WASHINGTON, DC
July 6-11, 2009 Presented by:
the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities
On July 7th the DC Festival lands with an intoxicating mix of flavors, sights and sounds for all to enjoy. We’ve got four venues, 12 events, and over 20 artists coming through! From family-friendly Zomo the Rabbit to the visionary struggles of the Voices Remix to the bold dance party vision of Amsterdam-based choreographerNita Liem, this year’s Festival caters to all tastes and palates, and even throws in desert!
The DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities andHip-Hop Theater Festival is proud to present all eventsfree of charge.
7 PM :: AM Radio Live Art & Performance
In association with ART UNPLUGGED
Art Unplugged features the visual artists team AM Radio. The creative collective is made up of Aniekan, PJ Herring, Wes Clark, Jamaul Smith, Perry Sweeper, Tyler Luck, BUCK! and DJ Two-Tone Jones. The artists and DJ work in collaboration to create painted 7'x5' compositions in front of a live audience. Using the environment and the African aesthetic as inspiration, AM Radio breaks canvas and concepts down to their root.
The Library Saloon :: 3514 12th Street, NE
9 PM :: HHTF OPENING NIGHT PARTY
In association with Lil Soso Productions
Join us for “The Main Ingredient” and share in a global hip hop experience that includes music from DC to West London. Featuring resident DJs, Jahsonic and DJ Stylus of The Soul Controllers, with special guests from the London?based collective Uprock Recordings.
Marvin’s :: 2007 14th Street, NW
12 PM :: YOUTH PANEL
Parallels between Graffiti Art and Fine Art
What was considered radical art at the turn of the 20th Century today is now hanging proudly across the worlds finest contemporary art museums. Where does that leave Graffiti Art, arguably one of the most influential and popular visual art forms from the last quarter century and of the new millennium? This panel will engage youth and pioneers alike on the subject.
Ballou Senior High School :: 3401 4th Street, SE
6 PM :: Voices Remix: A People’s History of the United States
Elizabeth Acevedo, Regie Cabico, Staceyann Chin,Michael Ealy, W. Ellington Felton, Lupe Fiasco, Walter Mosley and other special guests.Narration by Dave Zirin
Music by DJ Earth 1ne
THE VOICES REMIX
The Voices Remix: A People’s History of the United States (National Project of Howard Zinn) is a unique collaboration set to ignite and honor the activists, dissenters and progressives from America’s vibrant history as read by today’s hottest talent. Fashioned as a night of theater, it will fuse multi-generational artists and performers to celebrate the courageous agents of change who gave birth to the most powerful generation yet.
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Terrace Theater :: 2700 F Street, NW
Seating limited. First come, first served.
9 PM :: Voices Post-Show Reception
Eye Bar :: 1716 Eye Street, NW(5 blocks from the Kennedy Center)
12 PM :: Panel Discussion
A Conversation on the Power of Hip-Hop Arts and Culture
to Create Change
This conversation will address how Hip-Hop arts and culture can be a primary vehicle used to build communities and create social change. It will explore the amazing organizing power of community arts by looking at the existing efforts and organizations within the cultural and social justice movements that are building on these ideas. Additionally it will touch on how Hip-Hop arts and culture might be used by the Obama administration as a tool for national change.
Flashpoint Mead Theater Lab :: 916 G Street, NW
4:30 PM :: Teacher Training: Shakespeare Metes the Beat
As an educational component to the 2009 DC Hip-Hop Theater Festival, Joy Jones will provide arts-in-education training for District of Columbia teachers with techniques and dynamic activities to enliven and supplement language arts and theatre education through exploration of the exciting similarities between the poetry of William Shakespeare and Hip-Hop music.
American Poetry Museum :: 1922 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE
9 PM :: FILM SCREENING
HOMEGROWN: HipLife in Ghana
By Eli Jacob Fantauzzi
HOMEGROWN is a documentary about VIP (Vision in Progress), the most popular HipLife music group in Ghana. The film chronicles their journey from the ghettos of ACCRA to their first international tour.
Studio Theater :: 1501 14th Street, NW
10 PM :: 3rd Annual J. Dilla Tribute Concert & Fundraiser
Featuring Wayna, Kev Brown, Kaimbr, Oddissee, Roddy Rod and more. Hosted by Grap Luva. Suggested Donation at the door.
