Hip hop is about using what you’ve got to make something unique, creative and original. With a history based on the streets of New York, hip hop was born out of young people using their own abilities and surroundings to express themselves in the best way possible.  That’s what makes it so diverse and fresh... it’s always evolving with the new people who get involved in it. Watch a clip on BBC  (Streetdance on the stage: A craze or high art?)

Since 2005 we have been building up a programme of hip hop events at the Centre to promote the best of the artform to welsh audiences as well as offering young people the chance to get involved and hone their skills in hip hop, in all is guises.

CRIW CYMRU 2010

Project Objective

Criw Cymru is a pan Wales initiative of Wales Millennium Centre (the Centre) focussing on developing urban arts skills for young participants. In 2008/09 the Centre partnered with Galeri, Caernarfon, Aberystwyth Arts Centre and Theatr Brycheiniog (Brecon), to deliver participative workshops for young people 11- 18 in North, Mid and South Wales, and work with Sadler’s Wells London to gain access to the very best workshop leaders and performers from across the UK.

The main aim of these workshops is to help engage the young people from across Wales with Hip-Hop art forms through workshops with a view to them building confidence and interest in urban arts, or to introduce those who already have skills/interest to a new urban art form. To develop any skills that the young people between 11-18 may have already. Ie. In another dance form etc.

Criw Cymru venues for 2010

2, 3, 4 June | Urdd Eisteddfod | Ceredigion
Street dance workshops with Liara Williams and Tara Bethan.

27, 28, 29 July | Galeri  | Caernarfon
Featuring renowned dancer and teacher Jonzi D and members of his company - Monica Dhinn and Lil’ Tim. Workshops to include, poppin', lockin' and street dance as well as an emphasis on lyrical arts and spoken word performances.

31 July &  1 August | Cardiff | The Centre
Featuring renowned dancer and teacher Jonzi D and Lil’ Tim. Workshops to include, poppin', lockin' and street dance as well as an emphasis on lyrical arts and spoken word performances.

23, 24, 25 August | Theatr Brycheiniog | Brecon
Led by 2faced Dance Company from Hereford. To involve a day of graffiti art, a day of poppin' and lockin' and a day of street dance.

23 - 29 October | Cardiff | The Centre
A week long residential, workshop based event. Young people coming to the Centre to take part, staying overnight in the Urdd, next to the Centre. 25 people selected to take part from applications and learn skills, culminating in performance before ‘B-Girl’ in the Donald Gordon Theatre.

BREAKIN’ THE BAY

As well as programming top quality hip hop shows in the Donald Gordon Theatre and the Weston Studio throughout the year, we also curate an annual hip hop festival Breakin the Bay, which takes place over a weekend each summer, featuring DJs, free performances, workshops and professional showcases. We also open up the floor of the Glanfa for anyone with hip hop talent to come down and show their skills off in a freestyle environment.

BREAKIN’ CONVENTION HUB

We’re also a Breakin Convention Hub, which means we are networked across the UK with every venue who runs a dedicated programme of hip hop - offering our audiences the opportunity to connect with their groups and audiences and catch up on news, performances, blogs and footage of all things hip hop.