On Our Radar: February 2021
The legacy of Black creators on American dance forms is palpable. From tap dance to swing to hip hop, many of America’s most beloved dance forms originated within Black culture. February’s On Our Radar curators are Samuel Coleman and Amber Barbee Pickens, two dance professionals who shine a spotlight on stories of black history and culture through the lens of dance. Amber and Samuel recently co-choreographed the feature film, Passing, which premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. They are excited to highlight work celebrating Black culture, from Alvin Ailey, Black dance historic icons, and contemporary movers.
Samuel Coleman, currently working at Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, is a multi-disciplinary teaching/performing artist who has taught and facilitated for many prestigious institutions including: Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Ailey School, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Hunter College, Minton’s Playhouse, Boys and Girls Club of Harlem, Ginny’s Supper Club, and The Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling. Mr. Coleman is the founder and director of Sammy Swings and The Harlem Strutters, and proud to be a Frankie Manning Ambassador.
Amber Barbee Pickens, is a multidisciplinary artist, focused on dance, acting, and creation. Performing since 2 years of age and a graduate of The Juilliard School, Amber's mission is to promote creativity, while also acknowledging the powerful shoulders she stands on. She has performed on Broadway in Cirque du Soleil’s Paramour, as Grace Pressley on Law & Order SVU, and danced choreographies from Pina Bausch to Larry Keigwin. She brings dance to underserved youth through her nonprofit, Art Belongs to People, and most recently authored her first book, the Blooming in Motion coloring book.
Credit: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
We remember our first Alvin Ailey dance performance as revelation- enthralling movement quality performed by so many shades of brown. From “Night Creature,” “Revelations,” to “Busk,” this is a company showcasing the beauty and humanity of the African-American heritage. While we can’t watch live performances due to the pandemic, you can stream moving performances with Ailey’s All Access
Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation also extends the pioneering vision of the choreographer, dancer, and cultural leader Alvin Ailey beyond the stage. The Foundation has created an extended cultural community, where you, whether an amateur or trained dancer, can take dance classes and participate in community programs. These are real classes for real people…
We are so grateful for this performing arts community for its crucial social role, using the beauty and humanity of the African-American heritage and other cultures to unite people of all races, ages and backgrounds.
Taptastic Brian Davis
Taptastic by Brian Davis is your one stop shop for Tap Dance. Brian is a tap dance and song luminary who has brought his talent from Seattle to the streets of New York. He has created both performance and learning opportunities via his site: www.taptastic.net.
For those mesmerized by magical rhythms and fantastic footwork, Brian can help you understand tap. He offers virtual and in-person classes for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced students.
In addition, Brian has crafted Taptastic, an incredible homage to tap, that pays tributes to influences like Sammy Davis Jr., Cab Calloway, The Nicholas Brothers, Duke Ellington as well as modern legends such as Gregory Hines, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire, Whitney Houston and more!
Brian is an incredible talent carrying on an art form fueled by black contributors. We are always excited to see what his feet will do next!
Blooming in Motions
Speaking of tap and the Nicholas Brothers, you can now bring them to life via coloring. Amber has authored and illustrated Blooming in Motion, a coloring book that celebrates Black history through the performing art of dance.
From Frankie Manning and Norma Miller, Josephine Baker, Katherine Dunham, and more, Amber vividly draws 20 dance legends on the page. Her illustrations honor these Black dance icons, paying tribute to the sacrifice, perseverance, fearlessness, discipline, and eternal resilience throughout their life journeys. Dance and flowers are creatively combined to express motion and demonstrate a complete picture of celebration.
Amber features one of her mentors, Ms. Debbie Allen, who shared: “It is very important that young black and brown girls see images of themselves that they can celebrate.”
Besides learning and being inspired, coloring calms down the busiest of minds by engaging parts of the cerebral cortex. We encourage you to check this out!
Carmen Carriker Movement Classes
If you want innovative and invigorating movement classes, check out Carmen Carriker. Carmen’s classes, from Kemetic yoga to Afro Burlesque, draw on African and African-American traditions. Her classes build upon yoga forms from ancient Egypt, burlesque dance taught from the historical black perspective, and swing set against the rhythms and beats of Africa.
Carmen is an incredible movement instructor- with an Ailey/Fordham BFA and over 12 years of experience teaching dance and performing as a professional dancer. In addition to her technical chops, Carmen is working with Medgar Evers College to analyze the effects of meditation on people of color heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Carmen will be teaching a free kemetic yoga class this month at Medgar Evars College on February 21. Her remainder classes can be found here.
