PHOTOS | B Girl Be 2006, Minneapolis
Monday, July 17, 2006
A few weeks ago, Intermedia hosted the 2nd Annual B Girl Be Summit, a celebration of women in hip-hop. The goal of B Girl B is to create a space for women in hip-hop (breakdancing, graffiti, mcing, djing) to meet and share their gifts. B Girl Be also brought elements of audio and visual production, exhibition, entrepreneurship, and scholarship to the mix creating an event that was unlike any other. It was art, it was scholarship, it was performance, and it is the only celebration like this anywhere on the planet.
Indigo has started her own clothing line. Ask her about it.
Over the course of the summit, there were a number of events that feed the mind. On Thursdsay evening, Dr. Roxanne Shante did a keynote address on Hip Hop Herstory. Several panels talked about issues facing women and hip-hop, from scholarship to entrepreneurship, arts and dance. I saw a lot of young women at the conference attending these panels and workshops. In fact, a few of the events held over the weekend were at capacity.
|| For Sale ||
A number of artists were selling their products, I bought a bunch of stickers from Shiro. I kinda went sticker crazy actually.
It was such good vibes, that I didnt want it to end. I didnt have enough time to talk with everyone that I wanted to and not enough time to take pictures. I wished that I had a clone because I couldnt possibly be at everything. It was all good though, I meet some amazing women artists and checked out some shows, lots of art, and dance performances that were off the hook.
|| Genesis ||
Flowzaic Crew, London
|| Skillz ||
|| Aruna ||
|| Turnin Up Tha Heat ||
Heat Dance Group, Minneapolis
|| Mini Bgirls ||
Yajara & Yisela
The aerosol artists were amazing. Ive spent my fair share of time in train yards and walking the rail lines in cities and rural areas across the globe searching for graffiti and particular artists whose work I admire. When I find their work, its as if I have found a hidden treasure. That being said, I hit the jackpot at B Girl B because I was able to meet a number of the female graffiti artists that I admire - Asia One, (LA), Lady Pink (NYC), TOOFLY (NYC), and Faith47 (Capetown, South Africa) to name a few (bling, bling, bling). Other artists that left their mark on the walls at Intermedia Arts included Zena (Chicago), Siloette (Phoenix), and Shiro (Shizouka, Japan), Zori4 (Puerto Rico), PHEM9 (Kansas City), STEF (Chicago), RUST (Minneapolis), LUSH GIRL (Minneapolis), and SHYE (Minneapolis). It was very cool to watch the walls of Intermedia Arts transformed into an amazing display of artwork by these women and other women.
|| Aerosol Artist ||
|| Aerosol Artist ||
|| Aerosol Artist ||
|| Art by FAITH47 ||
Ive never seen a gathering with this many bgirls. It was DOPE to see so many females with mad skillz! Bgirls Aruna (Amsterdam, Hip Hop Huis), Lady Champ (Chicago), Genesis (Flowzaic Crew, London), Rokafella (NYC) and others put it down on Saturday night.
|| Mystify (Chicago) ||
|| Rokafella (NYC) ||
|| Aruna (Amsterdam) ||
On Saturday night, First Avenue hosted the Ladies Night with performances by Medusa, Pam the Funktress, and Maria Isa. Desdamona, hosted the evening which included dance showcases. It was dope to see Medusa and Pam the Funktress do their thing. And yes, Pam really did do some scratching with her boobs. Amazing. I though the most memorable performance on Saturday night was Maria Isas. Ive seen her perform a number of times but on this night, she was electrifying. Girl just tore it up.
The most beautiful thing about it all, was that it was all love. Everyone was so down to earth, approachable, and just fly. Real women with beautiful spirits and energy.
|| Zori4 (Puerto Rico) ||
|| Angels Are Watching ||
Artist ?
|| Shiro (Japan) ||
|| Art by Lush Girl (Minneapolis) ||
|| Art by Muck (NYC) ||
|| Art by Lady Pink (NYC) ||
|| Art by Asia One (LA) ||
|| Art by Zena (Chicago) ||
If you werent there, you should have been. If you have little girls in your life, plan on taking them. If your not in the Twin Cities, plan a trip for this gathering. It is worth it. Its empowering, the women are amazing, and you will walk away feeling good. I know I did. Lots of love to the planners of this event, I know you ladies put in some hours. Thank you for your dedication!
In the meanwhile, you should check out a book called We B Girlz and a great site for more Lady graff called Graff Girlz. Dont forget to show some love to with the B Girl B and all of the artists that came out.
A Celebration of Women and Hip-Hop
