The Detroit Legacy Project 2010 Presents - "THE DUNHAM DIFFERENCE: "Strength and Healing thru the Arts" A celebration of the Legacy of Dunham Dance Technique. 

Dance Conference Saturday, July 10,2010

Northwest Activities Center
18100 Meyers Road
Detroit, MI 48235/map
(313)578-7500
 

'The Dunham Difference Dance Concert' takes place Saturday, July 10th, 2010.  I did not have an opportunity to speak with Professor Penny Godboldo , who I have had  the pleasure of taking a dance class with many years ago (and I mean a very long time ago) at Marygrove College, about this upcoming event. May be I will have the opportunity to interview her at a later date. I would really love to learn what else she is up to.  If you click on some of the above links you will find Youtube.com videos of some of her dance troupe's performances.

The following information was provided to me by Wayne State University Professor Karen Prall who specializes in the Art of African (Congolese) Dance. I have taken her class at Wayne State University and it was informative, fun and challenging. If you love dance and the work of the great Katherine Mary Dunham (June 22, 1909 - May 21, 2006) this is a must event to attend. For additional information please click on the hyperlinks/highlighted words.  I linked some great websites. Continue to page down to view the featured slideshow.

Professor Karen Prall states,"Every year we have presented a concert since the passing of Katherine Dunham, this year we have added the Dance Concert for the community. We are also sponsored this year by E.M.U. Detroit Campus, Northwest Activity Center, Little Rock Baptist Church Educational Center, and Espoir."

The schedule is as follows:

8:30am-9:30am - Registration/sign in

9:30am-10:00 Conference Opening

10:00-12:00 - Dance class/warm-up/Dunham/Haitian dance with Penny & Louines

12:00-1:00 - Panel Discussion/Lunch

1:00-2:30pm - African (Congolese) Dance Class with Karen Prall Master Teacher

2:30-3:30pm - Drum Jam Session with Kamaal Amen-Ra Master Teacher

3:30-5:00pm - Dance class - Salsa/Afro-Cuban - Penny Godboldo, Master Teacher

6:00-7:00pm - Reception

7:00-8:30pm - Concert/Dance Showcase - (Concert includes dance, music, and drama)

This additional information was also provided to me by Professor Karen Prall;

Our classes are for all ages (5 & up), students should arrive in dance attire for the classes a leotard, tights, lapa for African, just dress comfortably for class.  The classes will be for beginners, intermediate, and intermediate/advanced levels.

My drummers are Kamaal Amen-Ra, Chinelo Amen-Ra, and Marwan Amen-Ra.
Kamaal is the director along with his wife Shashu Amen-Ra of Ngoma Za Amen Ra Dance & Drum Company, all 3 of these drummers accompany my classes at Wayne State University.

I  (Professor Karen Prall) along with these drummers (and other musicians) will perform the finale of the concert "Ties That Bind".

The concert will include: Haitian Folklorist Louines Louinis, PG Institute Dancers, Actress Madelyn Porter, Marygrove College Students, Ngoma Za Amen Ra Dancers & Musicians, Discovery:Gap, Kobe drummer.

This class will be the last class I will teach before I leave for my research trip to the Congo, Brazzaville.

I (Professor Karen Prall) am a committee member and dancer of the P.G. Institute directed by Penny Godboldo who is also an instructer at Marygrove college.

The prices to attend and participate in the event are listed as;

Conference fees -$80.00 = 4 workshops, panel discussion, concert  (includes all of the events below)

Single classes = $20.00

Reception & concert = $25.00

Concert = $10.00

Student admission (concert only)= $5.00

Evening Dance Concert 7:00-8:30pm

General Admission $10.00 - Youth under 18 years $5.00

Guest artist, Louinis Louines, Haitian Folklore Dance Artist, featuring the P.G. Institute Dancers, Ngoma Za Amen-Ra dancers and musicians.

Special recognition of Ibn Pouri Pitts - World renowned visual artist