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THE PHILLY FLYERS

THE PHILLY FLYERS

In anticipation of Black History Month,
Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts will welcome the Philadelphia-based
dance group, Philadanco, to Brooklyn College’s Walt Whitman Theatre
on Jan. 22 as part of its "World of Dance" series.




The company will perform a program of works by former Alvin Ailey
member Christopher Huggins and East Flatbush’s own Ronald K.
Brown.



Founded 35 years ago by Joan Myers Brown, Philadanco is a modern
dance company that features black choreographers and artists.
Myers told GO Brooklyn her company was an outgrowth of her school,
the Philadelphia School of Dance Art.



"Racism was prevalent in our city [in 1970]. There was nothing
for our youngsters to do in ballet and modern dance. Most African-American
dancers had to leave Philadelphia to pursue a career," Myers
said. "But this group of youngsters didn’t want to leave
the city. So I felt I had to do something with them and not let
them go to waste."



The dancers in her first company were her own students, aged
17 to 20. Now she draws dancers (who are a little older – 21
to 28) from as far away as California "to maintain the level
of the company."



In the early years, Brown choreographed for the company. But
after a while she realized, "I had to make a decision. Am
I going to be the choreographer or the storekeeper? Am I going
to make sure the company is running smoothly?"



These days she looks to other choreographers who will "challenge
my dancers and please varied audiences" – as can be seen
in the company’s Brooklyn Center program.



David Brown’s "Labesse," is part of a larger work titled
"On the Shoulders of Our Ancestors." (But David Brown,
Joan Myers Brown and Ronald K. Brown are not related.) "Labesse"
is a Tunisian expression meaning that given all we must deal
with every day, "It’s all right I’m OK." Built in four
sections, with an ensemble of seven dancers and set to music
by Zap Mama, an Afro-Euro a cappella women’s group, the piece
is a joyous celebration of self-acceptance.



Choreographed by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, founder of the Brooklyn-based
Urban Bush Women, "Hand Singing Song" is about "the
way African-Americans use their hands to express themselves,"
said Brown.



Ronald K. Brown’s "Gate Keeper" is a work that has
generated standing ovations in the past. "I know it’s one
of [Ronald’s] favorite works," said Brown. "I allowed
him a year to create it. The integrity of his work is quite evident
in the piece."



Christopher Huggins’ "Enemy Behind the Gate" is "our
show-off piece," Brown said. "Christopher knows out
dancers very well," said Brown. "He was able to pull
out the strengths of each dancer. The piece shows each of them
at their best." Written for Philadanco and first performed
Sept. 9, 2001, "Enemy Behind the Gate," said Brown,
is "about how you have to watch your back."



"It was quite coincidental," Brown says of its premiere
date. "People can relate to it."



Because her troupe of nine men and nine women performs on a mostly
bare stage, Brown says lighting is especially important in the
company’s performances. William H. Grant II, who has designed
the lighting for the Brooklyn Center show, has been with Philadanco
for 28 years.



Brown believes a successful dance company must understand its
audience.



"People are receptive to what they’re use to," she
said. "But there are also opportunities to introduce new
work. You have to be selective. Having a repertory company means
you can work with very good choreographers and perform diverse
work."



Although Brown’s company mostly performs the work of black choreographers,
she does not limit herself to them. For Brown, dance is all about
the art. The formula seems to have worked well for her and her
group.



Her company has been featured with the Philadelphia Orchestra
and the Duke Ellington Orchestra, and has performed at major
venues such as Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center and the American
Dance Festival. Philadanco has appeared in Brooklyn several times
with both the Brooklyn Academy of Music and 651 Arts.



"We have a following," said Brown.



Brown has used her prestige to advocate for African-American
artists in the world of dance. She founded the International
Conference for Black Dance Companies and the International Association
of Blacks in Dance to address the special needs of the black
dance community.



Certainly the accomplishments of Philadanco and Brown are worth
remembering as Black History Month nears.







Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts’ presentation of Philadanco
will take place at the Walt Whitman Theatre on the campus of
Brooklyn College (one block from the junction of Flatbush and
Nostrand avenues in Flatbush) on Jan. 22 at 8 pm. Tickets are
$30. For tickets and more information about Brooklyn Center’s
50th anniversary season, call (718) 951-4500 or visit the Web
site at www.brooklyncenter.com.