LIV/Bohemian Caverns :: 2001 11th Street, NW
7 PM :: Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth
Written and Directed by Psalmayene 24
Originally Commissioned by Imagination Stage
Premiere performance January 24, 2009
Zomo the Rabbit in search of wisdom
Set in our Nation's Capital, Zomo is a contemporary, high-energy take on an African tale. Zomo the Rabbit calls the Sky God (on his cell phone) requesting the ultimate prize of wisdom. The Sky God gives him three tasks and Zomo succeeds in trickster fashion, but it's only by sharing the prize that he invents Hip-Hop, leading all the characters to celebrate their culture together. Enjoyed by Ages 4+.
THEARC Theater :: 1901 Mississippi Avenue, SE
NOTE: For Thursday, July 9 performance, HHTF Shuttle Van running from Southern Avenue, Green Line Stop from 6 PM – 7 PM.
3 PM :: SPECIAL YOUTH MATINEE
Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth
Written and Directed by Psalmayene 24
Originally Commissioned by Imagination Stage
Premiere performance January 24, 2009
6 PM :: Freshest of All Time
Presented by Words Beats & Life
Last year's Freshest Of All Time attracted over six hundred spectators and more than twenty-five break dancing crews from across the globe. Building on the momentum created by last years’ event, Freshest of All Time 2009 will bring together the b-boy/b-girl community, youth, families, and anyone interested in seeing one of the best battles of the year together under one roof.
Registration for the battle will begin at 3 PM and closes at 6 PM. A film screening of Beat Street will begin at 6 PM. Battle will begin at 8 PM sharp. For more informationemail Cory Stowers or call 202-667-1192. St. Stephens Episcopal Church :: 1525 Newton Street, NW
9 PM :: Nita Liem’s Dance Party
Featuring Don’t Hit Mama: Nita Liem - Artistic Director, Bart Deuss Co-Artistic Director/Dramaturg, with Clearence Koorndijk and Honey Eavis, Holly Bass,
Brandon Barnette, Meghan Bowden, Olivia Crosby (Culture Shock),
Simone Jacobson, Shae Lim and many more!
Curated by Holly Bass. Music by DJ RBI.Support for Nita Liem was made possible by
Consulate General of The Netherlands in New York &
The Royal Netherlands Embassy
Nita Liem's Dance Party
What happens when you mash-up a great dance theater venue like Dance Place and eliminate the barriers between performer and audience? You get Nita Liem’s Dance Party. Featuring some of DC’s hottest local dance talent, Dance Place will be transformed for two nights into the ultimate jack your body experience. Don’t miss this unique, unprecedented site-specific performance.
Dance Place :: 3225 8th Street, NE
Online Reservations
12 PM :: Step Into a World
Open House :: ALL AGES WELCOME
Each year this event welcomes families, community leaders, local artists, and young people out east of the river to enjoy some of the art and music created by the students of the DC Urban Arts Academy. This year,Words Beats & Life is inviting several local organizations, community groups, and programs to come showcase their programs. Throughout the day there will be interactive workshops in arts & crafts, Hip-Hop history, chess, a b-boy/b-girl exhibition, an interactive student art exhibition and performances, all for ages 6 and up. For more information email Ayana Patrick or call 202-667-1192.
Benning Park Recreation Center :: 5100 53rd Street, SE (@ Fitch Street)
9 PM :: CLOSING NIGHT PERFORMANCE
Featuring Don’t Hit Mama: Nita Liem - Artistic Director, Bart Deuss Co-Artistic Director/Dramaturg, with Clearence Koorndijk and Honey Eavis, Holly Bass,
Brandon Barnette, Meghan Bowden, Olivia Crosby (Culture Shock),
Simone Jacobson, Shae Lim and many more!
Curated by Holly Bass. Music by DJ RBI. Support for Nita Liem was made possible by
Consulate General of The Netherlands in New York &
The Royal Netherlands Embassy
10 PM – 3 AM :: CLOSING NIGHT PARTY
Shake what your Mama gave you with DJ Rich Medina & special surprise guests!
Warehouse :: 411 New York Avenue, NE (near 4th/Penn Street)
All events and performances throughout the festival are
free and open to the public.
Funded in part by the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities,
an agency supported in part by the
National Endowment for the Arts.
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