The old school influence

There was a line up of pioneers of b-boying with VII Gems Rock Dance Division featuring Ken Swift performing the world premiere of Rockin' It on Saturday and Sunday night. Rather than trying to stun the audience with big moves, their piece was to educate and vibe to, beginning with basic rocking routines to demonstrate the origins of where the dance style came from. A New York traffic light and a few trash cans set the scene of the for the street parties, while a DJ span records. It was certainly a breath of fresh air seeing b-boys from "back in the day" looking so supple performing for the new generation.

Another legend of the old school who went for an educative angle was Mr Wiggles' solo performance in Gettomade: A Journey Thru Time showing respect to where hip hop dance came from - the streets. Before his performance he drew attention to the slideshow of photos of the ghettos in New York with archive photos of the Rock Steady Crew before wowing the audience with his popping and tutting skills. This was his first performance in the UK since 1982.

They who broke conventions

Striving for innovation and pushing the boundaries, Avant Garde put three b-boys to classical pieces of music. Despite no distinct beat to the music, Lil Tim, Kay and Tommy Franzen were still able to find an instrument or melody to dance on. Dancers loved it, women loved the bare chests, and those more accustomed to classical forms of dance could appreciate the fusion of the dance forms.

Sadler's Wells has some of the best projection systems installed at its theatre, and the acts that used it to their advantage were Flying Steps with their premiere of Living Room, using the back of the stage as a television set, and Sébastien and Raphael.

Flying Steps used the screen to play video games on their enormous TV projection, using two player video game menus and footage to cue on their own dancers to battle one another, making it a very showy set, although the duet that should be crowned as the act that broke the most conventions was Sébastien and Raphael for Seules Ensemble (Together Alone) for the most outstanding use of theatrical performance and video projection.

Sébastien and Raphael at Breakin' Convention 2009

By mixing pre-recorded footage with live performing, at points throughout you couldn't tell how many people were on stage at one time. The opening sequence rolled, projected on a semi-transparent screen mid-stage, before the lights rose to reveal a contorting creature - an illusion created by the two performers inside a stretchy material sheet and a mask - to give birth to a creepy, nightmarish creature. Core to the piece, this creature appeared and disappeared on stage to manipulate the other character by creeping up behind the screen. Then the other performer came out, and three people were on stage, until you realised that one is a projection! Further credit has go be given for the way the screen was used as a twisting maze (the performer did routines standing still while avoiding touching the 'walls') the motion blur illusion (moving behind the screen ahead of the projection) and the shadow manipulation, created with low angle lighting to create a large shadow while the beast teased it from behind the screen. It was creepy, precisely choreographed, and overall was the most outstanding piece of the festival.

Another successful year

Breakin' Convention 2009 was as good as last year, if not better in some areas. Mr Wiggles attracted both b-boys and grafitti artists, along with the enormous mural from the artist Belin in the Sadler's Wells etrance. Myo Sung got a standing ovation again and Flying Steps debuted their new piece, while Flawless had the success of Britain's Got Talent behind them this year. Salah brought a revised Gluby back to the UK while Sebastien and Raphael wowed us with their illusions and Jukebox Junkies surprised us with their skills.

With so many acts lined up to stun it was clear from the jump it was another good year.

Review: Breakin’ Convention 2009

Sadler’s Wells Theatre, 2-4th May 2009

Words: David Barros

Since Breakin' Convention 2008 it would seem people have gone away and returned to bring their kids along for 2009. While last year's turn out saw senior breakers jump into the freestyle circles before the show, it was as though the under-18s were out in force to show the older lot where the fresh talent lies. At the same time, this year also saw a lot of hip hop dance originators with Ken Swift and the VII Gems educating us on rocking, and Mr Wiggles performed for the first time in the UK since 1982.

As ever the show was a success because what completes Breakin' Convention is the fan's dedication, with tickets selling out days ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend. Billed as a family friendly show there was a sprinkling of edgy humour too, thanks to the occasional Freudian slip during the presenter ad libs. That said, nothing could equal the excitement of the audience when Jonzi D, Bustah (Saturday and Sunday) and Billy Biznizz (Monday) stepped on stage.

Although Future Elements night was on Thursday, there was still a line up of fresh talent. Jukebox Junkies from Cardiff took us back (way back) musically to before they were born, to the old school, before amazing us with their funkstyling skills. Their routines were good enough to win them the UK Hip Hop Championships, and they were also freestyling in the popping circles against the adults during the intervals.

The all-girl Myself Dance Company had their entire ensemble on stage, while Unity Youth had the honour of opening Monday night's show. For the first time this year (Too Much Flavour has seen them at three events this year), Flowzaic performed an extended version of their set Torch, which will be part of the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony.

The headline acts were nothing short of sensational either. If you missed them last year, the amazing MyoSung closed the show on Sunday night to a standing ovation. With an opening that tricks you into thinking it will be a lighthearted show, their political piece The Revolution Will Not Be Televised was in fact speaking out against the oppressive Regime in Korea in slapstick style with astounding b-boying, and if you can excuse the pun, routines executed with military precision.

Salah (pictured) performed an extended version of his Incroyable Talent winning The Dream of Gluby to the everyone's bemusement and delight. While previous performances of Gluby had to be shortened due to lack of time (the last time it was performed in the UK it was at the UK B-Boy Championships in October) Salah took his time getting in to character and reacting to the audience, even coming out of character to be himself.

Jump to: The Old School Influence; Broken Conventions; Another Success and Vox Pops

Have you read the Future Elements and Film Night article yet?