Dayton Celebrates The Brilliance of Black Dance with 50 World Class Performances in Three Days

By: Dec. 12, 2018
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Dayton Celebrates The Brilliance of Black Dance with 50 World Class Performances in Three Days

Dayton-area audiences will be in for a treat when the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) partners with local favorite Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) to present a dazzling array of dance performances by many of the leading Black dance companies from the U.S. and abroad, January 24-26, 2019 at multiple venues throughout the city.

Imagine, you take your seat, the lights dim, and you hold your breath in excitement and anticipation of the first sight of dancers on stage. Whether you are a seasoned aficionado or new to seeing dance, there is an undeniable feeling of wonder and excitement when excellence is placed on stage before you. Such artistic brilliance will be on full display at the 31st Annual International Conference and Festival, where IABD and DCDC have assembled an exceptional collection of world class dancers who reflect the aesthetic and integrity of the unique forms, genres, methods and styles that embody the brilliance of Black dance. This will be an unforgettable weekend of performances that you don't want to miss!


Consistent with the core values of IABD, to provide choreographers and companies an artistic outlet and opportunity to present their work, the conference and festival will feature five breathtaking performances over three days. For two days, beginning on Thursday, January 24, experience forty performing companies consisting of youth, collegiate, and established company IABD members at the Dayton Convention Center Theater (22 E 5th St, Dayton, OH 45402).

On Saturday, January 28, the historic Victoria Theatre (138 N Main St, Dayton, OH 45402) will provide the backdrop for the pièce de résistance of the performances and the culmination of DCDC's 50th Anniversary celebration: IABD's five internationally renowned founding companies - Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Philadanco!, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and Lula Washington Dance Theatre - will perform, along with acclaimed special guests, including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, Robert Moses' KIN, and Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, A Dance Company. To salute DCDC for 50 years of Black Dance excellence, the Dance Theatre of Harlem will present a world premiere excerpt as a gift for the occasion. A gathering of dance companies of this caliber on one stage is a once in a lifetime opportunity - make sure you are one of the few to experience it.

The International Association of Blacks in Dance preserves and promotes dance by people of African ancestry or origin, and assists and increases opportunities for artists in advocacy, audience development, education, funding, networking, performance, philosophical dialogue, and touring. IABD has become the Mecca for Blacks in Dance such as administrators, artists, choreographers, dance companies, directors, educators, scholars, and those interested in artistry, Black dance issues, and performance presentations. The Association, founded in 1991, provides a network, formal newsletters, choreographers directory, published papers and is the raison d'être for the annual conference and festival. The Association also responds to and initiates dialogue around issues that impact the Black Dance Community as well as the Dance community at large. IABD has developed national prominence and allowed the Black Dance Community to come together on issues important to them. www.iabdassociation.org

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company was founded in 1968 by Jeraldyne Blunden to create performance opportunities for dancers of color. Five decades later, it remains rooted in the African American experience, committed to the development of diverse movement artists on the global stage. Rooted in the African American experience, the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company is a culturally diverse contemporary dance company committed to reaching the broadest audience through exceptional performance and arts-integrated education. www.dcdc.org

 


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