This photo essay from the 1980s depicts the foundational dances that were common in Orchard Beach, where Breaking evolved in the 1970s and 80s. The dance circles at Orchard Beach centered around several popular dance styles like Salsa, Disco, Up Rock, and Floor Work. These circles were mere feet from one another, mostly found near Section 4 at Orchard Beach, which were popular with Puerto Ricans during the summer months.
Artist Bios
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Ricky Flores
Ricky Flores was born in New York to Puerto Rican parents in 1961. His father, Pastor Flores, was a merchant seaman, and his mother, Ana Luisa Flores, a garment worker, lived in the Tremont section of the Bronx during the early 60s.
Flores started documenting life in the South Bronx in 1979. He began photographing the lives of his friends and family during one of the most turbulent times in the history of the Bronx and New York City.
Over the years, Flores freelanced for The Daily News, The New York Times, The City Sun, and The Village Voice. He was also a photojournalist for The Journal News, part of the USA Today network for 25 years. Flores is recognized for covering the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Amadou Diallo, and Superstorm Sandy. Flores has a permanent installation at I.S. 306 in the Bronx commissioned by the School Construction Authority. His work from the South Bronx is on permanent display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
His new book, South Bronx Family Album, is now available from The Culture Crush.
Organizations
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Photoville
Founded in 2011 in Brooklyn, NY, Photoville was built on the principles of addressing cultural equity and inclusion, which we are always striving for, by ensuring that the artists we exhibit are diverse in gender, class, and race.
In pursuit of its mission, Photoville produces an annual, city-wide open air photography festival in New York City, a wide range of free educational community initiatives, and a nationwide program of public art exhibitions.
By activating public spaces, amplifying visual storytellers, and creating unique and highly innovative exhibition and programming environments, we join the cause of nurturing a new lens of representation.
Through creative partnerships with festivals, city agencies, and other nonprofit organizations, Photoville offers visual storytellers, educators, and students financial support, mentorship, and promotional & production resources, on a range of exhibition opportunities.
For more information about Photoville visit, www.photoville.com
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NYC Parks
NYC Parks is the steward of more than 30,000 acres of land — 14 percent of New York City — including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 1,800 basketball courts, 550 tennis courts, 65 public pools, 51 recreational facilities, 15 nature centers, 14 golf courses, and 14 miles of beaches. We care for 1,200 monuments and 23 historic house museums. We look after 600,000 street trees, and two million more in parks. We are New York City’s principal providers of recreational and athletic facilities and programs. We are home to free concerts, world-class sports events, and cultural festivals.
Dance Evolution at Orchard Beach
Featuring: Ricky Flores
Supported by:
Locations
View Location Details Orchard BeachHandball Courts
Orchard Beach Playground
Orchard Beach Area 6
Bronx, NY 10466
The views and opinions expressed in this exhibit are those of the exhibition artists and partners and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Photoville or any other participants and partners of the Photoville Festival.
