Free Event, Partner Event
Partner Event | Breaking Ground: Exploring Space for Breaking in Chicago
Date
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Location
Chicago History Museum
1601 N. Clark St.
Chicago,
IL
60614
United States
Presented in partnership with Chicago Dance History Project and NEXUS Performing Arts, join us for a panel talk that explores the need for performance spaces in Chicago’s break dancing (breaking) scene. The lack of community space is a pervasive issue that is impacting the breaking scene in this city and elsewhere, and our panelists will discuss how gentrification has impacted breakers, and how the scene is working to break new ground and find spaces to safely perform.
Hear from panelists:
- Justin Fact, breakdancer and art specialist at 1213 Arts
- Ken Swift, breakdancer and educator
- CJ Williams, educator, breakdancer/b-boy, and artist
The panel discussion will be followed by an optional dance workshop by Ken Swift for $15, payable via cash or Zelle at the door.
Free; RSVP required.
Questions? Contact Nell McKeown at mckeown@chicagohistory.org or (312) 799-2112.
This event is the final installment in the three-part series “Breaking It Down: The History of Breakdance (Breaking) in Chicago,” exploring Chicago’s history of breaking and why it’s integral to the city’s culture.
Panelists
Justin Fact is one of the Chicago breakers from the 90’s era, still active in the local Hip-Hop scene. He’s known to have coordinated Breakin’ sessions and events for the last 25+ years. Representing JMC, (Jam Master Crew) he has contributed to the culture by mentoring youth thru the Connect Force program at Alternatives Inc in Uptown. He has battled, judged, and cyphered with Chicago’s best. He currently runs 1213 Arts in Englewood, continuing to host practice and events.
CJ Williams is a Chicago born and raised educator, professional Bboy/Breakdancer, and Artist, who has been performing, competing, and teaching for over two decades. He has traveled throughout the US and abroad such as Germany, Holland, Mexico, and Poland to showcase his talents. CJ is a graduate (BA) of Northeastern Illinois University, with a focus on Physical Education and Community Health, and has taught PE, fitness, and hip-hop arts classes throughout the Chicagoland area, both formally and informally, for many years and counting. He hopes to continue to uplift communities and inspire youth through dance, movement, and art. CJ is currently a Program Coordinator at CircEsteem, a well-respected nonprofit Youth Development organization based out of Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. He also is the Co-Owner of Steadfast Dance Center in the Pilsen on the South Side.
Ken Swift is one of the greatest influences the dance of Breaking has known and is credited with establishing movements critical to the dances’ foundation with his personal style and techniques. He is recognized worldwide for his continued contributions throughout the last 47 years of promoting, educating, and preserving the art form of Breaking within hip-hop culture. Ken is an original 2nd generation b-boy from NYC and Former Vice President of the world renowned Rock Steady Crew (RSC) who were featured in the first hip-hop documentary film Style Wars, the first hip-hop motion picture Wild Style (1983), and major motion pictures Flashdance (1983) and Beat Street (1984), including the first International Hip Hop Tour, New York City Rap (1982). Due to Ken’s contributions as a pioneer he has received many accolades including four Lifetime Achievement Awards from various organizations, received an American Masterpieces in Dance Award from the NEA, as well as being voted the 2nd Most Influential Dancer of the 20th Century by CNN’s Icon Series. He has been featured and interviewed as an expert in over 70 documentary film projects as well as hundreds of newspapers, magazines and books over the course of his career including his first publishing and opening chapter for The Oxford Handbook of Hip Hop Dance Studies. Currently he travels the world judging Breaking competitions, teaching workshops at universities and dance schools and has been lecturing “History and Art of Hip Hop Culture” at UCLA.