Ten dance companies will unite for a one-night performance, bringing together performers from the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project to the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. Artists from respected Black dance organizations like Chicago Multicultural Dance Center, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, The Era Footwork Collective, Forward Momentum Chicago, Joel Hall Dancers & Center, M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Move Me Soul, Muntu Dance Theatre, NAJWA Dance Corps, and Praize Productions will showcase various dance genres, including African, contemporary modern, ballet, jazz, and tap under the theme “Dancing the Archive: Embodied Histories, Collective Power.”
Mashaune Hardy, executive director of CBDLP, poses key questions about storytelling: “Who keeps our stories? Who tells our stories? Who keeps our stories accurate?” She insists that the archive is not static; “we are the archive and we’re dancing the archive because we’re dancing our living, breathing stories.” This show pays tribute to influential city figures, fostering a collaborative environment that nurtures growth within the dance community.
The production will feature chapters dedicated to legacy bearers: Carol Adams for Record Keeper, Chance the Rapper for Stewardship, Ida B. Wells via Dan Duster as Wordsmith, James and Pauline Montgomery for Moral Courage, Curtis Mayfield and Lupe Fiasco for Sound, Runako Jahi for Voice, Jackie Taylor as Space Maker, Pamela Crutchfield as Cultural Ally, NAJWA for Cultural Memory Continuum, and Anthony Brown for Transmission.
Dancers Nia Towe, Talia Howard, Dorianne Thomas, and Alana Hawkins rehearse at the Logan Center for the Arts, demonstrating the preparations by members of the Joel Hall Dancers and Center. Hardy emphasizes the importance of asserting presence amidst challenges: “We wanted to assert that we are still here and we are still making the work.”
William Gill, artistic director at Joel Hall Dancers & Center, reflects on the company’s longstanding involvement with CBDLP, which began in 2019 to address the underfunding of Black dance companies. “Coming together once a year, every year, it’s like a family reunion,” Gill states.
The project was developed to support tradition and innovation in Black dance. Artistic Director Kevin Iega Jeff explains, “We have professional, pre-professional and youth-based dance companies, and this ecosystem feeds the entire Black dance ecosystem.” This support has led to improvements in sustainability and visibility for dance companies, offering funding for artistic development and infrastructure.
The project’s initiatives include conversations between veteran artists like Camille A. Brown and Joan Myers Brown, sharing wisdom with younger talents. Hardy underscores the achievements of civic and cultural Black leaders, highlighting their influential roles in establishing legislation and building dance communities.
Gill reflects on the significance of Dance Legacy, stating, “Ever since I’ve been a part of it, we’ve presented to sold-out audiences.” Hardy highlights dance’s role in human development, describing it as healing, character-building, and contributing to wellness.
If you go
The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St. Tickets are available from $35 at harristheaterchicago.org.
Leave a Reply