BEARDYMAN- Camden Jazz Cafe: 20.04.15

I just thought I'd write a short post about Beardyman on Monday. What a Monday it was, sun, food and beers by the Lock isn't bad going for the start of the week.

Beardyman, is celebrated as a world class beatboxer and has performed many shows, including request shows in which he creates sounds in the style of the crowds requests using his best tool (his voice) and his other best tool (his looping technology which he has created and mastered himself- wowzer!).

The show was a live session including some world renowned musicians, and was an improvised gig. Pretty impressive stuff when you consider they covered various genres including Hip Hop and Drum and Bass. There was the odd moment where I was wanting a little more excitement, and although I recognised how sophisticated and talented the musicians were, there were times during the gig that needed to pack a bigger punch for me to get excited.

When there was a more 'atmospheric' feel to the music, I feel it would have been made even more exciting with animations or some visuals (maybe like Mr Scruff but a different take on it?) This would have made it more of a pleasing event for me, not that I ask a lot eh? It felt at times like a jam session that I was looking in on, and I suppose that is what it was meant to be. 

I respect it, and see his amazing ability, but I would have enjoyed more of the voice talent. Check out this moment from the gig which was in fact brilliant. Beardyman (after having someone in the audience holla' that they were promised beatboxing!) gave the crowd a little of what they wanted and it went down more than well, everyone loved it.

Interview: Cindy Claes: More Than Just a Dancer 20.04.15

With the Breakin' Convention coming up (get your tickets here, http://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2015/breakin-convention-15/ this is not one to miss!) it's time to dig deeper and find out a little more about what it takes to become a truly great artist. Becoming great at what you do is often linked with having a pure passion for what you do. When this package is also wrapped up with a desire to spread a strong message the results can be explosive, which Cindy has been described as before. Known as '@dancebackpacker' on Twitter, she received the Lisa Ullman Travelling Scholarship Fund in 2008 which started her on her journey to go to the root of where her dance passions were born, and travelled to different places to develop and master her craft. Since then she has been unstoppable. Not only is she a great example of a dance artist with many hats, she's another brilliant, strong and unique role model for women. Thanks to the guys at the Breakin' Convention, they let me ask her a few questions to which she gave some very stimulating answers. Thank you Cindy...see you over the Bank holiday!

Do you remember what sparked your love and interest for Dancehall and Krumping? 

I fell in love with Dancehall when I was still living in Belgium.

The enthusiasm for Dancehall and its music was very present, even though we don’t really have a Caribbean community back home. Back in the mid/late 90s, the energy of hiphop culture was mainly carried forward by the Congolese and Moroccan communities in Belgium. When you went to a Hiphop club, there would always be a section during the night where the DJ’s would play Dancehall and N’dombolo music.  So, Dancehall was around me, and people who loved the music too. 

There was no YouTube yet, and we didn’t have access to information about Dancehall culture.  But the love for Dancehall was everywhere. I already had the dream to go to Jamaica, to understand the roots of the culture and experience Dancehall from where it came from.

The rest is history, but still a long journey! I moved to London in 2005.  I improved my English (people often forget I wasn’t as fluent back then as I am now), and this made a huge difference. Speaking and understanding English opened the doors to eventually understand Patois. I am really fascinated by Patois, I love studying the language, I believe that when we understand a language, we also understand more of a culture. I lived in Brixton for many years, and Jamaican culture was everywhere in London. Later on I was awarded fundings at several occasions which allowed me to travel to Jamaica to do choreographic research (ADAD Trailblazers, Bonnie Bird UK New Choreography Fund). I travelled for the first time to Jamaica in 2010.

Dancehall is a culture that keeps evolving, new steps are being created on a regular basis, and as a Dancehall dancer and choreographer, I must keep up to date. It can sometimes be hard when being far away from the source. Even though internet and YouTube is available now, I still want to travel regularly to the island to continue my research and stay in touch with the scene.  It is a very vibrant and creative culture.

My love for Krumping developed soon after I moved to the UK (2005). A friend of mine introduced me to some videos he found online. I didn’t know Krumping existed, but the internet opened the doors to something new for me. It was exciting as I could really relate to the quality of movement and I loved the energy.

Then the documentary “Rize” came out and blew my mind, I was hooked. Again, I wanted to experience Krumping from where it came from and I applied for fundings. The Lisa Ullman Traveling Scholarship Fund allowed me to go to Los Angeles and do choreographic research on Krumping. 

