Get ready to move, as the UNCG Concert and Lecture Series welcomes Rennie Harris Puremovement American Dance Theatre on Friday, October 16th in the UNCG Auditorium.
Rennie Harris Puremovement (RHPM) is the leading street dance theater company in the United States, and for over thirty-five years has been dedicated to preserving and disseminating Hip Hop aesthetics and street dance culture through workshops, classes, history, lecture demonstrations, long-term residencies, mentoring programs, and public performances.
With roots in Philadelphia’s inner-city, Harris and RHPM present unique stories that are riveting, intimate, and honest, sharing the essence and spirit of street dance, rather than the commercially exploited stereotype portrayed by the media.
Company founder Dr. Lorenzo “Rennie” Harris is a leading ambassador for Hip Hop. Growing up entrenched in Hip Hop culture in all its forms—music, dance, language—Harris looks to honor its legacy:
“The truth of the matter is this generation will never relive my generation’s era of original dance,” says Harris. My generation defined the three laws of Hip Hop culture: innovation, individuality, and creativity. At best, they can appreciate it, pay homage to it, and acknowledge it as the foundational era of hip-hop/street dance it was; in doing that, they will tap into their individuality, creativity, and innovation, which in turn ensures progress.”
In Greensboro, the company will perform its signature work, Nuttin’ But a Word. Harris shares the artist statement behind the work:
“That title was taken from a cultural phrase used amongst Blacks in the United States. The complete phrase is, ‘You ain’t said nothing but a word, which loosely translated, means ‘Your words mean nothing — pay close attention because what I do next will trump anything you have to say.’ Hip Hop/street dance is progressive by design. There is nothing about the three laws of Hip Hop that suggests stagnation. Nothing about these laws indicates that we as practitioners of Hip Hop should only adhere to its foundation; it is quite the opposite. Nuttin’ But a Word challenges the Hip Hop puritans at every turn and reminds us that we will not evolve as a form without individuality, creativity, and innovation.”
Rennie Harris Puremovement American Street Dance Theater
October 16, 2026 @ 8:00 pm
UNCG Auditorium
Tickets are available at ucls.uncg.edu.
