2011 ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: CHARLES "LIL BUCK" RILEY
Charles "Lil Buck" Riley performed and received early training at the New Ballet Ensemble and School, Memphis, TN. He is known mostly for his brilliant Memphis jookin'. A street dance that originated in Memphis, Tennessee, jookin’ is taking the world by storm. Thanks to video streaming and social networking websites like YouTube, MySpace and Facebook, jookin’ has spread around the globe. In 2007, Memphis rapper–director–producer Young Jai, released the “Memphis Jookin’ Vol. 1” DVD featuring Lil Buck. As a choreographer, Lil Buck recently choreographed and starred in the video for recording artist Janelle Monae’s Grammy-nominated hit song “Tightrope.” He has appeared on numerous television shows, including an appearance on “Dancing with the Stars” performing “Tightrope” and three appearances on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
“I have been a devotee of Lil’ Buck since I set eyes on that little genius.”
—William Forsythe
In April 2011, Lil Buck collaborated with cellist Yo-Yo Ma in two appearances arranged by festival director Damian Woetzel. A YouTube video of one of the performances has become a viral internet hit, garnering national and international press attention.
