Rocksteady's Ken Swift to Host ATL International Breakdance Comp.

[mr.shadeed]

Atlanta's International Breakdance Competition Announces Judges
Atlanta's largest international breakdance competition, is a one-of-a-kind event not only for the city, but for the international breakdance (bboy/bgirl) community. The three judges for the Oct. 25 competition are just as unique as the event itself, including one of the first bboys ever, one of the first local bboys and one of the first bgirls to gain international notoriety.

Ken Swift is an original member of New York City's Rock Steady Crew. Widely considered in the breakdance community as the ultimate bboy, Swift is credited with creating many of the foundational movements still used in breakdancing today. His film credits include "Flash Dance", "Beat Street", "Wild Style", "Style Wars" and the "Freshest Kids", not to mention countless television performances.

World renowned graffiti writer Totem is also a local bboy legend. A native Atlantan, he has been dancing since 1986. He held it down in the 90s as a member of Hi-Fi Tribe, the only competitive crew in the city, before forming Atlanta's finest crew Burn Unit. With many years and a thorough knowledge of the dance's history, Totem has been teaching breakdancing for over a decade. As one of the elder bboys in Atlanta, he is still one of the best, challenging the younger generation to keep training.

Aruna is from Rotterdam, Holland. Dancing since 1998, she competes and performs internationally. Highlights include performances at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and a tour for the Dutch Queen in 2005. She also organizes workshops and events. Committed to educating and inspiring the youth, Aruna is one of the founders of the HipHopHuis, an educational hip-hop centre in Rotterdam.

The judges bring a variety of experience and style to the event and have all proven themselves to be leaders and innovators. A.T.L competitors must be innovative as well as skilled as they face off in a custom-built arena surrounded by street-themed objects, including a car and a park bench. The more dancers are able to utilize the objects, the more likely they are to win the $1,000 cash prize. With no advance knowledge of the competition setting, the playing field is even for competitors and to ensure they win, competitors will need to leave no doubt in judges' minds that they are the superior dancer, hence all targets leveled.

Fans of breakdance and hip-hop culture will also have the opportunity to meet and greet the legendary bboy Ken Swift at the New Era Atlanta Flagship Store on Oct. 25 from 3 to 5 p.m. The New Era store is located at 117 Luckie Street Atlanta, GA 30303, near the Tabernacle.