UPDATED story, Friday night:

Over 50 performers competed in the "Battle of Burien" breakdancing competition Friday night, Feb. 10, at the Burien Community Center, 14700 6th Ave SW. The event was packed with onlookers. Judges sat on the sidelines of the dance floor, parked on thick black chairs with pad and pen in hand. The competition was divided into two styles, the "1 vs. 1" and the "2 vs. 2".

There were b-boy and b-girl participants competing together. The terms come from "Break Boy" and "Break Girl" originating in the Bronx.

Luke Cruise, rec leader for Burien Parks since 1999, and Samuel Pasana, a volunteer, started the event in 2007.

"There are a lot of Highline High School kids here tonight, said Cruise, 29. "We want to give these kids an outlet that when adults see them and think they're troublemakers, the will see that the kids are just going to dance. We want to provide a structured environment where they can grow and become constructive members of society.

"The young guys see the 'vets', the older guys who help mold and shape kids into good dancers, and good people," Pasana said.

Partnering up at the competition were Binh Nguyen, a Highline senior and former West Seattle High School student, and Robert Eyerman, a West Seattle High School Class of '10 graduate now studying medicine at Bellevue College from White Center.

They belong to the seven-member "Vicious Puppies Crew, or "VPC", a team of breakdancers that started at Denny Middle School in West Seattle. As their name suggests, their bark is worse than their bite.

"The breakdancing culture is like a big community," said Nguyen, who had two large studs pierced in each lobe. "We all just vibe with each other. Dancing is really positive, especially for a lot of youth who are undecided about which way to go."

"A lot were gang bangers, doing drugs, and when they start dancing, they strove to get away from that," said Eyerman. "It's a huge support group. We know everyone here tonight."

He said that when they compete, the trick is to "get into people's heads, like controlling the conversation", referring to the opponents.

"Jeromeskee is out mentor," Eyerman added, referring to breakdancing champion Jerome Aparis, of Burien. "He was our instructor in the very beginning. He still looks out for for us, like a brother."

Aparis was there, but did not compete. He leads the "Massive Monkeys Crew" which includes DJ's, emcees and judges in addition to dancers. "I feel privileged to stay consistant and to be in the b-boy game so to speak, to win, lose or draw, to just keep moving forward," said Aparis, a sharp-looking 29 year-old whose parents came over from the Philippines in 1985. "I feel fortunate to help give kids direction.

"In the breaking game there is really no belt system yet, like in martial arts," Aparis said. There is more of a respect system. Once you travel, and get flown out to do world competitions, seminars, guest coach and judge, you build that respect. I have traveled to 17 different countries and get paid, including Japan, Korea, Israel, and France.

"When breakdancing died over here in the '80's it went overseas," he said. "Now it's coming back. This time we're a little smarter. We're a little better. It's a lifestyle. It's a whole expression where you become you with a physical discipline. You go out there, express yourself and no one can take that away from you."

Garnering respect from the guys was a b-girl named "Chrissteez". "It's a boy-dominated dance," she said. "Being in it now that I am 21, I still have to navigate who I am in this dance and how girls should really respect themselves while surrounded by all these guys."

Jeromeskee (Aparis) taught Chrissteez her footwork and basic moves, she said.

"A minute of footwork feels like a mile of running," she added. "It's the best workout. It's fun. And dance is the best way to express yourself."

Amanda Morales and Luke Cruise are event organizers. They say this was the biggest Battle yet.

"We've done them at the old community center, outdoors at the Town Square, and here," said Morales, Recreation Specialist, Burien Community Center. "B-boy involves more moves on the ground. When you think of stereotypical breakdance moves on the ground, that's more b-boy. The '1 on 1 All Styles' is Toprock footwork, kind of funk, and they might do some stuff on the ground, but it is more any type of moves. There is a whole breakdance community in Seattle and we get judges who are very respected in Seattle."

2 vs 2 B-boy/B-girl battle judges:

-Juan (Dance Broomz)
- Bean (B.y.c /Goodtime Groovers Crew)
- Carlos Slamalot (Seattle City Breakers)
- RyBonix (misguided steps/ 20th century bboys)

1 vs 1 all styles judges:

- Tick Tock ( Funkstyles Seattle)
- Rob Nice (U.Z.N 206)
- Chris Kaku ( Kaku Brothers)

DJ's:

- DJ Gumbeaux (U.Z.N 206)
- DJ 4HIM
- DJ Cues (U.Z.N 206)

Mc:

Pele' (B.y.c/Goodtime Groovers Crew)

Co-Mc:

TBA