The Performing Arts Center of Rapid City’s 2nd Annual Family Series continues with Los Angeles based Street Beat. Street Beat is a kinetic, maximum energy explosion of urban rhythm and dance, utilizing junk, household items and found objects for drums and percussion and featuring the pinnacle of modern “street” choreography. Delivered by a drummer and two break dancers Boom Tap brings the main components of Street Beats’ world class performing arts show to the stage in a family friendly format! Packed with audience interaction, this show is great for students and parents alike!
Street Beat director Ben Hansen says what sets them apart from other drum groups is “we take African, Cuban, Latin, West African and jazz concepts and mix them all into a gumbo of our own to produce something dynamic and complex, yet simple to grasp and full of raw energy at the same time. Art should inform, but it also ought to taste good. In the theatrical setting, we can really focus this energy and make the audience an integral part of the experience. The audience is a huge part of the experience, as we’re feeding off each other’s energy. That’s when the walls melt away, the curtains dissolve; that’s when we become the agents of magic. People go to the theater to be transformed, to feel renewed and connect on the deepest level with what it means to be a human being.”
Since the beginning back in 2004, Street Beat has always held arts education highly. Aside from performances for the public, one of their main focuses has always been reaching out to youth. With local support from the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and L.A. County Arts Commission they have established one of the most in demand arts educational programs in counties and school districts throughout California. Today they offer schools around the US a top notch program focusing on music education. Street Beat offers the very best in school assemblies, student workshops and professional development for classroom teachers.
Here are the remaining events in the 2nd Annual Family Series:
- Kevin Locke, Sunday, April 8, 2:00 p.m.: A world famous visionary Hoop Dancer, preeminent player of the Indigenous Northern Plains flute, traditional storyteller, cultural ambassador, recording artist and educator.
The Series is sponsored by Black Hills Energy, McKie Ford-Lincoln and Independent Insurance Agents of Rapid City with grant support from The South Dakota Arts Council, The Allied Arts Fund through Sen. Stanford Adelstein & Mrs. Lynda Clark Adelstein and the Rapid City Public School Foundation.
