Hip-hop's 50th anniversary is being commemorated in Birmingham with a sizable festival.
From June 8 to June 14 at various locations throughout the city, including the Hippodrome, the yearly B-SIDE festival will be held.
Along with workshops, classes, and other events, the event features music, dance, and rap battles.
Hip-hop music and culture were celebrated at the free festival, according to festival producer Ben Pickering.
The four pillars of the genre—breakdancing, graffiti, DJing, and MCing—were honored at the event, he told BBC Radio WM.
The 2016-born event also features children's painting classes, international artists leading dance and creative workshops, and murals that celebrate hip-hop's five decades.
Mr. Pickering stated that "all these events are free for people to come on down" and that the full schedule would take place "right across the city.".
It's a community event with a family focus that's open to everyone, he said, adding that it's also really nice.
It truly is accessible to everyone. ".
On Thursday, workshops and an open mic session at the Hippodrome kick off the seven-day festival.
Friday's events at the same theater include a dance masterclass and a special showing of the BBC documentary Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World.
On June 10, a daylong block party is also planned.
The festival will be concluded on June 13 and 14 with a performance of hip-hop dance theater.
The world has truly changed because hip-hop is so widespread and popular, and Mr. Pickering continued, "We're just really excited to celebrate it."
