Hip-Hop: A Worldwide Artistic Institution
Over the last few decades, urban culture in the U.S., France, and beyond has developed into a widely recognized and institutional branch within the arts scene. Gone are the days where hip-hop was a sidelined genre existing only on the fringe of the performance world. Today, American hip-hop influences dancers and performers across the world. ...
This weekend: Histoires Exquises
In an era of increasing globalization, the threat of losing one’s national identity looms large. For French choreographer Emmanuelle Vo-Dinh and director Charlie Windelschmidt, however, our cultural contact points are a source of inspiration and even an affirmation of the diversity of the human experience. This Friday and Saturday night will feature a highly unique...
The State of Culture
Culture. Culture. Culture. This word is so often thrown at us out of context. But what does “culture” truly mean? At the Alliance Française de Washington, we are not only proud of our role as a provider of educational services, but also of our Cultural Department, which offers over 90 ground-breaking cultural events each year...
A Final Word on Urban Corps
After an exciting 9 days, Urban Corps: A Transatlantic Hip-Hop Festival has come to an end. As always we would like to thank everyone who came to the events, helped with promotion and, of course, all of our sponsors, partners, members, volunteers and the dancers! For nine days, French hip-hop dance artists took the stage in various...
Mobilize Your Senses
AF: What inspired you to become a dancer? Hosni: Accrorap, the dance troupe, was a huge inspiration to me. Jamal: I was very influenced by Kader Attou, the choreographer for the flagship dance troupe Accrorap, which I had the pleasure to join in 2002. AF: Did you have a specific message in mind that you wanted...
Hip-Hop: a Culture Without Borders
Compagnie KLP, who will perfrom “Tour of Duty” on Thursday, May 24 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, took a few minutes to tell us about their development and view on hip-hop. AF : What inspired you to become a dancer ? KLP: KLP was started by Yasmin Rahmani at the HB2 school of dance in Nantes,...
French + Hip-Hop: Two words that DO belong together
French hip-hop was born from dance. Contrary to popular belief, it was only much later that hip-hop became widely associated with rap music - at least in France. In addition, today France is one of the only countries that is so open to hip-hop as a professional dance form. So, what exactly is French hip hop? Hip-hop came on...
Battle of the Dance Crews
Urban Corps: Battle of the Dance Crews The closing event of the festival is the true embodiment of Urban Corps’ message of cultural exchange. This final performance unites French performers with local talents from Urban Artistry and DCypher for a cross-cultural take on the tradition of battling dance crews. Join us at 9pm in...
“Tour of Duty” by Compagnie KLP
The fifth performance of Urban Corps is “Tour of Duty,” by Compagnie KLP. A group of friends in 1960s Brooklyn reminisces about the trying times of their past, questioning social, economic, and cultural standards while simultaneously sharing the story of the birth of hip-hop. This historic dance fresco, which was partly created in New York City...
“N” by Compagnie De Fakto
The fourth show of Urban Corps is “N,” by Compagnie De Fakto. During the end of his life, German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche is confined to a wheelchair. Dancer and choreographer Aurélien Kairo presents the fantasized story of his continued, internal passion for dance. Aurelien Kairo has danced with some of the greatest contemporary ...
Old Schools: The Birth of Hip-Hop Culture in the U.S. and France
This conference features panelists, Alain-Philippe Durand and Junious Brickhouse During this talk, panelist Alain-Philippe Durand, French born professor of U.S. and French hip-hop cultures at the University of Arizona, accompanied by Junious “House” Brickhouse, urban dance expert and founder/director of Urban Artistry, will discuss the rise of hip-hop in two distinctly unique cultures. Exploring how ...
“The Three Wise Monkeys” by Compagnie Par-Allèles
The third performance of Urban Corps is “Three Wise Monkeys,” by Compagnie Par-Allèles Inspired by three urban arts (hip-hop, capoeira and acrobatics) Par-Allèles’ “The Three Wise Monkeys” explores human beings’ ability to see and analyze, to hear and interpret, to speak and transmit. These senses offer an intense intellectual and emotional growth but also push...
