← THE COLLECTIVE
CITY FUNDED — FREE ADMISSION

(YOU)NITY NIGHTS

Austin’s free monthly Hip Hop community arts night. Movement, music, visual art, and culture — all-ages, all-levels, ASL interpreted. Funded by the City of Austin AACME ELEVATE grant.

UPCOMING EVENTS

What’s Coming Up

RSVP isn’t required, but if you let us know you’re coming we’ll save space for your crew. New event details drop here a couple weeks before each night.

LOADING EVENTS

THE NIGHT

More Than Moves — It’s Culture

(You)nity Nights is the heart of The Collective — a free monthly arts night in Austin where Hip Hop, movement, and culture meet community. The name says it: when YOU show up, the unity follows.

Every third Friday, the studio doors open to anyone who wants in. No ticket. No cover. No prerequisite. Whether you’ve been moving for twenty years or you’ve never danced in your life, you belong here.

We built (You)nity Nights to honor the original spirit of Hip Hop — the block parties, the cyphers, the open-floor energy that says: come as you are, stay as long as you want, leave with people who saw you. It’s culture before competition. Expression before performance. Community before content.

The series runs nine events from April through December 2026, supported by a $40,000 ELEVATE grant from the City of Austin’s Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment program. Every dollar goes back into the night — paying artists, MCs, DJs, photographers, ASL interpreters, and the supplies that turn a studio into a living room for the city.

This isn’t a class. It isn’t a show. It’s a night Austin needed.

WHAT TO EXPECT

A Night With Layers

Each (You)nity Night runs about three hours and moves through several layers of the culture. Bring a water bottle, comfortable clothes, and an open mind. Everything else is on us.

The Vibe

A live MC opens the night, a DJ holds the music, and the floor stays open from the first beat to the last. Guests rotate through stations and energies depending on what they need.

The Movement

A guided workshop block — usually a foundational Hip Hop or street dance element led by Jaymie or a featured artist — gets every body warmed up. Beginners welcome. From there, the floor opens for free movement, partner dances, and friendly cyphers.

The Art

Visual art activations run alongside the movement. Markers, canvas, paint, and collage materials are out for anyone who’d rather make than dance — or who wants to do both.

The Performances

Two featured performers each night bring a short set — a routine, a freestyle, a story through movement. We rotate Austin artists across the year so the spotlight keeps moving.

The Accessibility

Every (You)nity Night includes ASL interpretation. The studio is wheelchair-accessible. We do everything we can so the door stays open in every direction.

The Community

The room ends most nights as a circle. Strangers leave as familiar faces. That’s the whole point.

2026 SERIES

Nine Nights, One Year

The 2026 series runs nine events — one per month from April through December. Each night has a working theme that shapes the workshop block, the visual art prompt, and the featured artists.

DATEWORKING THEME
Fri, Apr 24Earth & Body
Fri, May 15AAPI Heritage
Fri, Jun 19Pride + Juneteenth
Fri, Jul 17Freedom & Expression
Fri, Aug 21Youth Voices
Fri, Sep 18Hispanic Heritage
Fri, Oct 16Indigenous Perspectives
Fri, Nov 20Gratitude & Roots
Fri, Dec 18Light in Darkness

Themes evolve based on artist availability and community input. Check upcoming events above for confirmed details.

QUESTIONS

Before You Come

Quick answers for first-timers. If your question isn’t here, email hello@danzversity.com.

What exactly is (You)nity Nights?

A monthly free arts night at Danzversity in Austin. Each event combines Hip Hop and street dance, a guided movement workshop, visual art activations, two featured performances, and a DJ-driven open floor. All ages, all levels, all backgrounds — open to anyone who wants in.

Is it really free?

Yes. (You)nity Nights is funded by a $40,000 ELEVATE grant from the City of Austin’s AACME program. No ticket, no cover, no donation required. RSVP isn’t required, but it helps us plan.

Do I need any dance experience?

No. (You)nity Nights is built for first-timers as much as for long-time movers. The workshop block is foundational, the cyphers are friendly, and the floor opens for whatever you want it to be — dance, watch, paint, talk to people, or sit and feel the music.

Are kids welcome?

Yes. (You)nity Nights is all-ages and family-friendly. Most events draw a mix of youth, teens, parents, and elders. Kids are part of the community, not separated from it.

What should I wear?

Comfortable clothes you can move in. Sneakers or anything you’d happily get sweaty in. There’s no dress code — show up as you.

Where is it held? Is parking available?

All (You)nity Nights happen at Danzversity, 7531 Burnet Rd in Austin. Free parking is available in the strip lot directly in front of the studio, with additional street parking nearby. The studio is in north Austin, easy to reach from MoPac or 183.

Is the event accessible?

Yes. Every (You)nity Night includes ASL interpretation and the studio entrance is wheelchair-accessible. For specific accommodation needs, email hello@danzversity.com and we’ll make it work.

Who’s behind it?

(You)nity Nights is hosted and led by Danzversity, the cultural dance academy at 7531 Burnet Rd in Austin. Co-founder Jaymie Howard curates the series with featured guest artists from the Austin Hip Hop and street dance community. Funded by the City of Austin’s ELEVATE grant program.

This project is supported in part by a Elevate Grant of Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment.

(You)nity Nights is presented by Danzversity in partnership with the City of Austin AACME ELEVATE program.