In partnership with YWCA Wheeling, Wheeling Heritage is helping present Rhyme or Reason, the live performance arm of the weeklong celebration of Hip-Hop: A Black Tie Affair.
If the gallery asks the question visually, the cypher answers it out loud.
This is not limited to seasoned poets, rappers, or MCs. It is an open invitation. If you have something to say…about the world, about your community, about where you stand…this space is for you.
Hip-Hop has always been a cultural first responder. When conversations become urgent, when tensions rise, when the moment demands clarity, artists step forward. Friday night creates room for that tradition to continue here in Wheeling.
The evening will feature performances alongside Stevan Wilson, aka DJ Phurcat, providing the soundtrack for the night. A signature drink, “It’s Tricky,” will also be available through River City‘s bar, adding to the atmosphere of the evening.
Black tie attire or just dressing up is encouraged as part of the broader effort to elevate and reframe perceptions of Hip-Hop culture, but guests are welcome as they are. The emphasis is on participation and community. Ron Scott Jr., Program Director for the YWCA shares, ” Hip-Hop: A Black Tie Affair is quickly becoming an umbrella for a series of events and Rhyme & Reason is easily the event that ties everything together. It encompasses art & culture in a way that gives praise and recognition to Hip-Hop and its contributions, but it also shows how the genre can have influences in so many other disciplines of art: visual, musical, and poetry. I appreciate the partnership with Wheeling Heritage and their dedication to making this a regular impactful event.”
For those who feel called to step into the circle, it is not too late to sign up to perform or just show up with a piece and join in!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc5ZDwZcQ9v-oY1i0Z29bl8RsPduTwREEaMuB6ogEBdGb7ihw/viewform
The celebration continues at the Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center, where the Hip-Hop: A Black Tie Affair exhibit remains on view through February 21. Featuring artists from across the Ohio Valley and beyond, the collection explores Hip-Hop as both a musical genre and a cultural movement. From bold portraiture to mixed media works layered with symbolism, each piece reflects the influence, history, and evolution of the culture.
The week culminates Saturday evening at 7PM with a closing celebration at Stifel, sponsored by WesBanco and the Wheeling Arts and Cultural Commission. Guests can enjoy music, refreshments, and the opportunity to connect with artists and community members who are helping shape the region’s creative future.
