Dance Theatre of Harlem
by Patricia Britt
Yesterday I had the opportunity to see one of the world renown dance companies grace the MSU Wharton Center Stage. I saw the Alvin Ailey Dance Company many years ago at Western Michigan's campus that is another must see.
The Dance Theatre of Harlem founded by Arthur Mitchell,and Karen Shook gave the diverse audience a treat to remember. The legendary dancer Virginia Johnson, artistic director incorporated primarily ballet, with some shimmy & shake to tell the story of the story of America's Great Migration (Book: Isabel Wilkerson The Warmth of Many Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration), including African American enlistment in the military serving with distinction that played a major role in freeing the African American in addition to subsequent spiritual liberation through musical artists like James Brown, and Aretha Franklin that was the backdrop of a portion of the Dance Theatre of Harlem's performance, which was emotive, compelling, and exhuberant.
Beyond the dance I couldn't help but contemplate the significance of James Brown's impact in his lifetime. James Brown was not a perfect man, but he gave the country hope at the heights of his career. One of the hard hitting songs was Superbad. The lyric goes "I got soul, and I'm superbad," when you heard it, you could see the entire audience had soul. But to further disect the lyrics, James Brown was abused as a child. I believe an aunt that raised him used to lock him in the closet for hours, and tell him he was ugly. What kind of spirit would rise from that incredible cruelty to come up with a song saying "I got soul, and I'm superbad?"
He did have one of the greatest bands of all time with Maceo Parker's horns. He did have the strength of will to do his part in the American tapestry of holding the country together as a voice for peace when MLK tragically died which cemented a certain devotion from a wide segment of people until his death regardless of any pitfalls he encountered in later years.
Bad was a term that was used in the 70's that meant, good. If you had on a sharp, or stunning outfit someone would say that's a baaaaaaaaaad outfit! Some of James Brown's compositions were Superbad, because he overcame being called bad probably his entire life from family, and society in his era with so many residual effects of slavery still active, yet he was a major part of the liberating music that was the soundtrack to the civil rights movement. Every now, and then as noted by history, imperfect people's hearts do a world of healing.
In the Dance Theatre of Harlem's presentation of the music of James Brown leaves you to ponder his impact on America. Arts & cultural events let you know there is so much more to life than conflict. There is unity in our fabric, and the simple act of honoring another culture for its achievements by attending a music, or dance performance together speaks volumes about who we are even in an uncertain climate brought about by a multitude of errors leading to the tragedy of a teen in Ferguson, Missouri. Even with national sadness life goes on in simple acts of kindness for one another in opening a door, or a hello from one person to another. I'm betting the people of Missouri are going to work through the pain together as we saw blacks and whites marching together on CNN, MSNBC, the networks, wwwtheroot.com at the unfolding of the tragedy. Surely concert people, party people, sports people, and working people from 9 - 5 are going the extra mile to be tolerant, or empathetic of each other, because this nation is a cool place to be when we have the spirit of our gospel roots in our soul.
In James Brown's imperfection the weight of his life brought more joy than sorrow. At a critical point in his existence he turned the world around, and that is history.
Smokey Robinson is another musical history maker to be celebrated. See his interviews at http://video.pbs.org/program/tavis-smiley, perhaps we'll see the impact of his life of love someday...
2014 Copyright Zimation Arts & Letters Ink
www.dancetheatreofharlem.org
www.alvinailey.org
www.abt.org
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/mayor/news/2014-holiday-card-contest.cfm
http://www.stlmusicyesterdays.com
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