Community Corner

Queens Community House: Breakdance Program Growing at Breakneck Speed

Forest Hills nonprofit provides space for local youths to practice their moves five nights a week.

A Forest Hills-based breakdancing program that started with five members now draws nearly 20 times that amount on an annual basis, said a spokesman for the nonprofit that houses the event.

The Queens Community House, located at 108-25 62nd Drive, first began providing space for local teens to practice their moves more than a decade ago as a means to keeping youths off the streets.

“On any given night, you can find a number of youths from not only New York City, but from across the U.S. and other parts of the world at the Queens Community House’s evening teen center,” program director Mike Zevon said. “The program started with only five dancers, now we have over 100 registered youths per year.”

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One of the center’s visitors – Denmark’s Rasmus Gravesen – said he had heard about the program via word of mouth.

“You would think that there would be more space available in a place like New York City, the place where breakdancing originated, but that just isn’t the case,” he said.

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A long-time participant who goes by the name Jay said his father originally inspired him to take up the dance style.

“Five or six years ago, I came here not knowing anyone,” he said of the Queens Community House’s program. “I’m here for every practice now. Over the years, I’ve come to see some of the people here as friends and even family.”

Jay said he has competed in more than 50 breakdancing competitions in recent years.

The community house’s teen center is open between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday.

For more information about the program, call Zevon at 718-592-5757.


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