At Dance Place this spring, Rennie Harris unveils his new street-dance theater company by one of the most respected name in hip-hop. Rennie Harris Grass Roots Project is the third of Harris’ companies, following Rennie Harris Puremovement and Rennie Harris RHAW. On Saturday, March 5 at 8pm and Sunday, March 6 at 7pm, the company takes on social and political issues inspired by the culture and style of the West Coast. The company reclaims the universality of hip-hop narratives through a community focus and a diverse ensemble of dancers from all genres, ages and backgrounds.
About Rennie Harris
Founder, Artistic Director, Choreographer and Director of Puremovement, Dr. Lorenzo (Rennie) Harris was born and raised in an African-American community in North Philadelphia. Since the age of 15, Dr. Harris has been teaching workshops and classes at universities around the country and remains a powerful spokesperson for the significance of “street” origins in any dance style. In 1992, Harris founded Rennie Harris Puremovement, a hip-hop dance company dedicated to preserving and disseminating hip-hop culture through workshops, classes, hip-hop history lecture demonstrations, long term residencies, mentoring programs and public performances. Harris founded his company based on the belief that hip-hop is the most important original expression of a new generation.
With its roots in the inner-city African-American and Latino communities, hip-hop can be characterized as a contemporary indigenous form, one that expresses universal themes that extend beyond racial, religious and economic boundaries, and one that can help bridge these divisions. Harris’ work encompasses the diverse and rich African-American traditions of the past, while simultaneously presenting the voice of a new generation through its ever-evolving interpretations of dance. Dr. Harris is committed to providing audiences with a sincere view of the essence and spirit of hip-hop rather than the commercially exploited stereotypes portrayed by the media.
Dr. Rennie Harris, throughout his history, has established a strong reputation for innovative and exciting classes and workshops for children, beginning with his own involvement, at the age of 14, with the Smithsonian Institution via the Philadelphia Folk Life Center. The company is currently seeking to implement an after-school mentoring program for children in the company’s home city of Philadelphia. The After School/Mentoring program had a pilot phase that was implemented in the fall 2000 and was a 4-6 week program at community centers and schools throughout Philadelphia. RHPM company members were assigned to these centers and taught hip-hop dance and culture to children throughout the city who might otherwise not have such opportunities. This program provided structured and constructive activities for at-risk youth, encouraged creativity and literacy, and built self-confidence.
Dr. Harris’ artistic philosophy reflects a deeper humanitarian vision that we as a universe of people can never overcome racial or ethnic barriers without knowing and respecting our own distinct cultures. Harris grew up entrenched in hip-hop as an African-American and Latino art form, in all its forms – music, dance and language. Harris has embraced the culture and sought to honor the legacy of hip-hop. He truly believes that hip-hop is the purest form of movement in that it honors both its heritage from African and African American-Latino forms, and honors the individual. Dr. Harris is well-versed in the vernacular of hip-hop which includes the various techniques of B-boy, house dancing, stepping and other styles that have emerged spontaneously from the inner cities of America. He has brought these “social” dances to the concert stage, creating a cohesive dance style that finds a cogent voice in the theater. He is a powerful spokesperson for the significance of “street” origins in any dance style. Intrigued by the universality of hip-hop, he seeks inspiration from other forms and performance art.
Dr. Harris was voted one of the most influential people in the last one hundred years of Philadelphia history and has been compared to twentieth-century dance legends Alvin Ailey and Bob Fosse. Harris has been awarded the key to the cities of Miami and Philadelphia and featured in Rose Eichenbaum’s Masters of Movement – Portraits of America’s Great Choreographers with dance legends such as Carmen de Lavallade, Judith Jamison, Fayard Nicolas and Gregory Hines. In addition, he was recently awarded a medal from the Kennedy Center (DC) as a master of African American Choreography. Harris recently was awarded Kulu Mele’s African Rooted Dance award, Governor’s Artist of the Year At 45, Philadelphia Rocky Award, The United States Artist Fellowship award and The Harman Shakespeare Theater award for Adaptation of West Side Story and Romeo & Juliet.
WHAT: Rennie Harris Grass Roots Project
WHEN: Saturday, March 5 at 8pm and Sunday, March 6 at 7pm
WHERE: Dance Place, 3225 8th Street NE, Washington, DC 20017; two locks from Redline Brookland/CUA Metro station; free and convenient parking
TICKETS: $30 Admission At the Door; $25 Admission (Advance Sales only)*; $20 Dance Place Members, Seniors (55+), Artists (Advance Sales only)*; $15 College Students and Children (17 & under)
*Advance Sales end 4 hours prior to performance start time.
To purchase tickets, visit danceplace.org or call 202.269.1600
