Inspired by the legendary block parties of 1970s New York, acclaimed Sydney-based choreographer Nick Power (Two Crews, Between Tiny Cities) will premiere Deejay x Dancer in the Studio – Sydney Opera House from 17 – 21 August 2022.
The playful, intimate dance work pays tribute to hip hop’s origins in a thrilling call-and-response showdown featuring the world champion turntablist DJ Total Eclipse – renowned in Australia as the touring DJ for hip-hop acts AB Original and Funkoars.
Deejay x Dancer pits the veteran New York DJ against three of Australia’s most respected Breakers:
- Anastasios “Taz” Repousi, is a B*boy, dancer, teacher and choreographer from Bankstown, he’s a former member of the iconic Justice Crew who won Australia’s Got Talent in 2010 and is currently with Hybrid Formz Crew;
- Jackson Garcia, is a B*boy and movement artist who specialises in street styles, competing and performing internationally as a battle hardened member of crews Skill at Will and Team Cream; and
- Demi Sorono, achieving national fame as a crowd favourite on So You Think You Can Dance, and going on to create the acclaimed one woman show Shadow Warrior.
Commissioned by the Sydney Opera House as part of New Work Now, Deejay x Dancer is a rousing celebration of the intricate interplay between DJ and Dancer, and how they intuitively react and respond to each other in the heart-racing heat of the moment.
“In celebrating hip hop’s past and future, this work hones in on the initial spark at the birth of the culture almost 50 years ago – the raw, irrepressible chemistry between DJ and Dancer,” said choreographer Nick Power.
“While honouring this history, Deejay x Dancer pushes forward, taking this connection into a contemporary realm, breaking new ground in the collaboration while staying true to the playfulness and community that a block party brings,” said Power.
“Deejay x Dancer is a truly artistic endeavour that merges contemporary dance, hip hop and theatricality with honesty,” said Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Performance, Ebony Bott.
“It’s as much about the depth of skill found in hip hop culture, as it is about the diverse lived experiences that flow through the sound and movement on stage,” said Bott.
Nick Power is an Australian B*boy and choreographer whose work draws on the rituals and culture of hip hop to cross complex divides of place, culture, language and form. His practice spans remote Aboriginal communities to the stages of the most prestigious contemporary dance festivals in Europe.
The season also includes a matinee performance for schools on 18 August. Aspiring Breakers can explore the fundamentals at Move with Deejay x Dancer, led by B*Boy Taz in the Centre for Creativity on 2 June. From toprocks to footwork and freezes, this dance workshop is open to all skill levels.
Deejay x Dancer
Studio – Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point (Sydney)
Performance: 17 – 21 August 2022
Information and Bookings: www.sydneyoperahouse.com
Image: Deejay x Dancer (supplied)