Calling All B-Boys and B-Girls

Patrick Hayes is a household name to the youth culture of Greater Middletown. He is the creator of "Flying Squirrel Productions LLC, Youth Training and Entertainment" (FSP for short). He has been “b-boying” - break dancing - since the year 2000.

Hayes will be hosting the 3^rd Annual "Breakzone" competition on Friday, June 3 at Victory Christian Church in Middlefield. The event is a combination of America's Best Dance Crew and Battle of the Year, a hip-hop showcase in Europe.

Hayes has worked for the Northern Middlesex YMCA since 2005 as Site Director of an after school program (grades K-5), a dance instructor and as the director of a middle school unit at Camp Ingersoll in Portland, CT.

“I have taught hip hop culture and b-boying/b-girling at every school in Middletown, including two elementary schools in Cromwell and one in Portland," Hayes said.

He is also a member of  United Outkast, a b-boy/b-girl crew that specializes in hip-hop dancing, break dancing, competitions or "battles," performances, as well as instructional classes around the state. United Outkast travels around the U.S. with the goal of competing and expanding internationally.

The energetic b-boy began his career with the local organization Cultural Rhythms United (CRU) a dance team that combined hip-hop, breakdancing, drama and capoiera (Brazilian--African Martial Arts/dance).

In 2001, Hayes received a scholarship to Center for Creative Youth (CCY), a program of Wesleyan University that focuses on music and performing arts. He spent the summer studying other dance forms such as jazz, tap, ballet, modern (Martha Graham Technique), and capoiera.

Not long after, FSP was born. The mission statement reads “F.S.P. (Flying Squirrel Productions) is always striving to be on the cutting-edge of our ever growing and changing society by providing a variety of activities, arts, and resources to youth of all ages. Through engaging young people at every level and giving them opportunities to express themselves creatively, I hope to reduce the percentage of at risk youth in America and equip them for life success.”

Classes, workshops, talent shows, dance performances, and competitions are just some of the services that FSP offers to youth.

Hayes believes that it is important to meet kids and young adults right where they're at. “Since I grew up as a youth in an urban area I understand the value and importance of having something to call their own; not only that but also the need for belonging and individuality” Hayes told Patch.  

“On the opposite side of the spectrum I also see what the media and companies like MTV have done to the image of hip-hop through its exploitation.  Therefore, it is my duty to teach that hip-hip is not about drugs, violence, misogyny, and materialism but peace, unity, community, self-expression and obviously positivism.”  

Hayes admits that he throws some of his own methodologies and values into the mix.

“Ultimately, I would like to see Breakzone become an international event where kids and youth come from all over the world, including locally, sharing their passion and skills while growing and having fun. This is a drug free and positive venue, not just for dance crews, but community and family as well.”

Breakzone will be held at Victory Christian Church on Friday, June 3, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $5.