Free Arts Hip Hop Camp for At-Risk Youth Set for Now thru 7/27

Between 30 and 40 young people from 12 to 17 years of age living in domestic violence and homeless shelters, group homes, residential facilities and foster homes will learn how to create their own urban beat at Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona's (Free Arts) Hip Hop Camp from today, July 23-July 27 at Brick's Dance Studio, 4550 E. Indian School Road in Phoenix.

The youth will spend the week learning hip hop dance techniques from EPIK Dance Company Artistic Director Sarah "Saza" Dimmick; how to use poetry to describe their lives by spoken-word artist Kane Smego, Artistic Director of Sacrificial Poets/YouTh ink, a nationally competing youth poetry organization; and DJ turntable techniques from Ryan Ingram, founder of both the All the Right Moves afterschool hip-hop program and Automatic Response performance company.

"We know that these creative arts provide young people, particularly at-risk youth, with an expressive and emotional means to put their lives in perspective, to find comfort among their peers and even a bit of an escape," said Free Arts Executive Director Barbara DuVal Fenster. "The team of artists we're working with bring tremendous talent, understanding and great fun to the camp."

The camp runs each day from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

For more information about Free Arts, visit www.freeartsaz.org. For more information about EPIK Dance Company, visit www.epikdanceco.org. For more information about All the Right Moves, visit www.alltherightmovesaz.com. For more information about Sacrificial Poets/YouTh ink, visit www.sacrificialpoets.com.

About Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona: Founded in 1993, Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona uses the creative arts to help children who have suffered the trauma of abuse, neglect and homelessness to express their innermost feelings. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Free Arts has developed community and cultural partnerships with agencies, businesses and organizations throughout metropolitan Phoenix driven by our core values: Art Heals, Mentoring Works. Every Child Matters. For more information, visit www.freeartsaz.org or call (602) 258-8100.

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