ADMISSION:
Admission is free. Reservations required.

RSVP

DESCRIPTION:
August 1973 is acknowledged as the critical moment of the emergence of Hip Hop, as innovated by Black and Brown youth in New York City. To celebrate Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary and dance in Hip Hop as a global phenomenon, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, home to one of the nation’s largest contingents of faculty in higher education with Hip Hop dance expertise, will host a dynamic festival of panels, workshops, and dancing organized by artistic lead and curator d. Sabela grimes.

This community-focused block party will weave a vibrant tapestry of Hip Hop culture, with L.A.-based dance artists K’niin, Asia One (No Easy Props), Versa-Style Legacy, UniverSOUL Hip Hop, and Ryan Phuong with Kaufman BFA dancers as part of the SC Choreogaphic Collective, along with DJ Adé and an opening set by DJ Slaterrose bringing the streets to life with improvisational or spontaneous pop-up performances. Attendees are invited to not just witness but actively engage, collaborate, and co-create with our special guests and USC Kaufman students in a living celebration of kinetic innovation and a heartfelt homage to Hip Hop. It ain’t nothin’ but a party y’all!

The first 225 guests who check in will receive tickets for dinner and dessert upon check in. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options will be available.

Bios:

DJ Adé is a dance music connoisseur dedicated to exploring contemporary and classic sounds that make people dance, including Motown and Philly soul, Afro- Cuban and disco, new wave, punk, and classic hard rock. He is the co-founder/producer/DJ of Utopia, a social event that has quickly grown into one of the most distinct and sought-after affairs to attend in Los Angeles, and a producer/DJ of The Nonsemble, a collective group of music enthusiasts that has produced jazz events throughout Los Angeles.

DJ Slaterrose is a deejay and BFA student at the USC Kaufman School of Dance. “Slater” is a character in the TV series Saved by the Bell and “Rose” sounds like the first part of Slaterrose’s last name.

d. Sabela grimes, a 2014 United States Artists Rockefeller Fellow, is a choreographer, writer, composer, and associate professor of practice at USC Kaufman, whose interdisciplinary performance work and pedagogical approach reveal a vested interest in the physical and meta-physical efficacies of Afro-Diasporic cultural practices. Considered one of the most imaginative and innovative artists in his field, grimes created and continues to cultivate a movement system called Funkamentals that focuses on the methodical dance training and community-building elements evident in Black vernacular and Street dance forms.

K’niin is a freestyle/street dance artist, choreographer, and teacher with a concentration in urban improvisational  movement and techniques. Specializing in movement innovation and total body integration methodologies, he travels extensively to urban arts communities, both to compete and teach his techniques, and collaborates with various companies, including Embodiment Project, Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre, and the Groovaloos, to bring powerful, performative, creative, and thought-provoking street dance to the dance theatre world.

Ryan Phuong was born in Los Angeles, CA, and trained at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. He is earning his BFA at the USC Kaufman School of Dance, where he has performed works by artists such Kyle Abraham, Doug Varone, and Hope Boykin. Through his academic journey at USC, Ryan has recognized the opportunity to merge his passions for dance and acting. His acting credits include co-starring in the Showtime hit Shameless and a recurring, guest star role in four seasons of Young Sheldon. 

UniverSOUL Hip Hop consists of an elite group of highly qualified, socially engaged, and skilled dance educators who are passionate about being lifelong learners to both the art of teaching and the art of Hip Hop. Founded by USC Kaufman lecturer Tiffany “Jimini” Bong, the group specializes in blending the creativity of Hip Hop with the rigor of standards-based pedagogy to provide innovative, interdisciplinary dance programs to over 50 schools a year.

Versa-Style Legacy is the official junior company of Versa-Style, and is a professional Hip Hop and street dance ensemble. Based in the belief that the arts are essential for the development of academic proficiency, creativity, leadership abilities and meaningful community connections that create and sustain essential pathways to healthy, stable and productive futures, VS Legacy performs weekly educational school shows for Los Angeles youth to inspire self-efficacy in its students and provide a new perspective on the impact the arts can have in their communities.

Nancy “Asia One” Yu is one of the best-known and most-respected b-girls in the world, the founder and CEO of the annual B-Boy Summit event, a member of Fame City Graffiti Crew, president of the Mighty Zulu Kweenz Crew, and founder of No Easy Props, a non-profit with the mission to preserve Hip Hop culture and provide education and entertainment to communities of all ages throughout the world. She appears extensively in commercials, television shows, and films.

Related events:

Celebrating Hip Hop Dance Scholarship
Wednesday, September 20
Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center
For info, click HERE.

Celebrating Collaboration & Community
Wednesday, October 4
Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center
For info, click HERE.

Presented by USC Visions and Voices. Organized by artistic lead and curator d. Sabela grimes and the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. Co-sponsored by the Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs and La CASA.

Artwork: Dark Matter in Breaking Cyphers book cover