Dr. Rennie Harris, internationally renowned hip-hop choreographer, dancer, educator, and black dance historian, will be appearing in two events at Stanford University, California, this week.

Rennie Harris dispels stereotypes of hip-hop. (Photo courtesy Stanford Lively Arts)

Harris was a pioneer of hip-hop, perfecting his style in the clubs and parties of North Philadelphia in the 1980s before bursting onto the naDtional and international stage. With his nearly two-decades-old company, Rennie Harris Puremovement (RHPM), he has enthralled audiences the world over and garnered three Bessie Awards, one Herb Alpert Award, and three Alvin Ailey Awards in the process.

Central to Harris’s work is the philosophy that, contrary to stereotypical (and often negative) portrayals of hip-hop in the commercial media, the art form has a unique ability to express universal themes that extend beyond racial, religious, and economic boundaries. To cultivate this message, Harris and RHPM have conducted lectures and seminars at universities and community centers nationwide.

“Rennie Harris in Conversation,” presented through The Aurora Forum at Stanford and Stanford Lively Arts, will feature Harris joined by Stanford drama faculty and Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Harry Elam, whose scholarly work focuses on contemporary African American drama and performance. The event is set for January 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Stanford’s Pigott Theater. Admission is free.

Also, performances of Rennie Harris Puremovement will be held January 22 at 3:00 p.m. (family matinee) and 8:00 p.m. at Memorial Auditorium. A post-performance discussion with Bay Area choreographer Robert Moses will follow the evening show.

For performance tickets, call 650.725.ARTS. For more information on both events, visit http://livelyarts.stanford.edu.

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