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Broadway Center to host community dialog on hip hop music

By Matt Nagle

On the heels of last month’s abrupt cancellation of rapper E-40’s show at Pantages Theater due to security concerns, a community forum will be held April 27 at Theater on the Square to discuss ways in which hip hop music can be presented in Tacoma in a safe and positive manner.

Hosted by Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, the forum is being presented as an opportunity for all sides in the issue to come together in an environment where voices and opinions will be spoken and heard.

Lucas Smiraldo, associate director for education at Broadway Center, said the forum “is more than response” to E-40’s cancellation. “It’s an outgrowth of that, but it also led us to think that we want to have a broad array of events in our theaters” including hip hop shows. “It’s a sense of creating some input and ideas that may give us some thoughts on what we may want to do in the future with these public theaters.

“We’re really welcoming any and all perspectives into the conversation.”

Dexter Gordon, University of Puget Sound professor of African American studies, will be the moderator.

Smiraldo said a planning committee has assembled an interesting group of participants that includes social activist/hip hop group 2012; Tacoma City Council member Marilyn Strickland; Metro Parks Commissioner Victoria Woodards; Cheryl Jones, who runs an after-school program on Hilltop called Allen Renaissance; and Paul Schrag, a reporter with the Business Examiner, among others. Smiraldo said invitations were also sent to Downtown Merchants Group, the mayor’s office and Tacoma Police Department.

The evening’s program will follow that of other Broadway Center educational forums, starting with a welcoming statement and testimonials by the members of 2012 and others. Rather than have one big, mass conversation, those in attendance will break up into small groups and discuss several posed questions so that more people can be heard.  

Broadway Center Executive Director David Fischer said he looks forward to opening up the dialog. “I believe there is a fantastic history of artistry in hip hop, and I also believe there are artists who aren’t brandishing guns and celebrating the abuse of women.

“The Broadway Center is committed to diverse access, but also in making sure our venues are safe and welcoming for the entire community,” he said. “The upcoming community dialog is designed to empower our community to better serve the hip hop audience.”

Various Broadway Center community dialogs are hosted annually. This year, the center has hosted Urban Explorers, African Heritage, and Latino culture dialogs. Future dialogs slated for 2008 include communities of faith, Asian culture and the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.

For more information, contact Smiraldo at (253) 591-5341 or visit www.broadwaycenter.org.

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