Bust-A-Move Festival is a Hip Hop community jam where people come together to dance, learn and support each other. It features battles, live performances, cypher spaces, a free dance workshop, a creative craft area and live graffiti.
There are three dance battles dance categories: Breaking for children (2 vs 2, ages 0–12), Breaking for youth (2 vs 2, ages 12–18), and Adults (2 vs 2), where each team is made up of one breaker and one dancer from another style. For the adult category, partners are matched at random during the day, encouraging participants to meet new people, collaborate with dancers they may not have worked with before and experience different styles. The focus is not simply on winning, but on building each other up, sharing knowledge and celebrating the values of respect, connection and community.
Alongside the battles, two open cypher spaces provide a relaxed, pressure-free environment where anyone can step into the circle, dance, express themselves or try something new. A DJ provides music throughout the day, while an experienced host guides the event and an established judge oversees the battles. Outside, a live graffiti artist creates artwork throughout the day, bringing another element of Hip Hop culture into the festival.
Every participant can also take part in a free 30-minute Locking, Popping or Breaking workshop, offering an opportunity to discover another style in a fun and accessible environment where everyone can dance together in a non pressure setting.
The festival also features performances, showcasing the work of our children’s Breaking groups and adult group, alongside performances from other dance groups who express an interest in taking part. Shared with the wider Bust-A-Move community and festival audience, the performances provide an opportunity for participants to celebrate their achievements, experience dance together and showcase their progression throughout the year, while creating a platform for other dancers to share their work with the community.
Local Hip Hop artists also have stalls selling T-shirts, hats and jumpers, while a dedicated craft area gives visitors the opportunity to explore Hip Hop-inspired creativity. Activities include learning graffiti-style lettering and creating Hip Hop-inspired characters with Leeds artist Warren Powell.
We have held three Bust-A-Move Festivals over the last three years at Open Source Arts in Leeds. Bust-A-Move Festival has welcomed dancers from across the UK, including Manchester, Bradford, London, Birmingham, Halifax, Milton Keynes, Devon and Newcastle.
TESTIMONIALS
‘The festival was a great opportunity to perform in a supportive environment & meet other dancers, as well as there being a great atmosphere, music & some art / painting. We really enjoyed the festival and thought it was a great family event for all ages!’
‘The Bust-A-Move Festival was an incredible event. It was amazing to see the local breakdancing community come together and for people of all ages and abilities to have the chance to take part. I never thought my son would have the confidence to perform but the atmosphere was so encouraging of everyone. Seeing the talent on show was fantastic and gave all the kids something to aspire to.’
‘We had a great time at the event. It was lovely to see people of all ages coming together to share their passion for breakdancing. There was a really supportive atmosphere, and it was clear how much time and effort goes into helping the younger dancers develop. This was Milan’s first breakdance battle, and at just six and a half years old, he made us incredibly proud. He stepped into the circle with so much confidence, showed off the skills he’s been learning, and received some really positive feedback. That’s a real credit to his teachers and everything they’ve been working on together. It’s been amazing to see how much breakdancing has helped build his confidence and given him another way to express himself. It was a brilliant experience for him.’
‘This year was our second year at Bust-a-Move. It was great to see familiar faces and we enjoyed the showcases and the drawing activities. I think the organisers pitch the event for all ages and the music is appropriate for youngsters as well as adults. Everyone was moving. The emcee was great at explaining the history behind the culture and encouraged the kids to have fun and show respect for each other, which they did. There were some nerves, but with support and encouragement the kids stepped up and had fun battling each other. It was really great to see. It was even more special to see them making friends, sharing and practicing moves outside of the competition space. Looking forward to next year!’
‘Bust-A-Move Festival was a magnetic atmosphere for families and everyone involved was electric, leaving you with a buzz waiting for the next date.’
The Story Behind Bust-A-Move Festival
Marie-France Mathias founded the Bust-A-Move Festival in 2024 alongside her partner and fellow Bust-A-Move teacher, Christopher Banks, who has been teaching with the organisation since 2020. The festival was created to make high-quality Hip Hop jams more accessible to the Leeds community and to provide a space where dancers of all ages and abilities can come together, participate and celebrate Hip Hop culture.
Through their years of teaching and performing, Marie and Chris recognised the importance of creating an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and progression of their students each year. The festival brings together children, young people and adults from the Bust-A-Move community alongside dancers and audiences from across the region and beyond.
Each year, Marie and Chris are committed to developing the festival further, responding to the needs and interests of the community and creating new opportunities for participation, performance, learning and connection.
Bust-a-Move 