KAPA‘A — The Kaua‘i Police Activities League will host a break-dancing and a hip-hop style writing workshop for youth ages 5 to 18 at the KPAL Youth Center this summer, a county news release states. Registration for both workshops will
KAPA‘A — The Kaua‘i Police Activities League will host a break-dancing and a hip-hop style writing workshop for youth ages 5 to 18 at the KPAL Youth Center this summer, a county news release states.
Registration for both workshops will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. this Thursday and Friday at the KPAL Youth Center, 4800 Kawaihau Rd., on the Mahelona Medical Center property in Kapa‘a. Each participant will need to complete a registration form signed by a parent or legal guardian.
The break-dancing workshop will be held every Thursday and Friday from July 21 to July 29 from 9 to 11 a.m., and every Saturday and Sunday in August from 1 to 3 p.m. Students are encouraged to bring a towel to class and wear sneakers, sweatpants and a t-shirt.
The hip-hop style writing workshop will be held on Saturdays and Sundays, July 23 to 31, from 10 a.m. to noon; Sundays, Aug. 21 and 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Sundays, Sept. 23 and 30, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The cost for each workshop is $20, or free to annual members of KPAL. KPAL offers a $50 annual membership which allows a member to join as many activities as he or she would like throughout the year.
Instructor Paul “Paulskeee” Ruma will be teaching the break dancing, aka breakin’, workshop. Students will learn a soulful and dynamic art form that focuses on individuality, rhythm and movement. The class will use a style of dance created by the New York City urban dance culture founded in the late-1960s.
“Breakin’ is one of the very few dance art forms that can apply moves from any cultural dance, while adding your own twist and creativity to the original foundation,” Paulskeee said. “The class is aimed at helping our youth build self-esteem by giving them a chance to express themselves in a visually dynamic dance form and focusing their creative energy for positive gain.”
The hip-hop style writing workshop will be taught by Ken “East3” Nishimura, one of Hawai‘i’s pioneer style writing artists. The main objective of the workshop is to provide an alternate approach to the art of writing, in which students will be encouraged to create art legally. The course will also focus on Polynesian and hip hop cultural awareness.
“This workshop is part of an ongoing project with KPAL and supporters to work with the community in creating safe, legal and alternative means of creative expression for the Kaua‘i youth and communities,” East3 said. “We hope to form a strong bridge of communication, respect and appreciation between the youth and elders in the area of hip hop culture, specifically the art of style writing.”
Instructors remind participants that participation and attentiveness is an important part of the learning process. Attendance, class preparation and a willingness to engage in exercises and constructive dialogues are encouraged.
Late registrations will be accepted during scheduled class times.
For more information on the KPAL program, or to request additional support or an auxiliary aid, please contact Sergeant Rod Green at 241-1605 or email Captain Michael Contrades at mcontrades@kauai.gov.
