MC and freestyle rapper Fenella Edwards, street artist Byrd (Dan Maginnity) and MC-DJs, Melba Beatz are just part of “Hip Hop jam @ Belco Skate Park”, a free community holiday arts event coming up this weekend and organised by the ACT Community Cultural Inclusion officers’ “Arts for All”.
As well, a lunchtime showcase will feature demos by a Hip Hop dance crew and skateboard and BMX riders.
The Hip Hop jam will kick off at the conclusion of “Streetwise Skate Coaching Clinics” presented by the Skate Board Association from 9am until 11am.
Edwards will lead workshops in freestyle rap and rap writing for spontaneous or “more thoughtful self-expression” through crafted words, then participants can perform their work at the lunchtime showcase to sounds laid down by Melba Beatz, a DJ crew from Melba Copland Secondary School who will run three coaching sessions during the day so budding DJs can try out scratching, beat-matching and other “turntablist” manoeuvres.
In the skate park, permanent artworks will be created as an ongoing reminder of the jam. Artists George and Abyss 607 have been commissioned to complete the works and will be demonstrating aerosol and brush work.
All the while, Byrd will be teaching stencilling and painting techniques in a drop-in clinic. Anyone wanting to try their hand can do so on large panels near the lake overlooking the wetlands site construction.
The Hip Hop Jam has been inspired by MAY’S: The May Lane Street Art Project, a selection of 25 street-art works showing at the Belconnen Arts Centre, 10am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday until August 12.
Hip Hop Jam@BelcoSkatePark, 11am-3pm, July 14.
For information, phone Ann McMahon 02 6173 3320, Nicola Lambert 6173 3322 or Rodin Davidson 0450 960 903.
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