Rize: Documentary of South Central L.A. Dance Movement
Venue: Newman Library (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg
Directions: Google Map Link
Date: Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Event Types: Arts & Theatre, Speaking Engagements
Cost: Free

Description:
Virginia Tech's Newman Library hosts a special viewing of the film "Rize", a documentary of a South Central Los Angeles Dance Movement as part of their series for Black History Month in the second floor classroom (Newman 207A).

Light refreshments will be served (popcorn) and discussion will follow each film. All are invited to attend.

The riveting documentary Rize explores the physically astounding Los Angeles worlds of clowning and krumping--both heightened and spectacular styles of hip-hop dance. With roots in breakdancing and the furious response to the Rodney King beating, clowning was launched by Tommy the Clown, a former drug runner turned children's-party-clown, with brightly colored jumpsuits and a psychedelic afro wig.

To gather attention, Tommy began to gyrate and writhe in the street; before long, he was not only getting gigs, he'd inspired dozens of other clown groups, all with their own spin on face make-up and Tommy's dance moves. With a little cross-pollination from stripper dance moves and a good dose of aggression, clowning begat krumping, which resembles a cross between an epileptic seizure and ecstatic possession--what one practitioner calls "ghetto ballet."

In addition to dancing that will make your eyes pop, Rize interviews dancers like Tight Eyez, La Nina, Lil C, and Miss Prissy, building a portrait of a subculture, culminating in a dance battle between clowns and krumps called BattleZone V. Directed by photographer and music video director David LaChappelle, Rize persuasively portrays these twin dance movements as not only a personal exorcism, but as the effort of a community to escape the corrosive forces of gangs and drugs.

For more information, visit: http://www.lib.vt.edu/libnews/2013/2013-02-14b.html or http://www.facebook.com/VTLibraries

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