Festival Lezarts Urbains
A 100% BELGIAN FESTIVAL: HIP HOP, KRUMP, STREET DANCE, SLAM, RAP, WORKSHOPS, OPEN STAGE, CYPHERS, SEMINAR, DJ SETS, JAM SESSIONS & MORE
For its 17th edition, the Festival Lezarts Urbains brings us a programme with a focus on inclusivity, as much in the artistic styles showcased as in the messages and values communicated. Having previously focused exclusively on street dance styles, this year slam and rap make their festival debut; with a programme conceived and designed by the artists from Level Up.
Over the course of a weekend, Lezarts Urbains is joining forces with KVS to bring you a taste of the rich arts landscape emerging from street cultures in Belgium. The festival will showcase a wide range of productions, techniques and dance styles, from short choreography showcases to polished finalized productions, from amateur groups to professional companies. With bonus appearances from rap and slam artists.
SATURDAY 02.04
10:30 > 13:30 Dance workshop
Foyer (KVS BOL) | subscribe (free)
10:30 > 13:30 Slam workshop
Bar (KVS BOL) | subscribe (free)
14:00 Conference “What is Culture?”
KVS BOL
by MDF-THE LABEL | Often when we think of culture, we think of a painting in a museum or a play in the theatre. But where does this idea of culture come from? From school? What if we were to ask ourselves the question afresh: what, actually, is culture? This seminar will examine the way in which the West, but also Africa and its diasporas have approached artistic and cultural concepts, and how a fixed approach can impoverish or strip meaning from so-called ‘street’ cultures and black culture.
16:00 Productions, choreography showcases, slam and open stage
KVS BOL
OH SUMMER by Betty Mansion with Isabelle Audoan, Roxane Hardy and Jérôme Louis
A PIECE OF ME by Selasi Dogbatse with Elya Lufwa, Idriss Tolo, Michée André, Inès Dumbi and Mahdi Coulibaly
UNMUTED by Massinda Zinga with Sisterhood (Betina Kashiama, Laura Mengato Handjole, Cristine Tshimanga Kapinga, Nadège Utshinga Kioso-Londa, Marie-Paule Mugeni, Marrie Abbado and Ronel Djimadoumadji)
ENTER THE BCU by Barhal Cie with Walid Boho, Tomas Ntamashimikiro, Oumar Diallo and Popping Danys
FACE 2 by Le Cube collective with Pierre Anganda, Isabelle Audoan, Giacomo Giordano and Laetitia Malamba
MY HOUSE by Zach Swagga & Junior Akwety with Véronique Mukendi and Rose Mukendi
Slam performances by Marie Darah, Mugeni and Z&T
21:00 > 00:30 | KVS BOL | free
“Supreme Cypher” | An all-styles Clubbing Concept dedicated to the street and club dance community, Supreme Cypher’s mindset goes beyond the classic battle. The main aim is for artists to meet, spend time in each other’s company and enjoy the jam by dancing together. The cypher lasts for three rounds.
SUNDAY 03.04
10:00 > 12:00 Rap and Slam workshops
Bar (KVS BOL) | subscribe (free)
with Mel Moya and Melissa Farah | Aimed at girls aged 8 to 12. The aim is to provide a safe female-centric space to nurture talent from a young age, all within an educational and caring context.
10:00 > 12:30 “Whiteness and Cultural Appropriation”
Top (KVS BOL) | subscribe (free)
facilitated by MDF-THE LABEL | Aimed at white participants | Whiteness, privilege, and cultural appropriation are issues that are increasingly discussed. Beyond social media polemic, the facts remain: racism exists and to do nothing is to consent to it. In this workshop, we will consider how to position ourselves as individuals interested in street cultures.
10:00 > 12:30 - “Healing & Empowerment”
Foyer (KVS BOL) | subscribe (free)
facilitated by MDF-THE LABEL | aimed at non-white participants | Racism is part of daily life for many dancers, including within the context of their art. This workshop, specifically for non-white participants, aims to create a safe space for them to express themselves without restraint and benefit from collective sharing, surrounded by artists who are living the same experiences.
13:00 “Esprit Session”
KVS BOX | free
Krump Battle produced by Lossa Wild Movement. Beyond competition, Esprit Session brings krumpers together in a collaborative way. Each dancer is invited to show their own self and their universe. An opportunity to discover krump’s artistic identity, as well as the culture and energy emanating from it.
16:30 - Choreography showcases, productions, slam, rap & open stage
KVS BOX
R’ÊTRE by Roxane Hardy with Marie Vander Linden
SEASONS by Hergé with Isabelle Audoan
B**** by Yipoon Chiem
LES ÉPINES DE LA ROSE by Remy Mpuki with Amina Bandaogo, Popping Danys and Anke Clinck
BLIND by Hendrickx Ntela with Israël Ngashi aka Wild, Arias Fernandez aka Joker, Luka Austin and Pierre Claver Belleka aka Dexter
SET RAP by Veridik
Slam performances by Marie Darah, Mugeni and Z&T
+ DJ sets & jam sessions
Partners
KVS | WHITE NIGHT | Culture Urbaine | Alohanews | Citylab Pianofabriek | Belgium Unity | Shot By Wolaka |B.PXLS | Krump Belgium | Play Me A Dance | MDF-The label | Get Down - Dancers Management | Lossa Wild Movement | Supreme Cypher | L-Slam, Slameke | Article 27 Bruxelles | La Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles/Officiel | La COCOF - Commission communautaire française