"The company is in peak form—dancer for dancer, probably the best-trained, certainly the most versatile, dance company in Philadelphia."
—The Philadelphia Inquirer
A celebration fit for 50 years of inspiring dance! One of our esteemed Resident Companies, PHILADANCO , kicked off their 50th Anniversary season on October 5, 2019 with a performance of premiere work GENESIS at the Merriam Theater and a VIP after party in the classic Academy of Music Ballroom, home to PHILADANCO's first Gala in 1972.
The performance brought back former DANCO dancers and guests artists to celebrate some of the most requested and exciting ballets from the company’s early years. GENESIS marked the historic first time all four PHILADANCO companies performed together on the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus stage, including dance students of all ages. The night also included a special appearance by acclaimed PHILADANCO & Hamilton alumnus, Leslie Odom, Jr. who sang a set with his band at the VIP after party.
PHILADANCO has grown, since 1970, from a community arts organization based in West Philadelphia to a dance company celebrated throughout the world. Founder Joan Myers Brown and her dancers are famed for innovative choreography, blending African American-based dance with ballet, jazz, and modern. The company’s repertoire includes works by Talley Beatty, Ronald K. Brown, Donald Byrd, George Faison, and Gene Hill Sagan. The company premieres new productions and performs nationally and internationally, about 40 weeks each year. And as the added jewel to an already spectular kick off of 50 years, Myers Brown was just recently awarded the 2019 Bessie Award for Lifetime Achievement in Dance for her choreographic influence on black dance in America.
The anniversary season continues with their spring performance, FAST FORWARD, featuring work from exciting young choreographers in a brand-new co-commissioned work with Toronto’s Dance Immersion.
Congratulations on a stunning 50 years, PHILADANCO.
All photos by Al B. For (Al B. For Photography).
