Philadanco performing "Erotica"
“Forty years,” reflects Joan Myers Brown on the dance company she founded and continues to run, “means really another year that we’ve got to struggle. But, the fact that we are still here is amazing.”
If advocating and promoting dance is Brown’s lifeblood, than the Philadelphia Dance Company is her crown jewel. PHILADANCO’s achievements are many without limit to Philadelphia or the United States. A single year, according to the company, included performing up to 60 concerts and 45 residencies; reaching 100,000 people in live audiences; and extending that reach to more than 100 million people through radio, and television. Theirs is a worldwide love affair.
Joan Myers Brown, founder and exec. artistic director of Philadanco
Brown shaped this contemporary dance gem in 1970. It grew out of the Philadelphia School of Dance Arts formed 10 years earlier. Steeped in educational tradition the 40-week instruction and training program in serious dance forms is both the heartbeat of today’s company and the source for thousands of accomplished performers flowing into the broader dance community.
Its mission is to expose people of all ages to high caliber modern dance performances and educational programs. Accolades from esteemed worldwide quarters suggest the company gets high grades on that mission.
A number of firsts can be added to its accomplishments. It was the pilot dance company associated with the Pennsylvania Comprehensive Education Training Act. Also according to PHILADANCO’s record, the company was the first one to hire dancers on a 52-week salary, the first to own housing for the dancers, and the first to own a debt-free facility.
Joan Myers Brown and PHILADANCO went on to found the International Conference of Black Dance Companies and the International Association of Blacks in Dance.
Today, PHILADANCO is the resident modern dance company at the world-class Kimmel Center. It is with great pride the main dancers of this company begin their “Jubilee: 40th Anniversary Season!” in their home base tonight at 7:30 p.m.
Philadanco in "Suite Otis" from a previous season.
Brown culled deep into the art vault for three revival dances and a premiere performance worthy of this season. Audiences over the next four days can sit back and savor George Faison’s tribute to Otis Redding called “Suite Otis,” Danny Ezralow’s “Pulse,” and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar’s imaginative depiction of rear ends in motion with the title “The Walkin’, Talkin’, Signifying Blues Hips (Batty Moves).” The world premiere of “Bolero Too” by Christopher Huggins speaks to PHILADANCO nurturing innovation.
All are musical tales to be enjoyed while supporting a Philadelphia cultural icon. Evening performances run tonight through Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and matinees begin 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15 in the Kimmel Center located in Center City Philadelphia at 260 South Broad Street on the Avenue of the Arts. Ticket prices range from $34 - $46.
All rights reserved by Gloria Blakely. Copyright 2009.
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