BREAKIN’ CONVENTION ’16 International Festival of Hip Hop Dance Theatre – Sadler’s Wells & National Tour, April to June 2016.
Sadler’s Wells’ critically acclaimed international festival of hip hop dance theatre, Breakin’ Convention, is back, with performances from UK and international companies and crews.
Now in its 13th year, this tremendously popular Sadler’s Wells Production is once more hosted and curated by Associate Artist Jonzi D. Following the annual festival at Sadler’s Wells over the May bank holiday, Breakin’ Convention will then tour to eight venues across the UK during May until Wednesday 1 June 2016.
Breakin’ Convention has established itself as one of the major highlights on the British dance calendar and is one of the world’s greatest celebrations of hip hop culture.
The main London festival on Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May sees Sadler’s Wells’ foyer transformed with live DJs, freestyle dance jams, graffiti exhibitions, workshops from top international artists and live aerosol art. The participatory activities take place pre-show and during the interval.
For the fourth year running Breakin’ Convention takes it back to the roots of hip hop on bank holiday Monday 2nd May with Park Jam, an outdoor party suitable for all the family in Spa Fields Park.
The tour line-up includes three international acts who were highlights of last year’s festival including France’s Antoinette Gomis, who presents Images, an atmospheric solo inspired by the music of Nina Simone and Civil Rights. Antoinette’s signature style originates from her background as a founder member of the all-female Zamounda crew from Paris. Spain’s award-winning Iron Skulls crew present the surreal Sinestesia – A dynamic work where these skilled dancers morph into post-apocalyptic survivors. World Champion bboy crew The Ruggeds from the Netherlands will perform the high octane Adrenalin on the National Tour.
Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Jonzi D is the founder and Artistic Director of Jonzi D Projects and Breakin’ Convention. A dancer, spoken word artist and director, he is the foremost advocate for hip hop and has changed the profile and influenced the development of the UK British hip hop dance and theatre scene over the last two decades. Jonzi D is a graduate from the London Contemporary Dance School and a former Associate Artist at The Place. He has toured his own work internationally and is regularly invited to judge international dance competitions.
Jonzi D devised and directed TAG… Just Writing My Name in 2006, IVAN in 2006 and Markus the Sadist, a rap theatre piece in 2009. All pieces successfully toured the UK to critical acclaim. He has also devised, choreographed and featured in various hip hop inspired fashion shows.
Earlier this year Jonzi D performed The Letter at the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe and also featured on TedEX Warwick and spoke at the European Commission forum on creativity and diversity.
Full Breakin’ Convention line-up to be announced Spring 2016. Check www.breakinconvention.com for updates.
Tickets on sale Monday 9th November 2015
A Sadler’s Wells Production
http://www.sadlerswells.com/
Breakin’ Convention ’16
International Festival of Hip Hop Dance Theatre
Sadler’s Wells, London, EC1R
Saturday 30 April – Monday 2 May 2016
Performances: Saturday 30 April & Sunday 1 May at 6pm (pre-show activities from 4pm)
Breakin’ Convention National Tour dates
Saturday 7 May CAST, Doncaster
Tuesday 10 May Colston Hall, Bristol
Saturday 14 May Playhouse, Whitley Bay
Tuesday 17 & Wednesday 18 May Nottingham Theatre Royal
Saturday 21 May Blackpool Grand, Blackpool
Tuesday 24 May Corn Exchange, Kings Lynn
Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 May Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury
Wednesday 1 June Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth