
Rennie Harris Puremovement
On Friday and Saturday, January 17 and 18, at 8 p.m., the renowned street dance company Rennie Harris Puremovement presents Nuttin’ But A Word at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts’ Diana Wortham Theatre. Created by the company’s founder and artistic director Lorenzo “Rennie” Harris, Nuttin’ But A Word breaks down the structural elements of hip-hop dance, challenging stereotypes about street dance while also honoring its roots.
“The title of the work … was taken from a cultural phrase used amongst many Blacks in the United States,” Harris says. “The full saying is, ‘You ain’t said nothing but a word’; loosely translated, it means, ‘Your words mean nothing—pay close attention, because what I do next will trump anything you have to say.’”

Rennie Harris Puremovement. Photo by Cherylynn Tsushima
Harris has been recognized for his innovation in dance with three Bessie Awards, five Black Theater Alvin Ailey Awards and a Guggenheim Fellowship, among others. His groundbreaking choreography has been performed globally.
Harris will be joined by local author, actor and prolific street dancer Otto Vazquez to lead pre-show discussions prior to these performances. Vazquez will be partnering with Wortham Center this season to offer education and community engagement programs, including a hip-hop pop-up class on Tuesday, January 14, at 7 p.m., and an 8-week hip-hop class in February and March 2025 at the Wortham.
In addition to the two headlining performances, Rennie Harris Puremovement will also perform a special matinee as part of the Wortham Center Student Series on Friday at 10 a.m. The 60-minute performance is designed for students in grades 5–12.
The company will also host a community street dance master class on Saturday, January 18, at 1 p.m. in Henry LaBrun Studio at the Wortham Center. This 90-minute class for beginner to intermediate level dancers is a deep dive into various street dance techniques in styles such as Campbellocking, house and hip-hop.
The Wortham Center for the Performing Arts is located at 18 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville. To learn more or purchase tickets, visit WorthamArts.org or call 828.257.453.