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"Come
ye, ye who would have peace
It’s time to learn how to pray
Come ye, ye who would have hope
That we can still survive now"
–Nina Simone
One of the most sought-after young modern dance companies, Ronald
K. Brown/Evidence, whose dances resound with spirituality, returns
to The Joyce Theater with two New York premieres: "Come Ye,"
celebrating the life and powerful voice of Nina Simone, and "For
You," a solo. The season, which also includes the performances
of "High Life" and last year’s "Walking Out
the Dark," runs October 21–26.
Ronald K. Brown had always been drawn to the soulful music and turbulent
life of Nina Simone. After 9/11, the lyrics to her 1967 song "Come
Ye," took on new meaning and inspiration. The result is "Come
Ye," a choreographed call to people who live in fear, offering
hope in the dance’s affirmation of human valor. Resonant with
emotional physicality that veers into the spiritual, the work combines
Brown’s signature blend of traditional West African and American
modern dance with explosive movements and intimate ritualistic gestures
to underscore Simone’s gripping vocals.
Brown’s own compelling performing talent will be seen in "For
You," which features contemporary dance movements that recall
his early work. The dance, both a thank you and a testament of love,
was created to honor the late Stephanie Reinhart. It was
first performed this past June at Ms. Reinhart’s memorial
at the 2003 American Dance Festival, where she had been co-director
for many years. The dance is set to Donny Hathaway’s "A
Song For You."
"High Life" presents the parallel journeys of hopeful
Africans leaving their native villages to settle in the cities and
that of the African Americans migrating from the rural South to
the North in a disillusioning search for freedom. "High Life,"
created in 2000, is set to music ranging from the jazz and soul
tunes of Oscar Brown Jr. and the JB’s to Fela Anikulapo Kuti,
Nkengas, plus an original score by Wunmi Olaiya.
Ronald K. Brown/Evidence will also present excerpts from his critically
acclaimed 2002 quartet, "Walking Out the Dark," including
"meet me in the temple," performed to a series of poems/letters
written by Ronald K. Brown. The musical score is also comprised
of traditional Cuban music performed by Cutumba Ballet Folklorico
de Santiago de Cuba, and a live performance by Guinean percussionist
Mohamed Camara. The piece concludes with "celebration/faith/life,"
set to Guinean music by M’bemba Bangoura.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Ronald K. Brown began his dance training at
the Mary Anthony Dance Studio at the age of 15. Prior to formally
creating his own dance company in 1996 (Evidence first performed
in 1985), Brown danced with Jennifer Muller/THE WORKS and Mary Anthony
Dance Theater/Phoenix. In addition to creating works for Evidence,
Brown has received commissions from the Alvin Ailey American Dance
Theater including the instant classic from 1999 "Grace"
and its sequel "Serving Nia" in 2001. Brown also created
works for Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Cleo Parker Robinson
Dance Ensemble, Philadanco and Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, among
others. He is the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships,
including John Simon Guggenheim Memorial, National Endowment for
the Arts and New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowships in choreography.
He was also awarded a New York Dance and Performance Award (Bessie),
a Black Theater Alliance Award and the American Dance Festival Humphrey/Weidman/Limón
Award.
Following its season at The Joyce Theater, Ronald K. Brown/Evidence
will be seen in New Brunswick, New Jersey (October 30); London,
England (November 25–26); Manchester, England (November 29);
Bridgeport, Connecticut (February 14); Tucson, Arizona (February
21); and Arlington, Virginia (February 26). The company will also
perform in Washington, D.C. (February 28–29); Cerritos, California
(March 5–6); Middlebury, Vermont (March 11–12); Budapest,
Hungary (March 17–19); Napa, California (April 2–3);
and San Louis Obispo, California (April 8). Also upcoming for the
company are residencies at Hayti Heritage Center in Durham, North
Carolina (November 6); Dance St. Louis in St. Louis, Missouri (November
21–23); and Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut
(February 6–7).
The evening curtain for Ronald K. Brown/Evidence’s Joyce Theater
season, Tuesday through Saturday, is at 8pm; and on Sunday at 7:30pm.
There will also be 2pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday. All tickets
are $36, and are available at The Joyce Theater box office or by
calling JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800 or online at www.joyce.org.
The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street.
Ronald K. Brown/Evidence is a Joyce Theater presentation.
###
Leadership support for The Joyce Theater’s 2003-2004 season
has been received from the LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust.
The Joyce Theater Foundation gratefully acknowledges The Doris Duke
Charitable Foundation for its generous endowment to support dance
performances at The Joyce Theater. Generous support for this engagement
was provided through a grant from The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels
Foundation, Inc. to encourage the performance of New York City-based
companies at The Joyce Theater.
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