Hip Hop and Hoopfest at Russell Library This Saturday!

Alex Pock's work can be seen in and around Hartford. 

Saturday, May 20,  is a busy day at Russell Library. The library will host an exhibit opening of the photos from Middletown's Summer Hoopfest., as well as Hip Hop Day, with four separate workshops in Hip Hop.

HOOPFEST EXHIBIT 

Photos by Tony Donovan of The Middletown Summer Hoopfest are on the lobby walls and upstairs in the information area. Hoopfest, produced by Malik Pemberton, has been a summer time tradition for the past ten years. The opening reception runs from 11:00am through 1:00pm.   

HIP HOP WORKSHOPS 

The series of Hip Hop workshops have been organized in the same spirit of the Hip Hop cultural ideals that rose out of the late 1970’s and 1980’s in the Bronx. These ideals focused on using the arts as a positive force of change in the community, which at the time was suffering from extreme poverty and gang violence. While much of the subsequent attention of Hip Hop has been given to the separate and distinct arts of the movement (such as rap and breakdance), the positive ideals of Hip Hop still resonate with us to this day.

Funded in part with a grant from the Middletown Commission on the Arts, these workshops are offered to the community free of charge. Light refreshments will be provided.

Turntablism with DJ N.E.B.

Saturday, May 20, 10:00am – 11:45am. The Hubbard Room. 

One of the four pillars of Hip Hop is 'Turntablism' -- the art of creating music using two turntables and cross-fading from one to the other. DJ N.E.B. (also known as Arun Ranganathan) is well-known. He has a vast collection of LPs he uses to provide the music. His technique of “scratching” is awesome to behold! 

Breaking with B-boy Bryan Giles

Saturday, May 20, 10:00am – 11:45am. Activity Room.

All ages are welcome to participate or just watch as teaching artist and b-boy Bryan Giles demonstrates and teaches the classic movements of breaking and its many variations. Bryan Giles is also known as “Lingba Flare” leads a b-boy team entitled Of Shadow and Earth.

Graffiti Art with Alex Pock

Saturday, May 20, 12:15pm – 2:00pm. Activity Room Patio. 

Alex Pock is a community muralist, working in and around Hartford and West Hartford.  

Rhyming with Tang Sauce

Saturday, May 20, 12:15pm – 2:00pm. The Hubbard Room.

Hartford Rap artist Tang Sauce will teach the basics of rhyming! Tang Sauce has recently produced an album entitled Maturity.