By Justin Goodrum
One of the largest and most prestigious international breaking competitions is coming to Denver this week — with tickets and opportunities to compete still available.
Red Bull BC One Cypher is a showcase for one-on-one breakdance battles, with local and national dancers showcasing their skills through improvised moves with creativity, musicality, and style.
The event, which has been running around the world since 2004, will be held Friday evening, April 3, at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Doors open at 7 p.m.
In a format comparable to March Madness, the cypher will have bracket-style tournaments for B-Boys and B-Girls. The winners of each gender category will be recognized as regional champions and earn their places at the Red Bull BC One National Cypher in San Diego.
“So the level of competition, the level of athleticism, the level of artistry at this competition are gonna be very high,” said Jacob Flesher, aka B-Boy Data, a judge for the competition. “It'll be very exciting to watch.”
Tickets are on sale now for the Thursday preliminaries and the Friday tournaments. Tickets are $15. The cypher will be held at Boettcher Concert Hall at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.
Attendees can expect to see power moves, transitions, tricks, and flips featuring air moves and flips — all with a thin margin of error. Flesher said he’ll be judging technical elements, but also how each dancer pays tribute to hip-hop culture.
“Almost like, how is this person making history?” Flesher said. He also looks for musicality — when a dancer “makes me hear the music in a different way that I never thought of before.”
What to expect:
Those attending their first cypher will see intense competition but respect between the dancers, Jaochico said.
“Just embrace the culture that you're in — which is hip-hop, and it's fun, family-oriented, competitive, raw, urban,” said Jaochico. “You know, this is where you find out what breaking is … It's a beautiful culture that everyone wants to be a part of.”
Jaochico has been dancing since the ‘90s alongside stars like Usher, Chris Brown, Will Smith, LL Cool J, and Christina Aguilera. He said the Red Bull cypher is a springboard for breakers’ careers.
“Afterwards, you can go on to perform your solo show or get your crew on a TV show or do amazing things with breaking,” said Jaochico. “Aside from just battling every weekend or every month, this can actually build someone's lifestyle.”
“Wildcard” competitors from Salt Lake City, New York City and Las Vegas are already set to compete.
Local competitors can try to dance their way into the competition, too. Open prelims will be held Thursday at the Number 38 venue, with the top dancers moving on to Friday’s cypher.
The cypher also will feature a performance by Eligh of the iconic West Coast hip-hop group Living Legends and world champion turntablist Chris Karns.
If you go:
Red Bull BC One Denver Open prelims
- Date: Thursday, April 2
- Location: Number 38 (3560 Chestnut Place, Denver, CO 80216)
- Doors: 5 p.m.
- Event Start: 6 p.m.
Red Bull BC One Cypher Denver
- Date: Friday, April 3
- Location: Boettcher Concert Hall at Denver Performing Arts Complex (100 14th St #15, Denver, CO 80202)
- Doors: 6 p.m.
Event Start: 7 p.m.
