The Story Behind Breakin' Convention
Jonzi D, Artistic Director of Breakin' Convention, has been making Hip Hop Theatre since the early nineties. Using the DJ, rap and various street dance techniques to explore theatrical ideas within the proscenium arch, he was the only artist creating this type of theatre in the UK at the time.
Project Soul
Photo: Belinda Lawley
Inspired by what he'd seen, Jonzi approached Alistair Spalding (then Head of Dance and Performance at the South Bank Centre) with the suggestion - "How about an international Hip Hop dance theatre festival?" When Alistair moved to Sadler's Wells - London's leading venue for dance - to become Director of Programming, this idea became a reality. In Spring 2004, he asked Jonzi to program London's first Hip Hop dance theatre festival.
Alistair was completely open to radical suggestions, like bombing the whole building with graffiti art, DJ's playing breakbeats in the mezzanine area, rice 'n' peas with Jerk chicken at the bar, and local, non-professional companies sharing the stage with world renowned pioneering acts like The Electric Boogaloos.
The ambiguity of the name Breakin' Convention reflected the ambitions of the project. It was important that the event related to the Hip Hop community, as well as stimulating the interest of the existing Sadler's Wells audience.
With his experience of this theatrical genre, as well as the respect gained within the local and international Hip Hop community, Jonzi was able to help put Sadler's Wells on the map as THE venue for a globally recognised Hip Hop Dance event. Truly breaking the convention.
“A break away from tradition – Breakin’ Convention was definitely all that.”
WEST SUSSEX COUNTRY TIMES 8 JUNE 2007
BC04 was a resounding success - far exceeding all expectation. The two day event sold out all 3600 tickets to an audience ranging from 3 year olds to 83 year olds. The foyers were filled with people popping and breakin' to Tha En4cers turntablism. The auditorium was packed to the rafters with an audience eagerly awaiting the incredible line up of over 250 street-dancers from Camden to Korea.
BC05 and BC06 built on these strengths and in 2007, Breakin' Convention embarked on it's first national tour, and was nominated by the Theatre Manangement Awards for 'exposing the energy and appeal of hip-hop dance theatre to audiences across the UK'.
In 2008, Sadler's Wells received additional three-year funding to support the development of Breakin' Convention. This grant will enable Breakin' Convention to expand its activity to include: national touring; building partnerships with regional venues and dance agencies to create a network of Breakin' Convention Hubs to develop work with local Hip Hop artists; producing year-round professional development courses for UK Hip Hop dance theatre companies, choreographers and artists, and commissioning new work.
Jonzi D, said: "The success of Breakin' Convention proves there is more to Hip Hop culture than the stereotypical 'bling bling, gangsta rapper' image constantly presented in the media. Breakin' Convention is the first festival in the UK that provides an international platform of artistic excellence in breakin', popping, locking and the various developments in street dance forms. We are delighted that we can continue developing this fresh and funky dance style, re-energising the theatre for artists and audiences looking for something new."
Alistair Spalding, Artistic Director of Sadler's Wells, backed this up with: "We are delighted with this recognition from the Arts Council of our work with Breakin' Convention. Hip hop dance provides the perfect introduction to the art form for newcomers of all ages, and it's fantastic that we will now be able to take some of the pioneering work we have been undertaking in London further afield."
We look forward to celebrating the 5th anniversray of Breakin' Convention and the new developments of the company over the next three years.
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