Pop Locking + Mime + Contortion = Robert Muraine (Mr. Fantastic)

The very first time I saw someone do "pop locking" (a form of breakdancing) was in elementary school in Massachusetts, circa 1978 or so for a talent show. Couldn't believe my eyes -- a human robot? Thirty years later, people are still pop locking and taking this mime-like dance form to new horizons. There have been pop lockers before on the TV show "So You Think You Dance," but good heavens, be blown away by this clip of Robert Muraine (aka Mr. Fantastic), a street performer on the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica. I've never seen contortion added to the mix before. The guy has a natural sense of pantomime, impressive without any training. (Imagine if he DID get some training...)

What's a bit sad is that Robert quit the competition, feeling insecure about learning choreography in completely foreign dance forms. Robert, I hope you try again.