Breakin Convention at the Apollo in Harlem!

 

Breakin Convention is Sadlers Wells’ international festival of hip hop theatre.

 

Jonzi D the artistic director of Breakin Convention described this event as a “dream come true”, possibly the highlight of his illustrious career as dancer, theatre maker, actor, poet, curator etc etc etc … all inside the world of hip hop. The Apollo Theater, of course, being a cultural centre for African American performing arts, and the first place that hip hop performers found a “stage”.

 

It was my unbelievable good fortune to be visiting NY and able to attend Breakin Convention at the legendary Apollo on Saturday 15th June 2013.

 

The evening was rich and enjoyable. Hosted by 2 warm and funny personalities … Jonzi D himself and MC Lyte (OMG … yes!). So much Fun.

 

and So much Art …

 

The whole festival was brilliantly curated … with seasoned performers within the hip hop theatre genre – like Compagnie Sebastien Ramirez (France/Germany), Boy Blue Entertainment (UK) – offering slick, tempered aesthetics and technically composed dance works … Alongside grassroots performances from local artists. Notably NextLevelSquad (East NY) doing a no-holds-barred version of “Bonebreaking” dressed in gas masks … hyper-dramatic and dystopic.

 

Jonzi has a clear idea of how he wants to champion this art-form within the larger community, maintaining a sense of history, integration and vitality.

PLUS there were panel discussions, films, freestyle forums/performances, graffiti, installations, family workshops etc etc etc. 

 

My greatest delight was seeing and meeting Storyboard P – in my opinion, the finest dancer I have had the privilege to watch. SP danced an unexpected solo … not what was billed … using an obscure mix of Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Care About Us” and (what I thought could have been) Elton John.

SP’s social commentary delivered with nuance and poetry raised the event to something sublime. If readers are familiar with SP’s work you will understand that he is a rare dancer … a star of movement … skilled at the highest technical level, with spirit and soul pouring out of him. His use of imagery, his cross-cultural references, musical choices were all sophisticated and edgy. And it all happened with the ease and nonchalance of a master. I suspect that, as with all masters, every detail was meticulously considered.

 

There were too many wonderful things to mention and I cant’ keep writing “etc etc etc”. Just check it out online.

 

I’d like to conclude with a quote from Jonzi D …

“New York City has been the mecca of my greatest passions: hip hop and modern dance. I’m not sure how often Ken Swift and Merce Cunningham’s names are used in the same sentence, but in my artistic head, they are kindred spirits …” 

 

Congrats Jonzi. You certainly have come a long way since we all battled it out with ballet and Graham technique at The Place, wearing itchy tights and leotards. We’re all so glad for it!

 

Of course, I had to bring my kids to Sunday’s show … what a gift for them. So much Art and So much Fun.