Ronald K. Brown’s Evidence, A Dance Company will perform three nights, April 19, 20 and 21, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center.
Founded by Brown in 1985 and based in Brooklyn, Evidence focuses on the integration of African dance with contemporary choreography and spoken word. Through its works, Evidence provides a unique view of human struggles, tragedies and triumphs. Brown uses movement as a way to reinforce the importance of community in African-American culture and to acquaint audiences with the beauty of traditional African forms and rhythms. He is an advocate for the growth of the African-American dance community and is instrumental in encouraging young dancers to choreograph and to develop careers in dance. Brown’s choreography is in high demand. He has choreographed works for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, Cleo Parker Robinson Ensemble, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Jennifer Muller/The Works, Jeune Ballet d’Afrique Noire, Ko-Thi Dance Company, Philadanco and others.
Evidence will be in residence at the Alys Stephens Center and will choose 15 community performers at auditions Saturday, April 14, to rehearse and perform with the company. Evidence will also perform a free school show at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 19, for Birmingham schoolchildren through the center’s Meet the Artist program.
| Performances are at 7:30 p.m. nightly. Tickets are $25; student tickets are $10. Faculty and staff may receive a 20 percent discount on single tickets. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org. |
This residency is part of the Jemison Investment Co., Inc., Dance Series. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. nightly. Tickets are $25; student tickets are $10. Faculty and staff may receive a 20 percent discount on single tickets. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.
These performances will feature “March,” an extraordinary duet set to a speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that speaks to the value of a man. The movement embodies the sentiment of the text to illustrate a physical story of perseverance, dignity, and collective strength and care-taking.
“On Earth Together,” inspired by and set to the music of Stevie Wonder, is a study in compassion and relationships, not just between individuals but the world around them. The piece takes its name from Wonder’s moving ballad “You and I.” In several moments, there are pairs dancing with, and to, each other, expressing the theme of connectedness and care.
Brown said of “On Earth Together”: “The more I discover and imagine, I see the work as a commitment to making the world a better place: a loving and compassionate place to celebrate a world view. The music of Stevie Wonder often speaks to the state of the world, asking questions of oneself and to society at large.”
The 15 community performers selected will join the dance company for the rehearsals and performances of this work, for all three shows. Auditions will be from 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, April 14, in the Alys Stephens Center’s Odess Theatre. No dance history is needed, and performers of any age are welcome.