#jonzi d

Following the annual London festival at Sadler’s Wells from 1-4 May 2026, Breakin’ Convention will tour nationally for the first time since 2023. The line-up includes TrapLord, Femme Fatale and the mighty Ill-Abilities. The London line-up is TBC. Breakin’ Convention began in 2004 and has sold out annually, toured internationally and maintained a high standard and range of both British and…

Discussing the MBW on @GMB With @kehindeandrews @piersmorganz tussling over the name change of the honours.

I still didn’t get into the circle at this year’s Breakin’ Convention. Each year I leave the hip hop dance theatre festival with the sound resolution that I’m going to take up breaking classes again and get involved. Thing is, they just get better and better, these Breakin’ Convention hustlers who take over the foyer at the interval, and younger and younger too. The energy being injected into the scene is stronger than ever and with an firebrand like Jonzi D at its helm, Breakin’ Convention will continue to evolve each year at its annual date with London’s Sadler’s Wells.

Back in the auditorium, Jonzi introduces what will be one of my favourite acts at this year’s festival – the Soweto Skeleton Movers from South Africa. I have strong South African blood within me, so I’m already biased, but this crew perform their own hypermobile take on the already fluid pantsula dance you find on the streets of Soweto. Well, that’s where Jonzi found them, he tells us, dancing on Vilakazi Street, famous for once being home to Nelson Mandela. So impressed was Jonzi that he brought them all the way to the UK and this was their first ever performance in the country. It’s this openness and receptiveness to street dance in all its forms that I love so much about Breakin’ Convention.

Juxtapose these mellifluous South Africans with classic crowd-pleasing locking crew The Locksmiths, or the contemporary dance flavour of all-female crew Myself, who performed beautifully to an Ibeyi soundtrack. Fold in Damon Frost, the daddy of poppers, and it’s Breakin’ Convention all over. Still might get in the circle next year. Maybe.

@Breakinconvention very own @JonziD shares whats in his trainer collection! very own @JonziD shares whats in his trainer collection!

http://www.crepjunkie.com – We sat down with the Artistic Director of Breakin’ Convention, Jonzi D for a chat in which he shared three of his beloved kicks form his trainer collection! Breakin’ Convention: http://www.breakinconvention.com/ Ted Talks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g10orKvya5o Filmed and edited by: Bak2Buks Media…

In response to being offered an MBE by the Queen and Prime Minister, Jonzi D goes to Buckingham Palace to hand deliver his response. Find out more here: http://breakinconvention.com/jonzid

Jonzi D, artistic director of Breakin' Convention and hip hop theatre legend presents his charismatic solo show about being awarded an MBE.

Told through the eyes of a colourful cast of characters, Jonzi uses choreopoetic language, politics and wit to paint a picture of 'stunning rhythmical clarity' (Stage).

Accompanied by a commissioned score by Kwake Bass (Speakers Corner Quartet) and co-directed by Dawn Walton, The Letter is an intensely personal look at one man's dilemma: To be or to MBE?

Jonzi D's The Letter: To Be, Or To MBE?

Dates and times

18:10, 5 August - 31 August 2015

Venue

Assembly Festival,

George Square,

Edinburgh

EH8 9JX

Tickets

£10 - £12 / £6 previews.

OFFER: 2-4-1 tickets on 10 & 11 August

Book tickets online via the Assembly Festival website, or call box office on 0131 623 3030

Guidance: Age 14+ (suggested)

Duration: 50 minutes, no interval

About Jonzi D

Jonzi D is the Artistic Director of Breakin' Convention and Jonzi D Projects. He has been actively involved in British hip hop culture, rapping and b-boying since its genesis in the early 80s.

Since graduating from the London Contemporary Dance School, Jonzi has been committed to the development of Hip Hop theatre, creating Lyrikal Fearta in 1995, and Aeroplane Man in 1999. He was an Associate Artist at The Place and has performed and created dance theatre pieces all over Europe, North America, Russia, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Cuba, Uganda and Southern Africa. Recent works include TAG... Just Writing My Name, and Markus The Sadist, featuring Bashy and Broken Lineage in collaboration with Ivan Blackstock.

An Alumni of the London Contemporary Dance School, Jonzi D had noticed that there was a niche in the dance market missing. There didn’t appear to be any training provided by dance schools, or many dance opportunities for Hip Hop performers. Fast forward to 2015, and Jonzi D has established the longest running Hip Hop theatrical event within the UK, having founded Breakin’ Convention 11 years ago…