The world's biggest festival of hip-hop dance theatre showcasing the very best from around the world and around the corner is coming for the first time to Norwich — complete with day-long programme of free activities.
The origins and evolution of hip-hop culture from around the world and around the corner will be celebrated as Breakin' Convention 2017 comes to Norwich for the first time this weekend.
Working with the most respected, innovative and inspirational artists, as well as upcoming local crews, the award-winning project seeks to position hip-hop dance alongside more historically established art forms.
Founded by dancer, spoken word artist, director an associate artist at Sadler's Wells, Jonzi D it includes a host of free events will be held in and around the venue on Saturday afternoon from 2pm including the chance to create a graffiti wall, tag a baseball cap, and witness a host of hip-hop dance and DJ workshops.
It sets the scene for an evening of the best in hip-hop dance with live performances from top hip-hop dance crews including Canadian duo Tentacle Tribe, who mix organic elements with contemporary technique, and South Africa's Soweto Skeleton Movers who blend comedic contortion with a style of dance called Pantsula which comes from South Africa.
A highlight will be a South Korea's Just Dance. One of their performers Ducky explains: 'We are a group founded by b-boys representing South Korea. Although b-boying is our core, we gather various types of dance, culture and methods of expression together.'
'We produce our work based on street dance but what we really want to do is not just create a performance but craft a piece that contains a message. The piece we are touring for Breakin' Convention is based on the Oriental philosophy of Confucianism. The main theme is the seven emotions of human beings. We carefully researched them first. From there, in order to express them, we produced our own music using Korean traditional instruments with a modern rhythm.
'It is not just about us dancing. We want to make a connection. So our message to the people of East Anglia is simple. Come along to Breakin' Convention. You will regret it if you don't.
'It is also a rare chance for us to perform in Norwich. Come and check it out. We can guarantee you will see a lot more than you expected.'
Also taking to the stage will locals crews including North Norfolk-based group Parallel Dance Studios who have created a dance piece inspired by classic computer games like Donkey Kong, and Norwich-based all-male dance company Legacy who have created a high-energy piece called Water.
Free activities running throughout the day include graffiti artist Step 39 holding aerosol workshops (2pm-4pm), learn how to DJ with Sure D and DJ Chrome (2pm-3pm) and local dance crews Force 10, Floor Gangz, Storm Dogz and Fine City Crew freestyling.
• Breakin' Convention 2017, Norwich Theatre Royal, May 13, 7.30pm, £24-£7, 01603 630000, www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here