Hip Hop’s Origin Story Hits the Stage in San Francisco

“The Bronx Revolution and the Birth of Hip Hop” Comes to YBCA for Two Unforgettable Nights June 20 & 21

San Francisco, CA—(May 14, 2025) – Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA), in partnership with Zaccho Dance Theatre, proudly presents The Bronx Revolution and the Birth of Hip Hop, a multimedia performance experience where the legends of Hip Hop take the stage, raw and unfiltered​. For two nights only during Juneteenth weekend—June 20–21, 2025 in The Forum at YBCA—audiences will experience the music, movement, and stories that gave rise to one of the most influential art forms of our time.

Featuring Hip Hop pioneers Grandmaster Caz, Grandwizzard Theodore, MC SHA-ROCK, Grandmaster Melle Mel*, Graffiti Artist BG183, BGirl Rokafella, BBoy Kwikstep, and photography by Joe Conzo, Jr., The Bronx Revolution and the Birth of Hip Hop transports audiences to the streets of 1970s Bronx, where a cultural revolution was born. Through breakdancing, graffiti, live DJing, spoken word, and powerful storytelling, it’s an electrifying, one-of-a-kind experience—brought to life with the raw energy and bold spirit that have shaped culture over the last four decades. The visual world of the production is created by a dynamic design team: Video Creative Director John Ensor Parker, Video/Projection Designer Márton Dániel Gábor, and Video Technical Director Bryan Dodson.

“We’re proud to partner with Zaccho Dance Theatre to bring this landmark performance to YBCA,” said Mari Robles, CEO of Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. “It’s a powerful moment to honor the living legends of hip hop and bring our community together through culture, creativity, and connection.”

In addition to the performance, the Friday, June 20 show will feature a post-show talkback with the Hip Hop legends, followed by a community cypher and after-party powered by our guest, DJ QBert. 

“This work is a love letter to the movement that changed everything,” said Joanna Haigood, Artistic Director of Zaccho Dance Theatre. “We’re telling the story from the voices of those who were there—not just to entertain, but to remember, honor, and inspire.”

Originally commissioned in 2013 by Dancing in the Streets and Casita Maria Center for Arts and Culture, the continued development of The Bronx Revolution and the Birth of Hip Hop has been made possible in part by The Kennedy Center’s Office Hours Residency Program at The REACH.

Tickets and additional event details are available at www.ybca.org/bronxrevolution. Mylo Cardona of Gravity Access Services will provide a Live Audio Description and Haptic Access Tour for visually impaired audience members. The Haptic Access Tour begins one hour before curtain on June 20th. 

*Grandmaster Melle Mel contributes to the production through a powerful pre-recorded video performance, created specifically for this work.

The Bronx Revolution and the Birth of Hip Hop is funded through the generous support of Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, California Arts Council, San Francisco Arts Commission, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, San Francisco Grants for the Arts, Fleishhacker Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts and the Phyllis C. Wattis Foundation.

YBCA programs are made possible in part by Blue Shield of California, the City and County of San Francisco, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, James R. Lilienthal Trust, California Arts Council, Yerba Buena Partnership, Meridee Moore, Beard Family Foundation, Schwab Charitable Fund, Gaia Fund, David and Carla Crane Foundation, Andrew Skillman and Lydia Choy Charitable Fund, Amy and Hannah Eliot, Maria Kim, Tides Foundation, Wayee Chu and Ethan Beard, Amanda Minami, Klau Family Fund, Peter Rigano and Cody Hicks, Harvey and Leslie Wagner Foundation, Robert and Junko Kenmotsu, The San Francisco Foundation, and YBCA Members.

For more information visit www.ybca.org/bronxrevolution or www.thebronxrevolution.org. Follow @ybca and @zacchosf on social media for behind-the-scenes content, artist interviews, and event updates.

About Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

Opened to the public in 1993, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) was founded as the cultural anchor of San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens neighborhood. Our work spans the realms of contemporary art, performance, film, civic engagement, and public life. By centering artists as essential to social and cultural movement, YBCA is reimagining the role an arts institution can play in the communities it serves. For more information, visit ybca.org.

About Zaccho Dance Theatre

Founded in 1980 by internationally recognized choreographer Joanna Haigood, Zaccho Dance Theatre has led the advancement of aerial arts and site-specific dance, creating rich, resonant performances that honor history, place, and culture. Learn more at www.zaccho.org.

Contact:
Lauren Macmadu
Chief External Relations Officer
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
[email protected] | 415.350.1884

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