Students, dance enthusiasts and first timers were treated to some world-class lessons in Birmingham over the course of the week. Tango aficionado’s Julia Urruty and Claudio Gonzalez’s class was on fire. Total novices and more experienced dancers were taught the art of the tango by world-class professionals, and by the end of the class a mini milonga in itself erupted.

The next day more experienced contemporary dancers including BTEC level 4 students from nearby schools were given a serious schooling in contemporary dance by Havana based Julio Torres and Yanelis Manzanet from Acosta Danza. This comprehensive class began with floor exercises and ended with a full rep.

Finally, just before the Friday night performance, Barcelona local Facundo from Iron Skulls Co raised the roof with his break dancing lesson. Packed full with local hip-hop dancers of different ages and genders, Facundo had a buzzing room full of poppers and lockers by the end.

Pictured above the Acosta Danza class in full swing.

Breakin’ Convention continued it’s US tour with a weekend long festival at Harlem’s Apollo Theater, NYC. It was a very special night for Breakin’ Convention and there was an electric atmosphere in the air with Breakin’ Convention’s artists stepping on a stage that has birthed so much African-American talent from jazz to soul to funk through to hip hop, including Aretha Franklin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Marvin Gaye – to name a few.

The evening was a huge success and New York Times published a very complimentary review. This review spoke of the ‘blasting energy’, ‘electrifying footwork’, ‘daredevil plunges’, ‘terrific synchronicity’, as well as many other facets that makes Breakin’ Convention. The review ends by hoping that Breakin’ Convention becomes as established as it is in London in New York, and therefore able to showcase all the different types of hip-hop that occur internationally.

Breakin’ Convention has made its debut in Charlotte, North Carolina as part of its international tour. It was the first time the festival had been there but the team was immediately made to feel super welcome by the Americans who embraced the show completely, which included performances from both local and international stars, lino outside the theatre for the audience to break on, cyphers in the foyer, food-trucks, spray paint for graf, and a whole lot of hip hop.

You can read some very positive reviews here and here. Next stop: The Apollo in Harlem.

Pictured above is Breakin’ Convention’s Host and Artistic Director Jonzi D posing for pictures with fans. Photo credit: Lucy White

Breakin’ Convention has been awarded over £500,000 in a ginormous funding boost by Arts Council England. This money comes as part of its Strategic Touring Programme and will go towards both professional development and more importantly extra touring.

The money will mark the start of a two year project that will allow Breakin’ Convention to tour nationally through both May 2016 and May 2017.

Breakin’ Conventions Artistic Director Jonzi D said that the money shows Arts Council England’s ‘commitment to the creative phenomenon that is hip hop culture, at time a time when peace, love, unity, and fun is much needed.’

For tour dates and information on the line-up click here.

After a hugely successful weekend in London, Breakin’ Convention is preparing for its US tour. The world-renowned international festival of hip hop dance will fly straight in from Sadler’s Wells London to Charlotte and then on to New York this autumn. As always the show will feature dance artists from around the world and around the corner from each venue. To find out more information click here and here.

And it’s not just about the dance – as always there’ll be graff, DJs, MCs, and human beatboxers at each venue making sure that the decks keep spinning, the aerosol keeps spraying, the beat keeps playing, the MC’s keep spitting, and the dancers keep breaking.