March 26, 2008                                                                                                                                                   Associate Director of Marketing

                                                                                                                                                                               Phone: 253.573.2360

                                                                                                                                                                               Email: laceyl@broadwaycenter.org

With Immediate Response to Community Concerns

Broadway Center Will Host A Hip-Hop Community Dialogue

Tacoma, WA – Hip Hop music is at risk of being marginalized in our society as solely focused on violence and the degradation of women. The Broadway Center will host a community dialogue to challenge those assumptions and discuss ways in which Hip Hop music can be presented in a safe and positive manner:  A Hip-Hop Community Dialogue on Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 3 pm in Theatre on the Square. 

David Fischer, Executive Director commented, “I believe there is a fantastic history of artistry in hip-hop; and I also believe there are artists who aren’t brandishing guns and celebrating the abuse of women.  The Broadway Center is committed to diverse access, but also in making sure our venues are safe and welcoming for the entire community. The upcoming community dialogue is designed to empower our community to better serve the Hip Hop audience.”

This dialogue is a free event and will be open to the public.  Mediator and University of Puget Sound Professor, Dexter Gordon will facilitate the dialogue with intentions of maintaining an environment where all voices and opinions will be spoken and heard. Broadway Center encourages dialogue participants to attend with an open mind and willingness to listen and learn. 

Broadway Center has invited Tacoma City Officials and Members of 2012, while encouraging other community leaders to attend and participate in this dialogue.

The Broadway Center embraces a tremendous diversity of performing arts and audiences. Various Broadway Center community dialogues are hosted annually.  This year, the Broadway Center has hosted Urban Explorers, African Heritage, and Latino Culture dialogues.  Future dialogues slated for the upcoming year include Communities of Faith, GLBT and Asian Culture.

For more information about Broadway Center’s community dialogues, contact Lucas Smiraldo at 253.591.5341.  For information and details about upcoming events visit www.broadwaycenter.org.

The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts gratefully acknowledges the following for support of the 2007-2008 Season: ArtsFund, Ben B. Cheney Foundation, The Boeing Company, City of Tacoma, Forest Foundation, The News Tribune, Pierce County Arts Commission, Sequoia Foundation Pierce County Program, and Washington State Arts Commission.

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