Breakin' Convention

Sadler's Wells international hip hop dance theatre festival, Breakin' Convention, returns to celebrate its fifth birthday across May Bank Holiday 2008. Now firmly established as a must-see event in the dance calendar, Breakin' Convention unites the crème of the world's poppers, lockers, b-boys and b-girls for a jam-packed three days of performances, workshops, film screenings, DJ demonstrations and graffiti exhibitions. Taking place from Saturday 3 to Bank Holiday Monday 5 May 2008, the fifth annual Breakin' Convention, curated and directed by Sadler's Wells Associate Artist Jonzi D, includes artists from Brazil, Austria, Korea, USA, Japan, France, Russia and Denmark, as well as a selection of the UK's most talented.

Saturday 3 May sees Brazilian company Membros top the bill with Febre (Fever). Performing for the first time in the UK, Membros' striking company of dancers fuse hip hop and physical theatre to present a powerful narrative depicting the damage from brutal social apartheid and corruption within inner-city Brazil. Austria's Nobulus return to the festival with Out of the Shadow on Sunday 4 May. A highlight of Breakin' Convention 07, Nobulus (formally known as Moving Shadows) wowed audiences and were described by The Times as "loaded with freshness and verve". Set to take the crowd by storm, Korea's Project Soul present dance-troupe MyoSung with some of the country’s finest b-boys to close the festival on bank-holiday Monday 5 May.

Other international acts include Tony GoGo and the GoGo Brothers who make their European debut on Saturday 3 May. Originally from LA but now living in Japan, Tony GoGo was one of the first pioneers of locking and takes to the stage with his sons, the GoGo Brothers, in what promises to be an unmissable performance from one of hip hop's originators. Denmark's Mr Steen brings an excerpt from his version of Nutcracker featuring an all-star line up from across the globe, including a ballet dancer from the Royal Danish Ballet. Also making their UK debut, France's Styl'O'styl improvise with live jazz and hip hop dance whilst in the studio, Farid'O perform Saleté (Dirt) using spoken word, dramatic physical theatre and aerial rope work. Last seen at Breakin' Convention in 2005, Top 9, Russia’s witty and inventive crew of b-boys return on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May.

Highlights from UK companies on the main stage include In the Mind of Insanity, the anticipated return performance by Mukhtar O S Mukhtar’s Plague after an absence of 3 years; Mad World the powerful new solo by Boy Blue's Kenrick 'H20' Sandy and new company The Engineers bring a locking show inspired by Cleudo. In the studio theatre the comical and witty Rannel from Swindon and London based Flowfuzion present a duet between an aerialist and B Boy whilst Company Decalage, also in this years' Place Prize, present Apell, with live music b-boying and contemporary dance.


Breakin' Convention kicks off early on Thursday 1 May with the third Film Night, this year presenting an exclusive screening of b-boy documentary Inside the Circle and Future Elements on Friday 2 May which sees performances from the best in youth hip hop dance theatre and choreography. Workshops will take place throughout the day on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May in b-boying, locking, popping and DJ'ing, giving audiences the perfect opportunity to try their hand and learn from some of the best hip hop and funk style dancers and choreographers from across the globe.

"Hip-Hop to make your jaw drop" The Evening Standard

Breakin' Convention 08
The Fifth Annual International Festival of Hip Hop Dance Theatre

Sadler's Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN
Saturday 3 – Bank Holiday Monday 5 May 2008 from 4pm
Performances: Saturday 3, Sunday 4 and Bank Holiday Monday 5 May 2008.
Doors open from 4pm featuring DJ's, graffiti exhibitions and performances in the foyer.
Main stage performances from 6pm, Studio performances from 4pm.
Tickets: Day pass £20 (under 18s and concessions £12)
2-Day Pass £32 (under 18s and concessions £18)
Weekend pass £48 (under 18s and concessions £27)
Ticket Office: Tel: 0844 412 4300 or visit the Sadlers' Wells website