It is not that Dallas Black Dance Theater has no pain at the age of 45. In fact, they are using one of the most painful years in their history as a stepping stone into the next season and beyond.
After a year of purely virtual performances due to the pandemic, DBDT is starting its 45th anniversary season on a grand scale: with four world premieres, including a cultural and artistic exchange with musicians halfway around the world in North Macedonia.
The season will include both virtual on-stage options and live streaming around Dallas-Fort Worth.
“We looked carefully at the restrictions at the beginning of the pandemic and developed a unique plan to move forward,” said Melissa M. Young, artistic director of the DBDT, in a press release. “I feel like the dance world is sometimes waiting for someone else to move first. You don’t have to be a copycat. It’s okay that you look different because that’s the beauty of dancing. “
According to the press release, in the summer of 2020, DBDT was the first professional dance company in the world to consistently only present paid virtual appearances as a new business model after the closure of live performances during the pandemic.
This year they are building on this success with a new hybrid model.
“Our virtual appearances last season attracted audiences in the US and 12 other countries,” said DBDT Managing Director Zenetta S. Drew in the press release. “We want to continue to offer virtual options as part of our new business model so that we can grow our audiences around the world and bring DBDT art to audiences that have never seen it before. We are pleased to be able to deliver DBDT artworks directly to your home. “
Under the motto “Catalyst for Change”, the season for the 45th anniversary of DBDT promises “high-quality, thought-provoking performances that illuminate African American culture through modern dance,” they say. It also includes a new version of the vacation favorite Nutcracker.
Here’s a closer look at the season with descriptions of the company:
“Dancing Beyond Borders-West”, September 25th
DBDT kicks off the season in Fort Worth with “Dancing Beyond Borders-West” at the WE Scott Theater. DBDT: encore! Dancers appear to float across the stage as they perform Opaque, a mysterious and majestic work choreographed by Nycole Ray. In Nineteenth, another of Ray’s showpieces, the dancers portray a historic tug-of-war for power. IM Terrell Academy for MINT & Visual Performing Arts Dance Ensemble from Fort Worth ISD is the evening’s guest artist, directed by Christen Reyes, a former DBDT: Encore! Member.
“DanceAfrica”, 1.-2. October
The sights and sounds of the 16th annual “DanceAfrica” series fill the Moody Performance Hall in Dallas. The evening performances feature guest artists from the Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble who produce powerful movements to the heartbreaking drumming of African traditions and history. The award-winning DeSoto High School A Cappella Choir will sing melodic and inspiring songs that capture the spirit of African tradition. This family-friendly event includes the free DanceAfrica Festival and Marketplace on Saturday October 2nd, with mainstage performances, vendors, and fun activities at Klyde Warren Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Director’s Choice”, 5.-6. November
The Dallas Black Dance Theater celebrates its 45th anniversary with internationally acclaimed works at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theater. Award-winning choreographer Darrell Grand Moultrie’s Like Water received a standing ovation at its world premiere with nine performances at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival on August 4, 2021 in Massachusetts. The Boston Globe described the new work as a “gift for all of us” as it ebbs from “waves of sadness” to “bubbles of joy”. Like Water was commissioned by Jacob’s Pillow as the first recipient of the Joan B. Hunter New Work Commission.
Milton Myers combines contrasting, grounded African and airy Eurocentric movements into the masterpiece Pacing. This artistic equation, enveloped in Asian-inspired melodies, makes the work’s creative kaleidoscope a satisfying ride.
In the collaborative duet Absolute Rule, choreographed by Elisa Monte and David Brown, they examine the coming together and diverging of different emotions in the course of a relationship. Elisa Monte describes the duet as a glimpse into the “push and pull of emotional forces that surround the interaction between two people”.
“Behind the Scenes”, 22.-23. November
The Dallas Black Dance Theater Thanksgiving Christmas Present sheds light on what’s going on behind the scenes for the five Dallas Black Dance Theater ensembles at DBDT studios. Guests can meet the dancers, watch the rehearsal process, and see upcoming new works during the midday performances.
“Black on Black”, 3.-4. December
“Black on Black” delivers a Christmas party feeling with original new works, choreographed by DBDT and DBDT: Encore! Dancer. They take the reins in hand and produce this entertaining evening to the fullest. Promising to bring good news and a good mood, it is the perfect all-inclusive vacation dance experience, including a free happy hour at 6:30 p.m., an eclectic performance in the intimate surroundings of the DBDT studios, and a festive after-party.
