Popping

Mike and Ernie Felix Oral History

Mike and Ernest Felix are brothers from West Fresno. They were born in the 1970’s and were Popping during the 1980. This time in Fresno was the prime years for popping. Every weekend there were popping events all over the city especially at Roeding…

Tony Carranza Oral History

Tony Carranza was born in Madera in 1974 to parents who had immigrated from Mexico. In Madera, Carranza was exposed to popping in the 1980s by a cousin who participated in popping competitions in California's Central Valley as a member of The Players…

Izel Gaye Oral History

Izel Gaye is a 58 year old man that has lived most of his life in Southwest Fresno and became friends with Fresno dance icon Boogaloo Sam Solomon in his early thirties. Izel struggled in his early years with a lack of opportunities in his…

Roger Martinez Oral History

Roger Martinez was born in 1974 at the Lemore Tachioka Native American reservation and moved out around nine years of age and slowly made his way to Fresno. He settled in apartments on G Street and Maple. He loved the popping culture that hit…

Rawley Murray Oral History

Rawley Murray's parents migrated to Fresno from Texas. He grew up on the west side, but went back to Texas for a brief period when he was young. He was part of the Electric Bogaloos but it is unclear to what extent. Murray, also known as Bogaloo Boo,…

Ken McCoy Oral History

Ken McCoy is a producer in Fresno that has ties to the development of Poppin and Boogaloo in Fresno during the late seventies and early eighties as a local performer. Mr. McCoy has been part of several dance groups including, The Puppets, The…

Deborah McCoy Oral History

Deborah McCoy has been an active member of the Fresno dance community since the 1970s. McCoy's family migrated to Fresno in the 1920s; however, she spent her early childhood with a foster family just outside of Fresno in Caruthers. McCoy recounts…