UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Hip-hop and R&B artist BJ The Chicago Kid will headline the Move Mix Festival, the Center for the Performing Arts 2024 fall season-opening event.

The free community festival for all ages will be from 2–8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, in Eisenhower Auditorium.

In celebration of the auditorium’s 50th anniversary, the second-annual event will feature a variety of artist performances and workshops, food vendors, and interactive workshops inside and outside the building. Dance ensembles, circus and performance artists, singers and choral ensembles, and rock and big bands will fill the main spaces for a full-venue arts experience to remember.

Centre County-based singer-songwriting duo Hops and Vines will cap off the artist engagements with a brief music set. National recording artist BJ The Chicago Kid will conclude the daylong event by showcasing his smooth, soulful, R&B and hip-hop-inspired vocals.

Visit Move Mix Festival online for more information about the event, the local artists and participating food trucks. The event is free, but registration is required. Complete the form to register.

“Our committee was thrilled with the number of applications received to be part of the Move Mix Festival this year,” said Heather Mannion, Move Mix Festival committee member. “We selected 20 incredible local artists to participate, and our Student Advisory Council selected our headliner, BJ The Chicago Kid. We are so excited for our community to join us and make memories at Eisenhower Auditorium for what promises to be fun-filled day celebrating the performing arts.”

BJ The Chicago Kid

Born Brian James Sledge, BJ The Chicago Kid has collaborated with heavy hitters of Top Dawg Entertainment rap artists Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar and Jay Rock; and other prominent hip-hop artists such as Chance the Rapper, Anderson .Paak, Tierra Whack and Freddie Gibbs.

On “Gravy,” BJ The Chicago Kid partnered with Yeti Beats (producer for Doja Cat and Matisyahu). His 2023 mixtape was recorded with a live band at Memphis’ Royal Studios, the home of the legendary 1970s mellow-groove soul sound.

Hops and Vines

State College rock duo Hops and Vines — Jonathan McVerry and Christie Clancy — takes an acoustic guitar, a bold voice and an appreciation of good spirits to the stage level. The central Pennsylvania artists, now in their first decade of performing together, encourage crowd participation for classic songs by Dolly Parton, The Cars, Radiohead, Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac and more.

Move Mix Festival Artists Schedule

Conference room

• 3:10–3:30 p.m., Black Cat Belly Dance workshop with Shannon Bishop
• 4:40–5 p.m., Workshop with Aneaus Smith Dance

Loading dock

• 2–2:20 p.m., Shades of Blue (a cappella)
• 2:40–3 p.m., Raw Aesthetic Movements Squad (dance)
• 3:20–3:40 p.m., Nittany Ballet (dance)
• 4–4:20 p.m., Making State (rock band)
• 6-6:30 p.m., Hops and Vines (pop and rock band)
• 7-8 p.m., BJ The Chicago Kid (hip-hop and soul singer)

Lobby

• 2:30–2:50 p.m., Virginia Kay (singer)
• 3:15–3:35 p.m., The Extra-Ordinary CAPVARA (circus)
• 3:55–4:15 p.m., Tommy Willis (performance art)
• 4:40–5 p.m., None of the Above (a cappella)

Patio

• 2:20–2:40 p.m., Liv and the Juveniles (rock band)
• 3–3:20 p.m., Penn State Graduate Percussion Quartet (band music)
• 3:40–4:10 p.m., Chelsea Tye, Keira Gail and Livi Hepler (singers)
• 4:20–4:40 p.m., Kathak Dance Collective (dance)
• 5–5:20 p.m., La Musica de Echa (singer)
• 5:30–5:50 p.m., Ambitions Performance Company (dance)

The Place (Conference Room)

• 5:30–6:45 p.m., Cowanism (performance art)

Roaming

• 2:30–2:50 p.m., Shannon Bishop (Black Cat Belly Dance)
• 4–4:20 p.m., Aneaus Smith Dance

Times and locations are subject to change. Watch cpa.psu.edu for updates in the case of inclement weather or an update in the artist schedule.

Accessibility

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided for several performances throughout the season. If ASL interpretation is needed for any event during the season, please contact the Arts Ticket Center at least two weeks before the event.

Audio Description also will be provided at no additional charge for several performances. The service is also available for events upon request. Call the Sight Loss Support Group of Central Pennsylvania at 814-238-0132 to make a reservation at least two weeks before the event.

The center welcomes patrons of all sensory sensitivities to its performances. Eisenhower Auditorium is certified by KultureCity as a sensory-friendly venue. Upon request, patrons can sign out a variety of items to accommodate your visit, including noise-reducing earmuffs, anti-strobe glasses, lap pads and fidget toys.

Learn more about the center’s available Accessibility services.

Acknowledgements

Support is provided by the Janelle Bessette and Keith Karako Access Program Endowment. Accessibility services are supported by the William E. McTurk Endowment for Program Support.

Find us

For more information about the season, visit the Center for the Performing Arts online, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.