Nick Power aka b-boy Rely  

What did you want to be when you grew up?
A race car driver like my Dad.

What did you become?
A Hip Hop artist.

What's your official title?
Artistic Director, Performer, Choreographer, Teacher... the usual independent artist wearing 4 different hats.

What's your background - how did you end up here?
I first got into Dance at my High School Socials we used to show off doing tricks after that I was a battle B*Boy for many years, traveling around competing and doing shows in clubs and at festivals with my crew Gravity Warriors. These days I choreograph, direct and perform in full length shows.

How would you describe your work to a complete stranger?
To be honest when I explain what I do to a complete stranger I cringe because I know people have this idea of what Hip Hop is that's been fed to them by the mainstream media. What I do is a far cry from that image so it takes a bit of explaining. I generally say I'm a B*Boy and then if they don't know what that is I say I'm a breakdancer and I put together shows.

What's the first thing career related you usually do each day?
Yoga or check the emails.

Can you describe an "average" working day for you?

There are 3 equally represented parts to my career:

On tour (show day):
Eat light, stay relaxed, nothing strenuous just chill and conserve energy. Arrive at the venue 2 hours before the show, strong, focussed warm up then rock the house! After the show a couple of drinks, talk about how good/bad we were and get ready to do it all again the next day.

Making a show:
Arrive at the venue before the cast with a clear plan for the day. Take warm up then set tasks or consolidate from the day before. Hopefully create magical moments and have some fun. Go home, think about what's working and what's not, make a plan for the next day, try to switch off and get some sleep.

Admin:
emails, phone calls, meetings, lists. Gotta do what ya gotta do.

Who or what in the arts world most inspires you?
People who take risks and don't follow the trends.

What's the toughest challenge you've dealt with on the job?
Working projects back to back and continuing to come up with interesting and innovative ideas.

What's the best piece of advice you were ever given for your career?
Trust yourself and your ability.

What are the top three skills you need in your particular role?
Experience (not sure this is a skill but it's a necessity), Knowledge and understanding of Hip Hop music, dance and culture, Diplomacy.

What's the best thing about your job?
The people I get to work with.

And the worst?
Being away from my girlfriend for around 6 months of the year.

And if you had to sum your working life in a word or phrase, what would it be?
I live my dream.

BIO
Nick Power aka b-boy Rely has represented Australian hip hop as a break-dancer, choreographer, teacher, producer, and artistic director for over fifteen years. As Artistic Director of Platform Hip Hop Festival, Nick has fostered relationships with artists from all facets of the culture. Nick recently returned from a European tour of Stiltbreak, the breakdancing/stilt acrobatics theatre show he directed and performed for Stalker Theatre Co. His directing credits also include the sold-out hip hop theatre show, Survival Tactics which he co-created and performed at Sydney Opera House, Brisbane Powerhouse and Melbourne Arts House in 2007. Nick has toured and performed as a dancer for such hip hop heavyweights as Grandmaster Flash, Run DMC and the Resin Dogs at some of Australia’s biggest festivals and events. He has worked extensively as a dance tutor within the remote indigenous community of Lajamanu where he regularly choreographs the Milpirri performance work, and has also tutored at many other events and festivals, including Stomping Ground Festival, Sydney Children’s Festival, and Bakehouse. The Platform 3 Hip Hop Festival will see the debut of Elevate, the highly anticipated sequel to Stiltbreak – the wicked fusion of hip hop/physical theatre/and stilt break-dancing!

Catch the Platform 1 Hip Hop Festival action at CarriageWorks on 28 & 29 March in Sydney.

For more info click here

CARRIAGEWORKS PRESENTS

PLATFORM 3 HIP HOP FESTIVAL

*3 days of free hip hop dance classes | 27FEB, 6MAR, 13MAR
*1 day graffiti & street art tour with Mistery | 13MAR 2010
*2 Days high-power hip hop culture (music, dance, art, theatre) | 19-20MAR 2010

CarriageWorks PLATFORM 3 HIP HOP FESTIVAL returns in March 2010 with three Saturdays of FREE hip hop dance classes (Sat 27 Feb, 6 & 13 Mar 11am-12pm), the ultimate graffiti and street art tour of Sydney’s inner west with legendary graffiti artist Mistery (Sat 13 March 11am-1pm), culminating in a slamming two-day celebration of everything hip hop on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 March.

Three years young, PLATFORM 3 HIP HOP FESTIVAL is Sydney’s smokin’ hot showcase of the five crucial elements of hip hop culture - DJing, MCing, beat boxing, break-dancing and graffiti art, by the best Aussie hip hop artists from all over the country. Don’t miss this unique chance to catch hardcore hip hop heads, hot local talent, and novices in a fun and family-friendly environment. THE 2 DAY FESTIVAL: Let’s break it down.

PLATFORM 3 HIP HOP FESTIVAL involves the opening party on Friday night, stacks of free activities on Saturday throughout the day, and a whole host of performances on Saturday Night. The Flexing Skillz and Freak the Technique events are ticketed and the premium ring-side seats are limited so get in fast. If revellers don’t get a ticket, they can watch all the hip hop battles and entertainment for FREE live on the big screen as the CarriageWorks bar and DJs rock well into the night!

FRI 19 MAR - SAT 20 MAR