System. Photo: Rachel Neville.
This November will see four performances by the Dance Theatre of Harlem in Poland. This New York-based ballet company founded in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell (dancer of the New York City Ballet) as the first American classical ballet company made up solely of African-American dancers. The company?s history is unique: upon tragic news of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. assassination, Mitchell and ballet master Karel Shook resolved to change the world for better. To this end, they founded a classical dance school for children from impoverished neighbourhoods in New York, seated in rented old garages in Harlem. Active for nearly half a century, the multiethnic company is made up of fourteen extraordinary, extremely versatile dancers. Boasting a repertoire spanning classical and contemporary pieces, it never loses sight of its African American heritage and never ceases to breath fresh air into the classical ballet language.
On 16-17 November (7 pm), as part of the 9th Dance Days at Teatr Wielki-Polish National Opera, the company will present two different dance programmes, each containing four choreographies. The first night will include Brahms Variations, Equilibrium (Brotherhood), Change and Harlem on My Mind, while the second night will feature Vessels, Chaconne, Dancing on The Front Porch of Heaven and Return.
The Dance Theatre of Harlem will also perform at the National Forum of Music in Wrocław, where it will present two four-piece nights within the frame of the Dance at the National Forum of Music cycle. On 20-21 November (7 pm), the company will perform Harlem Colors Ballet (Brahms Variations, Equilibrium, Change, Vessels), and Rhythm Perspective (System, Chaconne, Dancing on The Front Porch of Heaven and Return), respectively.
Information on the presentations at Teatr Wielki ? Polish National Opera:
Information about the presentations at the National Forum of Music:
Trailers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU6ibWptcEc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNDKONtOz7U
Those interested in attending both shows Dance Theatre of Harlem shows may purchase tickets with a 20% discount (valid for VIP and category I tickets). Tickets are available online or at the National Forum of Music ticket office.
