Footscray Community Arts Centre

Event –

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Show & tell with Jonzi D

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Presented by Footscray Community Arts Centre, in partnership with ICE and The British Council

3hrs

Director: Jonzi D

Legendary UK hip hop artist, Jonzi D, is currently in Australia working on a Sydney-based hip hop project with our friends at ICE (Information & Cultural Exchange). Footscray Community Arts Centre, with the help of The British Council, has managed to persuade him to visit Melbourne for ONE DAY ONLY this coming Saturday 8 August.

While in town, Jonzi D will be given a personalized tour of some of Melbourne’s hidden street art gems by noted street artist (and Centre tutor) Yasemin Sabuncu, as well as delivering a special one-off hip-hop master class for local culturally diverse hip hop artists.

If you are a hip hop artist and would like the chance to work on your skills with Jonzi D, please email Bec Reid, Producer Arts & Community, but hurry as places are strictly limited!

Show & Tell with Jonzi D

In a relaxed masterclass environment, Jonzi D will meet and work with up to 15 young hip-hop artists from Melbourne’s western suburbs.  This session will consist of a one hour informal presentation by Jonzi D of his own body of work, tracing the development of the UK hip hop scene and encompassing his role as a mentor and use of empowerment through street culture.
The second component of this workshop will consist of hands-on work with the participants, covering existing skills & material, personal skills development, and group work aimed at participants gaining insight and knowledge into their own practice and methodologies, though free-styling, jamming and improvisation.

Saturday 8 August
1pm – 4.00pm
Basement Theatre
FREE

About Jonzi D

Jonzi D has been actively involved in British Hip Hop culture, rapping and b-boying in clubs and on the street since the early eighties.

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 Theatre and has performed and created dance theatre pieces all over Europe, North America, Israel, New Zealand, Cuba and Southern Africa.

Jonzi D Productions is an Associate Company of Sadler’s Wells and based at the theatre. Jonzi is also the curator and host of the acclaimed Breakin’ Convention, International Hip Hop Dance Theatre festival, nominated for a South Bank Show Award and now in its fifth year. He has directed pieces for Robert Hylton, Benji Reid, Jane Sekonya, Loop Dance Co, and ACE Dance and Music. He was commissioned by Walker Arts in Minneapolis to create a solo for Leah Nelson. Jonzi has devised, choreographed and featured in various Hip Hop inspired fashion shows including, 40 degrees at Earls Court, and State Property for Rocawear at The Royal Festival Hall.

As an MC/poet, Jonzi has worked with The Roots, Steve Williamson, Mannafest, Lenny Henry, MC Mell ‘O’ and toured with Gangstarr. He appeared on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, Channel 4’s Faking It, and his short films Silence da bitchin and Aeroplane Man were also screened on Channel 4. In 1995, he was creative consultant on LWT’s South Bank Show special documenting the art and culture of Hip Hop. He is creator and host of the successful Apricot Jam and Vertikal Cypher infamous Hip Hop music and open mic sessions. He presented the 2005 4Dance for Channel 4 television and was recently the performance mentor for Urban Classic at Hackney Empire in February 2006. In 2007, Jonzi was listed as one of the top 10 positive black musical role models by MOBO and directed a new piece Hectic Dialectic as part of the Rozamira Festival in Moscow.

For more information on Jonzi D check out this website.