Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated Signs on as a Presenting Sponsor of Breakin’ Convention

Blumenthal Performing Arts is excited to welcome Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated on board as a presenting sponsor of Breakin’ Convention, an international hip hop dance festival created by London’s Sadler’s Wells. Breakin’ Convention comes to Charlotte's Levine Center for the Arts, Oct. 9-10. 

“We are thrilled to be working for the first time with Reggie Bean and the team of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated,” said Blumenthal President and CEO Tom Gabbard. “Not only are they very knowledgeable marketers, but they care deeply about our community and particularly our kids and families. They are an ideal partner to launch with.” 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated is the nation's largest independent marketer, producer and distributor of Coca-Cola Company products. 

“Coca-Cola has a strong commitment to the Charlotte community,” affirmed Reginald Bean, Multicultural Director, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated. “We are excited to partner with Blumenthal Performing Arts to bring a significant cultural event to hip-hop enthusiasts, artists and families in the Charlotte Region.”

Breakin' Convention is produced and presented annually at Sadler's Wells London since 2004. The festival comprises stage performances of the very best in hip hop dance theatre from around the world, and around the corner. Breakin' Convention is a true celebration of hip hop culture. It is regarded as one of the defining new stories of dance in the UK and beyond in the past decade. The two-day event will be filled with innovative and inspirational artists from all over the world, including local artists from Charlotte and the surrounding regions.

Alongside the international and national acts, integral parts of the Breakin’ Convention program are the local acts. These dance crews and artists will come from Charlotte and the surrounding areas. The aim is to unearth emerging artists and give them a unique opportunity to perform at a major venue and be inspired by the other artists with whom they are performing alongside. 

Jonzi D, the Artistic Director of Breakin' Convention and Jonzi D Projects, has been actively involved in British hip hop culture, rapping and b-boying since its genesis in the early 80s. Since graduating from the London Contemporary Dance School, Jonzi has been committed to the development of hip hop theatre, creating Lyrikal Fearta in 1995 and Aeroplane Man in 1999. He was an Associate Artist at The Place Theatre and has performed and created dance theatre pieces all over Europe, North America, Russia, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Cuba, Uganda and Southern Africa. He is currently a Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist. Jonzi D has also taken part in the Def Poetry Jam. Recent works include TAG ... Just Writing My Name and Markus The Sadist, featuring Bashy as well as Lyrikal Fearta: Redux and The Letter. As an emcee Jonzi D has worked with The Roots, Steve Williamson, MC Mell'o', Wordsworth, Hymphatic Thabs, and has toured Europe with Jeru the Damaja and Gangstarr in the early 90s.

For more information about Breakin’ Convention, visit BlumenthalArts.org/InvadingCLT. Jonzi D paid a visit to Charlotte in May. CLICK HERE and watch this video message!

ABOUT BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS 
Blumenthal Performing Arts serves the Carolinas as a leading cultural, entertainment and education provider. For more information, call (704) 372-1000 or visit BlumenthalArts.org. Blumenthal Performing Arts receives operating support from the Arts & Science Council and North Carolina Arts Council. Blumenthal Performing Arts is also supported by PNC Bank, sponsor of the PNC Broadway Lights. 

ABOUT COCA-COLA BOTTLING CO. CONSOLIDATED (CCBCC) 
Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated (CCBCC) (NASDAQ: COKE) is the nation’s largest independent Coca-Cola bottler.  Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, the company’s nearly 7,000 employees make, sell and deliver Coca-Cola products in franchise sales territories across the Southeast.  For more information, visit www.CokeConsolidated.com.

ABOUT BREAKIN’ CONVENTION
Breakin’ Convention is committed to celebrating, elevating and supporting hip hop dance theatre. Spearheaded by Jonzi D, the company works with the most respected, innovative and inspirational hip hop artists in the industry. Through its world-renowned international festival, professional development, youth projects and educational programme, Breakin’ Convention seeks to position hip hop dance alongside more historically established art forms. Breakin’ Convention is a resident company at Sadler’s Wells and Jonzi D is based at the theatre. 

ABOUT SADLER’S WELLS
Sadler's Wells is a world leader in contemporary dance, committed to producing, commissioning and presenting new works and to bringing the very best international and UK dance to London and worldwide audiences. Under the Artistic Directorship of Alistair Spalding the theatre’s acclaimed year-round programme spans dance of every kind, from contemporary to flamenco, Bollywood to ballet, salsa to street dance and tango to tap. Since 2005 it has helped to bring over 90 new dance works to the stage and its international award-winning commissions and collaborative productions regularly tour the world. Sadler’s Wells supports 16 appointed world class Associate Artists, three Resident Companies and an Associate Company and nurtures the next generation of talent through hosting the National Youth Dance Company, its Summer University programme, Wild Card initiative and its New Wave Associates. Located in Islington in north London, the current theatre is the sixth to have stood on the site since it was first built by Richard Sadler in 1683. The venue has played an illustrious role in the history of theatre ever since, with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and English National Opera all having started at Sadler’s Wells. Sadler’s Wells is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation and currently receives approximately 9% of its revenue from Arts Council England.