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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2010
ALEX SMITH,
THELMA HILL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER EXECUTIVE CHAIR,
DISCUSSES AFRICAN DANCE INFLUENCE ON
BROOKLYN DANCE COMMUNITY
Smith and Panel of Dance Experts Convene
In Heart of BAM Cultural District
Alex Smith, Executive Chair of Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC), will share his expertise as a panelist of leading members of Brooklyn’s dance community, including legendary African Dance master and founder of Dance Africa, Chuck Davis, for the “African Dance/Brooklyn Style” symposium, presented by the Brooklyn Arts Council. The panel will discuss the influence of African dance styles on Brooklyn dancers and choreographers and give brief demonstrations of African dance techniques as they are remade in Brooklyn. The event takes place in the heart of the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) Cultural District on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, 7:00-10:00 p.m. at A.R.T/New York South Oxford Space, 138 South Oxford Street, in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn, New York.
“I feel great that THPAC is being recognized by inclusion on this panel, says Smith. “THPAC has been influential on the dance scene here in Brooklyn where it was founded, as well as on a citywide and national level,” Smith adds. “Like Brooklyn, THPAC has been a major hub and incubator for cultural creativity for people of color, and participating on this panel marks a turning point for us as we continue to further heighten the organization’s profile and brand.”
As the only non-dancer on the panel, Smith will bring the perspective of the influence of arts organizations to the discussion.
About Alex Smith
Alex Smith was appointed Executive Director by the THPAC board in 1995 and later Executive Chairman. Under his tutelage and passionate commitment over 150 artists have been presented in performance including Ron Brown, Valerie Winborne, George Faison, Louis Johnson, Marlies Yearby, and Fred Benjamin, seven new programming formats have been added, and THPAC’s annual Life Time Achievement Awards, whose recipients include Louis Johnson, George Faison, Ella Thompson Moore, Dianne McIntrye, Fred Benjamin, and Kathy Grant and Dudley Williams, were established. During the coming summer 2010 season Smith will present, A Ramp to Paradise, a commissioned choreographed work by Kyle Abraham designed to pay homage to New York City’s ultimate dance experience, the legendary underground dance club Paradise Garage.
Asase Yaa Dance Company
Copyright © Bob Gore
About Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center
THPAC, www.thelmahill.com, an independent non-profit organization, was formed in 1976 to forge and temper creative talent. Over 34 years the organization has attracted both emerging and established artists of color who developed a perpetual evolutionary cycle in which more than 300 alumni have gone on to successful careers as dancers and choreographers in the U.S. and abroad. The mission of THPAC is to build bridges of understanding through the presentation and celebration of choreographic works by artists of color. From fostering grassroots involvement at home to expanding awareness of the arts abroad, THPAC facilitates artistic collaborations, such as performances, workshops, seminars and community projects. Through these efforts, new channels of creative dialogue inspire free-flowing dynamic cultural expressions.
Asase Yaa Dance Company
Copyright © Bob Gore
For more information regarding Alex Smith and THPAC contact:As the only non-dancer on the panel, Smith will bring the perspective of the influence of arts organizations to the discussion.
About Alex SmithAlex Smith was appointed Executive Director by the THPAC board in 1995 and later Executive Chairman. Under his tutelage and passionate commitment over 150 artists have been presented in performance including Ron Brown, Valerie Winborne, George Faison, Louis Johnson, Marlies Yearby, and Fred Benjamin, seven new programming formats have been added, and THPAC’s annual Life Time Achievement Awards, whose recipients include Louis Johnson, George Faison, Ella Thompson Moore, Dianne McIntrye, Fred Benjamin, and Kathy Grant and Dudley Williams, were established. During the coming summer 2010 season Smith will present, A Ramp to Paradise, a commissioned choreographed work by Kyle Abraham designed to pay homage to New York City’s ultimate dance experience, the legendary underground dance club Paradise Garage.
Asase Yaa Dance CompanyCopyright © Bob Gore
About Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center
THPAC, www.thelmahill.com, an independent non-profit organization, was formed in 1976 to forge and temper creative talent. Over 34 years the organization has attracted both emerging and established artists of color who developed a perpetual evolutionary cycle in which more than 300 alumni have gone on to successful careers as dancers and choreographers in the U.S. and abroad. The mission of THPAC is to build bridges of understanding through the presentation and celebration of choreographic works by artists of color. From fostering grassroots involvement at home to expanding awareness of the arts abroad, THPAC facilitates artistic collaborations, such as performances, workshops, seminars and community projects. Through these efforts, new channels of creative dialogue inspire free-flowing dynamic cultural expressions.
Asase Yaa Dance CompanyCopyright © Bob Gore
Jelani Bandele
RedMEDIA 347-471-1733
Redmediac[at]gmail.com
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