New breakdancing jam attracts top talent from across the UK
A NEW breakdancing jam is giving talented dancers in Coventry a platform to showcase their abilities as the dance form enjoys a worldwide revival.
Break District will see adult and junior B-boys take to the stage at the Alan Higgs Centre on Saturday, September 2, from 11.30am to 4.30pm.
The family-friendly event, supported by Coventry Sports Foundation and the Coventry City of Culture Trust, already has more than 60 dancers signed up to compete across the two categories.
Dancers from across the UK and countries including Italy, Japan, Morocco and Mexico will be competing in the first edition of the jam, with plans for three editions every year.
There will be a 2 vs 2 under 18s category and a 1 vs 1 ‘open solo’ competition – to win the title of inaugural Break District champion.
A £400 cash prize is available in the open solo competition, with £200 worth of Amazon vouchers up for grabs in the under 18s – the winners of both competitions will also win DYFA t-shirts and the first ever Break District handmade wooden medallions.
Andrei Roman, AKA Cool A, a senior sports coach at Coventry Sports Foundation, is organising the event.
The 26-year-old is part of one of the UK’s leading crews, the ‘Mad Dope Kru,’ and has been breakdancing for more than 15 years – he is also working to set-up the UKs first children’s breakdancing league.
He said: “Our focus is to raise the participation levels and skill levels of the children breakdancing in Coventry.
“We just want to give the next generation more incentive to start dancing and we hope Break District will awaken that interest.
“This idea came up because of my job working with kids, they are so creative and the things they come up with sometimes are really interesting.
“Breakdancing is so creative, learning all the moves is only half of it, the other 50 per cent is how you bring them to the table, with your own character and influence. There is no limit on what you can do.
“The breakdancing community have supported us from the start, we have a lot of top, elite dancers signing up as we get closer and it will be a brilliant showcase of what we can do.”
Wendy Jackson, community development manager at Coventry Sports Foundation, said: “Andrei has been working with us for a few years now, he is a supremely talented individual and we are delighted to be supporting his event.
“This is a great platform for dancers in Coventry and beyond to showcase their skills and hopefully encourage more young people to get active, take up breakdancing and go on to compete in the next Break District event.”
The event is supporting Coventry’s bid to be the UK City of Culture 2021. The bid is being led by Coventry City of Culture Trust and, if successful, would bring social, cultural and economic benefits to the city.
Coventry is now on the shortlist along with four other cities, and will submit a final bid in September before the decision is announced in December.
Entry to Break District on Saturday, September 2, costs £5 on-the-door.