In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop, THE NEON is excited to host a special screening of the classic film BEAT STREET (1984) on the big screen along with a special lecture from producer, musician and Hip-Hop historian TL Cross. This one-time event is scheduled for Wednesday, December 6 at 7:30, and tickets are $12.50 each. Bringing this film along with TL Cross and his lecture was the brainchild of DJ Lu – who provided music on THE NEON’s patio over the summer for THE NEON’s Friday Patio Parties. Several groups have come on board to help sponsor the event including Sinclair Community College Diversity Office, University of Dayton Department of Music, and Wright State University College of Liberal Arts Motion Pictures. BEAT STREET is considered one of Hip-Hop's most important and influential movies. Produced by Harry Belafonte and directed by Stan Lathan (who has directed most of Dave Chappelle's comedy specials), this film arrived on the heels of BREAKIN' in the summer of 1984. "When rapper-DJ Kenny (Guy Davis) meets cultured jazz artist Tracy (Rae Dawn Chong), he is so inspired by her dedication that he vows to use his talents to escape the ghetto. But when his friend, a gifted graffiti artist, is killed in a tragic accident, Kenny comes face to face with the high price of artistic passion." (Orion Pictures) This "gritty, streetwise musical" (LA Herald-Examiner) features a who's who of the movement's early stars.
TL Cross is a cultural historian, TV personality, musician, platinum songwriter and producer, narrator and educator. Growing up in the Jamaica section of Queens, New York, Cross has experienced a lot throughout his life and career. “Coming up in Queens was lowkey like starring in your own Tribe Called Quest music video mixed with Run DMC and Nas elements,” Cross remarks. Although Cross has received numerous accolades, including an American Music Award and two ASCAP awards, he is widely known today for his work as a cultural historian. Through his online shows WOW, TL CROSS!, and CROSS IN A MINUTE as well as host of Bounce TV’s HIP HOP STATE OF MIND, Cross has established himself as one of music history's most innovative voices. Cross has worked with an impressive roster of heavy hitters like 50 Cent, Jazmine Sullivan, Musiq Soulchild, Ghostface, Usher, P. Diddy, Jadakiss,112, Yolanda Adams, Mary J Blige, and more.
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