I created a strong relationship with Demolition Crew. Fudd (one of the leaders of the crew) took me under his wing, I became Lady Fudd. I trained with them and got to understand Krump culture from the inside. The energy and also the friendships people created amongst themselves through dance was so strong and so beautiful.

I not only got to understand Krump culture but I also started to understand the social and economical climate of the area more in-depth. Gang culture is very predominant in South Los Angeles and this is impacting all areas of lives: who people date or don’t date, how people dress, how people walk, when people go home, how people address one another, etc. Gun crime has made and continues to make many victims.

Myself and Demolition Crew set up a Krumping Theatre project in Long Beach and Compton a few years later. I lead workshops and introduced local dancers to the art of Dance Theatre, and they trained me more and more with my Krumping technique. We did a whole hour show in a small local theatre venue and one of our piece then got programmed for a festival in Hollywood! It was a massive achievement to be able to perform our Krumping Theatre piece at the Ford Amphitheatre for the Annual Juice Hiphop Festival, the venue is truly magnificent!

 What made you want to combine the medium of Theatre with Dance?

My interest for Hiphop Theatre started when I was a young dancer in Belgium. However there wasn’t much Hiphop Theatre around due to a lack of fundings.  Even today, the Hiphop Theatre sector is really struggling to receive support back home.

My Belgian mentors encouraged me to pursue the path of choreography even though I was still trying to articulate what I wanted to do with my “dance life”.

As a young Hiphop dancer, I thought the only way I could make a living from my art was by doing commercial work: corporate events, music videos, etc. But I didn’t feel happy, and I felt pressured by the industry as I never met the physical requirements, I was never slim enough or sexy enough, and “something” was missing.

Despite the many rejections and the commercial dance jobs which didn’t trigger much enthusiasm on my behalf, deep down I knew I wanted to “make it” in the dance industry. I knew dancing was my purpose but I couldn’t really articulate where I wanted to go.

I then got into a Contemporary Dance Company who were looking for dancers from different backgrounds (I was actually the only Hiphop dancer who got through the audition).  I worked with “La Compagnie” for a year and it opened up a new world.  I got to experience a new approach to choreography which was new to me.

When moving to London in 2005, I was surrounded by role models and artists who were passionate about Hiphop Theatre. It changed my life, radically!

Hiphop Theatre allowed me to express myself artistically and intellectually.  I felt I was an artist who had something to say, and Hiphop Theatre gave me a platform to do so.

I attended “The Surgery” and Jonzi D’s workshops regularly, I trained with various peers and explored Hiphop Theatre work, I did research at the British Library and read about the Hiphop Theatre movement in the USA, I looked up on Hiphop Theatre pioneers such as Benji Reid and Robert Hilton. I also looked up to Franck Wilson (performer), he is an incredible inspiration for me, he has such a powerful charisma on stage, and our conversations always make me grow.

At the start of my career as a choreographer, I created abstract work.

My inspirations where very social and politically driven. I wanted to impact audiences on a deeper level, initiate debates around social issues. So my work soon became very narrative driven. Hungry for more knowledge, I started researching the art of storytelling. A new journey began in 2011 when Faith Drama Productions commissioned me for my first full length production: “Voices in the Alleyway” when I was mentored by Gbemisola Ikumelo (Theatre Director / Playwright).  After the production I went off to a 6 months research trip and spent 3 months in NYC focussing on improv’ comedy, acting, play writing and screenwriting.  Coming back to the UK in 2012, I continued my training as a writer and storyteller by doing various courses in screenwriting, creative writing, stand up comedy and more. This unique journey and the knowledge I acquired over the years have informed and nurtured my work as a dancer and choreographer.

(I will be teaching a full day workshop on Storytelling for Dance on Wed 13th May 11am-3pm at Stratford Circus (info and registrations: www.eastlondondance.org)

  You’ve recently been working on International Dance Theatre exchanges- what is your dream outcome from these exchanges?

I am very proud to say I have impacted and collaborated with about 65 dancers across the world on various Dance Theatre Exchange Programs (Belgium, Los Angeles, Jamaica). And I will soon work with the British Council on a Dancehall Theatre Program in Venezuela, which I am very excited about!

I truly believe it is through International Exchanges that we tap into our leadership potential.

When going abroad we learn to receive and to give.  We become a sponge and are hungry to learn, we are excited and everything is new.  We also learn to give, but before we “give” to others we must ask ourselves how we can contribute to others, and we must reflect on our strengths and abilities.

Being abroad we are vulnerable as we are out of our comfort zones. 

