Street dance and graffiti at Birmingham’s 10th hip-hop festival

A three-day Birmingham hip-hop festival has announced a programme that includes workshops, graffiti classes and street dance battles as it celebrates its 10th year.

The B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival will host activities and a special guest music performance yet to be announced at venues around the city.

Organised by the Birmingham Hippodrome and other creative groups, the free sessions will be on from 30 May to 1 June.

Matt Evans, head of festivals and sites at the theatre said: “There’s something in there for everyone, including favourites from the festival’s history plus some exciting new additions.”

A Young Community Drop In at the Hippodrome kick-starts things on 30 May, with industry professionals running dance and music workshops for youngsters over the age of 14.

The event, which coincides with school half term, will offer “chilled vibes, with a live DJ, workshops, crafts and more”, said Mathilde Petford, the theatre’s young people and community manager.

Dance masterclasses will take place on the Friday evening led by international guest artists and judges from Break Mission and the Birmingham-based Queer-Side Dance Championships, including Viktor Manoel, Panda Waack and Perninha.

On Saturday, the festival spreads to the Southside area with dance competition qualifiers, a block party with graffiti and resident DJs Scratchers Delight, plus basketball and skateboarding.

On Sunday, dance battles will be taking place on Central Street at the Bullring Shopping Centre.

Organisers said the festival included an inclusive street-dance workshop for disabled, neurodivergent, D/deaf and visually-impaired dancers on 30 May and access hubs, accessible viewpoints, a chill-out zone and sensory walk on 31 May.

“We have curated a programme where access is front and centre as we want everyone at B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival to have an enjoyable and inclusive experience,” Charlotte Boyer, access lead at the theatre said.

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