Six historic works by
African American choreographers, filmed by the ADF to preserve and celebrate
the black tradition in modern dance, were collected here for a one-hour
historical performance program. The ADF produced program was presented
by PBS's Dance in America on June 20, 2007.
Originally recorded for ADF’s 2001 Emmy Award-winning
documentary series Free to Dance, the works appeared in the series
only as brief excerpts. Now, viewed together in chronological order, they
dramatically underscore, as host Taye Diggs puts it, “the important
role black choreographers have played in the development of American modern
dance.” The works featured include:
Awassa Astrige/Ostrich (1932)
Choreography by Asadata Dafora
Performed by G. D. Harris,
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
Barrelhouse Blues excerpt (1938)
Choreography by Katherine Dunham
Performed by Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble
Strange Fruit (1943)
Choreography by Pearl Primus
Performed by Dawn Marie Watson, Philadanco
Mourner’s
Bench (1947)
Choreography by Talley Beatty
Performed by Jerome Stigler,
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
Rainbow ‘Round
My Shoulder (1959)
Choreography by Donald McKayle
Performed by Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
D-Man in the Waters - Section 1 (1989)
Choreography by Bill T. Jones
Performed by Bill T. Jones/ Arnie Zane Dance Company |

Dancing in the Light DVD
Filmed at ADF & produced by ADF
$19.99
plus $5– shipping/handling
ordering |
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A production of the ADF in association with Thirteen/WNET
New York, Dancing in the Light is produced by Jodee Nimerichter,
written and directed by Madison D. Lacy Jr., with Charles L. Reinhart
as executive producer and Taye Diggs, film and television actor, as host.
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