The D.C. Hip Hop Theater Festival is coming up soon! Don't miss this one-of-a-kind week full of unique dance, theater, and movie screenings.
The 17th annual D.C. Hip Hop Theater Festival is starting this week, July 6-13. The festival was founded in 2000 by
Hi-ARTS, a leading organization within the urban arts movement. Hi-ARTS seeks to expand into new realms of artistic creativity that include social and political advocacy and service to communities. This year,
Dance Place D.C. is hosting the festival in its own space, as well as in spaces across D.C., including the
Kennedy Center and the
Honfleur Gallery.
You can find more info on
the Facebook event page!
Hi-ARTS invigorates the arts and culture field by nurturing the creation of innovative work within the hip-hop aesthetic; presenting and touring artists whose work addresses the socio-political issues relevant to the hip-hop generation; and serving young, urban communities through outreach and education." - The D.C. Hip Hop Theater Facebook Event
The D.C. Hip Hop Theater Festival is one of many hip hop theater and urban arts festivals that Hi-ARTS hosts around the country, including Chicago, San Francisco, and New York. The D.C. festival features the freshest work in theater and performance that reflects the breadth of Hip-Hop and urban culture. By bringing together local and national artists, activists, and intellectuals, the festival remains one of the premier spaces to see work that reflects and pushes the boundaries of theater, film, dance, and education.
There are many powerful performances to see over the week. Check out the
full schedule here, or see some of the most anticipated highlights below:
Name Calling and Body of Work, Friday and Saturday, July 7-8, 8 p.m., at Dance Place
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Name Calling and Body of W[/caption]
Name Calling and Body of Work are two riveting one-woman works at the forefront of performances. Name Calling (co-directed by Candis Jones) is exciting new Hip-Hop theatre that examines the trials of one woman to stay afloat in her world. Ebony Ingram’s Body of Work is a magnetic conversation through dance that examines notions of culture, passion, and revolution. Both works respond to the intersection of trauma and the celebration of the politics of womanism, sexism, and survival."
The Bitter Game, Tuesday and Wednesday, July 11-12, 6 p.m., at The Kennedy Center Family Theater
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The Bitter Game[/caption]
Five acts structured as the four quarters and overtime of a basketball game, THE BITTER GAME explores the experience of being Black in America through the relationship between a young man and his mother. Based on the playwright/actor Keith A. Wallace’s youth in Philadelphia, this multi-character performance tackles issues ranging from police violence, to coping with Trauma, to the value of Black Lives. Includes strong language and adult content."
Whose Streets Screening and Community Dialogue, Monday July 10, 7 p.m., at Busboys & Poets (14th & V St)
Hi-ARTS, Maysles Cinema, and Magnolia Pictures present a screening of the documentary, Whose Streets. Whose Streets is an unflinching look at how the killing of 18-year-old Mike Brown inspired a community to fight back and sparked a global movement. After the film there will be a community dialogue about the intersection of art and activism. This is an unprecedented opportunity to screen and discuss the documentary before its national premiere."
Take a look at the festival website for more info!
What performances are you looking most forward to? Let us know in the comments below!
