Get ready to groove and feel the vibes with Melbourne’s best dance crews at Block Party!
L2R Dance returns this spring with a fresh edition of their iconic Block Party, unifying Melbourne’s dance community with the best local crews taking to the stage on Saturday 28th October at Footscray Community Arts.
From Breaking to Krump, House to Hip Hop, Dancehall to Popping and Locking, Block Party will showcase the full spectrum of Street, Club and Hip Hop dance art forms with performances from Burn City Krump’s Oprhanz, Melbourne Afro Dancehall Community, Jam on Toast along with 50 incredible L2R program participants aged 6 to 25-years-old.
Block Party is presented by L2R Dance, a not-for-profit organisation based in Melbourne’s West dedicated to providing free dance programs, arts leadership opportunities and employment pathways for children and young people traditionally underrepresented or absent from mainstream arts and culture. Fostering belonging, wellbeing and cultural leadership, L2R nurtures creativity and transforms young people through the power of dance. L2R moves physically, socially and culturally.
“The creative chaos and community connections that ooze from the L2R Block Party are extraordinarily contagious. Bring the whole fam, this is one event where the kids can yell, scream, get up and most importantly get down. OH, and pack your (t)issues – well I always do as the talent is beyond and the hype is real!” said Jacinda Richards, L2R Dance founder, CEO, and Artistic Director.
This year, Block Party is taking the battle to a whole new level! Led by talented L2R artists and judged by esteemed artists; MaggZ, Demi Sorono and Trip, crews are competing for epic glory and a $1,000 cash prize.
Judge MaggZ is a Chinese movement artist, who trained in ballet and now specializes in waacking – a freestyle dance originated in 1970s LA from the Latinx and African-American queer communities whilst Demi Sorono, who hails from the Philippines, is a self-taught B-girl and Hip Hop dancer who made her mark as one of Australia’s favourite dancers on So You Think You Can Dance. Rounding out the judging trio is Trip – a member of one of Melbourne’s most prestigious dance crews, ‘Rewind’, and co-director of Mute Crew – 3peat winners of the national and long-running ‘Step Off’ Dance Competition.
In addition to the dance battle, nine dance collectives and individuals spanning street dance forms and cultural backgrounds will perform throughout the afternoon. Afrofusion outfits JC Collective, Kwabo and AMA as well as Jamaican dancehall specialists Out N Bad are among the line-up.
“As a member of Melbourne’s Afro-Dancehall community I’m super honoured to be joining our L2R family for this year’s Block Party. It’s nothing but love when we all get to jam together and the whole crew have something special planned for this year’s event, so you won’t want to miss out on these unforgettable vibez!” said Cat Sweeney, founding member of Jungle City and Melbourne Afro Dancehall Community.
Set on the lush green lawns of Footscray Community Arts, Block Party goers are invited to take in the breathtaking views of the Maribyrnong River and a soundtrack designed to make you move. Block Party beckons the entire crew, even the little ones, with free face painting, mouth-watering burgers from Beatbox Kitchen and the sweet delight of Rainbow Fairy Floss at this family friendly event!
EVENT DETAILS:
L2R Dance – Block Party
Date: Saturday, 28th October 2023
Times: 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Location: Footscray Community Arts
Address: Riverside Lawn, 45 Moreland Street, Footscray
Tickets: FREE for under 18-year-olds, $20 Adult
Bookings: l2r.org.au/blockparty
L2R Dance
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