Jake Austen details the life of Perry Kanlan, aka Dancin’ Man (he used to be Dancin’ Boy, but he’s 68 now), in the B Side cover story this week. A funky and flamboyant Jewish kid from Rogers Park, Kanlan broke down racial barriers with his gregarious personality and a rhythmic dance style that presaged breakdancing. His journey is long, fascinating, and strange, and has seen him share stages with the Jackson Five, James Brown, and Bootsy Collins, among many others, as well as land a role in the blaxploitation film Dolemite.