The Arthropologist
Houston dancers celebrate Black History Month with works that nod to the pastand look to the future
Madeleine Wright and Glen Allen Sims
Courtney JonesPhoto by Lynn Lane
Yolanda GibbsPhoto by Andis Applewhite
Nick Muckelroy of Urban Souls Dance CompanyPhoto by George Guillen
Leonard Price of Urban Souls Dance CompanyPhoto by George Guillen
A wedding in Mali, the Buffalo Soldiers and Rosa Parks all find their way into motion as Houston explodes with dance in celebration of Black History Month. Urban Souls Dance Company, Earthen Vessels (formerly Sandra Organ Dance Company) and a new video celebrating the African Dance Society at Houston Community College (HCC) commemorate the occasion.
Urban Souls Dance Company looks back and ahead
There's no spending time with Urban Soul's Harrison Guy or Walter Hull without learning something new. Last time we visited, Hull took me on a virtual trip to Rwanda, a place chronicled in the company's signature work, Across the Waters.
This time, Urban Souls hones in on the role of the Buffalo Soldiers as part of their next concert, Old Wounds, New Blood on Feb. 11 at the University of Houston's Cullen Performance Hall.
Guy is an artist driven by questions, and there were many when it came to African Americans in the military. "I became curious about their courage to fight for a country that disregarded them," says Guy. "I could not grasp the bravery and loyalty required to be such amazing men. One of the key themes that continued to play in my spirit was 'we were always there.' This confirmed the importance of just telling the story, and allowing these men the recognition they deserve."
Guy discovered a bounty of material at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. "I found stories about the 'Double V' campaign. How in World War II, African American soldiers wanted to prove themselves to America," explains Guy. "They knew that if they could fight for our country and be successful, it would be both a victory over the enemies afar, and their enemies here at home."
Guy also wandered into the story of Cathay Williams, the only female Buffalo Soldier. "I put a little spin on her character to bring a more modern approach to her overall character," says Guy. "Finally, I titled the piece Old Wounds: New Blood because it's my desire to encourage people to be inspired, encouraged, and empowered by our great history."
Guy also invited Courtney Jones to contribute Blink, a new duet which focuses on a couple whose relationship has become manipulative and aggressive. Jones dances with Hope Stone Dance Company and has appeared in shows at Stages Repertory Theatre and the national tour of Wicked. She has just recently been named one of "25 to watch" by Dance Magazine. She's a rising star on the Houston dance and theater scene.
Guy bumped into Jones at Starbucks, the two began talking dance, and not long after, a piece was in the works. "Recently, Harrison brought me in to guest teach their company class. I had an absolute blast and the timing to work together seemed perfect," says Jones. "Blink is a high-energy and physical duet that deals with impact both physically and emotionally and the toll it takes on a relationship. It happens quickly, at some times violently, other times passionately, but never lasts and changes in the blink of an eye."
Sandra Organ Solis is inspired by great women
Sandra Organ Solis, Houston Ballet's first black ballerina, comes up with a new way to celebrate her heritage through dance each year. As with Urban Souls, audiences should plan on learning something new. Over the years, Solis has set works to Martin Luther King's speeches, examined the role of Houston's black newspapers, told stories about George Washington Carver and more, all through dance.
This year, Earthen Vessels turns to powerful African American women in Mothers of Movement, a moving tribute to Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, Lucille Clifton, Harriet Tubman and Maya Angelou, with music by Roberta Flack and Nina Simone, Feb. 17 through 26 at Barnevelder Movement Arts Complex.
"Harriet Tubman and Sojourner represent pivotal roles black woman took to provide a way out, and be a voice speaking up for all women. Each overcame obstacles and weren't afraid to challenge the injustice and do something tangible about it too, which took tremendous courage," says Solis. "Harriet's journey was made all the more amazing in that she had sleeping sickness that would overtake her at any time, as she traversed the underground railroad with her passengers in tow."
In Seated for Justice, Solis juxtaposes images of the civil rights era and the exact moment of Parks' famous event in history. "Parks' quiet dignity is dealt with in a gestural way in its conception, with an interview playing that was recorded around the time of her death that tells the story in a conversational style," says Solis.
African Dance Society sets HCC's World Dance program in motion
Madeleine Pate Wright dons the white shawl, a honor bestowed on the best dancer, at a wedding in Mali in the opening sequence of her video archive documenting the work that quietly went on under the African Dance Society umbrella at HCC.
Several legendary dance figures graced the HCC dance studio, now known as "Studio Q," in honor of HCC's late dance director Deborah Quaniam. The 18-minute documentary chronicles the African Dance workshops (1984-1993) that Wright, a psychology professor and African dance expert, organized with Quanaim. It's an extraordinary achievement in the history of Houston dance that few people know about.
"We brought in teachers from numerous dance companies: Katherine Dunham's Archie Savage, Tommy Gomez, Claude Marchant and Pearl Reynolds, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company members Marilyn Banks, Dwana Smallwood and Glen Allen Sims, Chuck Davis African Dance Ensemble, Dance Theater of Harlem and others," says Wright. The video also includes footage of the current teachers at HCC, Shani Henderson, Maggie Lasher and Julia Bata, who continue Quaniam and Wright's dedication to African and African American dance forms.
"It was thrilling to feel the profound effect that video had on our current dance teachers and the students," says Wright. "The event was also meaningful because many of the people that assisted with the workshops came, as well as my close friends and family members. It was truly a peak life experience."
Urban Souls Dance Company teaser
Visit with the African Dance Society at Houston Community College
