Art After Dark: Hip Hop Turns 50

Art After Dark: Hip Hop Turns 50

Friday, June 16, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Harvey B. Gantt Center
551 S Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28202

Tickets: Free

On June 16, the Harvey B. Gantt Center hosts an evening celebrating one of Black culture’s greatest creations: hip-hop. Although four hours could never do justice to the immeasurable impact of this nuanced cultural phenomenon, the night will offer dance, live music, analysis, conversation, hands-on art, and more. Experiences include the “Gantt Center Hip Hop Awards,” where they will recognize historic artists and events, such as “Best Rapper Alive” and “Most Iconic Moment.” The winners will be selected by the community through an online survey. The night culminates with a rooftop party pitting old school hip-hop vs. new school spanning the last five decades. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed “creatively honoring” hip-hop fashion from the ‘70s to the 2000s.

Schedule:

6 p.m. – 10 p.m. – Sample Chronicles: A Celebration of Hip-Hop’s Timeless Beats

6 p.m. – 7 p.m. – where the sun shines Artist Talk with Stephanie J. Woods

Featured artist Stephanie J. Woods guides guests through the intentionality and creative process behind her newest exhibition where the sun shines at The Gantt (June 16, 2023 – October 29, 2023) followed by an audience talkback.

6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. – Hip Hop in Motion with NC Dance District

6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. – When We Say For the Culture: Discussing Hip Hop’s History and Impact

7 p.m. – 8 p.m. – CLT Cypher

7 p.m – 9 p.m. – where the sun shines Drop-in art workshop

8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. – The Gantt Hip Hop Awards hosted by poet and curator Sir Abstraxxx

8:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. – Instrumentation of Hip Hop: Live Music with Tim Scott, Jr.

8:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. – Old School vs. New School: Rooftop DJs

DJ See Bird Go (@SeeBirdGo) and DJ Micki Blendz (@MickiBlendz) play quintessential sounds of Old School and New School hip hop on the rooftop terrace.

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