Arizona Humanities Council Presents the Arizona Hip-Hop Experience
(Phoenix, AZ) - The Arizona Humanities Council (AHC) focuses the spotlight on Arizona's hip hop community by presenting THE ARIZONA HIP HOP EXPERIENCE on Saturday, June 27th from 10 a.m. to 9p.m. at the Tempe Center for the Arts. Admission is free and sponsored by City of Tempe, Workgroup Media and Phoenix New Times.
AHC Executive Director Herb Paine commented, "THE ARIZONA HIP HOP EXPERIENCE will be an exciting forum for a cross-section of the local hip-hop community, giving recognition to a rich and exciting art form which is a part of an international artistic movement." He added, "We are most excited that this special event encourages an inter-generational dialogue about hip hop as a cultural phenomenon."
The one-day event of panel discussions, workshops, and performances showcases local composers, scholars, disc jockeys, engineers and performers from Arizona's hip hop community including Blaze Rock, Chino-D, Cinematic, The Council Productions, DN3, Lasana Hoteps, Karlie Hustle, Mattlocks, M2, Random, Roca Dolla, Rok, Super Snake, Taurus Scott, True Father Allah, Sandy Valentin, Dr. Camilla Westenberg of Phoenix College and Dr. Matthew Whitaker of Arizona State University.
The morning kicks off at 10 a.m. with Hip Hop 101: What's the 411?, an introductory session facilitated by Dr. Matthew Whitaker of ASU. This presentation is targeted to baby boomers and anyone who is curious about hip hop and its origins. The day continues with Production - The Creation of the Music of Hip Hop, focusing on deejaying, mixing, engineering and related technologies. The afternoon activities include a panel discussion, Arizona's Hip Hop Culture: Then and Now, moderated by Dr. Camilla Westenberg of Phoenix College.
Film enthusiasts, as well as hip hop fans, are encouraged to attend the 1 p.m. screening of the Say My Name, a documentary by filmmaker Nirit Peled of the Netherlands. Say My Name tells the stories of female MCs and R&B singers, including Erykah Badu, Estelle and McLyte, battling for a place in world that's dominated men. It takes viewers on vibrant tour of urban culture and musical movement, from hip hop's birthplace in the Bronx, to grime on London's Eastside and all points in between Philly, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles. Say My Name has been featured at the South by Southwest Film Festival, Full Frame Doc Film Festival, AFI Dallas Film Festival and Women of Color Arts & Film Festival.
The final workshop at 6:30 p.m., Hip Hop's Place in Social Change, will explore the impact on politics and social movements in contemporary society. Two concerts at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. will present local hip hop musicians and poets in performance. THE ARIZONA HIP HOP EXPERIENCE is partially supported by funding from the City of Tempe and co-sponsored by Workshop Media and Phoenix New Times.
For more information on THE ARIZONA HIP HOP EXPERIENCE, visit www.azhumanities.org or call 602-257-0335 x25.