The Dancing Turtle

I wanted to break dance for my wife at my wedding. Chris met with me on evenings and weekends every week for three months. On the day of our wedding I did a set for my wife that knocked her socks off!

I love that I get to support my husband’s dream of teaching dance, culture, and passion! Also being able to learn about all types of reptiles. It’s an amazing place that he has worked so hard at building from scratch. I’m sure when you step inside you can feel the love he put into it. Please stop by, take a class, visit an animal. You’ll love it here!

This is the best place to learn the true elements of break dancing. Check It aka Chris Lim is hands down the best teacher I have ever had in my life (and this is such a severe understatement to this man’s ability to educate and uplift). If you’re looking for a clear understanding of this dance form in every way possible definitely go to The Dancing Turtle.
On the other end of this business is the reptiles/​exotics that are handled with such care and love. Check It really out does himself to go out of his way to make sure these animals are as comfortable as possible. Take a second to ask him, he’s the expert!

First ever dance studio /​exotics gallery put in one. If you really want to learn about exotics and/​or dance, look no further. Go «Check-​it» out!!!

The first thing you need to know about this place is that the owner, Chris, prefers that you call him «Check-​it». For reals, yo. So check-​check-​check it out.
Where to begin. Check-​it is a b-​boy, originally hailing from Chicago, and he has a resumé that just don’t quit. A Master of hip-​hop Ceremonies, the dude is schooled in breaking; at one time he was considered one of the most talented break dancers in the country, if not the world, and I’m thinking that’s akin to mastery of the ancient arts: once you ascend to that platitude, you essentially own it forever. Black belts remain black belts, right? It’s pretty clear, judging from my time watching him school some youngins, that he’ll be a b-​boy for life (BB4L). Someday I plan to visit him in a nursing home, where I imagine he’ll be popping and dropping it in the cafeteria, all over the canned peaches.
So what is the Dancing Turtle? It’s a dance studio, sure, but it’s more of a community center, a place for kids to drop in off the street, study, chill, and connect with beats. Before he crafted this joint, Check-​it was a reptile guru at Clark’s Pet Emporium up the street; over several years he re-​built the Slytherin department and became something of a cold-​blood expert. About a third of Dancing Turtle is devoted to these creatures: snakes, tarantulas, lizards, and the rest, lovingly cared for and ready for a new home. There’s also a solid dance floor, a DJ booth and a sitting area in the front.
Dancing Turtle offers dance classes that extend beyond breaking, with options for little and big kids alike. Sundays are donation-​based, so feel free to pay a visit and get your hipping and hopping on for whatever you can afford. Park in the back. I can’t say enough about my adoration for people like Check-​it; in tough urban spaces, especially the Duke City, these tiny realms of creativity serve so many purposes: it’s a temple, a hangout, a Zen center and a playground that just might put the 505 on the b-​boy map. There’s some serious s*it going on in here. Check-​check-​check it out.