Breakin’ Convention, the renowned Sadler’s Wells project celebrates a landmark 15 Years this May Bank Holiday. To honour this auspicious anniversary Breakin’ Convention’s Artistic Director, UK hip hop theatre pioneer Jonzi D has created an extended programme looking back over the festival’s achievements, as well as looking forward to the future and possibilities of hip hop dance and culture.
The festival of hip hop dance theatre takes over the whole of Sadler’s Wells, including the Lilian Baylis Studio, from Saturday 5 – Monday 7 May. Renowned for showcasing high calibre and diverse representations of hip hop dance theatre from across the globe, Breakin’ Convention 2018 takes this even further via an innovative collaboration.
As well as world class dance crews and soloists, the 2018 programme features live music via Jazz re:freshed, the prestigious live jazz organisation, also celebrating its 15th anniversary. An ensemble of 15 leading jazz musicians provide original soundscapes to accompany five newly commissioned works from dancers to mark both festivals’ illustrious histories.
The line-up includes Olivier Award-winning Boy Blue Entertainment and The Locksmiths from London, Netherlands-based b-boy crew The Ruggeds, French hip hop freestyle dancer Mufasa and even Jonzi D himself, premiering new work to a score composed by Jazz re:freshed’s Musical Director Jason Yarde. This partnership follows on from the success of the 2017 festival, which saw Breakin’ Convention and Jazz re:freshed present an evening of live jazz, dance theatre and poetry in the Lilian Baylis Studio, to launch the weekend’s events.
Jonzi D says: “15 years in the game but it still feels so fresh! Every collaboration, every commission, every new project opens up new avenues of expression for hip hop culture. This natural synergy with Jazz:Refreshed will take our theatrical practice to another level.”
The festival has firmly established itself as one of the major highlights on the British dance calendar and one of the world’s greatest celebrations of hip hop culture, and continues to tour internationally in its 15th year.
Full performance line-up to be announced. Check here for updates.
