Feb. 23-25 2018 \\ BROWN UNIVERSITY \\ PROVIDENCE, RI
The Rhythm of change Festival
CELEBRATING AFRICAN AND AFRO-DIASPORIC PERFORMANCE
THE
FESTIVAL
Rhythm of Change is an annual festival at Brown University celebrating African and African diasporic performance. For over twenty-seven years, The Rhythm of Change Festival has been gathering people across divisions of class, nationality, culture and discipline to co-create art for social change.
The 2018 Rhythm of Change Festival partners with Troupe Yeredon, and artists from Mali to Montreal to engage with students and the larger community in ceremony, performances, discussions, and workshops.
​
We are creating rituals and images of beauty, power, and grace through African and African diasporic performance.
We seek to awaken to the realities of our sociopolitical surroundings- not in protest, but to support mindful vigilance and increased advocacy.
​
We believe that through celebration, high-powered performances, mindful deliberation and social interaction, a vibrant community of thinkers and doers will emerge to ask the hard questions about who we are as a community, a people and a nation.
Highlights for the weekend include:
Master classes will be given in Breakdancing Fundamentals, Vogue Femme, Afro-House, West African Drumming and Dance with artists from around the world.
Sunday's schedule includes AfroFlow Yoga, Loving Kindness Meditation, youth workshops, a RITAC 6X6 Community Conversation, and an all-day Art of Rhythmix Jam curated by RawKin' Rhythmix.
African and Diasporic Performance: Beauty, Power, and Grace Across the Mande Diaspora
FESTIVAL FAQS
HAVE A STRESS-FREE FEST WHEN YOU FIGURE OUT THE IN'S & OUT'S
PARKING & SHUTTLES
There is on-street metered parking throughout the Festival.
LOCATION
The Festival will be located in Ashamu Dance Theater,
83 Waterman Street, Providence RI 02912
​
The Art of Rhythmix Jam will be Held in Sayles Hall,
81 Waterman Street, Providence RI 02912
​
​
HIP HOP IN FOCUS AT RHYTHM OF CHANGE​
RawKin' RhythMix & Brown University's Ground Breakin’ are coming together to host dance workshops and a Hip Hop dance festival, known as a Hip Hop jam, in collaboration with the Rhythm of Change Festival. The workshops and event aim to facilitate an interactive and creative dialogue between Hip Hop scholars and artists around Hip Hop education and activism.
​
As part of the Rhythm of Change weekend, RawKin' RhythMix & Ground Breakin’ will bring together members of Los Angeles-based Hip Hop community activist collective The GR818ERS and the legendary New England-based dance crew The Floorlords. They were selected as partners for the ROC Festival because of their achievements as representatives of grassroots collectives utilizing Hip Hop culture to transform underserved communities and inspire youth. Throughout the weekend, RawKin' RhythMix & Ground Breakin’ will create opportunities for the guest artists to work together to create an environment that embodies the principles of Hip Hop culture: peace, love, unity and having fun.
​
Our collaboration with the GR818ERS, the FloorLords, and RawKin' Rhythmix includes:
Saturday all-ages dance workshops in Breaking and Whacking with Vanicia Flores and Thesis of the Knuckleheads Cali, a youth dance workshop and youth cypher with our community partners RawKin' Rhythmix; and the Art of Rhythmix, a dance competition hosted by the GR818ERS and RawKin Rhythmix, featuring live music from DJ Rox Swift and DJ Fleg and seasoned judges and talent from across the region.