Growing the family: Breakdancing, hip hop dancing 'waking up' in Regina

Karl Signo always had extra energy, so after watching some videos he decided to start breakdancing.

"That's where I put it," he said.

Now breaking—or breakdancing—is a part of who he is and the scene in Regina is beginning to grow. 

"We mostly do it underground but it's nice that it's surfacing — Regina deserves that." Signo said.

Mohitdeep Khatra said of the scene in the Queen City has been sleeping.

"It's in the process of waking up," he said.

Khatra is one of the street dancers helping to grow the scene. 

"There is talent. There are people who can show it. There are people who want to see it. It's just about bringing it all together," he said.

Break and hip hop dancing are gaining popularity in the city, thanks partially to free classes downtown. There's also the possibility of break being added to the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

"Teaching the next generation is the only way to keep it alive," Khatra said. "It makes you appreciate other people."

Teaching the next generation in Downtown Regina

Dancers from different disciplines gather used to gather at the Legislature for free-form "cyphers," but now a free downtown class called Vibes under the Stars has brought the action to the area.

The class is run by Vibes YQR, also known as the Family Business Dance Crew. 

"It's such a way for your child to figure out what they like and grow from that," Noor Tajik, one of the instructors, said. "It's a lot more relaxed and just a great way for children to find themselves within the music."

Tajik has been teaching for about three years, but started as a five-years-old trying to be creative and expressive. 

"I can say nothing but express a lot. I like the freedom of it," she said. "There's no rules."

Tajik moved to Regina five-years-ago from Mississauga, Ontario. She noticed at the time there wasn't much for the community. She and some other dancers took it upon themselves to grow the scene. 

"We kind of formed our own family," she said.

All breakdancers like Signo need is music and cardboard. The cardboard is to prevent injuries and bruises when he's doing "power moves" like head spins or flips.

"If I show it to kids, they get excited because it's so very active and energetic," he said. "It also gives people discipline, gives them art, passion in life."

Breaking stereotypes through dance

Spectators can sometimes  stereotype dancers, Khatra said. The might look down on him because of his art. 

"I do have a job," he said with a laugh.

Khatra is an I.T. Analyst for SGI. Tajik is in training to be an environmental engineer.

"A lot of people are shocked when they hear that dancers are also working full time," Tajik said.

It's a common stereotype for people to think that all street dancers are dropouts, she said. 

She said some people can make a go of dancing full-time, but in Regina people still focus on school and keep their careers. 

For people looking to start, Vibes Under the Stars classes run weekly on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. CST in the Downtown Plaza.

"Just go out there," Signo said. "If you look foolish then that's already step one."

After the downtown classes, there's free dance cyphers as well. Dancers describe the cyphers as a "big hug," Khatra said.

"It is a family," Khatra said. "Especially in Regina."