Breakin’ Convention, the influential festival of hip hop dance theatre, announces its national tour for 2020, from Saturday 2 May – Saturday 6 June.
Hosted and curated by UK hip hop theatre legend, Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist and Breakin’ Convention Artistic Director Jonzi D, the festival features DJs, graffiti artists and freestyle sessions taking place all over its venues. The tour takes in venues from London to Doncaster, and Poole to Brighton. See below for further details.
Showcasing local talent alongside global sensations, international artists include South Korea’s gravity-defying Jinjo Crew. Made up of some of the world’s greatest b-boys, the crew is the first to achieve Grand Slam status after five major international wins. Jinjo Crew’s finale at Breakin’ Convention 2019 saw the company dubbed “sensational” by The Independent. The programme also includes French hip hop company Géométrie Variable who explore the popping technique of tutting with a style resembling the inner mechanics of a timepiece. The full line-up for Breakin’ Convention on Tour is yet to be announced.
Breakin’ Convention has previously toured globally, taking in locations as far-reaching as Denver and Colorado. In 2017, the festival visited 16 cities in four countries, with 32 shows, each with a unique programme of international artists and local acts. Reaching 39,698 people and involving hundreds of local artists, the programme also hosted five Open Art Surgeries - mentorship programmes to create new work in just one week - in four cities, in three countries with 80 artists, with some going on to perform as part of the Breakin’ Convention tour.
In May 2019, Sadler’s Wells was awarded £630,660 as part of the Arts Council’s National Lottery Project Grants funding programme. Using this funding, Sadler’s Wells’ Breakin’ Convention team continues to build on the learnings and legacy of 16 years of successful hip hop theatre development with an ambitious new programme, Breakin’ Out. The programme encompasses three distinct and connected strands: Grass Routes partnerships, artist development and performance.
2020 marks Breakin’ Convention’s 17th anniversary. Perhaps best known for its flagship annual festival, the year-round programme aims to grow UK development in hip hop theatre, and encompasses professional development initiatives such as Back to the Lab, a two-week training and mentorship initiative leading to performance; a broad education programme; and alternative performance platforms such as Breakin’ Convention Presents.
Tour dates
Sat 02-May 6pm LONDON Sadler's Wells
Sun 03-May 6pm LONDON Sadler's Wells
Wed 06-May 7.30pm DONCASTER Cast
Sat 09-May 7.30pm POOLE Lighthouse
Tue 12-May 7.30pm PLYMOUTH Theatre Royal
Wed 13-May 7.30pm PLYMOUTH Theatre Royal
Sat 16-May 7.30pm BLACKPOOL Grand
Tue 19-May 7.30pm SOUTH SHEILDS Customs House
Fri 22-May 7.30pm NOTTINGHAM Royal Concert Hall
Sat 23-May 7.30pm NOTTINGHAM Royal Concert Hall
Wed 27-May 2.30pm / 7.30pm BRIGHTON Dome
Fri 29-May 7.30pm NORWICH Theatre Royal
Sat 30-May 7.30pm NORWICH Theatre Royal
Tue 02-Jun 7.30pm BIRMINGHAM Repertory Theatre
Wed 03-Jun 7.30pm BIRMINGHAM Repertory Theatre
Sat 06-Jun 2.30pm / 7.30pm CANTERBURY Marlowe Theatre
