Review: PHILADANCO Returns to NYC with a Strong Statement

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 marked the return of the Philadelphia Dance Company's (PHILADANCO) long awaited return to The Joyce Theater for the first time since 2012. The program featured four pieces including three New York premieres. The company, known for tackling social justice issues through dance, showcased an exciting repertoire that shines light on the past and present social climate and its effects on people of color.

The evening opened with Folded Prism by Vietnamese choreographer Thang Dao. It is a full company work that is infused with choreographic imagery set to music by John Levis. It was quite mesmerizing to watch in conjunction with the music. The piece started out with the dancers dressed in all white in a group moving together as one unit. It was light and airy with various duets and trios filled with lovely lifts. But then it takes a dark turn. As the dance goes on, the lights get darker, the movements get quicker and sharper. There is also more dissonance in the music. I appreciated Dao's connection between the music and the choreography.

Next was the New York premiere of the dance entitled New Fruit by resident choreographer Christopher Huggins. This was a powerful piece about the unchanged landscape of sanctioned violence on Black and Brown bodies in the US. The first section was performed to the infamous song, "Strange Fruit," with a long rope hanging from the stage and images of bodies hung from trees about the long history of lynching in our country. The next section was a hip-hop duet for two men, showcasing the urban life of Black and Brown people. It was a little more fun as it incorporated a number of familiar social dances of today such as the floss, shoot, and nae-nae. However, the fun dances turned to feelings of fear. The dancers, all wearing hoodies, were running across the stage as if they were running from something, or someone, ending with the sound of a gunshot. The final section was heavy as all were walking with heavy loads grieving the loss of their loved ones. It then left the audience with a question to think about- "So what you gonna do?" now that you have seen and experienced the socially unjust patterns that are consistently seen in our Black and Brown communities. What a powerful statement! As a country we need to be reminded of these issues. They cannot and should not be overlooked. Nor should we stand by idly.

The program continued with the New York premiere of A Movement for Five by PHILADANCO alum Dawn Marie Bazemore. This dance is inspired by the events surrounding the "Central Park 5," the five young men of color who were wrongly arrested and convicted in the rape and attack of a white woman in Central Park in 1989. The first section featured the song "Fight the Power" by Public Enemy to set the mood and landscape of the political and racial turmoil in NYC in the 1980s, followed by scenes in their jail cells. It was only years later that DNA and a confession revealed their innocence. The final section showed the pain this not only caused the boys, but also their families. This was another moving piece that sought to uncover how our socio-political system failed to protect these young teenagers. It pains me to see how this cycle continues today in the 21st century.

The evening concluded with the New York premiere of With(In)Verse by Tommie-Waheed Evans showing the idea of spirituality and sorrow when one hits rock bottom. There was an image of trying to stay strong to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I enjoyed watching the fast-pace in the dance. It was full of sharp moves and I loved the parts in unison. Overall, it was just wow!

PHILADANCO, under the artistic direction of its founder Joan Myers Brown, is often celebrated for its innovation, creativity, and preservation of African-American traditions through dance. For over forty years, the company has pushed boundaries and built bridges across cultural divides. I am proud to see the work of Ms. Brown through the art of dance, and hope the legacy continues strong for many more to see, experience, and appreciate.

For more information about the company and their touring schedule, please visit their website at www.philadanco.org.

Photo Credit: Julieanne Harris

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