Diana Wortham Theatre presents Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE: A Dance Company - Nov. 10-11

 

Diana Wortham Theatre presents Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship and NEA Choreographers Fellowship recipient Ronald K. Brown and his award-winning dance company, EVIDENCE, Friday & Saturday, November 10 & 11, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. at Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville. The New York Times calls Brown one of the most profound choreographers of modern dance, noting that his “meshing of African and modern dance is like an electrical charge.”

Known for his emotive works that exude love and joy, Brown says, “I hope that when people see the work, their spirits are lifted,”– a goal he has soundly achieved based on the high demand for his choreography and his company.

The company’s performances are a part of a three-day overall residency by Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE: A Dance Company in Asheville that includes a special daytime show for children/students, a free community dance workshop, a master class for dance students, and pre-performance discussions prior to the evening performances.

Residency Activities

·         Bring The Kids: For kids, students, and families, Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE: A Dance Company presents a special daytime show, Friday, November 10 at 10:00AM. Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools are closed this day, so parents, grandparents, guardians, after-school program directors, and community group leaders are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to treat students/children with a trip to see live dance performance. More info at https://www.dwtheatre.com/matineeseries/online/article/ronaldkbrown

·         Dance Workshop: Join choreographer Ronald K. Brown as he leads a community dance workshop for all ages and skill levels, Thursday, November 9 at 4:00PM at the Arthur Edington Center. Free.

·         Dance Master Class: Professional Dancer Arcell Cauberg with EVIDENCE: A Dance Company leads this master class for local intermediate dance students, Thursday, November 9 at 4:00PM at The Academy at Terpsicorps. Maximum of 30 participants; first come first served. Free. Information at 828-761-1277.

·         Explore: Enjoy pre-performance discussions about how the performing arts can be used to bring communities together, 7:00PM before each evening show at THE BLOCK off biltmore, just around the corner from the theatre. For evening performances ticket holders only. Panelists include Ronald K. Brown, Nadia Arbelo, and Sheneika Smith.

·         Evening Performances: Friday & Saturday, November 10 & 11, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. at Diana Wortham Theatre; tickets/info at (828) 257-4530 or visit www.dwtheatre.com.

Step Out + Shop at Diamond Brand Outdoors

Diamond Brand Outdoors once again hosts “Step Out + Shop for Diana Wortham Theatre.” Shop at either of Diamond Brand’s locations (Parkway Center and Downtown) all day Sunday, November 12, and at the end of the night Diamond Brand will donate 10% of all store sales to Diana Wortham Theatre. In conjunction with the Ronald K. Brown evening performances, Diamond Brand Outfitters will also be selling raffle tickets at the 8:00 p.m. performances on November 10 & 11, as well as at Diamond Brand’s flagship store in South Asheville’s Parkway Center all day on November 12. The raffle drawing will take place the evening of November 12 at the store. Raffle prizes include gear by YETI, ENO, KUHL, KEEN, Royal Robbins, Merrell, Black Diamond, and more. More info at https://diamondbrandoutdoors.com/event/diana-wortham-theatre.

About Ronald K. Brown

In addition to repertoire for his own company, Brown has set works on Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, Cleo Parker Robinson Ensemble, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Jennifer Muller/The Works, Jeune Ballet d’Afrique Noire, Ko-Thi Dance Company, Philadanco and others. He choreographed Regina Taylor’s award-winning play, Crowns, and won an AUDELCO Award for his work on that production.

Ronald K. Brown is a recipient of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship, the National Endowment for the Arts Choreographers Fellowship, the New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship, the United States Artists Fellowship, and The Ailey Apex Award for teaching.

About EVIDENCE: A Dance Company

Founded by Brown in 1985 and based in Brooklyn, New York, EVIDENCE: A Dance Company focuses on the seamless integration of traditional African dance with contemporary choreography and spoken word. Through its works, EVIDENCE provides a unique view of human struggles, tragedies and triumphs. Brown uses movement as a way to reinforce the importance of community in African American culture and to acquaint audiences with the beauty of traditional African forms and rhythms. He is an advocate for the growth of the African American dance community and is instrumental in encouraging young dancers to choreograph and to develop careers in dance.

The mission of EVIDENCE is to promote understanding of the human experience in the African diaspora through dance and storytelling and to provide sensory connections to history and tradition through music, movement, and spoken word, leading deeper into issues of spirituality, community responsibility and liberation.

EVIDENCE now tours to some 25 communities in the United States and abroad. The company has traveled to Cuba, Brazil, England, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Mexico, Senegal, Nigeria, South Africa and Canada to perform, teach master classes, and conduct lecture/demonstrations for individuals of all ages. EVIDENCE brings arts education and cultural connections to local communities that have historically lacked these experiences. Annually the company reaches an audience of more than 25,000.

Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE's Asheville performances and residency are funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the North Carolina Arts Council, through the Dance Touring Initiative. The performances are also funded in part by the Arthur J. Fryar Charitable Fund through the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina; and are made possible by Performance Sponsors Catherine & Will Gay, Alastair McDonald Odom, and Tina & John McGuire; and by Mainstage Dance Series Sponsors Joel & Deborah Bohan-Berkowitz, Hedy Fischer & Randy Shull, Richard & Francee Healy, Steve & Rena Hoffman, Susan L. Holden, Bill & Jerry McAninch, Ronna & Rob Resnick, Diamond Brand Outdoors, and the Omni Grove Park Inn; with additional support from Media Sponsors Blue Ridge Public Radio and The Laurel of Asheville.