It’s hard to pick amongst all Carmen’s offerings. Let us know if you find your fav!
Archived On Our Radar Arts Events
October2020: Presented by Leviathan Labs Founder, Ariel Estrada
GOVT with Model Majority!: Model Majority presents comedy in support of democracy- featuring special guest Margaret Cho!
CAATA: Return to the Source: A virtual discussion of issues affecting Asian American theater artists across the nation, this series tackles heritage to the impacts of Covid-19.
Colapesce: Composer and violinist Sean Devare presents a multi-genre feast based on an Itatlian myth of a half boy/half fish.
September 2020: Presented by Th!nk Chinatown Executive Director, Yin Kong
Assembly for Chinatown: In partnership with A+A+A, Chinatown outdoor dining becomes the stuff of dreams with murals and community.-driven volunteers
Black Gotham Experience: From Kamau Ware to more, this group disrupts colonialist lens as it presents an ever fuller representation of NYC history.
American Struggle: Jacob Lawrence’s work, The American Struggle, creates new narratives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
May 2020: Presented by Asian American Arts Alliance Executive Director, Lisa Gold (APAHM)
Crazy Woke Asians Comedy Festival: This 3 day comedy festival virtually presents over 90 Asian-American comedians helping us manage through these stressful times. In addition to laughter, all ticket sales support pandemic-related non-profits, including Feeding America.
Minhwa and minhaw::: The Korean Cultural Center presents traditional Korean folk painting alongside contemporary takes from artist, Seongmin Ahn.
Love in the Time of Corona: Parajit Desai Dance company brings us sounds from across the Asian diaspora and other genres for some shared virtual free style-dancing. Expect hip-hop, soul, house, bhangra, arabic, latin, sufi qawwali, gujarati raas, and more.
April 2020: Presented by Poet and Brooklyn Poets Founder, Jason Koo (National Poetry Month)
Brooklyn Poets 7th Anniversary Yawp: Brooklyn Poet’s 7th anniversary celebration featured a virtual Zoom poetry workshop and open mic with special guest teacher Edward Hirsch, Poet and Guggenheim Foundation President. Hirsch led a generative workshop based on Nazim Hikmet's beloved poem "On Living.”
Newton Literary and Lewis Latimer House: Poetry Workshop: Newton Litera:ry and the Lewis Latimer House presented a free online poetry workshop that begins with the question “What about home sneaks its way into my work, and how can I nurture and support that meaning through poetry?” .
Tango Uncorked: With the Tango Uncorked podcast, Adam Hoopengardner provides insights into the people who drive the tango community- organizers, performers, musicians- and allows us all to learn more. We can milonga from the comforts of our homes.
February 2020: Presented by Tap Performer Brian Davis (Black History Month)
Harlem Swing Dance Classes: Take swing dance classes in Harlem, the birthplace of swing, with Samuel Coleman! Offered every Monday at the Kennedy Center.
Dandy Wellington's Swinging Band: A sharply dressed man leading a “kicking” jazz band, the sounds of Dandy Wellington fill Dekalb Market Hall. Enjoy the free music, while showing off your dance move or enjoying the many international food hall offerings.
Prohibition Productions at Secret Room: Travel back in time to a world of live music, burlesque, and other cabaret style performance in this Manhattan speakeasy style restaurant.
January 2020: Presented by Creative Sanctum
Year of the Metal Rat Celebration: Abrons Arts Center and Wing on Wo & Co., the oldest store in Chinatown, heralded the start of the “Year of the Metal Rat” with traditional and contemporary arts, including lion dance from the Wan Chi Ming Hung Gar Institute and visual arts.
To the Moon: VR Experience: An otherworldly virtual reality experience, this art installation takes viewers to the moon, alongside shooting stars that transform into diamonds, dinosaurs, and other incredible space debris. Part of the Public’s Under the Radar Festival!
34th Annual Martin Luther King Tribute at BAM: Honoring the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., this annual tribute features spoken word and a visual arts gallery, Picture the Dream.
Aki Sasamoto's Phase: Transition: Multimedia artist, Aki Sasamoto transforms the sanctuary of Saint Mark’s Church with wind and multimedia, as a reflection of the passing of time, motherhood, and transition.
December 2019: Presented by Cindy Chu, Actress, Writer, and Producer of Queens, the Series
Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven: Playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis brings light to subjects and people whom the world tends to ignore with this play telling the tale of women in a halfway house.
Over Step Comedy at Asian American Writer’s Workshop: An all Asian sketch comedy collective dedicated to increasing diversity and kicking ass!
