Hip-Hop Theatre Festival Now Underway Thru 10/17

Hip-Hop Theater Festival (HHTF) is back stretching from Brooklyn to Manhattan and bringing three culturally-packed weeks of art, dance, and theater. From October 1st-17th the HHTF will celebrate the foundational roots and evolution of Hip-Hop, along with the movement's groundbreaking journey through the arts in a series of shows. Broken into three overarching themes, the festival features the classical elements of hip-hop (music; break dancing; graffiti), family-friendliness (a children's show; a show for youth, by youth; spoken word performances) and finally women leading the way forward (reading series; women-centric performances).

Included in these various performances are fully produced theater works, staged readings, educational panels, dance showcases and workshops - all in celebration of the Hip-Hop movement. Under a category of grants typically reserved for traditional theater companies, the Hip-Hop Theater Festival is proud to announce its acceptance of $15,000 on behalf of the NY Council of Humanities to be used toward informing New Yorkers about the depth and breadth of Hip-Hop culture. With support from the New York Council for the Humanities, and in collaboration with Urban Word and NYU's Center for Multicultural Education and Programs, HHTF is launching Hip-Hop Humanities, a unique series of public conversations exploring the role and impact of Hip-Hop culture on society.

Hip-Hop Theater Festival kicks off with DEEZ NUTS, a workshop production in honor of the highly acclaimed underground rap duo the Beatnuts, written by long time music writer Sacha Jenkins, co-conceived with noted promoter Peter Oasis. Deez Nuts explores the rich musical legacy of the Beatnuts through the performance of their tunes by the maestros themselves; Deez Nuts also canvases the sights, smells and characters of their native Corona, Queens. A fellow Queens-ite turned journalist, on a fact-finding mission, returns to the old neighborhood in order to meet group members Psycho Les and JuJu. This journey not only nets cultural nuggets about the Latino duo and their surroundings, but crucial observations about self and the state that created hip hop.
Another anticipated event, The Black Book "Graffiti" Master Class taught by Stylemaster Enrique "Part One" Torres and Jacob Kimvall, is a free class that takes a deeper look at the art of graffiti through the black book tradition with specific techniques and a more profound knowledge of the visual art's origin. 

The Hip-Hop Theater Festival will also present B-Boys on Broadway, a free outdoor event held right in the middle of Times Square, celebrating the true elements of Hip-Hop. Hosted by D-Stroy with special guests Blitz the Ambassador and Ken Swift, this unique production will showcase b-boys and b-girls from all over the world, while DJ DP One supplies the beats as
one of Hip-Hop's hottest and most pure turntablists. Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip Hop Creation Myth, a family friendly production enjoyed by anyone ages four and up, is a contemporary version of an African tale incorporating a modern take on traditional creation stories. Zomo the Rabbit must perform three tasks for "The Sky God" in order to receive ultimate power. Eventually, the story leads to the creation of Hip- Hop and a harmonious celebration of culture.

The Word Begins is another innovative piece, written and performed by lyrical geniuses Sekou Tha Misfit and Steve Connell. Nominated for three Helen Hayes Awards, the performance verbally illustrates the artists' struggle with belief and morality in America today through the powerful medium of spoken word. The festival will wrap with Angela's Mixtape, a play by Eisa Davis using music and memory to tell the story of a radical upbringing on the dividing line between Oakland and Berkeley, California. Described by The New York Times as "a rhythmic collage of scenes, songs and reminiscences," the music bounces from decade to decade bringing a variety of styles and
intense theatrical momentum for a lively and dynamic show. "Hip-Hop is not something you can you can buy at a record store. It is an evolving, pulsating movement best served live and
direct alongside people of all ages and backgrounds," says Clyde Valentin, event producer and executive director of the Hip- Hop Theater Festival. "This year we are about fusing the traditional Hip-Hop ‘family' with elements of art, music, and dance. We really want to educate and enliven the community with Hip-Hop." For more information regarding the Hip-Hop Theater Festival, please visit www.hhtf.org

Beginning in the summer of 2000, the annual Hip-Hop Theater Festival brings together the Hip-Hop generation and those interested in learning more about it in a celebration of the Hip-Hop culture. The non-profit festival has presented over 100 world-renown artists in festivals reaching major metropolitan audiences in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Since its inception, The Hip-Hop Theater Festival has grown into one of the most influential outlets showcasing Hip-Hop performing arts in the country and has become an important contributor to the cultural life of participating Festival cities. This influence has been extended through live, professionally executed theater performances written by and about the Hip-Hop generation. Often using the elements of Hip-Hop culture (including MCing, DJing, Hip-Hop dance, graffiti and Spoken Word), Hip-Hop Theater tells urgent stories seldom represented on stage, and through language that embraces Hip-Hop's multi-literate and poly-lingual vitality. Always imbued with an undercurrent of activism, Hip-Hop Theater ignites dialogue and social change through exciting, provocative and celebratory performance. For more information, go to
www.hiphoptheaterfest.com.

 

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