That tradition, along with contemporary choreography, will be on stage at Byrnes Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3. From the time he became a professional dancer in 1959, artistic director Chuck Davis became increasingly interested in traditional African dance. In 1977, he began traveling to Africa to study the continent s dance, music and song. Four years later, a core of local dancers led by Raleigh, NC, native Davis formed the African American Dance Ensemble and performed as an independent company at the American Dance Festival. The ensemble, composed of 15 musicians and dancers, possesses a diverse repertoire of musical pieces.
Works range from the traditional dance styles of several African countries to contemporary ballads.
The African American Dance Ensemble, praised by the Washington Post as A celebration of community, tradition, values, culture and spirit is dedicated to the preservation of the finest traditions of African and African American dance and music through research, education and entertainment. The ensemble s mission is to celebrate traditional African culture, aesthetics and values as resources to encourage interracial cooperation, cross-cultural understanding and societal analysis. The Winthrop performance, which will include area students, concludes a 10-day residency in 14 Rock Hill elementary schools. The program is sponsored by Winthrop and ARTS etc. Return to Winthrop University Home Page.