The Dance Center and BraveSoul Movement present
B-SERIES 2026: B-PRESENT
BATTLE & JAM
Saturday, February 28, 2026 2-9:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free with reservation.
Note: for all free events, the maximum number for each order is one ticket. You can either submit each person in your party individually, or call the box office (312) 369-8330 with the name(s) and email address(es) of your companions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 4 and 8:00 p.m. (or leave a message and expect a call back during these windows). Thanks!
The 12th annual celebration of Hip Hop & Street Dance Culture co-curated by faculty Daniel BRAVEMONK Haywood and Kelsa K-SOUL Rieger-Haywood.
This year’s theme B-PRESENT is a call to gather and move—physically, soulfully, and energetically—with awareness, intention, and deep connection to the sounds, the space, the culture, the legacies, our inner selves, and one another.
Opening Qigong and Sound Healing led by Jimmy Chan – kicking off at 2:00 p.m.!
Judges: Mlaya Moves, I.B. RAH, Papa Kobina
DJs: DJ Ca$h Era and DJ A-Lista
Hosts: BRAVEMONK and K.C.
Performances: Jay-J and Taraja Mumbeja, The Rennegades Hip Hop Dance Team, K.C. and Student emcees
Head-to-Head battles: cypher entry, random pairing in 2v2 battles, wild-card winds up in 3v3 finals. In addition to the standard criteria for an open freestyle competition, dancers will be judged on how effectively they communicate, connect, and interact with their partners.
Additional B-SERIES EVENTS
Join us for these additional B-Series events as a part of B-PRESENT all month long!
February 4 – March 2, 2026
B-PRESENT School of Fashion Windows at 618 S. Michigan
In partnership with Columbia College Chicago’s School of Fashion, the Michigan Avenue windows at 618 S. Michigan will amplify Hip Hop and street dance culture fashion in partnership with B:PRESENT.
Student Co-Curator: Ava Winfrey
Fridays throughout February
B-PRESENT Friday Class Series at the Dance Center
11:00 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
Friday, February 6 – Ava Winfrey: Fusion/Street Dance
Friday, February 13 – Ibrahim Sabbi (I.B. RAH) - Freestyle Movement
Friday, February 20 – BraveSoul Movement – Communal Groove Session
Friday, February 27 – Lacouir Yancey (B-boy Spirit) - Freedom Movement Therapy
Sunday, February 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
SYNERGY CYPHER: DJ'd Open Dance Session
(House & Hip Hop)
at the Logan Center for the Arts (Penthouse, Rm 901)
University of Chicago
915 E 60th St
Hosted by: Jeremiah “JJ” Green and Taraja Mumbeja
DJs: Kin Solo & Salem
Enjoy guided experiences alongside open space for free exploration, connection, and presence with the music and each other. ALL BODIES ARE WELCOME!
Presented by the University of Chicago’s TAPS program (Committee on Theater and Performance Studies), curated by BraveSoul Movement, in collaboration with The B-Series.
Thursday, February 26, 12:30 – 1:50 p.m.
B-Series: B-PRESENT Town Hall
Hip-Hop/Street Dance & Healing: Three expert panelists share their healing-centered work and intersections with Hip-Hop & Street Dance: Lacouir Yancey (B-boy Spirit), Dr. Courtney Domenico and Jonathan St. Clair (B-boy InLight). The Town Hall will include speaking, Q&A, and opportunities to experience some elements of their practice.
Friday, February 27, 12:30 – 3:20 p.m.
B-Series Take-Over of Dance Professionalism
Guest artists Kiana Cook (K.C.) and Lacouir Yancey (B-boy Spirit) share professional development and industry insights with The Business of Dance through their decades long careers at the intersections of street dance, community, and healing.
Support
Banner image from B-YOND BORDERS 2024, photo by Julie Lucas for Columbia College Chicago
