Guia Cultural da Costa Verde

Itaguaí • Itaguaí

CRAZY MASTERS CREW

US-style street dancing in Itaguaí

Aloysio Clemente Breves Beiler

The idea of forming a breakdance group, also known as breaking or b-boying, arose in 2009 with a group of students who danced in their school’s sporting courts. Michael Cruz is the person who started the trend and got friends together to practice this kind of street dance, which appeared in the United States in 1970.

The first competition was held in Japeri and these young people continue to compete, having received awards in several performances: they were ranked in second place in São João de Meriti and Itaguaí, in the so-called battles among different groups, almost all of them derived from the US-style hip-hop. They also obtained excellent rankings while competing in dance battles in Belo Horizonte and Ubá.

According to Michael, “style defines each player’s originality,” as the group performs a mix of different rhythms including salsa, samba, frevo, pop and hip-hop with dance steps created based on a number of themes, such as for example at EXPO Itaguaí commemorating the town’s anniversary, during which the theme was singer Jair Rodrigues.

Currently, the group uses the premises of União Costa Verde de Capoeira run by Mestre Garnisé, who loans the area for training sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The Crazy Masters Crew uses a uniform especially designed by stylist Márcio Fabiano: a shirt with a logo, Bermuda shorts and tennis shoes. A striking feature in their attire is seen on the tennis shoes, with each member using different colored shoe laces.

Information