Casa Captivating
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens kicks off the spring with The People’s Poetry: Contemporary Dance and Music, featuring professional hip hop dance troupe Culture Shock Los Angeles, a hip hop/rap concert, and hip hop dance classes. All events performances take place in or around Casa Romantica’s beautiful gardens.
So, what is Hip Hop culture exactly, and where did it come from? Hip Hop culture was created in the Bronx borough of New York City in the 1970s and spread throughout the country (and globally). The foundation of hip hop is built upon these pillars: DJ, Emcee, Breaking, and Graffiti art.
Hip Hop culture in the US has a rich history of bringing together people and is “born of the cultural crossroads”, according to USC School of Cinematic Arts Professor Todd Boyd. Transcending different ethnicities and regions, The Bronx hip hop scene emerged in the mid-1970s from neighborhood block parties. Brother-sister duo DJ Kool Herc and Cindy Campbell hosted DJ parties in the Bronx and are considered by many to be the founders of Hip Hop.
Hip hop is simultaneously a new and old phenomenon; the importance of sampling tracks, beats, and bass lines from old records means that much of the culture has revolved around the idea of updating classic recordings, attitudes, and experiences for modern audiences. Sampling older culture and reusing it in a new context or a new format is called “flipping” in hip hop culture.
Hip hop music follows in the footsteps of earlier African-American-rooted and Latino musical genres such as blues, jazz, rag-time, funk, salsa, and disco to become one of the most practiced genres worldwide. You can learn more about Hip Hop history here >>
“There’s a lot about hip hop culture, especially the culture that has developed in southern California over the past 40 years, that most people don’t know about,” says Amy Behrens, Executive Director of Casa Romantica. “In fact, the reason it’s so fascinating is because it’s an art form that embodies fusion – it’s been adopted by diverse cultural communities who use hip hop dance and music as a meaningful way to connect with one another.”
“That’s what Casa Romantica’s mission is all about; connecting people through arts, culture, history and education,” she added. “The events in this series are meant to appeal to adults, young adults, and children alike, so they can learn and have fun together.”
Tuesdays, April 12, April 19, April 26, May 2, 2022 @ 6 PM | General $80 (Members $60) LIMITED SPOTS LEFT!
Learn the basics of hip hop dance with Kylie Travis, Casa Romantica’s Marketing and Program Director. Kylie Travis is a former competitive dance instructor, and continues to teach dance at Casa Romantica’s weekly Ballet classes and annual Summer Dance Academy for children.
Thursday, April 21, 2022 @ 7 PM | $12
Oceanside-based musician, composer, and emcee Nomis the Just uses music to fight against injustice by blending his poetic lyrics with complex musical beats. Nomis was a featured artist in Casa Romantica’s virtual concert series in early 2021. This event is standing room only and takes place outdoors on our Ocean Terrace with beer partner Artifex Brewing Company. Read our 2021 interview with Nomis the Just >>
Thursday, April 28, 2022 @ 7 PM | General $40; Casa Romantica Members $35
Description: Culture Shock Los Angeles is back at Casa Romantica with an immersive family-friendly hip hop dance performance. Walk a set path set up around the historic house and gardens as dancers showcase the artistry of hip hop dance styles from 1980s to present day. After the show, meet the cast. Read our 2019 interview with Culture Shock Los Angeles >>
