East West Players Present 'Hip Hop and Hot,' 8/14

On Saturday, August 14th, East West Players (EWP) will kick off its 45th season with One Night Only: Hip Hop and Hot. Directed by Marilyn Tokuda with musical direction by Nathan Wang, this one night only benefit performance offers the fun and excitement of a night of watching some of southern California's best dance crews and performers live and in person!

"Over the years, East West Players has showcased some of the best Asian American acting and musical theatre talent. Our One Night Only fundraiser gives us the opportunity to highlight Asian American talent ranging from hip hop dance crews to breakdancers," says Producing Artistic Director Tim Dang. "We want to show that Asian Americans can dance and breakdown the stereotypes. These performances will match the level of entertainment that EWP is known for and will leave you wanting more."

Performances by dance crew Velvet Nation, soulful singer Sue Jin, and beatbox crew Fresh Beats Inc!.

Velvet Nation, a Los Angeles born one-of-a-kind-Janet Jackson Impersonator show, hails from Hollywood and was created by dance industry professionals: Ryyn Chua and Raymond Stover. Led by Stover (as Janet Jackson) followed by his "nation", featuring prominent dancers in the entertainment industry, Velvet Nation performs with unparalleled energy and authenticity. Chua and Stover are meticulous in reconstructing the original choreography to create an atmosphere that is nearly identical to Miss Jackson's very best moments.

Sue Jin is an inspirational figure in the world of Asian American Artists. After graduating in 2005 with a BA degree in Anthropology from UCLA, she decided to pursue her passion for music. Since then, she has performed throughout Los Angeles and Hollywood, been a featured artist for numerous university events, appeared on MTV's My Own, and was a top 10 finalist for Asian American Popstar. Drawing elements from Alicia Keys, India Arie, Joss Stone, Jill Scott, Ella Fitzgerald, Evanescence, and the legendary Stevie Wonder, she has developed her raw talent and made it acoustic soul. For more information, check out her website: www.myspace.com/suejinmusic.

Fresh Beats Inc! is a beatbox crew that was formed in January 2009. The crew members consist of Beat Rhino, KayG, Q-Flush and Airickq. The crew performs as individual artists as well as a group. They have performed in Kiwins Club Distric Convention Talent Show (won 1st place), Miles of Styles Bboy Jams, and an OCC club fundraiser. They've also co-hosted and organized Orange County's first official beatbox competition with Irvine's Youth Action Team. Besides beatboxing, KayG raps and is planning to produce a mixtape. Airickq and Beat Rhino are working towards becoming a DJ and beat producer, respectively. For the future, Fresh Beats Inc! aims to perform more frequently and promote beatboxing as a legitimate type of music.

A great leap forward for dance in L.A.

Each year since 2004, choreographers and dance-based artists have presented their work in REDCAT's annual New Original Works Festival. This year's festival, which starts Thursday, includes performance artist Miwa Matreyek, theater director Maureen Huskey and Killsonic.

Hip-hop artist and choreographer Raphael Xavier will be in the New Original Works festival at REDCAT. (Raphael Xavier)

Maria Gillespie clearly remembers her excitement upon learning of her acceptance into REDCAT's first New Original Works Festival.

"It was the first thing I got into where I wasn't self-producing, and it had a reputation that could help propel me forward," says the Los Angeles-based choreographer, who founded the company Oni Dance the following year.

Since 2004, Gillespie and some 25 other choreographers and dance-based artists have presented their work in the annual REDCAT festival, now in its seventh year and unwavering in its mission to support experimental dance, theater, music and interdisciplinary works by Los Angeles-based artists both emerging and established. While it welcomes all kinds of performing artists, the event and its venue — the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater — has emerged as a particular boon for the local contemporary dance community, which has historically contended with a lack of funding and presenting opportunities.

From: http://www.latimes.com/