Whack to the West – W*ack à Rennes
In crossover with Maintenant Festival and featuring W*ack à Rennes
Put on your best outfit, bring your fiercest attitude and get ready to shine: Whack to the West is taking over Salle de la Cité for a night dedicated entirely to whacking!
Born in the underground clubs of Los Angeles in the 1970s among Black, Latinx and Asian queer communities, whacking is more than a dance. It is an act of resistance, self-affirmation and collective expression, an explosion of freedom and individuality. Here, you hit the air with power, strike Hollywood diva poses, play with music, gaze and attitude… and above all, celebrate those who dare to be fully themselves.
For this one-off event, UNDER/GROUND joins forces with Maintenant Festival and gives W*ack à Rennes carte blanche to transform Salle de la Cité into a true temple of groove and flamboyance. Battles, high-energy jams, performances and other surprises will keep the night moving!
Whether you’ve been into whacking for years or are simply ready to discover the magnetic energy of this culture, come experience a vibrant, inclusive, electric and fiercely stylish night.
BATTLE CONCEPT
Two generations, two levels of experience, one floor. A 2vs2 battle in intergenerational duos: the jury will preselect 8 dancers, drawn by lot to form 8 duos with 8 Rookies de l’Ouest scouted beforehand. €500 for the winning duo.
LINE-UP
JUDGES
Suzanne Degennaro: has been dancing whacking since 2018 and is an active member of the Delacrème collective. She has honed her practice through direct experience in competition and is now recognised for her technical eye and commitment to the history of the style.
Viktor Bukový, aka Viktor High Edition: Slovak dancer and DJ based in the Czech Republic, Viktor is a recognised reference within the global whacking community.
Exaucé Lokebo, aka Exo Steevy: embodies one of the most distinctive approaches to contemporary whacking, driven by an intense relationship to presence and movement.
DJ
Mounia Nassangar, aka BLVK B3RRY choreographer and internationally recognised whacking figure, she sets the rhythm of the battle with the same precision that shapes her choreographic work.
BogotaBeats: Born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, he later came to Rennes to complete his studies and never left the decks. Drawing on the Latin and Afro rhythms of his home country, combined with the groove of house and techno, he has been making Rennes dancefloors move for several years and will close the night.
MC: Gorgeous and Loly will host the evening from the mic.
Doors open at 7pm. Pre-selections (mandatory inscription) from 7:30pm. Money prize.
A completely safe space doesn’t exist, especially on a night like this. But together, we can make it a safer space for the evening. Whacking was born in clubs where queer, trans and racialised people found refuge when no other places offered it. That same intention runs through this event. Respect, care and listening: these are what we ask of you, and what you have every right to expect from others. Sexist and sexual violence, gender-based discrimination and racism in all their forms have no place here. A team trained in prevention will be present throughout the night, clearly identifiable on site and available at any time if you need support.
BUY YOUR TICKET
/ SORTIR! rate available on the Destination Rennes website /