“What time is it?” “Show time!” If you live in New York City, you’ve heard the ubiquitous b-boys’ familiar call on subway cars. And if you’re anything like me, the announcement summons simultaneous feelings of dread and curiosity. As a commuter, the interruption of personal time can be irksome, but as a dancer, I can’t help but take a peek at their choreography and circus-caliber tricks. My personal favorite is when one performer flips a shorter counterpart into the air so his hands (we hope) smack the ceiling.

Of course, there isn’t much clearance on a subway car in any direction, so dancers have to adjust their routines and scheduling accordingly. If they tried to perform during rush hour, for example, the results might be something like this “Saturday Night Live” sketch, featuring spirit fingers, “the funky periscope” and dancing using just your face. Enjoy.