Outside Pizza Lucé the streets were desolate from rain, while inside b-boys and b-girls taught middle-aged men a thing or two about hip-hop and breakdancing.
Leading up to Break the Silence: Hip-Hop Education and Awareness Week, the University of Minnesota Duluth Funk Soul Patrol (FSP) hosted the event teaser last Thursday night to promote the annual fundraiser and week of positive hip-hop. Hip-Hop Education and Awareness Week is April 9-14.
Performing at the event were local DJs and artists 2one8, Suicide Minds, DJ Horsefist, Cash, and Thaddeus.
The crowd mainly consisted of college students, however the ones to join FSP in “breaking” were a little unexpected. Troy Paulseth, a UMD alumnus, had never before witnessed breakdancing until that night. Still, his inexperience didn’t hold him back.
“I'm here with my wife and her co-workers,” said Paulseth, out of breathe from just leaving the dance floor. “I had no idea this was going on, it’s really cool what this group is doing.”
Heather Hubert, a sophomore at UMD, also attended the event, admiring FSP talent.
“Not only is this a great fundraiser, but it’s a good time for people to come and dance,” said Hubert. “I just wish I could dance like them.”
Responsible for the organizations many efforts are president, Alex Susuki, and community liaison and event coordinator, Amy Lee. Both
students stress the need for positive hip-hop in order to offset negative perceptions and spread the dances empowering culture.
“Hip-hop is not just about the jam or having the ‘illest swag,' its concept can be applied in everyday life,” Susuki said. “Our work ethic for FSP doesn’t detract us from our studies, its used in the classroom, too."
Break the Silence is FSP’s way to fulfill their mission of giving back to the community, as money raised from the weeklong event goes towards the Copeland Valley Youth Center.
“We’ve grown a lot in four years,” said Lee. “This was our first community event in a new environment outside of our comfort zone on campus and we had a really successful turnout.”
Break the Silence Week is April 9-13. All events are free (donations for Copeland Valley Youth and open to the public Center welcome).
- Monday, April 9 - MLRC Door Decorating Contest Starts; Funk Soul Patrol Meeting 7pm-8pm; Open Dance Session 8pm-10pm @ UMD Lower Bookstore
- Tuesday, April 10 - “Bomb It” and “Free Style” 2pm-5pm UMD Kirby 273B MLRC tv room co-sponsored by KPB; “What is Hip Hop?” Documentary Shoot 9am-9pm @ UMD; Duluth DJs the Music, Basics and Artist 7:30pm-10pm Panel Featuring: DJ Horsefist, AD, RiskyFingers, Delgado,Sipher, Evian Rave, and Dan Branovan @ Kirby Ballroom
- Wednesday April 11 - “Wild Style” and “Scratch” 2pm-5pm @ UMD Kirby 273B MLRC tv room co-sponsored by KPB; MC Battle 7pm-10pm, MC Magic and DJ AD, with a cash prize @ UMD Kirby Lounge
- Thursday April 12 - MLRC Door Decorating Contest Ends; Graffiti Grave Yard Clean Up
- Friday, April 13 - Break the Silence: Remembering Our Youth Fundraiser for Valley Youth Center 7pm-10pm Location TBA ($3 suggested donation) FREE FOOD
- Saturday April 14 - Break the Silence Jam 4pm-10pm @ UMD Field House
For more information please contact:
Amy Lee (651-492-5467)
Alexander Susuki (651-285-4851)
Find Funk Soul Patrol on Facebook: Funk-SOUL Patrol