Dallas Black Dance Theatre presents “Preeminent Dance”

edited by Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady

The Inaugural Performance in the AT&T Performing Arts Center Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre <

Features include choreography from Elisa Monte, Asadata Dafora and Ben Stevenson

 Dallas Black Dance Theatre opens its inaugural season at the AT&T Performing Arts Center Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre, Wednesday, December 2, 2009.  With a performance that is filled with grace, power, intensity and frailty, Dallas Black Dance Theatre will open its five performance series at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre with the presentation of Elisa Monte’s Pigs and Fishes, Asadata Dafora’s Awassa Astrige/Ostrich and Ben Stevenson’s Camouflage.  Serving as honorary chair

for the inaugural performance are the Honorable Mayor Tom Leppert and his wife Laura Leppert. 

Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s expanded performances series span from Wednesday, December 2, 2009 through Sunday, December 6, 2009.  <

Wine Down Wednesdays

Features of the expanded series include Wine Down Wednesdays featuring a pre-performance wine reception, earlier start time at 7:00 p.m. and a post-performance conversation with Dallas Black Dance Theatre.  Thursday through Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. with the performance series wrapping up with a Sunday matinee performance at 2:30 p.m.  “The expansion of our performance series from two performances to five performances is going to give the North Texas community more opportunities to experience the dance excellence of Dallas Black Dance Theatre,“ says DBDT Founder/Artistic Director, Ann M. Williams.  <

The strength of the male dancers of Dallas Black Dance Theatre will be a highlight as they perform Camouflage – a project supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts emphasizing the power, intensity and agility of the male ensemble of Dallas Black Dance Theatre.  <

Elisa Monte’s Pigs and Fishes is a powerful, driving piece focusing on the coming together of forces in a communal triumph over society and culture.  This full-company piece was the first major commission for Elisa Monte in 1982 – commissioned by her dear friend Alvin Ailey for his legendary troupe.  Pigs and Fishes is one of the most popular works from the repertoire of over forty works created by Elisa Monte. 

Audience members will also enjoy Awassa Astrige/Ostrich, a male solo piece commanding the respect of audience members in this portrayal of a warrior imitating the graceful but powerful movements of the King of the birds. <

Co-presented by Texas Instruments and the Ruth C. and Charles S. Sharp Foundation, Preeminent Dance will be the talk of the town.  “Texas Instruments is proud to be a sponsor and partner of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre for continuing enrichment of the performing arts and culture in Dallas” says Andy Smith, Director of Corporate Philanthropy for Texas Instruments, Inc.

“Audience members get a chance to take in our new performance home in the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre, while experiencing the artistic excellence that Dallas Black Dance Theatre brings to the stage.  You do not want to miss this opportunity,” says DBDT Founder/Artistic Director, Ann M. Williams.

It is never too early to appreciate Ballet

The performance series also includes two matinee performances, Wednesday, December 2nd and Thursday, December 3rd at 10:15 a.m.  In partnership with ArtsPartners and sponsors RBC Wealth Management and Sam and Ruth Bussey Foundation, students from across the North Texas area get a chance to see the new performance facility and enjoy a demonstration and performance from Dallas Black Dance Theatre.

Ticket Information

Tickets start at $10 and are on sale now and available at www.dbdt.com or by calling (214) 880-0202.  Season subscriptions and group rates are available by calling (214) 871-2390.

About the Dallas Black Dance Theatre

Founded in 1976 by Ann Williams, the mission of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre is to create and produce contemporary modern dance at its highest level of artistic excellence through performances and educational programs that bridge cultures and reach diverse communities.  With an ever-expanding national and global audience, the company employs a diverse, multi-ethnic troupe of dancers, performing for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.  The ensemble, a contemporary modern dance company, consists of 12 professional, full-time dancers performing a mixed repertory of modern jazz, ethnic, and spiritual works by nationally and internationally known choreographers.

Additional Information 

All programs and artists subject to change.  Wednesday evening performance begin at 7:00 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday performances begin at 2:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

All performances are presented by Dallas Black Dance Theatre.  2009-2010 season sponsors are The Dallas Morning News, WFAA Channel 8, American Airlines, The Downtown Business News, Elite News, The Dallas Weekly, Southside on Lamar, Black Business Directory, DallasBlack.com, Range and 105.7 KRNB.   American Airlines is the official airline of Dallas Black Dance Theatre.  All performances are supported by the City of Dallas/Office of Cultural Affairs.                                                            <

Madelyn Miller is a travel and food writer who took ballet for years as a child. Read her stories on www.travellady.com, www.carladynews.com, www.yogayaya.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.teaAtlas.com, www.coffeeAtlas.com <