We are in another country for a limited amount of time, so we learn to drop our fears and take action to achieve our goals, as we know time is limited and the trip will come an end.  It is all of this that allows us to grow and develop our leadership potential.

We also discover that all artists in the world have similar struggles, but we answer them differently.  It is through these exchanges that we find new solutions and try out new approaches.

My long term vision is to set up an organization which can support regular international exchanges for dancers. I want to find a model that can allow these projects to become more sustainable in the long run and allow more street dancers to access the power and beauty of Theatre.

The ultimate dream is to make documentaries or films about the exchanges to inspire others and bring more knowledge about various cultures to audiences.

   In 2012, you adapted the classic tale ’School for Wives’ adding your dancehall twist to re-tell the story. If you could adapt another tale in the future what would it be? 

I was commissioned by Midland Actors Theatre to create a Jamaican re-adaptation of a Moliere classic.  “School for Wives” became “School fi Wifey”. It was a very enriching experience, the process was challenging as it was my first commission as a playwright. It truly pushed me outside of my comfort zone.

Moliere only wrote comedies, so the creative process and rehearsals were a lot of fun! It also thought me a lot about comedy, which is another area of interest I have been exploring for the last few years. It is somehow easier to make people cry than to make people laugh!

My biggest dream, and challenge, is to write a unique authentic story myself which I could translate in dance.  Even though I would love to re-adapt existing stories into a dance version, at the moment I am focussing my creative time on trying to write a groundbreaking story myself.

My latest project is my new solo. I will be performing “Time is Ticking, Phone is Ringing” at Breakin’ Convention 2015.  It is the start of a new narrative about love and romance, which I hope to develop over the next year into a much longer version.

Where did you travel to as a Dance Backpacker that had the greatest influence on your work?

I think it was my first trips to Africa and my encounters with rappers and Hiphop lovers in Niger that influenced me the most. I went several times to Niamey (my first trip was in 1999). 

Being able to exchange with peer Hiphop lovers in another continent made me understand how much international exchanges were important. We were part of a worldwide community. Hiphop created the opportunity for us to bond. I observed Hiphop being influenced by the local culture. I understood that everywhere in the world artists have similar struggles but we find different answers to our problems. We shared our dreams, we shared about what inspired us.  We all expressed our thoughts and emotions through Hiphop.

I think this is what sparked what would follow after in my career...

What advice would you give to any young people out there looking to get into dance in general but particularly dancehall?

Do not stay stuck behind your screen watching YouTube.  The internet can be a great tool to find information, but it can also be a great tool for “disinformation”.

Go and experience the dance forms your practice. Do what it takes to go to the root of it, in other words: travel. Find a way, don’t let anything stop you from reaching that goal.

Read. Read books and articles about the genres you practice.

Advice when it comes to Dancehall...

-  Go to Jamaica, experience Dancehall in Kingston, you won’t come back the same.

-  Research Dancehall, but also Reggae and Jamaican Folk dance forms such as Kumina, Dinki Mini, Revival. It will inform your practice and your understanding of the genre as a whole.

-  Read books (by Dona Hope or Carolyn Cooper for example).

What exciting plans or projects have you got coming up in the next year?

I will lead a one day workshop on “Storytelling in Dance” on Wed 13th May 11am-3pm at Stratford Circus.  The Workshop is part of East London Dance’s Dance Forum series.

I recently set up a professional development program for Hiphop, Dancehall, Krumping, Afobeats artists who want to create Theatre work. The first training program took place in Brussels in January 2015 and was produced in association with Zinnema.

The program offered Artistic training as well as Business training to the participants. It was a massive success!! So “1000Pieces Puzzel - the Dance Career Bootcamp” will be back in Jan/Feb 2016 and take place both in Belgium and in the UK!! We are currently applying for fundings to allow 30 artists to be involved in this Belgium/UK exchange program.

This year I am also focussing on myself as a performer. I want to develop my solo “Time is ticking, phone is ringing” into a full length production over the next year, and use new technologies, which is a totally new area of research for me. It is a very exciting process!

Cindy Claes

www.cindyclaes.com

My forgotten playlist...19.04.15

So it's the first Sunday in a long time where I've been able to sit down on my sofa for more than a couple of hours. In my restful state, my imagination (for some reason or another) took me back to remembering some songs from my teenage years I hadn't come across in a long time. So I had a little journey back to the early noughties (that always makes me giggle!) and this became my Sunday afternoon forgotten playlist...enjoy!

