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New, hip act a hit at the Rock County 4-H Fair

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

Daniel Hernandez of the Stylez Unknown Crew spins on his head during a break dance performance at the Rock County 4-H Fair.

Photo

Photo by Dan Lassiter

87-year-old Donna Kluckman looks on in awe as D.J. Wash, 7-year-old member of Stylez Unknow Crew break dance group spins on the floor at the Rock County 4-H Fair.

JANESVILLE — The crowd that gathered around the Blue Ribbon Pavilion midday Thursday at the Rock County 4-H Fairgrounds couldn’t get enough of the new talent.

Some were mesmerized.

Others tapped the tips of their umbrellas to the beat of the music.

Some seemed awed.

“They’re phenomenal. I’ve never seen kids dance like that,’’ said 87-year-old Donna Kluckman of Fredericksburg, Texas, who was at the fair with her daughter Mary Ann Cook of Janesville.

“We were walking around the fair enjoying it when we heard the music and stopped to look. I think it’s great,’’ she said.

The attention was focused on the hip-hop dancers. Most are members of the Janesville group Stylez Uknown Crew led by Jason Regan-Gonzalez, 20. Others break dancers were from the group Midwest Monsters, Rockford, Ill.

As hip-hop music blared from the speakers, the dancers took turns performing solo then sometimes together on a 9x6 piece of aluminum flooring.

“It’s for protection and easy to spin on,’’ Regan-Gonzalez said.

Their body-expressing, free-style moves included glides, flips, heel grooves, freeze poses, top rocks, six steps, hand spins, jack hammers, windmills and flares.

“When people watch, they say ‘Wow!’ How do they do those things that seem impossible,’” said Lee Wilson, a 20-year-old member of the Janesville group.

“They also like our energy, and when they watch us they wish they could do it. It’s a great way to stay in shape,’’ he said.

Stylez Unknown Crew group members, ages 7 to 20, organized five years ago after meeting at the Boys & Girls Club of Janesville. They rehearse at least four times a week in basements, at a local dance studio and on the street. All members do choreography, Regan-Gonzalez said.

“It’s cool,” said Kalyn Bobolz, 13, of Clinton, who watched at the fair Thursday with two of her friends from Bradford 4-H Club.

The dancers performed three times Thursday. They’d been invited by Linda Kleven of the fair daytime entertainment committee.

“It’s something different, and they’re fantastic,’’ she said.

More than 100 people of all ages came and went from the first show of the day Thursday.

Regan-Gonzalez was pleased with the crowd.

“We love it. To see everyone happy makes us feel like we’re doing something for the community,’’ he said.

So did Stylez Unknown Crew member David Haroldson, 18.

“I really love having fans. It makes me feel like a superstar,’’ he said.

When the dancers asked members of the audience to learn some moves, the crowd dispersed.

“Maybe they’re shy, nervous and think it’s hard,’’ one of the dancers said to the others.

“But we fall all of the time,” another said. “That happens.”