From Vices to Verses: A New Era of Hip Hop & Action

From April 9 to April 11, 2010, the University of Minnesota will be hosting "From Vices to Verses," a conference featuring workshops, performances, discussions, and educational events centered around how hip hop pedagogy, activism, and culture can educate, empower and transform communities. The conference will focus on three central themes:

• April 9: "I Used to Love H.E.R.: Bring Back the Love," exploring hip hop feminism and women's roles — past, present and future — in hip hop culture. Keynote speaker: hip hop activist and former Green Party Vice Presidential candidate Rosa Clemente.
• April 10: "Remixing Borders, Transcending Boundaries," focusing on using hip hop as a tool to create unity and move beyond generational, national and cultural boundaries. Keynote speaker: hip hop activist and author Bakari Kitwana.
• April 11: "Us," focusing on hip hop's power to heal and transform individuals and communities through organizing, activism and youth engagement. Keynote speaker: educator and multidisciplinary artist Marc Bamuthi Joseph.

Other presenters include filmmaker Rachel Ramist, Chaka Mkali of the Hope Community Center, Sage Morgan Hubbard of Northwestern University, Ruth Nicole Brown of the University of Illinois, poet and activist Tish Jones, rapper/poet/writer Kyle "Guante" Myhre, photographer B-Fresh and many more.

Workshops on spoken word, breakdancing, drumming, MC-ing and community organizing. Come learn, celebrate and participate in contemporary hip hop culture in the Twin Cities.

On Saturday, April 10, noted Twin Cities performers Toki Wright, Maria Isa, PosNoSys, Ill Chemistry, the Tru Ruts crew and others will take over the Cabooze for a special concert.