BirdGang Ltd announces a series of hip hop dance events to celebrate This is Croydon – London Borough of Culture 2023

Award-winning hip hop dance theatre company BirdGang Ltd have announced a series of events to celebrate This is Croydon London Borough of Culture 2023.

Croydon has revealed a big, bold and cross-cultural programme for its year as London Borough of Culture 2023, and everyone is welcome. Grassroots talent, unsung cultural heroes, young people and disability-led productions take centre stage in Croydon’s change-making year as The Mayor of London’s London Borough of Culture. The celebration of the borough’s unique identity, heritage and character is taking place between April 2023 and March 2024 and BirdGang Ltd is proud to be a part of it with their new work; a series of events and workshops that celebrate the hip hop artform as part of COMMONS Festival, and The Multiverse, a new technology-inspired performance, mixing dance, film, and original music.

BirdGang Ltd’s event schedule to celebrate This is Croydon includes:

The OTA Battle Zone Workshop – 19 May 2023

Learn from BirdGang Ltd and the House of Juicy Couture UK in this all-styles battle workshop! BirdGang and the House of Juicy Couture U.K. are joining forces to share hip hop ‘Battle Box’ and ballroom ‘Performance’ battle styles for a collective sharing session. The workshop is a chance to exchange, learn, create and then battle it out for glory.

COMMONS Extravaganza – 20 May 2023

One mixed-bill; The ultimate COMMONS Festival 2023 experience. Each of the festival’s companies is ready to give it their all. We will encapsulate four genres in one extraordinary and unforgettable extravaganza! BirdGang Ltd’s Youth Company, “EGGZ”, will set the pace with a strong, dynamic and intricate curtain raiser. They will be sharing their unique voice and starting the evening off with a murmuration.

An Intro to Hip Hop with Kayla “Peacock” Lomas-Kirton – 24 May 2023

This workshop is ideal for those that want to try a new art form but have been worried that they may be the odd ones out in class. Never again! Kayla creates a warm, supportive and encouraging environment to try things out. Professional dance artist Kayla Lomas-Kirton is highly respected for her versatility which has led her to become a leading member and choreographer of BirdGang Ltd. Her deep knowledge of the Hip Hop art form will inspire guests so they feel they’ve really delved into what Hip Hop is while having a really good time moving their body to the best sounds.

Dance on film workshop with Simeon “Van Hasselt” Qysea – 25 May 2023

This workshop is a chance to get an insight into BirdGang Ltd’s approach to dance on film with Simeon ‘Van Hasselt’ Qysea. Come and join award-winning creator Simeon Qsyea for a new experience learning how to capture dance on film, how he approaches his work and the magic formula to BirdGang’s striking imagery and storytelling. To see some of his work take a look here www.birdgangltd.com/film. This session will be very practical, guests will move, maybe capture and definitely view some incredible work.

The Battle Cage – 28 May 2023

“The Battle Cage” brings together talent from all over the country to compete to take home the final cash prize and the title of “The Battle Cage Champion”. Following the success of the first event in 2022, in this edition, there will be two categories of ‘1v1 Hip Hop’ and ‘3v3 All Styles Crew’ with a twist! Dancers will have the chance to showcase their skills to our panel of renowned judges who will pick their top-performing dancers from the day. Spectators will get the chance to watch incredible dancers and be wowed by our industry-leading judges.

The Multiverse – October 2023 

BirdGang Ltd will be immersing viewers in Multiverse, a new technology-inspired performance, mixing dance, film, and original music co-produced and presented with Dance Umbrella. Creative Direction from Simeon “Van Hasselt“ Qsyea, Ukweli “Quails” Roach and Kendra “Kro” Horsburgh–this work is presented by two generations–young people and those aged 55+, combining two local universes.

More information available at https://www.danceumbrella.co.uk/2022/12/14/dance-umbrella-announce-new-show-the-multiverse-by-birdgang-ltd-for-croydon-london-borough-of-culture-2023/