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Description
Melissa “Metro” Metro, hosts open practice.

What they called hip-hop growing up in Chicago was studio dance, choreography.

I started breaking in Philly. I was a jazz dance major in college, and Moncell Durden was my teacher.

He brought me to clubs and got me into the hip-hop scene. I met Jay [then a dancer with Illstyle & Peace Productions] at a house music party.

We hung out for a year, then started dating. I was like, “I can’t be your girlfriend and not know how to 6-step freeze.”

Jay and I took over the Clarendon practice right after we got married. CJ [Williams] had practices at Alternatives Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Angie had practices at Clarendon Park on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Angie took me in. She said, “I’m hosting female-friendly practices.” She would kick guys out—she’d say, “If you’re not here to share with us, you can’t stay.”

There’s never that many bgirls. Sometimes girls will get catty, but Angie was never that way. She was like, “We can’t be battling each other—it’s hard enough with the guys.

If your homie gets better than you, it’s going to make you better.” Angie set the vibe for everything. I started breaking with Angie Monday/Wednesday, Jay was practicing with CJ Tuesday/Thursday.

After Alternatives shut down practices, Kuumba Lynx brought CJ and Justin to Clarendon.

For a while, it was Monday/Wednesday girls, Tuesday/Thursday guys. I would go on Thursdays, but a lot of girls were not comfortable.

Then we lost Wednesday nights to yoga.

I was just starting to break—I was like, “I need to learn this!” I basically took over practice so I would have a place to practice.

We were the only ones hosting open practice when we took over.

And when I took over from Angie, I said, “We’re all gonna be cool or don’t come. We have a big space; whoever wants to come can come.”

It’s just a space. People need a space to do what they do. We’re coming together as a community to work together.

CJ “Blak Atak” Williams, hosted open practice at Alternatives, Inc. 2002-2012

I started breaking in 1998.

I used to do gymnastics, and one of my coaches would show me moves as warm-up skills or messing around on downtime. I always loved it.

Description
Melissa “Metro” Metro, hosts open practice.

What they called hip-hop growing up in Chicago was studio dance, choreography.

I started breaking in Philly. I was a jazz dance major in college, and Moncell Durden was my teacher.

He brought me to clubs and got me into the hip-hop scene. I met Jay [then a dancer with Illstyle & Peace Productions] at a house music party.

We hung out for a year, then started dating. I was like, “I can’t be your girlfriend and not know how to 6-step freeze.”

Jay and I took over the Clarendon practice right after we got married. CJ [Williams] had practices at Alternatives Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Angie had practices at Clarendon Park on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Angie took me in. She said, “I’m hosting female-friendly practices.” She would kick guys out—she’d say, “If you’re not here to share with us, you can’t stay.”

There’s never that many bgirls. Sometimes girls will get catty, but Angie was never that way. She was like, “We can’t be battling each other—it’s hard enough with the guys.

If your homie gets better than you, it’s going to make you better.” Angie set the vibe for everything. I started breaking with Angie Monday/Wednesday, Jay was practicing with CJ Tuesday/Thursday.

After Alternatives shut down practices, Kuumba Lynx brought CJ and Justin to Clarendon.

For a while, it was Monday/Wednesday girls, Tuesday/Thursday guys. I would go on Thursdays, but a lot of girls were not comfortable.

Then we lost Wednesday nights to yoga.

I was just starting to break—I was like, “I need to learn this!” I basically took over practice so I would have a place to practice.

We were the only ones hosting open practice when we took over.

And when I took over from Angie, I said, “We’re all gonna be cool or don’t come. We have a big space; whoever wants to come can come.”

It’s just a space. People need a space to do what they do. We’re coming together as a community to work together.

CJ “Blak Atak” Williams, hosted open practice at Alternatives, Inc. 2002-2012

I started breaking in 1998.

I used to do gymnastics, and one of my coaches would show me moves as warm-up skills or messing around on downtime. I always loved it.