Eclipse chasers run rings around the Pilbara

Beads of sweat and tired leg muscles were the order of the day as “The Hood” kicked off a three-day hip-hop workshop for “Youth Week” with international hip hop artist Brendan Burns. 

Brendan is a b-boy specialising in a genre of hip-hop dance known as “breaking”.

Over 20 young people and children learnt the technical skills of “breaking” which included moves such as rainbow flip, two step, freeze, back spinning, flares, and a multitude of other muscle twisting moves which defy logical explanation.

Brendan Burns is one of the best “breakers” in Australia and his dance crew known as “Zourock” came 16th from 120 crews who recently attended a world dance battle in Singapore – Asia Pacific.

The Hood has been extremely successful and has over 40 children and young people attending hip hop on a weekly basis with a majority of participants between 9-13yrs.

It has committed itself to bringing the best choreographers and dance artists from across Australia to Hedland and will be performing at a series of major events on the Hedland social calendar including Port Bound and Vibe Festival.

The genre of hip hop is increasingly viewed as one of the best platforms to deliver a range of positive messages to children and young people which gives them skills and confidence to say “no” to tough issues which include cyber bullying, hard drugs, and under-age sex.

The Hood is networking with a range of WA sites also making significant investment in hip hop as a youth diversion and intervention strategy.

Thanks to the recent visit by Brendan Burns, “The Hood” has gone international, connecting with some of the best hip-hop artists across the world.

The Hood would like to acknowledge the financial and kind support of Relationships Australia, Inline Engineering, Department of Correctional Services, Town of Port Hedland Shire and Attorney General.

The Hood group shot