6/16/18 O&A NYC DANCE/REVIEW: Philadanco at the Joyce

By Walter Rutledge

Philadanco (Philadelphia Dance Company) opened their New York City season on June 12 at the Joyce Theater. The eleven- member ensemble performed four works by choreographers Thang Dao, Christopher L. Huggins, and two former Philadanco Company members Dawn Marie Bazemore and Tommie-Waheed Evans. The well curated program used social injustice as the evening’s theme. Continue reading

6/10/18 O&A NYC WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK: JUNE 10- 17, 2018

New York City in late spring, and the city is in full bloom. We have art blossoming in Uptown and Midtown, dance swirls around Lincoln Center and Chelsea, female jewels thieves stealing the movie box office and Denzel on Broadway. Here are a few of the many events happening in the city that never sleeps guaranteed to keep you Out and About. Continue reading

6/7/18 O&A NYC DANCE: Philadanco Returns to the Joyce

Philadanco returns to New York City for seven performances, June 12 through 17 at the Joyce Theater. The company will present four works by choreographers of color, including three New York premieres. This concert series marks the company’s first solo presentation at the Joyce Theater since 2012.  Continue reading

4/21/15 O&A REVIEW: Philadanco- Having Our Say…The Voices of Women Choreographers

By Walter Rutledge

PHILADANCO-jpegPhiladanco celebrated the 45th anniversary of the company Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 19 at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. The program entitled Having Our Say…The Voices of Women Choreographers was an homage to the talents of female artists. The concert featured the work of four dance makers Diane McIntyre, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Bebe Miller and Dawn Marie Bazemore; and a tribute to performing artist, the late Mary Hinkson Jackson.   Continue reading

4/16/15 O&A Dance: PHILADANCO Launches 45th Anniversary Celebration with Having Our Say…The Voices of Women Choreographers

By Walter Rutledge
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Fresh off the heels of the acclaimed winter European tour of the James Brown Project Get on the Good Foot, Philadanco launches their 45th Anniversary Celebration with Having Our Say… The Voices of Women Choreographers April 17- 19 at Philadelphia’s Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center located at Broad & Spruce Streets. The program honors four generations of female choreographers, with four works by four female choreographers. The works presented include world premiere ballets by Philadanco alumna Dawn Marie Bazemore master choreographer Dianne McIntyre and audience favorites, My Science by Bebe Miller, and Jawola Willa Jo Zollar’s Hands Singing Song.

Philadanco- Joan Myers Brown and “Having Our Say… “

The production’s title is derived from the 1993 book, of the same title, written by the Sarah Louise “Sadie” Delaney and Annie Elizabeth “Bessie” Delaney affectionately called The Delaney Sisters. Their eloquent story of living with dignity through the racism and sexism of the Jim Crow Era and The Great Depression catapulted the 90 year-old African-American women to literary and social notoriety. For the Philadanco production the title really functions as a metaphor for the struggle of minority female artists.

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“Philadanco’s program similarly shares the stories by four African-American women, who despite the odds were able to make strides through dance, with opportunities for these choreographers to showcase their works on stage” explains Philadanco Founder and Artistic Director Joan Myers Brown. Brown is no stranger to struggle of female artist of color. The recipient of the  2012 National Medal of the Arts award, presented by President Obama, will be honored with an Honorary Doctor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania at the upcoming 2015 29th Commencement ceremony on May 18, 2015.