651 Arts is back.
The Fort Greene-based arts organization will present its rescheduled,
third annual "Black Dance: Tradition and Transformation"
season on May 17 and May 18 at 8 pm, with Rennie Harris Puremovement’s
"Rome & Jewels."
The season, previously scheduled to begin Feb. 15, was postponed
after 651 Arts lost funding in the wake of Sept. 11. 651 Arts
executive producer and president Maurine Knighton told GO Brooklyn
last February that 651 Arts had lost an estimated 20 percent
of its budget since Sept. 11.
Their "Black Dance" series is dedicated exclusively
to celebrating, nurturing and presenting the artistic expressions
of dancemakers of African descent from around the world.
The remainder of the previously announced 2001-2002 "Black
Dance" season – performances by tap genius Tamango in "Caravane"
and a triple bill of New York premieres by Giovanni Luquini,
Andrea Woods and Sophiatou Kossoko – have been cancelled.
The remaining piece is the Bessie Award-winning, "Rome &
Jewels." In Harris’ work, Shakespeare and hip-hop are fused
through dynamic street dance, narrative poetry, a live three-member
DJ orchestra and projected imagery. Competing gangs are characterized
by different movements: the Caps (after the Capulets) are breakdancers
– illustrated by acrobatic footwork, while the Monster Qs (as
in the Montagues) specialize in hip-hop (powerful, African-based
group unison sequences).
In addition to retaining the two "Rome & Jewels"
performances, the good news, according to 651 Arts spokesman
Steve Rogenstein, is that they have been awarded grants from
the Mellon foundation, Phillip Morris and Con Edison since February,
totaling $250,000. Additionally, the projected 2002-2003 season
will feature six performances.
"Since October, the organization underwent a huge re-evaluation
to best assess fundraising opportunities," said Rogenstein.
"Part of that was to plan out our next five years.
"In 2002-2003, ’Black Dance,’ will have three presentations
– a solid, exciting international program, and we’ll have a music
piece and a theater piece," said Rogenstein. "In October
2002, we’re presenting a program we helped to develop with the
Urban Bush Women, ’Hair Stories.’ It depicts how African-American
women relate to hair, and the culture of hair. We helped organize
the hair parties, which included the performers and neighborhood
residents talking about the issues. The parties were a source
of information and inspiration for pieces they’ll present in
October."
On June 22 at 8 pm, 651 Arts will present "Rivers,"
a program of poets and musicians at the St. Ann’s Warehouse,
38 Water St. in DUMBO. This event is a birthday party celebrating
the poet Langston Hughes, who according to Rogenstein, is credited
with bringing poetry and jazz together with a 1958 recording
of his "The Weary Blues" with Charles Mingus and Leonard
Feather.
"The June event, hosted by Brooklyn favorite Sekou Sundiata,
will pay homage to that piece and bring together poets and musicians,
which will then turn into a party with dancing – a festivity,"
said Rogenstein.
Having survived these last six tumultuous months, and looking
forward to a long slate of performances for its 2002-2003 season,
it seems 651 Arts has earned the right to celebrate.
651 Arts presents Rennie Harris Puremovement’s "Rome
& Jewels" on May 17 and May 18 at 8 pm. Performances
will take place at the BAM Harvey Theater, 651 Fulton St. in
Fort Greene. Tickets are $37.50, $25 and $15. For more information,
call (718) 636-4100. "Rivers" will be presented June
22 at 8 pm at the St. Ann’s Warehouse, 38 Water St. in DUMBO.
Tickets are $25.
