Ken Swift and Mare 139 @ Hip Hop Theater Festival, NYC

The Hip Hop Theater Festival (HHTF for short) has marked its 10th anniversary this year as it kicked off its 3-week long event in New York, this past Saturday until October 15.

Sadly, I'd never heard of the festival until a friend introduced me to the founder via email, but it seems to have focus on taking hip hop to the stage with a number of original theater productions written and performed by theater professionals from the world of hip hop, rather than the traditional B-Boying, graffiti, DJing or MCing. Does it sound like a hip hop version of the hit TV show, Glee...?!

 "At this, our 10th anniversary, the Hip Hop Theater Festival has come to represent much more than the words 'theater' and 'festival' can connote," said HHTF executive director and producer Clyde Valentin. "We are very excited for this years festival and celebrating a decade of culture in action." AllHipHop.com

The Bronx is the home of hip hop From the old skool, b-boy legend, Ken Swift (of the Rock Steady Crew,) choreographs his "Swift Solos" - read more below - and Carlos "Mare139" Rodriguez will be exhibiting a collection of commissioned art which features b-boy-inspired stainless steel structures.


oLive Dance Theatre's SWIFT SOLOS from Hip-Hop Theater Festival on Vimeo.

"Swift Solos is an evening-length series of vignettes based on the choreographic legacy of seminal urban dance innovator Ken Swift. This collection of solo and ensemble offerings celebrates Ken Swift's body of work, from B-boy battles to the concert stage. Pivotal to the globalization of "breakdancing" or "breakin", Swift's work as a master dancer spans over 25 years, crossing borders of race, age, culture, and nationality. Presented by Hip-Hop Theater Festival in partnership w/ Dance Theater Workshop"

 Don't miss it Get tickets for Swift Solos here (for Sept 29th, 30th and Oct 1st and 2nd. only!) More information about the HHTF can be found at the website.