Workshops and battles with Just Jam International presented by Bad Taste Cru.

The UK’s premiere breaking battle is back for the 12th time and will feature a who’s who of international breaking talent and possible 2024 Olympians.


This February Dance City, the North East’s leading organisation for dance, is hosting one of Europe’s best breaking events.

Just Jam International attracts top breaking crews from around the world and you could be part of it too!

Bad Taste Cru will be running workshops on Friday 24 February, for both kids and adults. This is your opportunity to learn from some of the best breakers on the scene.

Kids Workshop (Ages 7 – 11) – Friday 24 February, 5:30 – 7:30pm

Adult Workshop (Ages 16+) –
Friday 24 February, 5:30 – 8:30pm

Experienced dancers aged 12 – 15 are welcome to join the adults class.

Book your place now and brush up on your skills with this world-renowned crew.

On the next day, Saturday 25 February, the crew will present the Cypher Qualifier and Final Battle.

Crews (pairs of b-boys and b-girls) will compete in a Cypher Qualifier where expert judges will pick their top 32 duos to progress to the Battle Finals. Winning titles include, Best Newcomer and Just Jam Champions.

Now that Breaking is officially a sport at the 2024 Paris, there is a possibility there will be some future Olympians taking part at Just Jam 2023.  

The Battle Final is sold out, but a limited number of tickets still remain for the Cypher Qualifier.

Just Jam is the brainchild of Conor ‘Doke’ O’Kane and Paul ‘P’ Martin, of world-renowned breaking group Bad Taste Cru, based in Newcastle.  

Many champion breakers have come up through training with Bad Taste Cru and gone on to achieve major success, including Red Bull BC UK Champion Jackson Watson of The Battalions and Robert Anderson of Bad Taste Cru, who recently represented the UK at the WDSF World Championships in Korea.  

Conor and Paul are also part of the Breaking GB Council, which was established to support and develop UK breakers who want to work towards being a part of an elite national breaking team that will represent the UK at the highest level of competition. Which includes the Paris Olympics 2024.  

Paul is a WDSF Breaking Judge, one of only a few people in the UK, qualifying him to judge at top level WDSF and IOC ruled events. 

Just Jam organiser, Conor O’Kane explains: 

“The ‘Cypher’ (circle) in hip hop culture is the place knowledge is shared, battles are fought, ideas are exchanged and respect is earned. Starting with 75 crews in the cypher qualifiers, 32 crews will then selected by expert judges to qualify for Battle Finals.  

In the Finals, the audience will witness internationally renowned b-boys and b-girls go head-to-head with underground talent in one of the UK’s most revered Battles.  

Everyone of any age is welcome to come along, learn more about breaking culture, cheer for their favourite crews and be part of the electric atmosphere and the Just Jam experience.”