A Dance Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 17, 2010
Permit me to deviate from the usual domain of the modern dance sophistication, and allow a simple, yet deeply meaningful solo to color the wall of this blog. “Undisclosed Recipients,” (A Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.), ushers in a message through movement, depicting the struggle that King lived, and honoring his goodwill that helped break down the racial divide. This peacemaker, minister, activist and man of color, was fighting for our nation to bring equality to all people, and though we still have a ways to go, the monumental shift he made, brought justice to a broken people. In this, we celebrate his achievement.
Dance has a way of telling a story that invokes a feeling. I hope that young people who may not get a chance to dig deep into the pages of a history book, due to the Cliff-noted, Wikipedia classroom these days, will feel just a little something from watching this piece. King’s message is about love, and so with the support of John Legend’s music and U2’s lyrics, I have created this cameo piece danced by former Martha Graham dancer, James A. Pierce III. Please take the time to share this with a young person. I am sure that Dr. King would have much – pride… in the name of love!
At Ease
This summer, Adams Company Dance presents, “An Evening of Sharing: A Year Gone By,” at the Joan Weill Center for Dance at the Ailey Citigroup Theater, on August 26th, in NYC. This mixed bill of media and dance will cover what the company has been up to for the past year. I’m excited to premiere, “Except at Night: The Making of a Dance,” a documentary based on making a ten-minute piece in three hours using eight dancers.
I also will be honoring world-renowned jazz composer, and two-time Grammy award winner, and good friend, Maria Schneider, by premiering two new pieces, using music off her cd, Sky Blue. These two pieces are in the making as we speak. Living up to the standard of Maria Schneider is impossible… instead I can only hope that by joining in the company of her music, a blessed augmentation will take place! Thanks Maria, for your permission!
Rounding out the program will be four other works, including a cameo dance piece, “Undisclosed Recipients: A Tribute to MLK, Jr.” This piece is based on a project I am pursuing revolving around a university dance scholarship, and a charity for the MLK Memorial Foundation, on the forefront of being built in D.C. I’ll be announcing more on this in the coming weeks.
As for the rest of the program, you’ll see slides of NY’s Cathryn Lundgren and CT’s Fay Li, and media quickies that will touch you and make you chuckle. I am happy to renew the energy from this past year’s run of some of my favorite dances, including, At Ease, Ruby, and I Will Show You an Ocean.
All the dancers I am working with are top-notch, and boast credits from the Graham Company, to Ailey, to Mark Morris, Mark Dendy, Broadway, etc… I am very lucky to have them in my rotating stable right now. Dancers come and go, but this group is definitely to watch!
Hope to see you all there!
Mitzi & James after our taping of "Undisclosed Recipients: A Tribute to MLK, Jr."
YouTube: “I Will Show You An Ocean”
March 3, 2009
James Pierce and Julie Fiorenza performed my duet, “I Will Show You An Ocean,” last month which you can now see on YouTube. They did a great job, along with videographer Ben Moss, despite my absence. Due to unforseen circumstances, I didn’t make it, and guess who had the costumes? I-95 was black ice the night before the event, and my husband and I fell victim to a multi-vehicle car accident. We’re ok, thank God, but away went our car. The dancers pulled off the gig anyway, and used what items they had in their drawers to dance in. I think they danced in their drawers, actually!
With only a three rehearsals to learn it, not my preference, but I took what I could get, they pulled it off… not what I would have preferred, but I had to snag James before he was off to Graham again, and Julie before she was off with Mark Morris again. The two had danced together before in Ailey II, so they were very comfortable with one another. They also had worked with me before, so I guess they trusted I could pull it off, too.
With the spiritual undertones of the piece, I am sure there is a paradox somewhere with all of this. I am still working on the details of that, but until then… I’ll enjoy the splash they made.
Please visit the Adams Company Dance site!
Adams Company Dance 