Hip-Hop Artists Collaborate for “B-REAL” at Columbia College Chicago

Expanding and elaborating on its presentation of rappers in February 2014, The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, partnering with the college’s School of Fine and Performing Arts and Radio Department, continues its 40th season with “B-Real: A Look Inside Urban Movements,” a convergence of local, national and international hip hop music and house dance music workshops, performances and conversations February17–March 1.“‘B-Real’ is a constellation or workshops, classes, performances and conversations orbiting around The Dance Center’s 2013–14 40th season presentations of Compagnie Käfig, a hip-hop ensemble from France with a cast of Brazilian dancers, and Philadelphia breaker Raphael Xavier,” said Dance Center Executive Director Phil Reynolds. “The two-week series of events will provide Chicago artists and audiences multifaceted opportunities to explore and engage in Black dance forms.”The schedule of events is as follows:Monday, February 17, 6:30–8:30 p.m., Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave.DanceMakers session featuring Mourad Merzouki, artistic director of Compagnie Käfig; The Dance Center’s new DanceMakers series features leading contemporary dance artists offering insight into their choreographic process. Preregistration is required at colum.edu/Dance_Center/performances/dancemakers/Tuesday, February 18, 6–11 p.m., Stage Two, 618 S. Michigan Ave.A “One-on-One B-Boy Battle” with dancers from Compagnie KäfigFriday, February 21, Stage Two, 618 S. Michigan Ave.• 12 noon –2 p.m.: “B-Boys B-Men: Moving With/In Our Masculinities,” a panel conversation featuring Compagnie Käfig Artistic Director Mourad Merzouki; Philadelphia hip-hop artist Raphael Xavier; and Moncell “ill Kozby” Durden of Rennie Harris Puremovement and Mop-Top Crew, moderated by Dance Center Chair Onye Ozuzu • 2–3 p.m.: Breakin’ Workshop with Raphael Xavier • 3–4 p.m.: Funk & Ol’ School Hip Hop Workshop with Moncell “ill Kozby” DurdenSaturday, February 22, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Stage Two, 618 S. Michigan Ave.Symposium: “Dance Music Evolution: The History of House Music in Chicago,” sponsored by the Modern Dance MusicResearch and Archiving Foundation in collaboration with Columbia College Chicago’s Radio Department and the Honey Pot Performance Group. The symposium is curated by DJ Charles Matlock, archivist Lauren G. Lowery and scholar and dance performance artist Meida McNeal, with panelists and other events to be announced shortly.Monday, February 24, 6–10 p.m., 1104 S. Wabash Ave.Rap Battle with Raphael XavierSaturday, March 1, 3–5 p.m., The Dance Center, 1306 S. Michigan Ave.AMPLIFY, a teen-oriented open-stage dance gathering with Raphael XavierAll events are free and open to the public. Call 312-869-8330 or visit colum.edu/dancecenter