PIONEERING GLOBAL creative network, Glug, announces it has teamed up with Boxpark Wembley to produce the world’s first grime ballet London Sketchbook.

London Sketchbook comprises brand new original music and choreography produced as part of a collaboration between critically acclaimed leading lady of grime Lioness and world renowned and classically trained choreographer Alexander Whitley.

It is a unique world debut performance combining two very diverse, yet equally important, art forms.

The track is being produced by British songwriter, record producer and poet Nat Powers, who has previously worked with artist like Giggs, Run DMC and D Double E.

London Sketchbook’s global premiere will be a ticketed event at Boxpark Wembley on January 30.

The performance also incorporates music and live accompaniment from The Grime Violinist (Tanya Cracknell), the classically trained musician best known for her violin covers of grime tracks.

Lioness will also perform a solo set of tracks including her upcoming single from her much-anticipated new EP ‘Overdraft’.

Other stuff going on at the event includes: the London premiere of Alexander Whitley Dance Company’s interactive performance installation Strange Stranger which features music by DJ and Producer Beatrice Dillon, a panel discussion on the future of grime, workshops on classical ballet, rap and contemporary dance and DJ sets.

Glug CEO, Pete Bowker, says: “Glug champions all creative communities, exploring their impact on the world.”

He adds: “The project unites the urban grime scene with classical dance for a common creative purpose. It’s what we’re all about. Creativity is a powerful force and bringing together such vastly different forms of it creates something tremendously exciting. We think there should be more of this, so we intend to drive it!

We’re deliberately hosting this in Wembley Park, a thriving and fast developing cultural hub and part of London’s 2020 borough of culture (Brent).”

Lioness says: “It almost sounds like an oxymoron and that’s why I love the concept so much. The thing about London is that it’s culture is made up of different cultures; so, to display that sonically and visually through art form, is going to be an amazing thing.”

Whitley added: “I’m really excited to be working with Glug on this new collaboration with Lioness. I love how dance brings me into contact with so many other artists and art forms and I’m thrilled to be reaching out into new territory with this project. I’m inspired by how powerfully and articulately grime artists are reflecting the world around them, which is something I always strive to do in my work, so can’t wait to see what happens when Lioness and I get into the studio together.”