Sadler’s Wells’ critically acclaimed international festival of hip hop dance theatre, Breakin’ Convention, is back from April to June 2017. At both London’s Sadler’s Wells and on a national tour, the festival will include performances from UK and international companies and crews. Now in its 14th year, this hugely popular event is once again hosted and curated by Associate Artist Jonzi D.
Breakin’ Convention has firmly established itself as one of the major highlights of the British dance calendar, and one of the world’s greatest celebrations of hip hop culture. The London festival from 29 April – 1 May will see 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, and for the fourth year running Breakin’ Convention will host an outdoor party for all the family in Spa Fields Park on bank holiday Monday.
Breakin’ Convention ’17 embarks on its eighth National tour in 2017, taking in nine venues across the UK. Venues include newcomers Norwich Theatre Royal, Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre, Leicester Curve and Birmingham Rep, in addition to the Edinburgh Festival Theatre; Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham; The Lowry, Salford; Grand Theatre Blackpool; and Brighton Dome. The UK tour has been made possible following a grant from Arts Council England, and offers local dance companies the opportunity to perform alongside International acts.
Whilst the full Breakin’ Convention line-up will be announced in Spring 2017, the tour line-up includes Soweto Skeleton Movers, a highlight of last year’s festival. Joining them is Canadian group Tentacle Tribe. Founded in 2012, the Montreal-based dance company will also perform at Breakin’ Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina in autumn 2016. Spearheaded by Jonzi D, Breakin’ Convention works with the most respected, innovative and inspirational hip hop artists in the industry, and is committed to celebrating, elevating and supporting hip hop dance theatre.