Calvin Richardson-Keep On Pushin'

The only reason other than Alicia Keys for singing fallin' over and over again. 

Such a great tune and a smooth voice.

Nivea feat R.Kelly-Laundromat

I realised that most of the RnB songs I liked growing up always had a 

lil' phone argument the beginning, this is classic example!

 Oh and this line-'Girl' quit playin', I'm the only thing you got- 

you're the only thing I got well then I must not have a lot'- I probably sung this line whilst twirling  my hair on top of the washing machine..another favourite past time!

Solange Knowles- Feelin' You

Beyonce's sister more often known now for her Funk style came out with this in her earlier days. I remember hearing this on one of my brothers mixtape CD's. I couldn't stop listening to it. The melody is uplifting and somewhere in the production I'm pretty sure I can hear some little hummingbirds...no? Anyway, this used to keep me happy so it made my list.

Tweet- Call Me

Talking of Hummingbirds, this song from Tweet's Southern Hummingbird album was also a fave of mine. More famously known for taking her shirt off over her head (Oh my...!) this one didn't get the same recognition as 'Oops, Oh my!' But I like Tweet's style and attitude in this song, so here she is:

Dream- He Loves You Not

So remember when P.Diddy made a girl band? I do, because I watched MTV far too much! I always stole the 'grass is greener on the other side' move from this video and claimed it was mine whenever I made up a dance with my buddies (sorry Diddy). This is a bit of pop, sugar, candy and Aguilera all mixed in a big MTV bowl. I loved it.

NORE feat Nina Sky and Daddy Yankee- Oye Mi Canto

This is more of a callback to Nina Sky, the twins who brought us 'Move Ya Body' and harmonised their way onto MTV Base for a while. This reminds me of summer and inappropriate dancing for my age. We've all done it! 

Cam'Ron-Oh Boy FEAT Juelz Santana

That little voice always got stuck in my head, 'oh boy'. Cam'Ron is still a clear memory for many I'm sure, but this made it on to my playlist with extra bopping and chipmunk singing included!

Jaheim- Fabulous

I'm ending on a heart tugger here. Aside from the exceptionally cute kids in this song, the message and the melody gives a little sunshine to my day, and makes me think everything will be alright.

George the Poet: Scala- 14.04.15

I've been looking forward to seeing George perform live for a while now. Firstly to see if his voice was as crystal as it sounds through my headphones, but also to see how the combination of inspiring and political messages can be mixed with a good vibe and beats that make you go further than a two-step. All my Georgie dreams were fulfilled and I am ready to join his search party.

I took along my wonderful friend Louisa as my Poet date, which started off at Grain Store at Granary Square in Kings Cross.

We shared three starters, which included:

*Sprouting seeds and beans, miso aubergine, crispy citrus chicken skin and potato wafer
*Green asparagus 'ceasar custard' and flaxseed cracker
*Broad bean and chickpea hummus, raw mushrooms, slow cooked duck egg, dukkah and spring onion oil

I love anything with a bit of crunch, so the citrus crispy chicken skin and potato wafer was a welcome mouthful with the flavours in the first starter, and I loved dipping the cracker into the custard! It was all pretty good. We opted for the special for our main in plight of it being seasonal and seasonal is usually best. Spring onions, baby artichokes, polenta, wild garlic oil and confit lamb shank....can you go wrong?

Still suffering from Snowbombing-itus I went for a non-alcoholic French Blonde (Grape juice, elderflower cordial, lemongrass, verjus) and my date had the Baby Doll (Rum, Rhubarb syrup, orgeat,  violet essence, lemon juice, egg white). It looked pretty and tasted sour which is how she likes it.

Cute little apple with the check please!

After ending with a quick explore and play (a little tryout on the piano- we couldn't resiiiissttt!) and chat time in the sunshine by the canal, we headed over to Scala.

So on to George. The stage was set up with that familiar roadworks scene that we see around the city so often, which seemed fitting for London loving George's topics. Later this was referred to by him as the 'road test' so it tied in nicely.

Shelz the dancer (who warmed up earlier for George) appeared on stage first, moving to the sound of George's voice. This got everyone excited and hyped for his entrance, and when George finally arrived on stage he had a big smile and and his positive energy filled the room.

