Welcome to the opening night of Breakin’ Convention.

A night of powerful physicality. The kinetic friction between surfaces, bodies, and ideologies.

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Experience raw, high-intensity movement at this electrifying opening night, featuring thrilling battles, standout performances from international hip hop theatre stars, and live DJ sets throughout.

The evening includes a powerful all-female reimagining of Joseph Toonga’s Born to Protest: The Reframe. Rooted in krump, this visceral work explores themes of power, defiance, and vulnerability through the female experience.

Taking to the stage are Rock Force Crew, one of the most respected and enduring breakdance crews to emerge from the United States, with origins dating back to the early 1980s.

Also performing is Italy’s Compagnia Bellanda, presenting a dynamic duet that fuses breaking with contemporary dance, alongside UK artist Emma Houston is an internationally accomplished breaking athlete & professional dancer from Scotland, now based out of London.

Beyond the stage, the foyer will come alive with high-energy battles showcasing bold moves and exceptional skill. After the performances, the night continues with DJ-led afterparties, keeping the dancefloor alive into the late hours.

Breakin’ Convention Festival is recommended for ages 12 and over.

Line up

Rock Force Crew (USA)

Emma Houston (UK)

Compagnia Bellanda (Italy)

Rock Force Crew, formed in California in 1983, is a long‑standing, respected U.S. breakdance crew known for raw power, originality, and a battle mindset. Their West Coast style stays true to the culture’s original principles. Rock Force Crew became known not only for its performances but also for its longevity and consistency.
The crew has gone through multiple generations of members, a rare achievement in breaking, and has remained active through different eras of hip-hop. Rock Force has competed in and represented at major national and international battles and events, earning respect from peers around the world. Rock Force is widely regarded as a legendary and influential crew within the b-boy community, particularly for their resilience, authenticity, and decades-long commitment to the art form.
Today, Rock Force Crew is recognised as a symbol of dedication, brotherhood, and respect for the roots of breaking, representing the spirit of hip-hop culture across generations.

 

Kaner Scott (UK)

Kaner Scott is a dancer, choreographer, and creative director from South East London. He is known for his innovative approach to movement and storytelling. Specialising in Flexing, Electro, and Popping, he blends street styles with abstract and avant-garde elements, creating visually compelling work that pushes the boundaries of contemporary dance.
His career took off after he was discovered while busking on the streets of London—a pivotal moment that propelled him into the international spotlight. Since then, Kaner has collaborated with iconic names including Olivier Award-winning TRAPLORD, Quincy Jones, Rita Ora, Kylie Minogue, and Years & Years, as well as global brands such as Nike, Bally, Axel Arigato, and Dsquared2. Through his work across music, fashion, and theatre, Kaner continues to redefine the landscape of modern dance and performance.

Emma Houston is a multi-disciplinary storyteller working across theatre, commercial & underground dance scenes. They were an Elite Squad member of Breaking GB representing the UK on the Olympic Route. Starting their dance journey with Hip Hop styles, Emma went on to train in Contemporary Dance Theatre at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance.
Emma has performed & dance captained with ZooNation (Message In A Bottle) & Olivier-award winning UK Hip Hop Theatre companies Boy Blue (REDD) & Far From the Norm (Union Black). They have also toured with Gorilla Circus’s outdoor show RPM nationally & internationally. Emma has worked with Ish Dance Collective (Thor) in The Netherlands & danced with world renowned rapper Rapsody in Denver USA as part of Passing The Crown, a show celebrating Women in Hip Hop. Emma has collaborated as both dancer & choreographer with brands such as Adidas, Levi’s & Nike, & appeared in print for ASOS, I Am Hip-Hop Magazine, DIVA & the Hip Hop Dance Almanac.

 

Jonzi D

Compagnia Bellanda, officially born in 2018, is an Italian dance company, directed by a vision that arises from breaking and Hip Hop culture, which aims to find hybrid languages, movements rich in meaning communicated through technique. At the basis of the poetics of Compagnia Bellanda there is a constant research in the field of dance movement. A research that arises from the “healthy daily practices” of breakdancing, where parallel to the apprehension of a step, trick, technical movement, there is always also the study of the infinite possible personal versions of the same "foundation". Since 2022 Compagnia Bellanda has been recognised as a "dance production company" by the Italian Ministry of Culture.
They are the first Italian dance company born and directed from an urban ‘Breakin’ vision to receive this official recognition.

 
 

Joseph Toonga (UK)

Joseph Toonga, hailing from Cameroon and raised in East London, is an inventive and visionary choreographer rooted in the vibrancy of hip-hop culture, crafts and performs compelling dance productions deeply entwined with contemporary narratives.
His distinct choreographic style fuses the essence of hip-hop with genuine life experiences, challenging societal norms, dismantling racial stigmas, and sparking transformative conversations. Acknowledged for his outstanding talent, Joseph was honoured with the Best Choreography Award at New York’s Reverb Dance Festival, showcasing his innovative approach within the hip-hop dance realm