“Who can do a handstand for me?” Immediately, many small hands shot up.
Dancer Theo “Godson” Oloyade watched as pupils from Gainsborough Primary School kicked their feet up and balanced on their hands.
Thirteen children had come to take part in a special hip hop lesson led by Theo in anticipation of the festivities at the Great Get Together on Saturday, June 24.
Theo is from Breakin’ Convention Dance Zone, who will be at the event to offer free hip hop workshops to visitors.
All eyes were on Theo as he kicked his feet up into a handstand before swinging his legs over his head, ending in a backbend.
He stood up, smiled and asked who wanted to try.
Without trepidation, several of the children attempted the move. Others sat back and watched.
This was certainly more advanced than the 8-count beat Theo had shown them a few minutes earlier.
A dizzying bout of roundoffs, one-handed cartwheels and handstands followed.
Soon, the room was filled with the sounds of shoes squeaking against the floor and dull thuds when little feet returned to the ground.
“It’s kind of like fashion,” Darius Adeklue, seven, said. “You can be flexible and do your own moves.”
It was Jecintha Adighije’s favourite part of the day. “I liked the handstand. I couldn’t do it before today,” the eight-year-old said.
Like many of her friends at the Hackney school, Jecintha has enjoyed dancing most of her life.
“I’ve danced since I was little,” she said. “When I’m sad, it cheers me up.”
Theo told the group that the best place to practice their new skills was against a wall, explaining that it’s easier to balance your feet for a handstand.
“Just don’t mess up your mum’s walls,” he joked.
The lesson ended with the children showing off some of their best moves and flips to Theo.
“I like trying new things,” said 10-year-old Teddy Geuaux-Baena.
Visitors to the Great Get Together will also be able to learn a new move or two and try a free hip hop workshop led by dancers from Breakin’ Convention Dance Zone.
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The Great Get Together will bring family and friends together at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for an afternoon of music, dance, food and sports.
A nationwide event in support of the Jo Cox Foundation, it encourages people to celebrate their similarities with one another, rather than their differences by hosting
community events.
The park will host its own event from 12 to 6 pm on Saturday, June 24 with live music and dance entertainment.
Performers include the London School of Samba, the Chobham Academy Band, and Tavaziva, an African dance group.
Visitors will also be able to participate in a hip hop class with Breakin’ Convention Dance Zone.
Lyn Garner, LLDC chief executive, said: “I know the free hip hop workshops will be a big hit and it’s great to see East Bank partners, like Sadler’s Wells, using these events to show people what they will be
bringing to the area in the future.”
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