Break into Summer

Donate to fund prize money and promotion for Break into Summer, a 3 V. 3 Bboy/Bgirl battle that will go down May 9 at Whitman's Reid Ballroom in Walla Walla!  This battle, part of 5th Element Project, will bring major players from the national Hip Hop scene to Walla Walla.  Now we need your help so we can spread the word and recognize the competitors!

This Spring, Soul Felons, Walla Walla Music Organization, and 206 Zulu will team up with Whitman College to bring you the 5th Element Project, an educational initiative named after Afrikaa Bambaataa's 5th Element.  This project will unite Walla Walla Hip Hop practitioners with Whitman students in a series of classes led by Rodney Outlaw and 'Bboy Louie' Miranda.

The culminating event, featuring the Break into Summer 3 V. 3 crew battle at Whitman's Reid Ballroom on Saturday May 9, will include a dance party, plus free workshops in Graffiti, Music Production, Bboying/Bgirling, Turntablism, Popping, and more! This is more than a battle; the full circle of Hip Hop will be represented at this event, and bridges between communities will be built through the power of this culture.

A Whitman College Mellon grant will fund travel, accommodations, and stipends for top Hip Hop artists who will come from around the Northwest and the nation to perform, teach, and show their work. Whitman College has already stepped up with over $40,000 toward this project. However, this money will not cover the cost of getting the word out to dancers and other artists, and it will not cover battle prize money, the key to drawing the best dancers from our region and beyond. Your donation will allow us to put the word out, and to attract, and recognize, the best crew for their hard work and incredible skill!

Of the $3,200, $3,000 will be prize money for the battle.  Break into Summer will be a 3 V. 3 crew battle.  The $3,000 prize will allow each member of the winning crew to take home $1,000.  Please remember these crew members will travel to Walla Walla and stay here out-of-pocket; this money compensates them for their travel, and stands in recognition of their skills and their dedication to the culture.

The remaining $200 will be for promotion.  This money will go to posters, fliers, and postcards which will announce the battle and the event to the local community.  We want to connect more people to Hip Hop culture, and we want to attract the enthusiastic crowd every battle needs to be successful.

Support Hip Hop in Walla Walla; make a donation to Break into Summer!