How do you fill a 750-seat theater on no advertising budget and on short notice? That was Squires PR’s challenge when we were approached by the Central Avenue Dance Ensemble less than 6 weeks in advance, to promote their upcoming event, The History of Black Dance in America. As it turned out we were able to fill the theater. To find out how we did it, download and read the case study.
On Feb 5, Ron Parker, producer of The History of Black Dance in America, interviewed with Dedon Kamathi of Freedom Now, In this interview, Ron explains about the history behind many of the dances that are part of the show.
Click here to listen.
The interview is about 20 minutes into the show.
THE HISTORY OF BLACK DANCE IN AMERICA
Inglewood, February 12
Central Avenue Dance Ensemble to present a retrospective of African and African-American inspired social dances from the 1800s to today
INGLEWOOD, CA -The Central Avenue Dance Ensemble, in honor of Black History Month, is producing a 2-hour multimedia dance performance entitled The History of Black Dance in America. Directed by master choreographer, dancer, and band leader Chester Whitmore, the show will be a retrospective of African and African-American inspired social dances that have been popularly danced in the United States from the 1800s to today. Historical dances included will be Work Songs, Cakewalk, Buck Dance, Charleston, Lindy Hop, Foxtrot, and the African inspired Latin-American dances. Post-Swing era dances include “fad dances” such as Detroit Ballroom and Chicago Style Step.
The goal of The History of Black Dance in America is to build awareness and appreciation for the American vernacular dances which developed within the African-American community, whose influence flourishes in the American social dances danced today. While most of these dances are recognized as an integral part of American culture, many Americans do not know of their history. For example, the Cakewalk began as a plantation dance danced by slaves to mimic high society Whites. The dance was so amusing that plantation owners held competitions, and the winning slaves would receive cake as their prize, hence the name, “Cakewalk.” This story and more will be told through live performances and narrated video, starting with the plantation dances of the slavery era through today.
The History of Black Dance in America will be performed on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. at the state-of-the-art Crozier Visual and Performing Arts Theater, 124 N Grevillea Ave in Inglewood, CA, 90301. General admission is $20, Preferred Seating $25, VIP Seating $100, Seniors and Students $15. Tickets may be purchased online at www.historyofblackdance.org or at the door.
Proceeds from the performance will benefit The Crozier Middle School “Gents” Character building program. Donations to support this program are also being accepted through the non-profit 501 (c)(3), Performing Arts For Life And Education Foundation, Inc. (P.A.L.E.F.), and can be made through PayPal at the event web site, www.historyofblackdance.org
Who/What:
The Central Avenue Dance Ensemble, directed by Chester Whitmore, presents “The History of Black Dance in America,” a retrospective of African and African-American inspired social dances from the 1800s to today.
Why:
To entertain and educate on the history and cultural relevance of African-American inspired social dances that have been and popularly danced in the United States. Also, to honor Black History Month.
When:
Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.
Where:
Crozier Visual and Performing Arts Theater
124 N Grevillea Ave
Inglewood, CA 90301
Tickets:
General Admission – $20
Seniors Over 60 & Students (with ID) – $15
Preferred Seating (Rows 3-5) – $25
VIP Seating (Rows 1-2) – $100
Tickets may be purchased online at www.historyofblackdance.org or at the door.
ABOUT THE CENTRAL AVENUE DANCE ENSEMBLE:
The Central Avenue Dance Ensemble is a 12-member performance group led by master choreographer, dancer, and band-leader Chester Whitmore. The group’s mission is to perpetuate and promote American vernacular dances of the 20th Century. These dances include: American street dances such as Leonard Reed’s Shim Sham Shimmy, the Shorty George, the Charleston (1920s) and the Lindy Hop (1920s – 40s), in addition to dances derived from them, such as the Chicago Bop (1960s) and Steppin’ (1990s). The group aims show the connections between dance forms from generation to generation and their connection to music and cabaret; to show how American vernacular dances were influenced by African dance and were shaped by spirituality and slavery (liturgical dance) as well as were molded by rhythm and music (tap dance and Salsa).
The company consists of the following team members: Gwen Allen, Nzinga Camara, Salvador Corona, Atir Davis, Lauren Duda, Adunni McPhearson, Percival Neal, Ron Parker, Gwen Robinson, Reginald Thornton, Beatriz Vasquez, Chester Whitmore and Chester Whitmore, Jr.
This dynamic troupe has entertained at numerous local events including A Tribute to Katherine Dunham, A Tribute to Norma Miller (also performed in Minneapolis, MN), and the African American Music Festival at UCLA. Television appearances include Disney’s That’s So Raven, HBO,s Golden Globe, SAG and Emmy award winning Lackawana Blues and Oprah Winfrey’s production of Their Eyes Were Watching God starring Halle Berry. For more information visit www.centralavedance.com
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HISTORY OF BLACK DANCE IN AMERICA MEDIA CONTACT:
For additional information, interviews, special show arrangements, at-event liaison.
Livia Squires
Squires Public Relations
Cell 310-273-4340 livia@squirespr.com
Don’t miss Melissa Barak’s “Spotlight on the Arts” interview segment, promoting her upcoming guest star performances in Westside Ballet of Santa Monica’s The Nutcracker. The segment will air on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8 at 8 am, 12 noon, and 5 pm on KUSC radio, 91.5 FM. You can also listen online at the KUSC Podcasts web site.
The Nov. 30th issue of Santa Monica Mirror featured an in-depth article on Westside Ballet’s The Nutcracker and Yvonne Mounsey. To read the full article, click here.
Los Angeles, CA (December, 2008) –Ballroom dance teams representing 13 Los Angeles inner-city public schools will dance rumba, tango, merengue, foxtrot and swing as they compete for trophies in LA BALLROOM – a kid’s ballroom competition to be held at the LAX Marriott on Sunday, December 14, 2008 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. With 130 fifth and sixth-graders performing to a packed audience of 1,000 spectators, the event will culminate the second-annual LA BALLROOM class series taught by the non-profit Gabriella Axelrad Education Foundation and underwritten by the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation and the Carl and Roberta Deutsch Foundation. Keep reading →
The Brentwood News and the Santa Monica Sun ran a feature this month on Westside Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Performances will be at the Wadsworth Theater in Brentwood this month. To read about the details, click here.
The Santa Monica Observer helped get the word out about Westside Ballet’s 36th Annual The Nutcracker. A beautiful half page article with two photos. To read it, click here.
On Friday, November 21, 2008, KAB7 attended the grand re-opening/dedication ceremony for Gabriella’s Place, a non-profit dance studio for kids in Los Angeles’ Pico-Union area. The studio was opened with $1.5 million raised by Gabriella Axelrad Education Foundation and Pueblo Nuevo Development. To watch the story, click here.