651 ARTS to Launch 'Classically Black' Season This Spring

Founded in 1988 with the charge to present contemporary performing arts generated by artists of African descent, 651 ARTS has remained a national and international leader in supporting and presenting dynamic black artists and producing award-winning projects from the African Diaspora.

For its 28th season, the Brooklyn-based organization presents four Classically Black evenings of dance, poetry and music including Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, (DCDC); pianist Kris Bowers in an evening celebrating Black film composers; an all-day cypher summit curated and led by poet Toni Blackman; and the dynamic music of Haitian super group Lakou Mizik.

651 ARTS's Classically Black season runs, March 5-May 6, 2016. Performances take place at BRIC, Hi-ARTs Performance Space in Harlem and Kumble Theater at LIU. Tickets start at $20. For more information visit www.651ARTS.org or call 718.304.1045.

"What makes us Black or the art we create classical? What makes us classical or the art we create Black? Those are the questions we will explore this season," said Shay Wafer, Executive Director of 651ARTS. "We will continue to focus on contemporary performing arts and celebrate all that is classically black."

651 ARTS opens its Classically Black Spring season with the world-renowned Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC). Founded in 1968 and rooted in the African-American experience, DCDC is known for its remarkable artistry, rigorous movement, and story-telling through dance. After nearly a decade away from New York City, DCDC brings a selection of its most dynamic work to Brooklyn, including the New York City premiere of Donald Byrd's "The Geography of the Cotton Field". This event is co-presented with Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts.

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

Saturday, March 5, 2016 @ 7:30pm

Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts

LIU Brooklyn

Flatbush between DeKalb and Willoughby

Tickets: $25

Contact: 718.488.1624

www.651arts.org/on-stage/event/dayton-contemporary-dance-company

The world-renowned Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) is the oldest modern dance company in Ohio. Founded in 1968, DCDC is known for its extraordinary artistic execution, dance precision, and story-telling through dance art of international standard. Having the world's largest repertoire of classic works by African-American choreographers, this Dayton, Ohio company continues to celebrate dance art around the world. Most recently DCDC performed in Suzhou Industrial Park in Jiangsu Province, China for the opening of University of Dayton's China Institute. Artistic Director Debbie Blunden-Diggs continues the company's long legacy with fresh new dance works by top choreographers, including Donald Byrd, Ronen Koresh, and Kiesha Lalama.

651 ARTS is committed to developing, producing and presenting performance and cultural programming from the African Diaspora, with a primary focus on contemporary performing arts. 651 ARTS serves the cultural life of New York City, with a particular focus on Brooklyn, one of America's most culturally diverse communities.