by Ulises Orozco, reporter
Jester Gascon, a break-dancer, has stayed proactive during the pandemic practicing “breaking” in his garage and in studios with fellow b-boys. Gascon says he’s been break dancing for two years after having stopped at the age of 14 when he came to the United States.
Now, that he has found the dance community he had longed for, Gascon said he’s noticed a difference.
“I definitely feel like I’m finding more of myself and figuring out who I am as a human being and also as a dancer.”
Gascon said that through dance he has learned to approach his problems differently.
“This is how I should react to a situation and how not to react this situation,” Gascon said.
Taho Duong, President of ORCHESIS Dance Group, a student led organization promoting diversity in dance and culture at the University of Nebraska Lincoln recently started Street Dance Open Sessions.
“We’re hoping every Friday night we have a time that street dance, like here the b-boys here could get together and dance since the weather is getting cold,” said Duong.
Duong said since Street Dance Open Sessions started during the pandemic they have planned accordingly to guidelines.
“We have sanitizer that we would disinfect every time we use this studio and masks are required and for each studio use there has to be a 30-minute gap, so that the air, the vent can circulate the air.”
Gascon said that he has been able to find positivity in the pandemic.
“As an artist it’s a really good thing to have that alone time,” said Gascon.
Gascon said he posts his progress in breakdancing on social media for himself but has received feedback. “Even though it’s only one person, it’s just like cool. It helps me, it helps you.”
