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The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s gave birth to a wealth of African-American music, dance, art, literature, and social commentary. Join us as we honor the new generation of “torch bearers,” those who maintain the legacies of that time with a contemporary artistic twist. The festive day, hosted by artistic director Sistah Aziza, will showcase blues, tap, and swing performances, as well as workshops, lectures, film, and performances led by intergenerational educators, performers, historians, and students.
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Passing the Torch
Opening • 1:00 p.m.
Kaufmann Theater, first floor
Harlem arts legend Ruth Williams, whose dance studio has been in Harlem for over 50 years, launches the day’s activities with an inspiring call to continue the legacy.
Performance • 1:10 p.m.
Kaufmann Theater, first floor
The Ruth Williams Dance Studio showcases four generations of tappers from its Harlem-based school featuring Apollo Amateur Night finalist Tyrese Conway Cartier and other young tap students.
Jazz History through Time
Performance • 1:45 p.m., Kaufmann Theater, first floor
Clyde Wilder traces the language of jazz dance through African, blues, ballroom, and tap.
A Torch Bearer’s Presentation
Poetic Address • 2:20 p.m., Linder Theater, first floor
Dr. Glory Van Scott, director, choreographer, dancer, educator, and actress, has built a strong foundation for many of today’s performers. Dr. Van Scott is a “torch bearer,” continuing the artistic legacy of Katherine Dunham’s work.
Journey from Africa to Broadway
Performance • 2:40 p.m., Kaufmann Theater, first floor
Mickey Davidson and Friends celebrate the Harlem Renaissance through a dance journey into tap, African, modern, and swing dance.
Above Ground Project with Maurice Chestnut
Performance • 3:15 p.m., Linder Theater, first floor
This gifted tapper collaborates with poets and musicians from
the underground arts scene. Maurice Chestnut, an Apollo Theater
“Top Dog Performer” and Savion Glover dancer, showcases “Above
Ground,” his signature style of “playing tap” as a live instrument.
Papa’s Branch
Documentary film • 3:35 p.m., Kaufmann Theater, first floor
Director/videographer: Gregory Singer, 2006. 22 minutes
Papa’s Branch reflects on race, family, and community with members of Marlon Saunders’s family (the Walker family) by exploring one of the oldest standing slave quarters in the state of Maryland. The documentary also features original music composed and performed by Saunders.
Workin’ on a Building: A Jazz Journey by Marlon Saunders
Performance • 4:00 p.m., Kaufmann Theater, first floor
Following the film, multimedia jazz performer, Marlon Saunders, presents a musical and cinematographic exploration of slavery and the complexities of black life in America.
Dance Workshops*
Tap Dance • 1:20 p.m., Rose Center Classroom, second floor
A 45-minute class for all ages and levels taught by Mickey Davidson. Tap or hard sole shoes preferred but not required.
Jazz Dance to the Blues • 2:30 p.m., Rose Center Classroom, second floor
Join Obediah Wright, Founder/Artistic Director of Balance Dance Theatre, and use jazz movement vocabulary to express emotions with the sounds of the blues.
Swing Dance • 3:15 p.m., Rose Center Classroom, second floor
Clyde Wilder’s innovative teaching techniques transform swing and ballroom dance into activities everyone can enjoy. A perfect class for the young and mature to dance together. All levels and ages welcome.
* Registration for each dance workshop will take place at the Kaufmann Theater (first floor) reception area between 12:00 noon and 3:00pm. Register early: each workshop is limited to 25 participants and each person may take a maximum of two workshops.
All programs subject to change. All programs are free with suggested Museum admission. Neither tickets nor reservations are required. Seating is limited and is on a first-come,
first-served basis. It is recommended that you arrive in plenty of time to enter the Museum and locate the program space. For further information, call the Museum’s Department of
Education at 212-769-5315 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. weekdays.
A three-story parking garage is open during Museum hours; enter from West 81st Street. For public transportation information, call 212-769-5100.
Global Weekends are made possible, in part, by the City of New York and the New York City Council. Additional support has been provided by the May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Inc., the Tolan Family, and the family of Frederick H. Leonhardt.
Public programs are made possible, in part, by the Rita and Frits Markus Fund for Public Understanding of Science.
