Youngsters set for breakdancing battle (From York Press)

Breakdancers set for ‘Savour the Flavour 3’ event

8:00am Saturday 26th January 2013 in News By Stephen Lewis

YORK youngsters are stomping it up in rehearsals ready for a breakdance battle of battles on February 10.

The ‘Savour the Flavour 3’ event at the Kuda Bar and Club in Clifford Street will feature drumming, beat boxing, rapping and street dance. There will be breakdance crew and solo battles, ‘popping’ solo battles, and a chance to see graffiti artwork.

The young dancers – all under 18 – will be competing for cash prizes and the chance to win the coveted golden elbow pad trophy.

A variety of performances will also be held throughout the afternoon, says Natalie Seals of the York Breakdance Club, which is organising the event.

York-born Billy Hickling, who rose to fame performing in the musical Stomp!, will be joining a team of drummers from different backgrounds who will be building a big drumkit on which they will perform during the day.

“York Breakdance met Billy last year during the junk percussion project where he helped the young people create a tower of pots and pans which they played and danced to during York’s Festival of Rivers,” Natalie says.

Budding young rapper Rob Leatham, aka MC Young Sceptic, will also be performing, along with other “talented people showcasing creative art forms”.

In previous years the event was held at the Melbourne Centre in Escrick Street, York. This year’s venue is bigger – and organisers are hoping it will attract bigger audiences than ever, and allow the competing youngsters to showcase their skills like never before in York.

But the breakdance club – a “not for profit community group that allows young people, teenagers and adults to come together weekly to train breakdancing” – still holds regular training sessions at the Melbourne Centre for those who are interested.

Training sessions are on Wednesdays from 7-8pm for adults and on Sundays from 4.30-6.30pm for all ages above eight.

Entry is still open for breakdancers keen to compete in the Savour the Flavour 3 event. But you don’t need to compete to enjoy the fun of breakdance.

“We would like to encourage young people, teenagers and adults to come along, spectate and be inspired by the talent, and discover how easy it is to start a creative art form,” Natalie says. “It’s £2 entry on the door. You don’t have to prebook – just turn up on the day.”

• Savour the Flavour 3 will take place at the Kuda Bar and Club, 12 Clifford Street, York from noon to 6pm on Sunday, February 10. Entry is £2 on the door.

To find out more go to the York Breakdown Club’s event page on facebook.com/events/497321660312808 or visit the club website at yorkbreakdance.org