(Black PR Wire) The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) announces the return of its Hip-Hop Block Party Saturday, Aug. 12, celebrating the culture and music that has been originated and shaped by Black America for decades. This year’s celebration will honor 50 years of hip-hop’s artistry, innovation and global transcendence.

The event will take place on the National Mall at the intersection of Madison Drive N.W. and 14th Street. It will feature multi-generational performances by some of hip-hop’s most influential DJs, artists and cultural influencers. Attendees will also be able to participate in interactive activities, such as graffiti art, breakdancing and more. There will also be hip-hop-focused tours of NMAAHC’s renowned galleries, revealing the genre’s connection to centuries-old improvisation and social-consciousness traditions. The Hip-Hop Block Party also marks the return of Club Café, where attendees can taste a delicious hip-hop-inspired menu while experiencing a vibe only the museum can provide.

For this year’s block party, NMAAHC will install an outdoor panel exhibition highlighting new hip-hop artifacts from the museum’s collection. The display will use these dynamic objects and images to explore hip-hop through historical and regional lenses, providing a unique opportunity for audiences to engage with the genre’s storytelling beyond its already strong presence in the museum.

Additional information will be available on the Hip-Hop Block Party website in the coming months, including performance and program schedules, activities and special guests. All of NMAAHC’s Hip-Hop Block Party activities and performances are free, and tickets will be available on the museum’s website in July. Follow the conversation on social media @nmaahc and use the hashtag #NMAAHCHipHop.

About the National Museum of African American History and Culture

Since opening Sept. 24, 2016, the National Museum of African American History and Culture has welcomed more than 9 million visitors. Occupying a prominent location next to the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the nearly 400,000-square-foot museum is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive cultural destination devoted exclusively to exploring, documenting and showcasing the African American story and its impact on American and world history. For more information about the museum, visit nmaahc.si.edu, follow @NMAAHC on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or call Smithsonian information at (202) 633-1000.

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Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture