Part battle, part choreography, this international competition brings together several crews around a series of challenges where improvisation is the key word. And this year, Hip Hop Games is once again coming to the Vondelpark Openluchttheater during Summer Dance Forever! Would you like to compete with your Dutch crew? Read more below (deadline to sign up 1 July)!

We end the afternoon with the performance "Waterkind" by the Swedish duo Land Before Time. A fluid exchange between two bodies, connected without touch, where movement, space, and intuition collide in a water-inspired blend of freestyle and popping.

Hip Hop Games

Created in 2011 by Lille-based choreographer Romuald Brizolier, the Hip Hop Games is quickly being exported around the world - to the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Canada, Senegal, Ivory Coast and elsewhere - to become one of the most original events in the hip-hop world.

A real spectacle, the show is directed by the troupe made up of Romss - the dancing referee, Philémon - the MC-rapper and Mystraw - the DJ and Beatboxer. On this playground, several Dutch crews challenge each other to creative challenges where a sense of improvisation, risk-taking, humour and creativity are judged by a panel of experienced professionals. The Hip Hop Games is a show that's constantly renewed, giving audiences a unique experience.

The winner of the Dutch competition will compete in the international final on Sunday 13 December at the Opera in Lille, France. Don’t worry; you dance, we pay for the costs (travel, accommodation and meals) of this great weekend with other international crews from all over the globe.

The winner of the international final receives substantial prize money and professional guidance in developing their crew choreography into a professional performing art piece in theatre.


Block
Want to compete with your crew?

➡ Your crew should have between 3 to 5 dancers.
➡ You will compete against maximum 3 other crews, through different stages of the Hip Hop Games on Saturday 29 August between 14:00-17:00.
➡ You need to have your own crew choreography; a show, performance, creation of 3 to 5 minutes.
➡ You need to be available on 13 December 2026 to perform this choreography at the International HHG final in Lille.
➡ Apply before 1 July by filling in this form with your details and video footage of a short choreo of your crew that you have at hand.

A professional jury will make a selection of the best 4 crews to compete.

Land Before Time: Waterkind

The work explores the interplay and connection between two bodies without direct physical contact. What is it that makes us experience the sensation of connection and the mutual understanding of the next movement through improvisation? Both proximity and space are equally essential, with an ongoing focus on vibrations and responsiveness. Individual explosions and outbursts occur while both performers maintain a close relation to one another. The next movement is strongly dependent on the former. Water is the inspiration to form the flows and currents, combined with freestyle and elements of popping the result is a specific material contained in the work.

Land Before Time is a creative duo consisting of Joanna Holewa Chrona and Yared Tilahun Cederlund. They are performing artists resident in Sweden, within the field of dancing, deeyaing, choreographing, sound composing and producing their own performances. Currently working with site specific performances as a touring concept. Both Joanna and Yared have a background within streetdance, and together they have developed a common practice inspired by water.