Dance Party NYC: 50 Years of Hip-Hop

Join us on Saturday, August 5, for a special edition of Dance Party NYC celebrating 50 years of hip-hop at a family-friendly afternoon of hip-hop workshops, crafts, and nonstop dancing on the plaza outside the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. Take a lesson in hip-hop dance from New Victory Theater Teaching Artists Olney Edmondson and Sun Kim, design your own kicks, and sign up for NYPL’s special-edition hip-hop library card.

Pre-registration for Dance Party NYC in Midtown Manhattan has ended. We will accommodate all partygoers with or without pre-registration, space permitting. Check out Dance Party NYC at other NYPL locations near you!

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Find a Dance Party Location

The Library is hosting parties at six neighborhood branches in addition to the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. Plus, there are nearly 20 Dance Party NYC events happening at other locations across New York City—from live jazz music to funk and soul. Find one near you!

Map of NYC showing blue icons at Dance Party NYC locations.

50 Years of Hip-Hop

2023 marks 50 years since the dawn of hip-hop at a South Bronx house party. Join the Library this summer as we celebrate the legacy and influence of hip-hop with free programs, reading recommendations, and more. Plus, don't miss The Rap Up, a daylong festival on Saturday, August 5, featuring Datwon Thomas, Charlie Ahearn, Fab 5 Freddy, Mickey Factz, 5001 Flavors, April Walker, Vikki Tobak, DJ Spinna, and more.

Yellow block text on a teal background reads: 50 Years of Hip-Hop.

Explore Summer at the Library

Get creative and express yourself all summer long at The New York Public Library with free events for all ages, programs for kids and teens, reading recommendations, exhibitions, and much more!

Explore Summer at the Library for all ages in español (Spanish), 中文 (Chinese), বাংলা (Bengali), Русский (Russian), and English.

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Dance Party NYC Partners

Bryant Park, Battery Park City Authority, Bronxlandia, The Bronx is Reading, Bronx Music Heritage Center, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, City Parks Foundation / Summerstage, Cumbe: Center for African and Diaspora Dance, Hudson Yards, I AM MY COMMUNITY, Lincoln Center, New Victory Theater, New York City Center, NYC DOT, Port Authority, Randall’s Park Alliance, Sonnyboy, Thai Community USA NYC, Uptown Grand Central, Urban Stages.