The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Polish stars Mateusz ‘Bboy Mefo’ Godlewski of Polskee Flavor and Kasia ‘Bgirl Venka’ Godlewska of Raw Bgirls crew are among the guest stars for the 6th annual Break-Fast Jam breakdance finals set for the YMCA in Wandegeya on Saturday and Sunday.
The Polish breakdance aces, who will also be on the panel of judges for the competition, are already in town, and during the week will be conducting workshops for the various youth across the city.
The Break-Fast Jam Finals are 2016’s crowning event following elimination rounds in eastern and central Uganda and Kenya. Exceptional dancers have also been invited from DRC, Rwanda and Tanzania.
‘Bboy Mefo’ Godlewski has been breakdancing since 2000 and daily works with kids and youth as a choreographer, educator and artistic leader. Represents his country in international events, and often takes front places at dance shows in cities like Seoul, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, San Francisco. With his crew Catch the flava they also organise summer breakdance camps.
‘Bgirl Venka’ been at it since 2002, but started with classical dances, ballet, tap dance and modern in 1993. Physiotherapist by profession. Working with kids and youth as a dance teacher, artistic leader, choreographer.
The finals that feature workshops, competitions, performances, exhibitions and educational discussions are organized by Breakdance Project Uganda (BPU).
According to organisers, “The event’s overall aim is cultivating a positively enriching breakdance culture in Africa. This initiative empowers participants socially and economically by elevating them with practical skills, knowledge, inspiration and experiences on a neutral platform.”
Breakdance Project Uganda is a grass-roots, youth-centred organisation founded in 2006. BPU uses dance, visual art, beatboxing plus other elements of hip-hop and alternative ways of learning as tools to engage and unite young people and provide them with skills and support to become socially responsible leaders in their communities.
The BPU project is open to everyone and offers free classes every week across Uganda in Kampala, Kansanga, Gulu, Kitgum and Masaka. Other activities include community outreach, youth development workshops, peer mentorship, events and performances and a school sponsorship programme. BPU aims to bridge the gap between people of different backgrounds, build young people’s leadership skills and self-esteem, increase access to formal and informal education, connect local and international artists, and generate employment opportunities.
Set for 2pm to 9pm, entrance is sh5000 per day and free for kids aged 10 and below. The weekend competitions will bring together six competitors who won the eliminations rounds held in Eastern & Central Uganda regions and Kampala and Nairobi in hiphop dance styles, Breakdance (Seven 2 Smoke & 1 on 1) and popping(1on 1)categories.
Qualifying competitors will be joined by dancers with exceptional skill sets from within Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda who’ve been give direct invites by the organizing team total up the required number for each battle group.
Elimination rounds for 3 on 3 crews, Bgirls (female breakdancers), Kids (below 15yrs) and solo popping battles are going to be held on day one of the event to find the final competitors of each category.
Tanzania versus Uganda will be a fun battle where the BBK Bboys crew from Dar Es Saalam, Tanzania will compete with the Ugandan team selected by the organizers.
Rap music by Ruyonga will be a key feature.
The event sponsor are US embassy Kampala, Breakdance Project Uganda(BPU), NTV, Newz Beat, Kyendi Kyendi clothing, Infinite Records, Talent Africa, Gagawala Graphics, French Embassy Kampala, Fesh Lane, Suw Wear Japan, TopNation Japan, Cypher Code Japan, Mou Qreashionz.
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editor@independent.co.ug