His first piece (he was rocking a hard hat very well I must say) was about his time growing up and his experience of applying for Cambridge, something he is widely known and celebrated for. This really got the audience on side and rooting for his story, and it was clear from the outset, that not only was he speaking about his life, but he was influencing us all in a powerful way. See the video below for a clip of his first track:

His rapport with the audience was great, talking to us and with us as though we were his friends who had known him for a long time. My favourite moment was the way he moved into his song 'Grinding'. George's phone starts to ring whilst he's talking to the audience with that 'iconic' tune. As he starts to recite his words, it becomes apparent that the tune is in fact the backing track. The story of this piece seems to be about how he got on with his plans to make the music and poetry work together no matter what anyone thought. It reminds us to turn our backs to the world in which people tell you you can't, but to get your head down and do it anyway. Maybe one day you can show them they were wrong! Take a look at this recording of the same song for the Brits earlier this year: 

My happiest moments were jigging about to 'My City' his piece about London, a love story many people in the audience seemed to share in. Also '1,2,1,2' with the classic line 'seven billion people in the world and there's only one you'. My friend Lisa told me this quote...'Be yourself, everyone else is taken' which I love, and again, it gave everyone that fun and happy spirit about celebrating your life, yourself and your contribution now, or in the future. 

A heartfelt moment was shared when George talked about his desire to spread the word about premature parenthood, and how it is something we should discuss more openly. He shared a story of losing a baby and the pain physically and emotionally that was experienced. Not only was this moving, but you know he's right, in that sharing these experiences will help it to happen less and pain less if we talk more.

An appearance by Maverick Sabre was a crowd lifter, and the audience sung along to 'I Need' as the night drew to a close.

He neatly slid into his songs without any lumpy transitioning, a strength inherited perhaps from his spoken word style. He really performed his pieces like a monologue which is what sets him apart from watching a rap being delivered in the usual way. His messages are so strong. One of my favourite lines from the night being 'I'd rather have heart of gold than a chest full of treasures'. You believe him and know that he's been through what he's telling you he's been through. 

He talked about his book 'Search Party' which I'm going to go out and buy this weekend for sure. He cares greatly about social change, and makes you want to care as much as he does. If a boy who came from an estate in Harlesden and went to Cambridge wants to talk about social change..well....I'm going to listen.

Follow George the Poet here:

http://georgethepoetblog.tumblr.com

Figs in Wigs 'Show Off' UK Tour- Soho Theatre 01.04.15-04.04.15

As fully expressed in my earlier post ....'I'm in love with the SoHo'. I also rather like pop culture, bright colours, and funny women which is exactly what you'll get with this show.

Figs in Wigs are a five strong group who demonstrate their art as comedians, dancers, visual artists, musicians and circus entertainers with a twist.

Check out their cheeky video 'Cilla Black Bean Sauce' for a taste of what you might get with this group of girls who were Nominees for Total theatre Award in 2014.

https://vimeo.com/110399849

Get your ticket at the link below, and add a bit of fruitiness and variety to your Bank holiday weekend! 

http://sohotheatre.com/whats-on/figs-in-wigs-show-off/

Breakin' Convention- Sadler's Wells 01.04.15-04.04.15

GET YOUR TICKET!

Sadler’s Wells & Lilian Baylis Studio

Friday 1 - Monday 4 May 2015

Performances: Friday 8pm, Sat & Sun doors open 4pm, Show 6pm

Tickets: Friday 1 May: £20 | Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 May: £15 – £20

Ticket Office: 0844 412 4300 or www.sadlerswells.com

Breakin’ Convention offers reserved seating so early booking is strongly advised

The Breakin' Convention is coming! Now in it's 12th year this Hip-Hop dance festival will be showcasing the best in Hip-Hop dance talent form all over the world.

This four day festival (starting with an adults only evening on Friday 'WorX' which will include tales of desire and temptation through dance, theatre and poetry) will include live DJs, freestyle dance jams, graffiti exhibitions, workshops from top international artists and live aerosol art.

(These participatory activities take place pre-show and during the interval.) 

This year there will also be three sets of twins in the line-up; Twin Peak, The Legendary Twins, and of course Beyonce's favourite Les Twins.

For the full line up, check the website here:

http://www.breakinconvention.com/events/festival

I'm particularly excited to see the work of Boy Blue, and of course Unity U.K, especially after their youth group did an amazing showcase at Future Elements last month.

Cindy Claes has also been brought to my attention recently, and seems to be a wonder woman in all departments. I'm particularly excited to see her dancehall style, and may even go to one of her classes soon!

http://breakinconvention.com/artists/cindy-claes-uk

Check back to the blog soon for an interview with Cindy about her work and what is coming up.

DON'T MISS IT!