Breakin’ Convention 2023

It’s a real Head Spin for local poppers and lockers as they jump into the mix at MC Jonzi D’s ultimate celebration of hip hop culture at Blackpool Grand Theatre this June.

A Top Rock-ing trio of Blackpool-based dance crews will join this year’s breathtaking hip hop festival Breakin' Convention at Blackpool Grand Theatre on Saturday 10 June.

Expect jaw-dropping live performances from local poppers, lockers, b-boys and b-girls House of Wingz, Freefly Crew and Ryan Fenton as they get ready to drop the beat alongside Crewe’s Dope Male Performance Company and international acts Ghetto Funk Collective (Netherlands), Yvonne Smink (Netherlands) and MOVER (South Korea).

Lock in your tickets now!

Breakin' Convention is the critically acclaimed powerhouse behind a hip hop theatre revolution. Hosted and curated by UK hip hop theatre legend and Breakin’ Convention Artistic Director Jonzi D, the festival also features DJs, graffiti artists and freestyle sessions taking place all over the building! This is one exhilarating dance event that’s not to be missed…

This year’s line-up will again be hosted by celebrated MC, dancer, spoken word artist and director Jonzi D and features incredibly skilled and inspiring performances in a box fresh festival for 2023 that showcases local talent alongside global sensations.

Blackpool’s House of Wingz brings together people from all walks of life, to celebrate and enjoy music, dance, creativity and personal expression. Their exciting live piece A History, choreographed by Aishley Bell Docherty and Samantha Bell Docherty, ‘is about a moment in time, the deconstruction of disco and the evolution of house music in New York. We are dipping into a scene that was all about music, love and acceptance, a culture that has inspired the formation of our very own house in Blackpool’.

Freefly Crew was founded in the resort in 2006 by three brothers and two friends from high school and is now a whole crew that performs and competes all around the UK. Their piece An Eventful Day Busking is inspired by a trip to the birthplace of b-boying in New York City, where they met and danced alongside dynamic rockers. ‘We loved the way they put a street show together. A big part of breaking is where it began, on the concrete outside, so our piece takes it back to the roots but in the classic Freefly style.’

Professional dancer and instructor Ryan Fenton specialises in commercial style, heels and contemporary fusion and teaches his unique and fresh styles across Blackpool and the North West. His self-choreographed The Note is centred around the male struggle with mental health, the isolation they feel and suppression they have to not speak out in fear of society’s perception. ‘I want to make the audience think and reflect and most importantly, feel.’
 
Jonzi D’s ground-breaking world festival has been leading the hip hop theatre revolution since 2004 and is run out of Sadler’s Wells, London. Since its thrilling inception, Breakin' Convention has represented the origins and evolution of hip hop culture from around the world and around the corner. Working with the most respected, innovative and inspirational artists, Breakin' Convention is at the vanguard of the global development of the hip hop theatre genre, through its world-renowned festivals, international touring, professional development, youth projects and educational programme.

Breakin’ Convention is an exhilarating experience like no other….

Freestyle to The Grand and book your tickets for now!

• There will also be exciting community events leading up to the big day… Pop down to St Johns Square, Blackpool, on Friday 2 June from 12 noon to 2pm for free dance demos, graffiti art and rap workshops. More to be announced. Keep your eyes peeled on our social media channels!

• And don’t forget - it’s Creativity and Wellbeing Week from Monday 15 May to Sunday 21 May. Creative wellness is the practice of using creative arts – like painting, music or dance – to promote psychological, physical and emotional good health. Connecting with these activities offers the opportunity to find ways to express the everyday stresses or worries that so many of us face. And our Breakin’ Convention community activities are just the ticket!

Breakin’ Convention is at Blackpool Grand Theatre on Saturday 10 June at 7pm featuring Blackpool’s House of Wingz, Freefly Crew and Ryan Fenton; Crewe’s Dope Male Performance Company and international acts Ghetto Funk Collective (Netherlands), Yvonne Smink (Netherlands) and MOVER (South Korea).

Visit BlackpoolGrand.co.uk or call the box office on 01253 290 190 for bookings and further information. Tickets from £12.50 with concession, family tickets and group rates available.
 
LISTINGS
Breakin’ Convention – Sat 10 June at 7pm
Grand Theatre, 33 Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HT
Box Office 01253 290 190
blackpoolgrand.co.uk