17th Annual Visions and Voices Kickoff and Arts Fest
Thursday, August 18, 2022
7:30 to 11 p.m.
McCarthy Quad
USC ID Required at Check-In
Click HERE to RSVP
MAIN STAGE SCHEDULE:
8 to 10 PM
JAVON JOHNSON – Spoken Word
TARA McPHERSON – Presentation
JACK ROMERO – Music
TROJAN DANCE CHALLENGE featuring Justin Epstein, Helen Gratch, and Amaria Stern
AYONI – Music
Emceed by OVA SAOPENG
10 to 11 PM
DJs URBAN ASSAULT – After-show dance party
PLUS ART ACTIVATIONS THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT:
– Collective painting with CLAUDIA CONCHA
– Compliment Shower video installation by JAY BORGWARDT
– 360 photo booth
– Comment wall
– Meet USC’S ARTS SCHOOLS AND MUSEUMS
– FREE V&V T-shirts and gear
– Photo ops, food, and MORE!
JAVON JOHNSON
Three-Time National Poetry Slam Champion
Javon is a writer, scholar, and creator of the viral poem “cuz he’s black” who has appeared on BET’s Lyric Café, TV One’s Verses & Flow, The Steve Harvey Show, The Arsenio Hall Show, and United Shades of America with Kamau Bell on CNN.
> Check out Javon on Def Poetry Jam HERE.
> See Javon read “building” on Button Poetry HERE.
JACK ROMERO (USC Class of ’22)
Indie Rock Musician
Jack is a queer singer/songwriter from Chicago (now based in Los Angeles) who has advocated for LGBTQIA+ acceptance through his dynamic music and played festivals such as Austin City Limits and Summerfest.
> See Jack’s video for “Two Boys in Love” HERE.
> Watch Jack cover “What You Know” HERE.
TROJAN DANCE CHALLENGE
Justin Epstein (USC Class of ’19), Helen Gratch (USC Class of ’19), and Amaria Stern (USC Class of ’20)
The USC Kaufman alumni will teach moves for the dance floor, house parties, TikTok, and more.
Pictured, left to right:
> Justin is a professional dancer, teacher, choreographer, and co-founder of RYBG, a multidisciplinary creative production studio rooted in choreography.
> Amaria is a teaching artist, performer, and program coordinator for UniverSOUL Hip Hop, providing transformative Hip Hop education programs to K-12 schools throughout California.
> Helen is a hybrid, multifaceted artist who crosses the worlds of concert and commercial dance.
URBAN ASSAULT
Powerhouse DJ Duo
Faust and Shortee are a trailblazing electronic and hip hop DJ duo that brings fire beats with their live, four-turntable DJ trick sets scratched to perfection.
> See Shortee host a Technics 1200’s 50th anniversary scratch session HERE.
> Check out Faust’s “Return of the DJ” HERE.
OVA SAOPENG (USC Class of ’95)
Actor, Teaching Artist, and Playwright
Ova is an actor and writer and associate artistic director of TeAda Productions who has co-created critically acclaimed plays including Masters of the Currents, Refugee Nation, and Global Taxi Driver.
CLAUDIA CONCHA
Gestural Artist
Blending creativity, community, and healing, Claudia will lead large-scale collective painting for expressing, sharing, and connecting.
JAY BORGWARDT (USC Class of ’22)
New Media Artist
Jay is interested in using new media to broaden people’s horizons and create social change.
