An Evening with Lil Buck and Jon Boogz

Arrive early to enjoy food trucks and a live DJ set

“Fueling it all is the emotion that drives his magnetic dancing. There is struggle and pain, joy and healing, and ultimately, a transformation.” The New York Times on Lil Buck

An award-winning performing artist and advocate for the arts, Charles “Lil Buck” Riley defies gravity with a repertoire that spans Memphis Jookin’, hip hop, ballet and contemporary dance, to name just a few. A world-renowned artist, Lil Buck has performed original works created in collaboration with such luminaries as Yo-Yo Ma and Mikhail Baryshnikov. He’s undulated, twisted and turned past Picasso and Matisse masterworks for Louis Vuitton and has performed for international brands including Nike, Apple and Vogue. In 2023, choreographer and movement artist Jon Boogz became the first Black street dancer honored by the Emmys when he won Outstanding Choreography for Scripted Programming for his work on the Starz show Blindspotting. He has received numerous accolades for constantly pushing the boundaries of movement, storytelling and dance. This program includes an exclusive performance from Lil Buckand Jon Boogz created especially for UCSB Arts & Lectures, along with screenings of their award-winning work and an in-depth conversation/Q&A with the audience.