Battle: Break-it-Down

Booking Deadline:

Friday 31 January 2025

Event Date:

Saturday 1 February 2025

Event Time:

9.45am – 6pm GMT

Location:

London (UK)

Available Online?

Who’s it for?

Young people aged 11-18 who attend a school in London or Essex

Contact:

stepintodance@rad.org.uk

Book now →

We’re excited to announce our re-imagined Battle: Break-It-Down event for 2025!

This new event will focus on learning about the culture of Hip-Hop and how this informed battling. Dancers will learn the foundations during multiple workshops that come under the umbrella of Hip-Hop dance (i.e Breaking, House, Krumping, Locking, Waacking etc), hear from professionals in our industry talks and have freestyling opportunities.

There will also be a live DJ, an exhibition and a Battle demonstration that will break down the formats of traditional 1v1, 2v2 and Crew Battles. More information about the event to be announced.

Battle: Break-It-Down will take place on the 1 February 2025 at the Royal Academy of Dance headquarters.

Registrations are now open!

Booking deadline: Friday 31 January, 12pm

Venue

Royal Academy of Dance
188 York Road
London
SW11 3JZ

Who can attend?

Anyone aged 11-18 (25 for SEND), from London or Essex, including:

Groups on the Step into Dance programme (maximum 12 students) with their school teacher/youth leader
Individuals on the Step into Dance programme with a chaperone (i.e. parent or guardian)

External participants can now sign up for a fee of £5. Dancers must be aged 11-18 and attend a school in London or Essex.

Example Schedule

Check out the example schedules below, which explain how you can choose which workshop to take part in!

NEW Battle diagram - Royal Academy of Dance

Example SEND Schedule

Battle Break it down SEND schedule - Royal Academy of Dance

Included: Hip-Hop Culture and How it Informed Battles

Hear from a special guest, and our host Rowdy, on the history of Hip-Hop culture and how it informed dance Battles!

You can then choose one of the following talks:

Choice 1: How to Break into the Battle scene

This talk is for dancers who want to find out about how to get involved in dance battles and how to prepare for them, lead by our event host Rowdy and made up of two panelists; Shortbread the Breaker and Caine Harrison!

Choice 2: Styling your Battle

This talk is perfect for dancers who want to understand how to develop their own battle style and standout from everyone else. This talk will be made up of two panelists, and will be lead by our event host, Rowdy!

Choice 3: An interview with Kenrick ‘H20’ Sandy MBE

This talk is for dancers who want to hear from Kenrick ‘H20’ Sandy MBE, Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director/Choreographer of Boy Blue, about his long-standing, multi-role experiences within dance battles.

Included: Breaking

This is an exciting hour-long workshop, tailored to dancers who are beginners, or intermediates.

Included: Freestyling

An opportunity for students to learn skills and build their confidence around freestyling in this facilitated session for beginners. The session will incorporate different music tracks, helping students understand how they can use their body to demonstrate different movement qualities.

You can then choose two of the following talks:

Choice 1: Krumping

Choice 2: Locking

Choice 3: Popping

Choice 4: House

Choice 5: Voguing

Choice 6: Waacking

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can take part in Battle: Break-It-Down?

Groups on the Step into Dance programme (maximum 12 students) with their school teacher/youth leader
Individuals on the Step into Dance programme with a chaperone (i.e. parent or guardian)
Event open to the public between 10 – 12:30pm (individuals younger that 18 must bring a chaperone)
External participants can now sign up for a fee of £5. Dancers must be aged 11-18 and attend a school in London or Essex.

What levels can take part?

All levels can take part in Battle: Break-It-Down! You will learn the history and culture of hip-hop and how this informed battling, hear from industry professionals, and take part in a variety of workshops, which will be taught mainly at beginner level.

When is the event open to the public?

From 10am – 12:30pm, non-participating members of the public are able to watch the morning activities. Only individuals registered for the event are able to participate for the full day.

Will there be chance to look at the exhibition?

Yes, the hip-hop exhibition will be open to view for all from 10am until 6pm.

Will there be an opportunity to battle?

This year, we have re-imagined the event to focus on workshops and learning from industry professionals. However, there will be an opportunity to watch a battle demonstration, and a chance to freestyle at the end of the day!

Can my friend, who is also on the Step into Dance programme, come with me to the workshops?

Yes – if your friend is also on the Step programme, you will both need to register individually prior to the event, and be accompanied by a chaperone (if under 18).

Can my friend, who is not on the Step into Dance programme, come with me to the workshops?

Yes, for a fee of £5, young people not on the programme, aged 11-18 who attend a school in London or Essex, can attend the event.

Can I turn up on the day without registering?

If you are on the Step into Dance programme, you must register in advance. If you are a member of the public, you do not need to register for the morning talks and performance. However, spaces for the public are limited.

Do I need to bring lunch?

Lunch is not provided, however there is a lunch break during the schedule. We recommend bringing snacks and plenty of water. Water fountains are available at RAD HQ.

What should I wear?

Comfortable clothing to dance in. Please bring a spare, clean pair of trainers for the workshops, which are taking place in the studios.

Where can I learn about the Hip-Hop dance styles in advance?

Head to the following links to read about the various styles, such as Breaking, Voguing, Krumping, House, Locking, Waacking and Popping, that you’ll be able to experience at Battle: Break-It-Down!

How do I sign up?

Registrations will be open soon!