Online Review: Breakin` Convention 07
Words by Emmanuel BoyWonder Ezugwu
Right now, everyone’s pointing daggers at hip hop. In 2006, Nas rang its death knoll and the recent re-debate over lyrical content following the Don Imus controversy means the hip hop uproar (hip hoproar) shows no sign of fading. However, a much underrepresented piece of hip hop culture was celebrated last weekend in Sadler’s Wells with the aim of Breakin’ Convention, which just so happens to be the name of this formidable event now in its fourth year.
Breakin’ Convention is the brainchild of main host and dance patron Jonzi D and is billed as an ‘International Festival of Hip Hop Dance and Theatre’. The 3 day weekender featured urban inspired art (graffiti), beatboxing and more significantly breakdancing and its many offshoots from the UK and the global main stage.
The first act to grace, London’s leading dance venue was Northern Island’s Rapture, whose 15 min set was full of youthful exuberance (the oldest of the female Irish troupe seemed about thirteen) as they ‘LA locked’ to what for the most part was a rather dated Missy Elliott soundtrack. Though their set was pretty basic, their routines were executed energetically and whilst Breakin’ Convention serves as platform for the world’s best dance collectives, it also nurtures fresh new talent of which Rapture definitely are. Next up was 12 year-old Baby Flex whose set consisted of gymnastic and breakdancing combinations as she cartwheeled and somersaulted her way across the stage. Her huge crowd applause comes as no surprise especially since she’s been nominated for best freestyle at this years Dance-Off Awards
The first two acts, served as a warm up for the rest of the evenings proceedings which to some stern-faced dance critics only got underway when Dance 2XS took to the stage. Described by many as one of the UK’s most innovative dance company, 2XS are known for their raunchy sets which even led to their disqualification a few years ago at the Street Dance Championship. Thankfully, this time round choreographer Sisco Gomez and Kimberly Taylor kept the set PG, literally, with a theatrical performance dressed in toy costumes. Action heroes, dolls, and robots battled against each other in what was a unique, fun-filled showcase.
Taking us further across the continent, Jonzi D introduced Austrian group Moving Shadows who premiered their seminal piece ‘Out of the Shadows’. It would be an understatement the say their act was anything but utterly brilliant. Alex Wanger’s masterpiece was unlike anything I have seen in terms of originally and captured the true artform of dance. The dancer’s skills were unparalleled with each performer showing flexibility, strange and a superior command of contemporary, break and hip hop dance. The piece poignantly highlighted the message that “war is the worst solution of all” and the standing ovation at the end rang their message home.
Following Moving Shadows was a solo piece from French seductress Emilie Sudre who started of in an evening dress and ended up topless in an unconventional performance that displayed a raunchy, voyeuristic side to b-girlin’.
Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated performance though was from west coast OG’s the Electric Boogaloos who paid tribute to founding member Skeeter Rabbit, who died last year.
With the origins of breakin’ dating back to the 1970’s, its one aspect of the hip hop culture that remains alive and free from controversy. The showmanship of the festival and the sell-out capacity crowd means their still a huge demand for streetdance so bring on Breakin’ Convention 2008.
Right now, everyone’s pointing daggers at hip hop. In 2006, Nas rang its death knoll and the recent re-debate over lyrical content following the Don Imus controversy means the hip hop uproar (hip hoproar) shows no sign of fading. However, a much underrepresented piece of hip hop culture was celebrated last weekend in Sadler’s Wells with the aim of Breakin’ Convention, which just so happens to be the name of this formidable event now in its fourth year.
Breakin’ Convention is the brainchild of main host and dance patron Jonzi D and is billed as an ‘International Festival of Hip Hop Dance and Theatre’. The 3 day weekender featured urban inspired art (graffiti), beatboxing and more significantly breakdancing and its many offshoots from the UK and the global main stage.
The first act to grace, London’s leading dance venue was Northern Island’s Rapture, whose 15 min set was full of youthful exuberance (the oldest of the female Irish troupe seemed about thirteen) as they ‘LA locked’ to what for the most part was a rather dated Missy Elliott soundtrack. Though their set was pretty basic, their routines were executed energetically and whilst Breakin’ Convention serves as platform for the world’s best dance collectives, it also nurtures fresh new talent of which Rapture definitely are. Next up was 12 year-old Baby Flex whose set consisted of gymnastic and breakdancing combinations as she cartwheeled and somersaulted her way across the stage. Her huge crowd applause comes as no surprise especially since she’s been nominated for best freestyle at this years Dance-Off Awards
The first two acts, served as a warm up for the rest of the evenings proceedings which to some stern-faced dance critics only got underway when Dance 2XS took to the stage. Described by many as one of the UK’s most innovative dance company, 2XS are known for their raunchy sets which even led to their disqualification a few years ago at the Street Dance Championship. Thankfully, this time round choreographer Sisco Gomez and Kimberly Taylor kept the set PG, literally, with a theatrical performance dressed in toy costumes. Action heroes, dolls, and robots battled against each other in what was a unique, fun-filled showcase.
Taking us further across the continent, Jonzi D introduced Austrian group Moving Shadows who premiered their seminal piece ‘Out of the Shadows’. It would be an understatement the say their act was anything but utterly brilliant. Alex Wanger’s masterpiece was unlike anything I have seen in terms of originally and captured the true artform of dance. The dancer’s skills were unparalleled with each performer showing flexibility, strange and a superior command of contemporary, break and hip hop dance. The piece poignantly highlighted the message that “war is the worst solution of all” and the standing ovation at the end rang their message home.
Following Moving Shadows was a solo piece from French seductress Emilie Sudre who started of in an evening dress and ended up topless in an unconventional performance that displayed a raunchy, voyeuristic side to b-girlin’.
Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated performance though was from west coast OG’s the Electric Boogaloos who paid tribute to founding member Skeeter Rabbit, who died last year.
With the origins of breakin’ dating back to the 1970’s, its one aspect of the hip hop culture that remains alive and free from controversy. The showmanship of the festival and the sell-out capacity crowd means their still a huge demand for streetdance so bring on Breakin’ Convention 2008.
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