On Saturday 28 November, b-boys from Evelyn Grace Academy in Brixton will venture north to Islington to take part in an impressive street dance display at Step into Battle 2015.
The young dancers from Brixton will be returning to Step into Dance to defend their Mixed Crew title. The Flow crew from Evelyn Grace Academy have held the title for the last two years.
All the contestants have received specialist dance training at their secondary schools as part of the Step into Dance programme, a partnership between the Jack Petchey Foundation and the Royal Academy of Dance. The crews are trained by some of the best street dancers in the country including members of five-time UK b-boy champions Soul Mavericks. The event on 28 November is the culmination of their work – the chance to show off their skills at an annual competition where all the dancers come together and battles it out.
Last year Step into Battle was held at Evelyn Grace Academy, but this year it’s moving to the Lilian Baylis Studio at the world-renowned Sadler’s Wells Theatre. Over 10 school groups from across London will be attending the battles, including Mixed Crew Champions, Flow from Evelyn Grace Academy in Brixton and Breakin’ Crew Champions, Odin Crew from Hendon School in Barnet.
Judging the battles will be three top dancers from the UK street scene: Ana Borges (B-Supreme, Trilogy Dance Group), Mario Nadal (1Motion, Stylehybridz), and Joshua Nash (the Company, Far From the Norm, Buckness Personified). And with street workshops, a live DJ and MC, Step into Battle looks set to be another lively celebration of the best of London’s youth dance.
Step into Dance Companies and Projects Officer, Nathalie Delorme, is anticipating a fantastic show of talent including a potential appearance from the Step into Dance Street Youth Company, “We have recruited 30 incredibly talented young dancers in the Street Company this year, and we want to give as many opportunities as possible to challenge themselves. Step into Battle offers the perfect platform to do just that!”
Event details
Date and time: Saturday 28 November, 10am – 3pm
Venue: Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Ave, London EC1R 4TN
Admission: Friends and family
Find out more online: www.stepintodance.org/events/step-into-battle
