Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

INUVIK - Mike Bremner is in town looking to make an impact with his style of hip-hop dance moves and gravity-defying grace.

Bremner, also known in the breakdancing world as B-Boy Sole, arrived in town two weeks ago and is looking to share his knowledge of dance with other interested people.

Mike Bremner is a breakdancer from Ottawa. Bremner hits the streets and the dance floor as B-Boy Sole. His interest in the hip-hop style of balanced movements began nine years ago. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Bremner said his interest in breakdancing first hit him nine years ago, when a friend's sister introduced him to the world of hip-hop.

"She showed me some things, some basic foundation stuff," said Bremner.

"She moved away and I didn't really stick with it."

Three years ago, the urge to spin took hold over Bremner again.

He said it wasn't hard to get back into the lifestyle because he knew where the dancers met and where the action was.

"It took some self-motivation to get myself back in there," he said.

Bremner explained what a 'B-Boy' is and what they do.

"A B-Boy is someone who dances to the breaks in either funk or hip-hop music," he said.

"It's a versatile dance - it involves quick step and foot work."

Bremner said breakdancing can be physically demanding, which is why staying in good shape is important. He said the dance originated in The Bronx, New York City, N.Y.

"That's where the name comes from, either Bronx-Boy or Break-Boy," he said.

He said moving to the music and feeling comfortable with the dance is key to becoming good at it.

"There is a lot of acrobatic movement, which is appealing to the eye."

Playing sports ensured Bremner was in shape for the manoeuvres of breakdancing.

"I played hockey growing up, I also do a lot of skateboarding and snowboarding," he said.

Once he got into breakdance, every other sport faded away.

Past experience in athletics helped his new activity, where he is constantly on his head or stalling himself upside down on his arms.

"You have to be (in) pretty good shape to hold some of these moves," he said.

"I've gotten in much better shape since getting back into this."

While working out isn't one of the bigger priorities in preparing for the dance, Bremner said it is always important to stay limber.

"I always stretch before doing anything," he said.

"I do other things, like push ups and sit ups, but the dance is a pretty good workout in itself."

Bremner said he is in early talks with the Inuvik Youth Centre to bring dance classes to the town's youth.

"We talked a bit, but nothing has been decided yet," he said.

"I hope there are others that are interested in breakdancing as well."