Hip-Hop Dancing and Lake Union Crew

Megan Sukys
08/28/2008

Phanna Nam, also known as Peanut, discovered hip–hop dancing through the Seattle group, Massive Monkey. Today, Peanut explains why he is taking dance moves to Cambodian youth. We also board an unusual boat in Lake Union and visit the Northwest African American Museum.

At 2:05 p.m. – Lake Union Crew

The headquarters of the Lake Union Crew sits on the banks of Seattle's Lake Union. It's 5,000 square feet. It's got two fireplaces and a balcony on the second floor. It's also got a C.B. and two steering wheels. That's because this building is also a boat. Rome Ventura founded the club back in 1997 and still teaches there today. She's coached dozens of people, including one rower who just competed in the 2008 Olympics. She gives Jeannie Yandel a tour of her unusual boat and explains why she's passionate about crew.

At 2:20 p.m. – Cambodia and the B–Boys

Phanna Nam, also known as Peanut, discovered hip–hop dancing through the Seattle group, Massive Monkey. He is the son of Cambodian immigrants and credits dance with keeping him out of the trouble that was so prevalent in his South Seattle neighborhood. Now, he is taking his dance moves back to the young people of Cambodia. It's a mission that he feels is his true calling in life. In an archive interview from April 22, 2008, Phanna talks with Megan Sukys about how hip–hop took him back to the home of his parents.

At 2:40 p.m. – Misha Berson Theatre Reviews

Misha Berson reviews theatre in the Pacific Northwest.

At 2:50 p.m. – The Northwest African American Museum

In 1990, African Americans made up about one percent of the population of Yakima, Washington. So when Brian Carter was growing up in Yakima in the early 90's, he didn't imagine that African Americans made a major impact on Northwest history. But as a young black man, he wanted to make that connection. Today, Brian is the education director for the Northwest African American Museum. Jeremy Richards visits the museum to learn about some of the figures who have shaped the region and inspired Brian on a personal level – starting with a 19th–century pioneer named George Washington Bush.