As many art and education programs face budget cuts if not obliteration, Manhattan’s own Symphony Space has managed to hold steadfastly to their 20th annual celebration of their African studies portion in the Curriculum Arts Project (CAP). CAP is an innovative way of learning social studies through the arts, whereby performers present cultural art workshops, lectures, and residencies in the NYC public school system, as an addendum to the prescribed social studies curriculum. This hands on exchange of information is a method for younger audiences to experience the “spirit” of their studies.
With over 30 years of performing under my belt, this is the first time that all of my dedication, sore joints and blistered feet have paid off…tenfold.
I just completed my 2008 performance season with The Charles Moore Dance Theater. As a new transplant to the southern hemisphere, this season of pedagogy and performance has been a trying one. Crossing distances of 5 states has only taught me faulty time management, patience and the ability to “let go…let God.”
I really don’t know how I made it through, but I can certainly share how every minute was worth this one exceptional moment.
Today I spent an entire day on YouTube. Well it all started when I received and email with a YouTube attachment. This video of the Charles Moore Dance Theater, of which I am currently in rehearsals, had a full length performance of Katherine Dunham’s “Shango” as performed by the company. I needed to answer many questions pertaining to this post of Ms. Dunham’s signature piece, which CMDT performed just last year. When the remaining postings of this one member appeared, I was forced to delve deeper into my ethnological dance studies. In that one grouping, I found videos supporting my syllabus “Dance and the Civil Rights Era” followed by my topic “Black Broadway revisited”, and lastly the difficult and unfounded subject “Leaders of the New School”, performing artists of the 21st century.
I always thought of YouTube as a social network in fame and celebrity for the not so famous. A method by which one may gain notoriety, on a global scale, of insipid self-aggrandizement. However, many people are taking rather seriously, a stance of self expression and infotainment, by sharing catalogues of personal collections through video, in support of very viable causes and interest. I am so “In to YouTube”, that I created an account for my 82 year old mother who enjoys multi-media nostalgia, in this computer age. With the correct keyword, and the click of the mouse, I have travelled worlds and time zones for information, which would have taken days to find in various public libraries and research facilities. I have organized collection(s) of thought, past and present, which are not only educational and informative, but are visually stunning as well.
If you would like to join me on my pedagogical journey through the “Black Dance Vernacular” , please respond to this blog, or send me an email and I will submit my playlists.
