DERT (Dancing England Rapper Tournament) is the annual competition for rapper teams from across the world. It takes place over a spring weekend, in a different location every year, hosted by a local team – this year, rapper returns to its spiritual home, the North East! Your hosts will be the Newcastle Kingsmen, Sallyport Sword Dancers and Star & Shadow Rapper.
What to expect at DERT 2019, 5th-7th April:
Friday 5th:
This year there is a pit village coach tour! During the day, there will be a coach tour of some of the pit villages where rapper has its roots.
Evening shenanigans – everyone gathers together for beer, gin and chat.
Saturday 6th:
The main event! Anyone can watch in the public venues, for free.
Teams in the main competition will dance in FIVE PUBS in the Ouseburn – one dance in each pub in front of at least two judges.There are additional competitions at other venues:
- DERTy Youth (12-18).
- DERTy Junior (under 12s).
- Spotlight – a single staged dance.
- Traditional – the dance must be from accepted traditional notation.
- Veterans – combined age of the five dancers must be over 250 years.
The day culminates in the Showcase – a ticketed evening show of all dances, usually comedy versions, this year in the iconic Tyne Theatre and Opera House, with prizes awarded at the end.
Sunday 7th:
The winners run a rapper workshop in the morning for anyone to attend (despite hangovers), before the organisers hand over to next year’s hosts.