comments to be on the border of racism, even going as far as to label her review "Monkey Business," ouch!
Also, the cast members of this show not only helped choreograph the show but are in fact some of the original breakers from the original scene in New York City of the late seventies and early eighties. How did Ms. Schwyzer inherit more street credit than the originals? Now I notice she sings high praises of Tommy and the Hip Hop Clowns, who may indeed be as super fresh as she proclaims, but why the disparity. The "Break" guys are talented athlete performers who are on the same mission in the respect of channeling positive youth energy, is it the ticket price? I for one am happy to see the likes of real hip hop grace the big stages, it sends the unaltered message into a new realm. The only other difference I can think of is that the "Break" show is Old School and hails from the East Coast, the Krump guys are relatively new and hail from the West Coast. Is Ms. Schwyzer so engrossed in the West Coast hip hop scene that she feels it necessary to lash out at artists and athletes from New York and Philly on the pages of our local rag. I just hope those guys don't read that thing and never return to our fair town.
Bill Burns

On Tommy and the Hip Hop Clowns

Posted on May 23 at 1:02 a.m.

Dear Editor,
I recently had the pleasure of attending the show "Break" at the Granada Theater upon the recommendation of a friend. I thoroughly enjoyed it as I have been a fan of old school hip hop, well since the old school. I was shocked to read the scathing review put forth by Elizabeth Schwyzer, who in her editorial criticized the inclusion of the "token asian girl" in the ensemble and the "rastafarian" as if dreadlocks made someone that automatically. I find these comments to be on the border of racism, even going as far as to label her review "Monkey Business," ouch!
Also, the cast members of this show not only helped choreograph the show but are in fact some of the original breakers from the original scene in New York City of the late seventies and early eighties. How did Ms. Schwyzer inherit more street credit than the originals? Now I notice she sings high praises of Tommy and the Hip Hop Clowns, who may indeed be as super fresh as she proclaims, but why the disparity. The "Break" guys are talented athlete performers who are on the same mission in the respect of channeling positive youth energy, is it the ticket price? I for one am happy to see the likes of real hip hop grace the big stages, it sends the unaltered message into a new realm. The only other difference I can think of is that the "Break" show is Old School and hails from the East Coast, the Krump guys are relatively new and hail from the West Coast. Is Ms. Schwyzer so engrossed in the West Coast hip hop scene that she feels it necessary to lash out at artists and athletes from New York and Philly on the pages of our local rag. I just hope those guys don't read that thing and never return to our fair town.
Bill Burns

On Break! The Urban Funk Spectacular

Posted on May 23 at 12:59 a.m.

Dear Editor,
I recently had the pleasure of attending the show "Break" at the Granada Theater upon the recommendation of a friend. I thoroughly enjoyed it as I have been a fan of old school hip hop, well since the old school. I was shocked to read the scathing review put forth by Elizabeth Schwyzer, who in her editorial criticized the inclusion of the "token asian girl" in the ensemble and the "rastafarian" as if dreadlocks made someone that automatically. I find these comments to be on the border of racism, even going as far as to label her review "Monkey Business," ouch!
Also, the cast members of this show not only helped choreograph the show but are in fact some of the original breakers from the original scene in New York City of the late seventies and early eighties. How did Ms. Schwyzer inherit more street credit than the originals? Now I notice she sings high praises of Tommy and the Hip Hop Clowns, who may indeed be as super fresh as she proclaims, but why the disparity. The "Break" guys are talented athlete performers who are on the same mission in the respect of channeling positive youth energy, is it the ticket price? I for one am happy to see the likes of real hip hop grace the big stages, it sends the unaltered message into a new realm. The only other difference I can think of is that the "Break" show is Old School and hails from the East Coast, the Krump guys are relatively new and hail from the West Coast. Is Ms. Schwyzer so engrossed in the West Coast hip hop scene that she feels it necessary to lash out at artists and athletes from New York and Philly on the pages of our local rag. I just hope those guys don't read that thing and never return to our fair town.
Bill Burns

On Tommy & the Hip-Hop Clowns Master Krump Class -- 05/27/08 at Veterans Memorial Building