Chicago Art In Motion

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Once we checked into our hotel in Chicago last weekend, Steve had his usual urge to go to the facility where our competition was going to be held in order to make sure we made it on time the following morning (nothing like getting lost in a state you’ve never driven in before)… but, instead of resting peacefully in our room in his absence, this time I was feeling pretty freaked out about different issues I carried with me from California. Once Steve left with the rental car, I ventured out into town by myself to let off some steam and hopefully get lost, away from my thoughts and fears. I asked for directions to the Magnificent Mile because I had heard Oprah mention it at the end of every show for the last 20 years. It turned out to be Michigan Avenue just two blocks down. Clearly one of the most tourist filled areas of Chicago, I was expecting the usual: cool architecture, great shopping, restaurants, and of course street performers. …but, just when I thought I had seen it all downtown, these two young men blew me away. I ended up staying to watch over three battles… and five songs later (mind you it had to be over 30 minutes of pure tap breakin’), I left totally inspired to celebrate physical movement, music & dance, and excellence in all forms. Perhaps they’ll have the same effect on some of you when you consider the training, the guts, the heart involved to pull this off on a busy street corner…

-Maya