Celebrated Philadelphia dance troupes, known for their hip-hop and modern styles, join for an evening-length program titled Straight Outta Philly

Rennie Harris / Puremovement

Established in 1992, Puremovement has the highly admirable distinction of being the first and longest running hip hop dance touring company, currently celebrating its 25th anniversary. This is due mostly in part to its founder, the brilliant Rennie Harris, an illustrious dancer, choreographer, artistic director and professor of hip-hop dance. A recipient of numerous prestigious honors (Lawrence Olivier Award, Herb Alpert Award in the Arts) and degrees from esteemed scholastic intuitions (Columbia College in Chicago, Illinois, Bates College in Lewiston, Maine), Harris continues to promote Street Dance worldwide as he opens doors for others to follow. Puremovement’s mission is to re-educate about hip-hop and its culture through its artistic work, lecture demonstrations, and discussions. Some of the current standout performance pieces include “Something to Do with Love,” “Get It,” and “Love American Style.” Other, evening-long theatrical dance works in their repertory are “Rome and Jewels,” “Facing Mekka,” and “Heaven,” all award winners and audience favorites. Voted one of the most influential people in the last one hundred years of Philadelphia History, Harris is widely recognized as the Alvin Ailey of Street Dance.

Philadanco!

The Philadelphia Dance Company was founded in the City of Brotherly Love in 1970, at a time when national attention was finally being paid to issues of diversity. Latching on to this important social revolution, this non-profit dance troupe has always been about breaking down barriers and bringing people of assorted backgrounds together. The company delivers a lively collection of works to a delightfully varied audience, to all corners of the globe. Initially founded by the esteemed Joan Myers Brown, who is featured in Who’s Who in America, and known as an “innovator and communicator,” the goal of Philadanco has always been to provide an open outlet to Black dancers (who were denied entrance into numerous local dance schools due to solely prejudicial reasons). The company has thrived and is recognized for its longstanding integrity, highly skilled team of emerging and professional dancers/choreographers and the thrilling performances they consistently deliver. Preserving chiefly African-American traditions in dance, this company is inspiring to see live.