Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble Celebrates Dunham
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – Dance great Katherine Dunham's centennial will be celebrated the last week of February with "Stalwart Originality: New Traditions in Black Performance."A collaboration of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA Presents!), Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art and the '62 Center for Theatre and Dance at Williams College join forces to present a week of residency and performances with the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble.
This international, cross-cultural, dance-arts and educational institution rooted in African-American traditions will perform the masterworks "Ragtime" and "Choros" by Katherine Dunham alongside works by Cleo Parker Robinson and others.
Dunham, a legend in dance, choreography, anthropology and political activism, was a leader in making black dance an art form in its own right, and was an influential pioneer for other great names in American black dance, such as Alvin Ailey and Arthur Mitchell. The performance will be on the '62 Center MainStage on Feb. 27 at 8. All tickets are $3.
The centenary activities will include a week of events open to the public:
Monday, Feb. 23, 8 , '62 Center
Dunham's "100th Anniversary Celebration": a performance and talk about her life and legacy with Tommy Defrantz, Constance Kreemer and Robinson, including demonstrations of Dunham's technique and repertory performed by the dance ensemble.
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 4-5:30, '62 Center Dance studio
The dance ensemble members hold a master class for intermediate/advanced dancers. Reservations required, contact Isabelle Holmes at imh1@williams.edu.
Wednesday, Feb. 25
4-5:30 p.m., '62 Center Shared Studio
After-school Community Youth Workshop
For more information, imh1@williams.edu.
4-6 p.m., '62 Center Dance Studio
Dance ensemble members hold a master class for beginner/intermediate dancers. For more information, imh1@williams.edu.
7-8:30 p.m., Mass MoCA Rehearsal Studio
Open Level Community Adult Workshop
For more information contact Sue Killam, skillam@massmoca.org
Friday, Feb. 2, 8 p.m., '62 Center Main Stage
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble performs works by Katherine Dunham, Cleo Parker Robinson, and others.
To make reservations or purchase tickets, call the box office: 413-597-2425
These events are made possible through the support of Stalwart Originality: new traditions in black performance, MCLA Presents!, MASS MoCA, National Endowment for the Arts, New England Foundation for the Arts, Williams College Dance Program, Africana Studies, the Lecture Comittee, and the Multicultural Center.
For a complete calendar, ticket prices and additional information, please call (413) 597-2425 (Tuesday through Saturday 1 to 5 and one hour before each performance) or visit http://62center.williams.edu/.
