Krannert connects hip hop culture, community with 2026 Hip Hop Convene
The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts will host the 2026 Hip Hop Convene beginning Wednesday, Feb. 25, bringing four days of performances, workshops, guest lectures and panel discussions to Champaign-Urbana.
The campus and community-wide convene runs through Saturday, Feb. 28; events are designed to explore hip hop as both an art form and a cultural movement. Events will take place at KCPA, the Spurlock Museum of World Cultures, the Music Building and Gallery Art Bar.
Julieanne Ehre, KCPA’s assistant director for programming and engagement, said the vision for the convene has been building for more than a year.
“What’s cool is that there’s different kinds of events, so you can come to several and not feel like you’re seeing the same things,” Ehre said.
Over four days, attendees can take part in hip hop karaoke, jam sessions, live dance performances and hands-on workshops that teach skills like beatmaking, recording, songwriting and DJing.
Read the full article by Olivia Dvorak on The Daily Illini.