Espresso Nutcracker, December 11th
The holiday tradition of sharing magical moments captures the beauty of different cultures authentically and shows it in Espresso Nutcracker. Dallas Black Dance Academy students take this classic story to another level by jazzing selected scenes from Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker suite. The students take the guests on a wondrous journey to the land of snow and sweets. The evening begins at 7 p.m. at the Majestic Theater.
“Cultural Awareness”, 18.-19. February
DBDT dancers demonstrate breathtaking brilliance when they bring a cultural collaboration to the stage of the Dee & Charles Wyly Theater for the series “Cultural Awareness”. North Macedonian jazz guitarist Toni Kitanovski and his Romani band incorporate the music into an original score, while DBDT dancer / choreographer Claude Alexander III transforms it into passionate movements for DBDT dancers. The result is The Way of the Clave, a world premiere of live music and dance woven from the carpet of this cultural collage.
The DBDT audience never tires of seeing the 89 year old work Awassa Astrige / Ostrich by Asadata Dafora. A male soloist glides majestically across the stage with flowing and impressive controlled movements and becomes a bouquet.
“Etgy, exciting and atmospheric.” This is how the popular choreographer Christopher L. Huggins described The Berkshire Edge Night Run. The artist combined modern dance and classical ballet over flamenco-influenced guitar and a slow waltz in his work while exploring the transformation of social interactions as night falls and time seems to become an illusion.
“Dancing Beyond Borders-North”, March 26th
This time DBDT: encore! is “Dancing Beyond Borders-North” at the Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson. DBDT: encore! Dancers appear to float across the stage as they perform Opaque, a mysterious and majestic work choreographed by Nycole Ray. In Nineteenth, another of Ray’s showpieces, the dancers portray a historic tug-of-war for power.
“DBDT: Encore! – Rising Excellence”, 22.-23. April
“DBDT: encore! Rising Excellence “has always been a catalyst for showcasing young artists. As a premiere for the Dallas Black Dance Theater organization, dance and choreography duo Derion Loman and Madison Olandt jointly created The Long Wait, a drama of cosmic proportions for DBDT: Encore! That will premieres at the Moody Performance Hall, and this relevant and insightful work is an introspection of the human mind that refuses to give up even when it cannot see the finish line.
It’s a match of artistic bliss. Diaspora synthesizes DBDT: Encore! with the volunteer musicians of the New Texas Symphony Orchestra. The addition! Company is performing live for NTSO in a new work choreographed by Nycole Ray and Richard A. Freeman, Jr. The new work is based on a West African percussion song called “Diaspora” by the composer Conni Ellisor.
“Spring Festival”, 20.-21. May
The grand finale of the 45th season celebration as DBDT takes the performance at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theater to heights. The audience can never get enough of the fascinating aerial duet What should I say? Notes on Echo and Narcissus. National Dance Committee co-chair for SAG-AFTRA, Southern Methodist University graduate and former DBDT dancer Jamal Story brings the heartbreak of the Greek tragedy of unrequited love to life by weaving intriguing, passionate movements through the work. Jamal is the Aerial Dance Supervisor of the Cher Tour.
Kameron N. Saunders, co-founder of The K / P Project in St. Louis, MO, will stage a world premiere for the Dallas Black Dance Theater’s “Spring Celebration” series. This world premiere will be a physically demanding and compelling work that explores the human connection and its direct parallels to creative thinking with an original score.
“The GREAT Dance”, June 4th
DBDT’s 45th anniversary grand graduation will culminate in the annual fundraiser, The BIG Dance, which goes to the Dallas Black Dance Academy’s education and scholarship programs – The Official School of Dallas Black Dance Theater. The dance party will fill the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center with live music, food, and fun.
“The Dallas Black Dance Theater is limiting seating capacity to allow social distancing in all venues,” the press release said. “Block seating is provided for two or four people, with each block seat six feet apart. Tickets must be purchased in blocks of two or four to attend the performance. Due to the limited number of tickets, DBDT cannot offer discounts on groups or subscriptions this year. “
Tickets are now available both on stage and virtually. Tickets can be found at www.attpac.org. Further performance details can be found at www.DBDT.com.
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