HIP HOP
DANCE ALMANAC
Hip Hop Dance Writing Laboratory
Designed and facilitated by Ian Abbott, Hip Hop Dance Writing Laboratories are spaces for Hip Hop dancers/writers to explore and reflect the perspectives, experiences and issues concerning and related to Hip Hop dance(s). By the end of each six day lab, every participant publishes one original work resulting in a new round of texts for the Hip Hop Dance Almanac's publishing imprint - Ink Cypher.
During the lab participants have the chance to reflect, read and share conversations about Hip Hop dance(s) whilst developing new skills. This supported environment ensures participants will:
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Develop their editing, critical analysis and creative skills.
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Improve their analytical arguments
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Learn new techniques and tools to aid their writing
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Be intentional in their bodies when they write
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Form part of a new international community of Hip Hop dance writers
Ink Cypher x Hong Kong
Hip Hop Dance Writing Lab
April 2025 sees the first Hip Hop Dance Writing Lab taking place in Hong Kong in partnership with the Hong Kong Street Dance Development Association (HKSDDA).
Ink Cypher x Hong Kong is part HKSDDA's programme Flo - the first Street Dance Choreographer Training and Development Programme in Hong Kong.
From February 2025 Flo Participants will undergo a series of skills development intensives in dramaturgy, improvisation, choreographic development and writing before they present new work in 2026.
Writing about Hip Hop dance(s) requires a sense of ‘responsiveness’, a balance between poetics, linguistic precision and focused attention. There is a lack of Hip Hop dance writing globally and out of all the original Hip Hop elements dance has the least documentation and commentary. The Hip Hop Dance Writing Laboratories are one of the ways which the Hip Hop Dance Almanac is aiming to increase the documentation and writing on Hip Hop dance(s).
If you're an organisation or individual interested in bringing a Hip Hop Dance Writing Lab to your community, please get in touch.