ON DISPLAY — LAKE’s Video-documentation Residency — returns in 2025 with Hip Hop Choreographer Estelle Ebenga / Cie ILONDZO, creating a multi-layered documentation of the piece “Concrete Roses”.
Filming and Editing take place in December 2025.
WATCH THIS SPACE for updates on an online premiere screening and artist interview — coming Spring 2026!
This way to Estelle’s ON DISPLAY Blog!
Concrete Roses is more than a story of struggle. It’s about community, sisterhood, healing and celebration. During the On Display residency I want to highlight the different layers of the piece buy providing four video content that explore the piece on a deeper level. I see “Concrete Roses” not just as a performance, but as a catalyst for change. It’s a celebration and in addition to the performance, I envision a multifaceted approach. Through workshops “The Blooming Sessions” and talks, I seek to offer a dynamic 360-degree experience of the piece project. This will not only deepen audience engagement but also foster meaningful dialogue surrounding the themes explored in “Concrete Roses.” which everybody can relate. It’s about reclaiming and defining who we are… By doing so, I aim to enhance the resonance and impact of my work, leaving a lasting impression long after the final curtain falls. ON DISPLAY Deliverables :
A PIECE
They perform the piece.
A CONVERSATION – WHAT IT IS TO BE A CONCRETE ROSE ?
This will be a special episode in Estelle’s podcast “Inside The Cypher x Lake Studios Berlin” new season coming in 2026.
The three women share an open conversation about the concept of being a “Rose that grew from Concrete” The conversation is about defining the concept of a concrete rose and understand each others journey through Hip Hop dance. A JAM “BLOOMING SESSION”
Just Letting go…The three dancers express themselves through slam poetry and dance.
A dynamic 360-degree experience of the piece where every dancers express themselves freely on music on a imposed theme : BEAUTY IN UNEXPECTED PLACES
Each dancer got 2 minutes each to express
A MASTERCLASS
Perfomed by Sandra Roberts. This lecture will not only deepen audience engagement but also foster meaningful dialogue surrounding the themes explored in the piece. How do we navigate through our bicultural and multiple identities as African descent women in performing arts.
Choosing peace of mind, celebration and love for one another….
Concrete Roses is the second piece created by emerging Hip Hop choreographer Estelle Ebenga. Written as the sequel of her first solo piece “In/Her Blossom”; “Concrete Roses” is a trio dance and slam performance alongside Berlin based dancer Iman Gele and Amsterdam based dancer Sandra Roberts. Through Hip Hop, House, Krump and slam poetry. They use their gift as a way to communicate with their bodies when words are not enough and there’s no voice left…they just let it go. They push each other toward greatness. They dream together. They root for one another. A tribute to sisterhood.
CREDITS
Choreography : Estelle Ebenga
Performance : Sandra Roberts, Iman Gele, Estelle Ebenga
Music : composition by Easy-e and DJ Joseph Wu (with musical excerpts from: Busta Rhymes « Gimme some More » on Flipmode Elektra, Aretha Franklin « A rose still a rose » on Arista Records)
Production: Streetsmile
Artist Bios
Born in 1988 in Lille, France with Congolese roots. Estelle Ebenga is a creative entrepreneur, dancer and choreographer. She started dancing at 7 with modern jazz and discovered Hip Hop dance at 13 and later discovered the underground dance scene of battles in France and Europe. In 2019, she created « iLondzo » a streetdance company to promote urban dances and arts, and toured with her solo “In/Her Blossom” in France, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium. As a creative she is also a marketing consultant and has collaborated with brands such as Eastpak, Nike, Jordan France or Netflix Germany and keeps on promoting Hip Hop dance with her podcast @insidethecypher !
Born in 1995, Iman Gele is a dancer, choreographer, host and organizer with East African roots based in Berlin, Germany. Her work and experience is particularly influenced by techniques and methods of Hip Hop, Krump and House Dance styles. She is a member and co-founder of the women’s collective @walashe.fam and the Krump collective @nda.bivini. In addition to being part of the underground dance and art scene, Iman is also gaining experience in dance theatre with classical artists and a wide variety of contemporary choreographers. Lately she has founded “Green Room”, an event series in cooperation with the Volksbühne Berlin, which brings together artists of all art forms especially for BIPOC artists.
Born in the Parisian region in 1991 of French Caribbean parents, Sandra Roberts is an independent event producer and has been based in Amsterdam since 2015 and is the Event Lead Manager at @my_omek, a worldwide community connecting and championing biculturals of African descent. She started dancing at the age of 8 years old and has since explored a variety of styles. From modern jazz to contemporary, salsa, dance hall and house. This variety makes her particularly drawn to improvisation and freestyle. Sandra’s dance journey is driven by her interest in the impact of movement and music on one’s philosophy and psychology.