African-American Heritage Month

In Association with Community Works and New Heritage Theatre Group

Dedicated to Dunham

Sunday, February 25
12:00 noon–5:00 pm
Free with Museum admission

A celebration of the life and legacy of Katherine Dunham (1909–2006), anthropologist, dancer, choreographer, teacher, humanitarian, and historian. Join us as we honor Ms. Dunham's many contributions through performances, workshops, and symposia with an array of local companies and noted educators and historians.

A Praise Song for Katherine Dunham
Performance • 12:00 noon-12:15 p.m.
Kaufmann Theater, first floor
Artistic Director and host James Stovall* is joined by David Pleasant/Now Griot!* to perform "Praise Song!" an original musical and spoken-word composition based on the choreo-poem by Chezia Thompson-Cager in homage to the Katherine Dunham legacy, woven throughout the performances.

It All — Choreography By Dwight Rhoden
Performance • 12:15-12:35 p.m.
Kaufmann Theater, first floor
Gus Solomons jr is a noted dancer, and Professor of Arts at New York University, and Carmen de Lavallade is a world renowned dancer, choreographer, actress, and educator with a career spanning more than 50 years. They are founding members of PARADIGM. Inspired by Bjork's music from Dancer in the Dark (2000), Dwight Rhoden envisioned two veteran performers who had seen and done just about everything in their lives, but were still hungry for more. The duet for Solomons and de Lavallade emerged from a burst of creativity in just two rehearsals.

The Legacy Lives
Performance • 12:40-1:15 p.m., Kaufmann Theater, first floor
The Legacy Lives: A demonstration of the Dunham Technique performed by 30 advanced students of The Ailey School–directed by Joan Peters with dialogue by James Stovall.

Master Class • 1:30-2:30 p.m., Rose Center Classroom, second floor
An hourlong master class in Dunham Technique taught by Joan Peters, limited to 30 people on a first-come, first-served basis. The class is open to individuals ages 13 and older. Joan Peters has been the Chairperson for the Dunham Technique at The Ailey School since 1978.

Dedicated to Dunham
Films • 1:30-2:30 p.m., Linder Theater, first floor
Excerpts from two classic Dunham films. Introduction: Voza Rivers, Executive Producer, New Heritage Theatre Group

Mambo
Drama. 1954. Director: Robert Rossen
Starring Silvana Mangano, Vittorio Gassman, Shelley Winters and Katherine Dunham. A young dancer struggles for success and recognition and becomes involved with both a prince and an avaricious gambler.

Stormy Weather
Musical. 1943. Director: Andrew L. Stone
Starring Lena Horne, Bill Robinson, Cab Calloway, Katherine Dunham, Fats Waller, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, and Fayard Nicholas. Romance is on-again off-again for entertainers Selina Rogers (Horne) and Bill Williamson (Robinson) in this all-star musical featuring a cast of talented black singers and dancers of the 1940s era.

Students of the Dance Theatre of Harlem
Performance • 2:30-3:00 p.m., Kaufmann Theater, first floor
In honor of the legacy of Katherine Dunham, students of the Dance Theatre of Harlem will perform excerpts from the Dancing through Barriers repertoire. The Dance Theatre of Harlem, founded by Arthur Mitchell, is celebrating its 37th anniversary.

Touched by Dunham: Legends and Legacies
Panel • 3:15-4:15 p.m., Kaufmann Theater, first floor
In this symposium moderated by performer, historian, and dance writer Charmaine Patricia Warren, a distinguished group of intergenerational dance aficionados reflect on the legacy of Katherine Dunham and discuss the state of African-American dance. Panelists include legends Marie Brooks, founder of the Marie Brooks Pan Caribbean Dance Theatre; George Faison, Tony Award-winning choreographer and founder of the Faison Firehouse Theatre; and legacy keepers Adia Whitaker, founder of ASE Dance Theatre Collective; Rodney Hamilton, a member of Ballet Hispanico; and Darryl Braddix, Director of Operations at the Katherine Dunham Museum in East St. Louis, Illinois.

"Feet Unbound...Dancez" Fulfilling the Dunham Legacy
Performance • 4:25-5:00 p.m., Kaufmann Theater, first floor

Libation- Ethnography
ASE (pronounced Ah-Shay) Dance Theatre Collective, founded in 2000, is a New York City–based company consisting of young adults of color under the artistic direction of its founder, Adia Tamar Whitaker. This contemporary Haitian dance piece is a prayer to our ancestors asking them to protect and guide our hearts as we journey toward our destinies. ASE humbly dedicates this performance of libation to Ms. Dunham.

he Birds
Choreographer and Director Obediah Wright and his new company, Balance Dance Theatre, perform The Birds. The piece represents the crossing of souls from one realm to the next and is dedicated to the spirit of Katherine Dunham.

On display: Dance banners created by students of PS 315, with Community Works Visual Artist Sandra A.M. Bell

Global Weekends are made possible, in part, by The Coca-Cola Company, the City of New York, the New York City Council, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. Additional support has been provided by the May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Inc., the Tolan Family, and the family of Frederick H. Leonhardt.

*Artists James Stovall and David Pleasant/Now Griot! are a part of the Museum's World Music Live series supported by The New York State Music Fund, established by the New York State Attorney General at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

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All programs subject to change. All programs are free with suggested Museum admission. Neither tickets nor reservations are required. Seating is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis. It is recommended that you arrive in plenty of time to enter the Museum and locate the program space. For further information, call the Museum’s Department of Education at 212-769-5315 Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
A three-story parking garage is open during Museum hours; enter from West 81st Street. For public transportation information, call 212-769-5100.

posted by PennyGodboldo at 10:43 AM

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