Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center’s Engagement of Compagnie Käfig Complemented by Live Performances, International Dance Competitions, Demonstrations and the Return to L.A. of Beat Swap Meet
The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall to Stay Open Overnight for Hip-Hop Special Edition of Sleepless: The Music Center After Hours
Events Run from June 16-19, 2016 at The Music Center and at Grand Park
The Music Center will break new ground as it surrounds its upcoming dance engagement of Compagnie Käfig presented by Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center with four days of Hip-Hop dance experiences (#hiphop4days) from June 16-19, 2016, on The Music Center campus and in Grand Park. Working closely with a number of highly respected members of the Hip-Hop community, including academics, artists, dancers and curators among others, the performing arts center will examine the culture, artistry and evolution of Hip-Hop dance through live performances, international dance competitions, discussions, demonstrations, late-night dance parties and more. The public can choose from ticketed and free events.
The four days of events include a free panel discussion called “Ain’t No Half Steppin’: Dance from Soul Train to B-Boys” on June 16, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Grand Park; three ticked performances of Compagnie Käfig on June 17 and 18, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. and on June 19, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion; a free Hip-Hop beginner dance class led by Compagnie Käfig on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at The Music Center in Downtown Los Angeles; the ticketed Sleepless: The Music Center After Hours/Hip-Hop Special Edition on June 17, 2016 from 11:30 p.m. – 3:00 a.m. on June 18, 2016 at The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall; and the free Beat Swap Meet on June 19, 2016 from noon – 6:00 p.m. at Grand Park. To celebrate the four-day experience, The Music Center has commissioned artist, curator and entrepreneur Man One to create a special piece of art that will be translated to the steps leading to The Music Center Plaza on Grand Avenue.
According to The Music Center President and CEO Rachel Moore, the four days of Hip-Hop dance events will introduce Angelenos to the progression of street dance in the context of the highly dynamic Hip-Hop culture. “Hip-Hop dance has evolved dramatically over the years from its early roots of funk style dances to the b-boys and b-girls and dance crews of today,” Moore said. “Our four-day exploration will highlight how and why Hip-Hop dance has played an important role, socially, culturally and politically,” she explained. “Dance fans will witness a range of performance types, including freestyle improvisations and dance competitions along with the work of French choreographer Mourad Merzouki with his Compagnie Käfig, who has expanded the language and theatricalized Hip-Hop dance for audiences around the world,” Moore added.
Ain’t No Half Steppin’: Dance from Soul Train to B-Boys
Panel Discussion
June 16 / 6:30 – 8:00 p.m
Grand Park / FREE
Sleepless: The Music Center After Hours
Hip-Hop Special Edition
June 17 / 11:30 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Tickets on-sale June 17 10:00 a.m.
Beat Swap Meet
June 19 / noon. – 6:00 p.m.
Grand Park / FREE
About The Music Center
The Music Center is Los Angeles’ home to the world’s greatest artistic programs and events. With four iconic theaters and four renowned resident companies – LA Phil, LA Opera, Center Theatre Group and the Los Angeles Master Chorale – and recognized for its illustrious dance programming, Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center, The Music Center is a destination where audiences find inspiration in the very best of live performance, as well as nationally recognized arts education and participatory arts experiences. The Music Center also programs and manages Grand Park, a 12-acre adjacent greenspace, with year-round free programming. For more information, visit musiccenter.org and follow The Music Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat (@MusicCenterLA).
About Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center
As The Music Center’s highly regarded dance series, Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center is one of the leading presenters of dance on the West Coast. The celebrated series offers significant works by prestigious ballet and contemporary dance artists from around the world. Entering its second decade, Dance at The Music Center continues to be a powerful commissioning force through the support of new works and artists-in-residence projects by today’s most influential companies and choreographers. Performances take place throughout The Music Center’s historic Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, its distinctive Ahmanson Theatre, and its iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall, providing the ideal setting for inspiring dance experiences. For more information, visit musiccenter.org/dance
About Compagnie Käfig
Compagnie Käfig was created in 1996 by Mourad Merzouki, a major figure on the Hip-Hop scene since the 1990s. He works at the junction of many different disciplines: To his exploration of all Hip-Hop styles, he. adds circus, martial arts, fine arts and live music. In 2009, Merzouki was appointed director of the Centre Chorégraphique National de Créteil et du Val-de-Marne, where he developed a project called “Dance: a window on the world.” In 20 years, Compagnie Käfig has given more than 2,600 performances in 61 countries for more than one million people.
About Grand Park
A vibrant outdoor gathering place, Grand Park is a beautiful public park for the entire community in Los Angeles County. With expansive green space for gatherings large and small, Grand Park celebrates the county’s cultural vitality and is host to community events, cultural experiences, holiday celebrations, and many other activities that engage and attract visitors from all communities. The 12-acre Grand Park stretches from The Music Center on the west to City Hall on the east, and is easily accessible by Metro via the Red/Purple line to the Civic Center/Grand Park station. The park was named one of American Planning Association’s 10 “Great Public Spaces” in the U.S. for 2013. Working closely with the county, The Music Center is responsible for all operations and programming for the park. For more information, visit grandparkla.org and follow Grand Park on Facebook (GrandParkLosAngeles), as well as Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat (@GrandPark_LA).
