It still might seem like a strange partnership to some: a collection of the Phoenix Valley's street artists, dancers and musicians working with Arizona State University's Herberger Institute to create art.
But the Urban Sol program, which aims to bridge the street art world into the academic setting, continues to evolve with an electric appeal. The charge of creativity was on display this past Saturday evening as Urban Sol hosted its annual "MOVEMeant III" dance and art event at the Nelson Fine Arts Center plaza on ASU's Tempe campus. The night was filled with dancers of all ages and backgrounds stepping, flowing and spinning to the sounds of hip-hop and other dance music styles in front of a stand-room-only crowd.
Some of the people were there to strut their stuff, others to show off their skills (like the ASU Hip Hop Coalition, pictured above). Together they were mass of movement and engagement as the lines between the crowd and the performers were blurred in a way that every great street performance knows so well.
For more information about the Urban Sol program, visit the Herberger Institute of Design and the Arts' website.
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Katie Oyler, 10, shows off her dance moves at the Urban Sol "MOVEMeant III" event at the Nelson Fine Arts Center on ASU's Tempe campus Oct. 24. The annual gathering is the result of the Herberger Institute of Design and the Arts' efforts to blend the Valley's urban arts scene into its curriculum and community.
Courtney Pedroza/ASU Now
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Dance battles are part of the Urban Sol lineup, but sometimes these friendly battles of style and movement are spontaneous challenges between people who feel the groove — and cause the crowd to issue some "Ooohs" in response.
Courtney Pedroza/ASU Now
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Keanna Flores, 18, dances off to the side with friends at the Urban Sol "MOVEMeant III" on Oct. 24.
Courtney Pedroza/ASU Now
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Arizona Raw Talent preforms on one of the three stages at the Urban Sol "MOVEMeant III" on Oct. 24. The Herberger Institute's Urban Sol program offers a Performance and Movement degree that has attracted some of the Valley's urban artists into Arizona State University's community.
Courtney Pedroza/ASU Now
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Akiel Furious (center), 21, cyphers with his friends at the Urban Sol "MOVEMeant III" event. The cypher is a spot in the dance crowd where individuals can show their skills — before passing the spot onto someone else.
Courtney Pedroza/ASU Now
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In between dances during Urban Sol's "MOVEMeant III," children play on the Southwest Pieta sculpture that resides in the Nelson Fine Arts Center's plaza on Arizona State University's Tempe campus. The event fills the plaza with so many people that any open spot becomes potential seating or standing area.
Courtney Pedroza/ASU Now
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People crowd around to watch the ASU Urban Arts Club preform at the Urban Sol "MOVEMeant III" event. The annual gathering brings together dancers, artists, DJs and musicians from Arizona State University and the greater Valley urban arts scene.
Courtney Pedroza/ASU Now
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Steezo, 21 and one of the Valley's notable urban dancers, cyphers between performances at the URBAN SOL "MOVEMeant III" event.
Courtney Pedroza/ASU Now
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Yohan Lai, 19, spins on his back during a cypher between performances at the Urban Sol "MOVEMeant III" gathering on Oct. 24.
Courtney Pedroza/ASU Now
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