31 January – 1 February
19.30
£8 waged, £6 concession, £20 family of four.
The Black-E, 1 Great George Street, Liverpool, L1 5EW
This January The Black-E see’s the return of one of our favourite performers and people. Artistic director of international hip hop dance theatre festival Breakin’ Convention Jonzi D presents Lyrikal Fearta; an energetic, beat-driven and topical show rooted in hip hop culture and addressing themes of masculinity, displacement, politics and social issues. Jonzi’s use of poetry, movement, music and his trademark wit create a fast paced, energetic and engaging show.
 Lyrikal Fearta is a three part piece, each of which is underpinned by hip-hop but is universal and enthused enough to be interpreted and enjoyed completely by not just fans of the culture but anyone. The show’s introduction is handled by local artists Innuendo, Nicky Trad, and 2K – perfectly opening up the stage for a piece, featuring Ivan Blackstock, discussing the generational division within the hip-hop community facilitated by the juggernaut-like acceleration to dominance of rap music throughout the western world. Jonzi’s acclaimed solo The Letter closes the show with Jonzi visualizing his response to being offered an MBE, using choreopoetry to examine a wide variation of responses and points of view as Jonzi struggles to decide upon an appropriate answer.
A Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist, Jonzi D has been a pioneer in British hip hop culture, rapping and b-boying since the early 1980’s. He is a graduate of London Contemporary Dance School and has created and performed in hip hop dance works all over the world. As an emcee, Jonzi has worked with many famous faces including The Roots, Steve Williamson, MC Mell’o’, Wordsworth, Hymphatic Thabs, Jeru Da Damaja and Gangstarr.
Ivan Blackstock is a graduate of Urdang Academy and London Contemporary Dance School. He founded London-based BirdGang Dance Company. He has worked with Arlene Philips on Flash Dance the musical, as well as on the film Streetdance 2 3D and as a backing dancer for the Pet Shop Boys. Ivan has also worked with Dizzee Rascal, Will.I.Am and Rita Ora.
Alongside these performances Jonzi will run a choreopoetry and street dance workshop at the Black-E on Saturday 1 February, entry is £25 or free for under 18’s.
Tickets for the show available via The Black-E, 1 Great George Street, Liverpool, L1 5EW 0151 709 5109
http://www.theblack-e.co.uk/content/whats-on/performance-events/black-e-presents-jonzi-d
The Philharmonic, Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BP 0151 709 3789
News from Nowhere, 96 Bold Street, Liverpool, L1 4HY 0151 708 7270Â www.newsfromnowhere.org.uk