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LIFESTYLE
QUICK GUIDE
Text by IMANE MOUSTAKIR
Luxembourg welcomes hip hop rhythm
ESTABLISHING HIP HOP AS AN ART FORM Acclaimed urban dance festival Breakin’ Convention has chosen Luxembourg to host its first foray into Europe. The international hip hop festival was originally held at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London. But over the weekend of Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June, the Grand Théâtre will host shows by dance crews from all around the world. Audiences will get to see live dance performances, hear DJ demos, watch graffiti, and take part in workshops. The line-up includes acclaimed urban dancers such as Storm, Kendra, Fatal Fury, Antoinette Gomis and Next Level Squad. The organisers say that “through our worldrenowned international festivals, Breakin’ Convention seeks to position hip hop dance alongside more historically established art forms”. Info: www.breakinconvention.com
June 2016
FAVELA COMPAGNIE Based in Saint-Nazaire, France, Favela Compagnie was created in 2013 by George Cordeiro aka. Ghel Nikaido, who dances with Leila Ka. The duo seeks to deconstruct already existing urban movements and to explore new areas and new aesthetics. www.favelacompagnie. com
ANTOINETTE GOMIS She is a well-known French dancer, choreographer and model. Gomis started dancing at the age of six and was firstly influenced by locking. She has won the Street Star Waacking Battle in Sweden and took part in a Madonna fashion show in New York.
IRON SKULLS CO. Formed in 2013, Iron Skulls Co. is an experimental dance company from Barcelona. The dancers of the group come from across the Iberian peninsula. The disciplines range from contemporary and hip hop dances to music production, and fashion and design. www.ironskulls. universobboy.es
BIRDGANG DANCE BirdGang Dance Company is a hip hop based dance company founded in 2005. The multi-faceted artists present a performance that combines movement, music, film and lightning. “BirdGang’s goals are not just to entertain but also to explore social issues through dance,” says the dance company on their website. www.birdgangdance. com
KENDRA Born in Luxembourg, Kendra Horsburgh (the Delano cover star last October) is a core member of the BirdGang company. She started her career at the Conservatoire de Luxembourg and then trained at the Urdang Academy in London and at Middlesex University. “I am eager to find my way of expressing what I have learnt about myself, other people and my experiences,” she says. www.kendraj.com
STORM Storm is a dancer, choreographer and specialist in b-boying, locking and popping techniques of the 80s. He toured the world with his first dancing crew in 90s. As a pioneer, he now works with dancers around the world. Storm also shares his experience in diverse conferences and education programmes.
WANG RAMIREZ Honji and Sébastien have been dancing together for several years. In August 2009, they received the Special Jury Award at Dance Delight in Osaka. The dance style of Sébastien Ramirez is known for its finesse. His dancing partner, Honji, studied ballet for 10 years in Frankfurt. www.wangramirez.com
THE RUGGEDS This Dutch crew is one of the most active b-boy groups in Europe. They were initially known as Rugged Solutions. The crew, which takes part in battles all over the world, has now got now a solid name for itself. The Ruggeds are also known for having different styles and influences. www.theruggeds.com
GRAND THÉÂTRE
Inaugurated in 1964, the Grand Théâtre is the capital city’s largest capacity theatre--it should not be confused with the smaller Théâtre National de Luxembourg. Along with the Théâtre des Capucins, the Grand Théâtre makes up the two Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg. It was refurbished in 2002 and 2003 and is now one of the most refined venues in Europe with a technical capability to match the best in the world. Its main auditorium seats 900 and it also houses a flexible studio space.
Where: rond-point Schuman, Luxembourg-Limpertsberg Info: www.theatres.lu
SADLER’S WELLS
The Breakin’ Convention project was initiated by Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London. The theatre’s current building, the sixth since it was founded in 1683, opened in 1998. It is a world-leading dance house, committed to bringing the best international and UK dance to London and worldwide audiences. It also commissions and produces original new work.
Where: Rosebery Avenue, Islington, London Info: www.sadlerswells.com
Belinda Lawley Paul Hampartsoumian Benjamin Champenois Derek Kendall
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