Street Jam, a “Stomp” rhythm and dance band to rock Sedona

A hard hat hip hop event in the SR179 Gallery District on May 30

Sedona, AZ - May 1, 2008 - What kind of a community comes together in a wild celebration of the very thing that drives them crazy? That would be Sedona. Specifically a group of forward-thinking creative types that want to transform the jack-hammering, pile-driving cacophony of the 179 construction into the hip, urban sounds of Street Jam, a global “stomp” rhythm and dance band that is exciting audiences with their explosive energy and unique style.

You do not want to miss this rollicking afternoon of fun for all ages, Friday, May 30th, 3 to 6 p.m. It’s a progressive event starting at Tlaquepaque at 3:00 p.m., then moving to Garland’s/Hozho at 4:00 p.m. and finally arrive at Hillside at 5:00 p.m.

The free progressive street event inspired to bring the Sedona community together—even in the midst of broken pavement and heavy equipment—was the brainchild of an impromptu association of sponsors: Tlaquepaque, Garlands Navajo Rugs, Hozho Shopping Center, Hillside Sedona, and Comfort Inn Sedona. Thank them for bringing in the Phoenix-area phenoms for the day.

To remind everyone that Sedona is still very much open for business, shops and restaurants will be doling out savings and coupons to enjoy over the weekend. Javalina Cantina at Hillside will host a margarita and beer bar that will benefit the Sedona Chamber of Commerce And Oak Creek Brewery will also host a beer garden as well at Tlaquepaque. To make it all come together easily the Sedona Trolley and Sedona Roadrunner Transit will graciously be on hand to take folks to each progressive venue.

Decked out in construction overalls and hardhats, performers will rock Tlaquepaque, Gallery Row and Hillside in a heart-pounding tribute to road construction. Bringing together some of Arizona’s best dancers, drummers, gymnasts and martial artists, Street Jam has performed at many corporate events, schools, parties and fundraisers. Coming from different backgrounds and disciplines, the performers improvise, combine and support each other’s individuality to create a “jaw-dropping” jam. Sedona has never seen anything like this before.

Progressive Street Jam Event Schedule

First stop: Tlaquepaque 3:00 p.m.
Mysterious smoke, drums, flashing lights only tell part of what is to come next. Dancers appear in urban party attire (ala MTV music awards) and do their high-energy hip-hop choreography. Look toward the upper balconies, and watch for “velocity stilter” jumping and running down the alley. A special first stop finale is not-to-be-missed.

Next: Hozho and Garlands 4:00 p.m.
A large Japanese taiko drum and 20’ trampoline wait for the audience as they arrive on the shuttle. The street jam drummers join in as martial artists perform acrobatic choreography with nun-chucks. Gymnasts dressed in Kachina inspired outfits leap onto the trampoline, catching the wind, doing flips, gainers and shapes in the air. Look for another big finale before boarding the shuttles to Hillside.

Last stop: Hillside
This is where it gets wild. Everything builds as the street noise morphs into virtuosic drum solos on construction gear, followed by a trash can lid battle, and walking on oil drums (like you see in the Dolby short just before the feature plays at the local cinema). Hammering, sawing, drilling, yelling, whistling—a chaos of building sounds start out of time, then the “noise” molds itself into a funky rhythm as break dancers and gymnasts dressed as construction workers do their jaw dropping movements. Enough said. Come see for yourself.

Since it’s inception in 2001 by award winning choreographer David Titchnell, Street Jam has performed for major companies in the Phoenix area such as Wells Fargo, Bayer, Toshiba, Honeywell, Olympus, and many more. They opened the ASU College of Fine Arts “Sundays at Kerr” performances at the Kerr Cultural Center and have sold out Gammage Auditorium twice with over 3,000 students from valley schools attending.

They work with kids at risk and special education children and are partners with the 21st Century Grant Program, the Phoenix Symphony, AZ Jewish Theatre, ASU Public Events (Gammage), AZ Department of Education. Phoenix Conservatory of Music, Phoenix Theatre and Free Arts AZ.

For more information about schedules and events, please contact Wendy at Tlaquepaque 282-4838 or Karen at Hillside 282-4500.