1/15/18 O&A NYC DANCE: Opening Reception for Arthur Mitchell: Harlem’s Ballet Trailblazer

Opening Reception for Arthur Mitchell: Harlem’s Ballet Trailblazer took place on the 8th floor of  Columbia University’s Manhattanville Campus Lenfest Center for the Arts. The gathering celebrated the first major exhibition devoted to the life and accomplishments of Arthur Mitchell, New York City Ballet’s first African- American principal dancer, and founder/artistic director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. The evening brought together former and present Dance Theatre of Harlem company members and staff, colleagues, old friends, balletomanes; and dance and cultural historians. In an unexpected highlight Mitchell partnered former DTH dancer Paunika Jones reinforcing that this octogenarian teacher, choreographer, dance and social icon still leads by example.

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Mitchell donated his personal archive to Columbia University’s Rare Book & Manuscript Library in 2014. The Arthur Mitchell Collection on display in the 6th floor Wallach Art Gallery was curated by Lynn Garafola, Professor Emerita of Dance, Barnard College, and includes photographs, drawings, posters, memorabilia, and rare video footage. The collection not only provides an important insight into the groundbreaking career of Mitchell, but also illustrates how the arts can create social change. “I believe that dance, and the arts more broadly, can be used as a catalyst for social change—this is why I started the Dance Theatre of Harlem”, states Mitchell.

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Arthur Mitchell: Harlem’s Ballet Trailblazer runs from January 13 through March 11, 2018. In addition to the exhibition special events have been planned including:

An Afternoon with Arthur Mitchell
Saturday, January 20, 2018 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
This special afternoon includes a rare screening of the dance documentary, Rhythmetron with a live appearance by Arthur Mitchell.

Wallach Gallery Talks
Saturday January 27, 2018 1:00 – 1:30PM
Learn more about key works in the Arthur Mitchell archive from different perspectives. All talks begin at 1 pm and meet in the Wallach Art Gallery lobby on the 6th floor. Lynn Garafola, exhibition curator and Professor Emerita of Dance, Barnard College, Columbia University.

Wallach Family Afternoon
Saturday February 10, 2018 1:00 – 3:00PM
An afternoon of storytelling, art-making and movement for families to enjoy together.

For more information about the Wallach Art Gallery and the Arthur Mitchell: Harlem’s Ballet Trailblazer exhibition and related events including: An Afternoon with Arthur Mitchell (January 20, 2018, 1pm) and Panel Discussion with former dancers from the Dance Theatre of Harlem (February 24, 2018, 1pm) visit wallach.columbia.edu. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 13– March 11, 2018

 

 

 

The Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University.

 

 

 

 

The collection provides insight into the career and life mission of Mitchell, as a dancer, teacher, choreographer and social activist.

 

The first major exhibition devoted to Arthur Mitchell, this project celebrates the life and accomplishments of the New York City Ballet’s first African American star, and the founder and longtime director of the Dance Theater of Harlem. This event will take place on Friday, January 12, from 6-8 pm in the spacious new Wallach Art Gallery at the Lenfest Center for the Arts.

 

1/12/18 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY EXTRA: Yuri Soloviev and Natalia Makarova- Les Sylphides pas de deux (1964)


Natalia Makarova and Yuri Soloviev  perform Les Sylphides pas de deux from the 1964 Russian documentary The History of Russian Ballet. Continue reading

1/12/18 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Motion Dancer Refat Abdullayev

Motion Dancer Refat Abdullayev on got Talent as he performs an amazing emotional dance routine on Poland’s Got Talent 2017. We see the influence of urban American of the contemporary dance scene.  Continue reading

1/10/18 O&A NYC DANCE: Storyboard P. At Kill Or Be Killed Dance Battle

By Adewale Adekanbi

Storyboard P. was one of the judges at the recent Kill Or Be Killed 10 Evil Xmas 2 dance battle in Brooklyn, but  the Mutant/Flex icon and Bessie Award winner couldn’t let the opportunity to dance go unchallenged. Continue reading

1/8/17 O&A NYC DANCE: Arthur Mitchell And Anna Kisselgoff Discuss Agon And More

Arthur Mitchell discusses Agon with New York Times dance critic Anna Kisselgoff. Also bonus clip of Diane Adams and Arthur Mitchell in Agon pas de deux.  Continue reading

1/5/18 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Manon- The Royal Ballet- Antoinette Sibley and Anthony Dowell (1982)

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Manon, choreographed by Sir Kenneth MacMilan, was his second three-act ballet as artistic director of the Royal Ballet. He based his scenario on the 1731 novel by the Abbé Prévost, L’Histoire du Chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut. MacMilan had chosen Antoinette Sibley as Manon and Anthony Dowell as Des Grieux, giving them both a copy of Prévost’s novel to read in preparation for their roles. Continue reading

1/3/18 O&A NYC DANCE: Natalia Tatarintseva (Ukraine)- World Pole Dance Championships 2016 Female Winner

Natalia Tatarintseva from Ukraine the winner of the 2016 World Pole Dance Championships Female Category held in Bucharest, Romania on 16th September 2016. Continue reading

1/1/18 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Quarantine featuring Kyle Abraham (Essential Dance Film)

Quarantine is the first film in Gabri Christa’s “Another Building” series, which features short narrative dance films that take place in and around historic buildings and sites connected to the Dutch History. An older man looks at his younger self (Kyle Abraham) explore an old quarantine building for enslaved Africans. Continue reading

12/31/17 O&A NYC GOSPEL SUNDAY: Revelations- Alvin Ailey

Alvin Ailey’s masterwork Revelations (1960), one of the most recognizable modern dance works, remains a powerful testament to the human spirit. This cast includes April Berry, Kevin Brown, Ralph Glenmore Deborah Manning, Renee Robinson and Marilyn Banks.  Continue reading

12/30/17 O&A NYC GOING BACK TO AFRICA WITH WaleStylez: Indlondlo Zulu Dancers

The Indlondlo Zulu Dancers performing at the Ushaka Marine Zulu Dance Finals, 2015. Continue reading