Breaking it Down Part 3: Breaking Ground

Chicago Dance History Project, in partnership with the Chicago History Museum and Nexus Performing Arts, crafted a three part series, Breaking it Down: the History of Breakdancing (Breaking) in Chicago.

Ascending from the underground scene to the world’s stage during the Summer 2024 Paris Olympics, breaking (breakdancing) has remained integral to Chicago’s hip hop community. This unique, three-part panel series explores the history of breaking in Chicago as well as its city-wide impact.

Part 3, Breaking Ground: Exploring Space for Breaking in Chicago, took place on May 13 2025 at the Chicago History Museum to generate conversation around the lack of space to rehearse for the Breaking community.