Asian Creatives Network Holiday Market: With so many grassroots communities in NYC, the Asian Creative Network is one of my favorites in getting to know the awesome, supportive Asian arts community. This holiday market featured both performers and work from artists in the network.
November 2019: Presented by Seth Harris, Oil Painter
John Singer Sargent’s Portraits in Charcoal: Presented at the Morgan Library, John Singer Sargent presents a masterful collection of charcoal portraits.
The Art History Babes: An engaging way to learn more about the masters and subjects of art history. You’ll feel like you’re learning over a glass of wine.
Secret Science Club: When I’m seeking inspiration for my work, Secret Science Club presents fascinating experts on topics, ranging from space exploration or death.
October 2019: Presented by Debby Lau of Signature Theatre
New York City Center Fall for Dance Festival: This beloved fall tradition presents a curated collection of different dances companies on one stage at the accessible prices of $15 for every seat in the house. With both international and local companies, and styles from tap, hip hop, to ballet, there’s something new to discover for everyone.
Musical Theatre Factory’s Fall Piano Party: A free live sing along of musical theater favorites hosted by Kuhoo Verma and guest performers Troy Anthony and Kim Blanck.
Fires in the Mirror at the Signature Theatre: A one actor show, originally written and conceived by Anna Deveare Smith, this play tells the tale of the 1991 Crown Heights race riots. With one actor playing multiple roles, from rappers to housewives, these interview-based monologues will grip you.
September 2019: Presented by Jonathan DePeri Gotham Arts Salon Director
Balanchine’s Jewels by New York City Ballet: George Balanchine’s celebrated evening-length ballet Jewels, whose three parts feature dancers attired as emeralds, rubies, and diamonds respectively set to music by Fauré, Stravinsky, and Tchaikovsky. Originally inspired by the choreographer’s visit to Van Cleef & Arpels, Jewels is perhaps the first ever full-length abstract ballet,
Choir of Trinity College: The world-renowned Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, comprising entirely students at Cambridge University, performs sacred music from across the spectrum of Christian tradition featuring works by a range of composers spanning from the Renaissance to the modern day.
Dudok Quartet: Chamber music is an art form as elegant and aristocratic as it is intimate and approachable. As Goethe put it, string quartet repertoire in particular really is the refined and subtle art of four individuals’ conversing. It is a joy to hear the expressive vitality of this brilliant Dutch ensemble perform such wide-ranging yet intensely focused programs
August 2019: Presented by Jaime Shannon, Artistic Director of Kilowatt Dance Theater
Battery Park Dance Festival: Amid sea and sky, dance companies from New York and around the world present on an outdoor stage for five nights with a myriad of ecletic dance styles. Creative Sanctum and friends took a trip this year to see the Tuesday, July 9th performance featuring Buglisi Dance Theater and Ashle Dawson’s Made in America.
Charlie Park Jazz Festival: Honoring bebop legend Charlie Parker, Jaime notes this free festival in both Marcus Garvey and Tompkins Square Park has “world class musicians and the music never disappoints.”.
Gamme by Bala Sole Dance Company: An evening of ecletic dance solos, the audience is welcomed with the opportunity to get to know each dancer through their choreography and movement in what feels like a one on one interaction with each of them.
July 2019: Presented by Creative Sanctum
Midsummer Night Swing: Eyal Vilner Big Band: Claiming the title for 30 years, Midsummer Night Swing is NYC’s best outdoor dance party. And on July 10, 2019, the Eyal Vilner Big Band, a 16-piece, multigenerational ensemble, will present “an exciting new sound in the finest tradition of contemporary big band music” (All About Jazz).
Shakespeare in the Park: Coriolanus: Expect some swords as Shakespeare in the Park, presents Coriolanus, for the first time since 1979. Coriolanus is the “Bard’s blistering drama about a general voted into power by a populace hungry for change, and the unraveling that follows.” Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan (Proof, Shakespeare In The Park’s Troilus and Cressida) serves as the director for this modern-day version tale of democracy and demagoguery. Running July 16-August 11
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn Festival: Compagnie Hervé KOUBI: On July 27, the French-Algerian choreographer Hervé Koubi brings his signature work What The Day Owes To The Night to the Bandshell. With highly muscular and astonishingly physical dancers, What The Day Owes To The Night, is bristling with energy. The movements evokes Orientalist paintings and Islamic architecture as 12 French-Algerian and African dancers combine capoeira, martial arts, hip hop, and contemporary styles.