Philadanco Presents a Tribute to Willard G. Rouse III and 2 World Premieres November 20-22
November 6, 2003
The dance company will also offer two special student performances for local and regional elementary, middle and high schools students on Friday, November 21 at 10am and noon.
Called one of Philadelphia’s institutions by Band Magazine, PHILADANCO has won critical acclaim both in the United States and abroad. A resident company of the Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater, Philadanco has chosen to begin its season with the company favorite "Elegy," performed as a tribute to former Kimmel Center chairman Willard G. Rouse III. Rouse, whose vision and dedication to the city not only built the Kimmel Center but also transformed the entire Philadelphia skyline, died of lung cancer in May.
The second half of the program, titled WE TOO DANCE: African-American Men in Dance, is a tribute to African-American men in dance and will feature an all-male cast of dancers. The dancers will perform the world premiere of two pieces: "Blue," choreographed by Christopher Huggins and "Forgiveness," choreographed by Roger Jeffrey. Huggins will also perform as a guest along with former company members Bernard Gaddis (a native Philadelphian who began his dance training at the High School for Creative and Performing Arts) and Zane Booker. WE TOO DANCE: African-American Men in Dance will also feature the Philadelphia premiere of "Back to Bach," choreographed by Eleo Pomare.
The student performances will feature a welcome and introduction by Philadanco founder Joan Myers Brown and an on-stage warm-up by some of the company dancers. The company will perform excerpts from "Pretty is Skin Deep, Ugly to the Bone," "Suite Otis" and an excerpt of the aforementioned "Blue." Students will learn about choreography and dance history and get a chance to join in a combination presented by female dancers of the company. The presentation will conclude with a full performance of "Suite Otis." For information on the student performances call 215-790-5806.
The Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco) was founded in 1970 by Joan Myers Brown and is famous for cutting-edge choreography, often blending African-American inspirations with ballet, jazz and modern dance. Over the years, it has grown from a grass roots organization to a professional dance company, esteemed nationally and internationally. PHILADANCO’s eclectic repertoire ranges from works by renowned choreographers to the introduction of new material through a variety of commissions and other innovative projects.
Tickets for the November 20-22 performances of PHILADANCO are $28 & $38 and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at www.kimmelcenter.org or at the Kimmel Center box office, open daily from 10am to 6pm and later on performance evenings. For group sales call 215-790-5883.
A limited number of $10 tickets will be available for every Kimmel Center Presents performance at the Kimmel Center. $10 tickets go on sale the day of the event and can be purchased at the Kimmel Center box office beginning at 5:30pm for evening performances and 11:30am for matinees. Limit one per person.
The Kimmel Center Presents Movers and Shakers dance series continues with Mark Morris Dance Group (January 29-31, 2004), Philadanco’s spring performances (April 1-3) & Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (May 13-16).
American Airlines is the Official Airline of Kimmel Center Presents. BMW is the Official Vehicle of Kimmel Center Presents.
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