If you’ve ever wished a live show could hit like a great playlist, move like a dance battle, and land like a perfectly timed poem, Early Era Collective is aiming to do exactly that. The Austin-based group is gearing up for the third annual “Say That Again!”, a stage show that blends hip-hop, contemporary dance, and spoken word into one performance.
Early Era Collective’s “Say That Again!” returns with hip-hop, dance and spoken word
Early Era Collective founder Stephanie Patrick and spoken word artist Andre Bradford appeared on “We Are Austin” with Trevor Scott to talk about what audiences can expect.
Early Era Collective founder Stephanie Patrick and spoken word artist Andre Bradford appeared on “We Are Austin” with Trevor Scott to talk about what audiences can expect.
“‘Say That Again’ is Early Era’s celebration of Black History Month. We do that through collaborative multi-form dance, live hip hop, and spoken word. This year we have our biggest cast ever. We have about 34 people a part of the show with the crew,” said Patrick, speaking to how the show has evolved over its first three years and how the different styles are designed to complement each other onstage. “We’re always featuring new dance styles. So this year we’re diving into West African dance. Tap dance, and just creating more fresh work for Austin.”
Bradford is an accomplished Austin spoken word slam poetry artist and is excited to bring his art form to life differently, saying, “I’m bringing the slam poetry, the spoken word to the party. There are three spoken word pieces. One of which has dancers really deeply incorporated into it. And it’s just, it’s a really fun expression to take, the power of spoken word, and add like these elements of movement and storytelling to it that just make the show. Every time I get the chance to incorporate movement and dance into my slam poems, that’s my favorite version of that poem. It’s an expression of the story that I didn’t initially envision when I wrote it, but to see it come to life with different expressions and different movements, it allows me to see the story in a totally new way.”
Early Era Collective – “Say That”. Thursday performance (February 22, 2024) at Dougherty Arts Center. More info at earlyeracollective.org Photo © Earl McGehee, credit to @earlmcgehee
For more information and tickets to this special show, CLICK HERE!
Early Era Collective’s “Say That Again!” returns with hip-hop, dance and spoken word
Early Era Collective’s “Say That Again!” returns with hip-hop, dance, and spoken word
Early Era Collective’s “Say That Again!” returns with hip-hop, dance, and spoken word