Evidence; A Dance Company is currently in the midst of a week long run for its New York season at the Joyce Theater. The group blends traditional African dance with contemporary choreography and spoken word. Choreographed by Ronald K. Brown, the group is performing two different programs during its New York run, the first of which is a work called "One Shot," which is an evening long work inspired by Charles “Teenie” Harris, an artist and photographer nicknamed “One Shot.” The second program is an evening of repertory work, which includes a live music performance by Wunmi, an Afro-beat singer, during Upside Down.

On the evening of Thursday, February 14, Beyond Race was privileged to have the opportunity to check out Program B, which begins with Come Ye, a moving number that pays homage to Nina Simone. After a short break, the audience was treated to Truth Don Die, which tells the story of a man who’s life is an example of God’ blessings. Possibly the most uplifting of all the performances, the dancers in Truth Don Die are complemented by classic material from Me’Shell Ndegeocello, Femi Kuti, Fred Hammond, and Wunmi. The final show of the Program was a number called Upside Down, which featured live music from Wunmi.

Overall, the dancers performed flawlessly throughout the night and wowed audiences with their execution. Their agility resulted in making the most challenging moves look effortless. Much credit should be given to Ronald K. Brown’s ability to fuse different styles and his ability to tell a profound story through the expressions and mannerisms of the human body. Clocking in at just under two hours, the Evidence/ A Dance Company is one performance that should not be missed. Following their stint in New York (which ends this Sunday, February 17), the Company will be going on the road until mid-February, stopping in Wilmington, DE; Lincoln, NE; Albuquerque, NM; Tuscon, AZ; Scottsdale, AZ; Asheville, NC; Portland, ME; and Amherst, MA. For more information on Evidence/ A Dance Company, please check out www.evidencedance.com.

by Dave Terra