The dance: BREAK DANCING

Where to see it: New York

Sexy factor: Like LL Cool J wrestling with 50 Cent

The moves: If your only memory of break dance is the 1984 film Breakin', it's time to revive your slumbering Electric Boogaloo. Born and bred on the gritty streets of '80s New York, breaking is back. Today's B-boys and B-girls pop and lock everywhere from MTV's hyperkinetic videos (have you seen "Days Go By" by Dirty Vegas?) to those inescapable Gap ads. But at its heart, breaking is still about impromptu playground battles where shirtless, ripped bodies snap, pop, and spin (sometimes on their heads).

The stage: During a summertime amble through Washington Square Park or inside the Times Square subway station, you might bump into crews doing their thing, accompanied by a boom box or even sticks-on-paint-cans percussion. Or check out the ultimate breaking showcase at the 30th anniversary of B-boy pioneers Rock Steady Crew, all around the city, July 23 through 29.

Do a little dance: Steps on Broadway has classes taught by gurus like Pop Master Fabel, Robin Dunn, and Emilio "Buddha Stretch" Austin (the choreographer behind the first decade of Mariah Carey's career). Another good option is PMT Dance Studio's B-boys Pavan Thimmaiah and Kambi Gathesha.

Rock Steady Crew

Steps on Broadway
Tel: 212 874 2410
Lessons from $15

PMT Dance Studio
Tel: 212 924 5694
Lessons from $13