Muntu Dance Theatre on a red-hot roll!
July 18, 2011
By Sid Smith, Special to the Tribune
Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago has been a reliable home for the African and African-American tradition for decades now, all the while peopled by dynamite dancers who put on a great show.
That proved the case at Saturday's Harris Theater outing and then some: The troupe introduced two terrific new works broadening the company's aesthetic scope while managing a top-flight program blending dance and live musicianship. Artistic director Amaniyea Payne and company are on a red hot roll.
Reggie Wilson, an American choreographer with deep ties to contemporary African choreography, delivers a knockout in "SHOUTing Rings--a work," a tribute to historic song and dance. At times, the dancers, clad in white, just seem to amble about the stage as they sing great folk classics, one overcome for a spell with religious frenzy. But intermittently they erupt in dance, leading to a sensational climax, their bodies vibrating intensely amidst an exhilarating circle dance.
Theodore Jamison's homage to Katherine Dunham, "The Blood," also mixes song and dance as it travels through time and space to link gospel tradition and African authenticity, tying church service to invigorating ritual. Throughout, the overall concert featured vocalists, including Frances Sanders Rush in a spoken and sung serenade to mothers, and the traditional Muntu percussion interlude quite simply threatened Saturday to set drum skins aflame. The finale from "Kakilambe," was reminder of the excitement embedded in the troupe's ongoing mission.
Muntu's 2011 Season
2011 Summer Concert and Gala
"This Far by Faith"
Saturday, July 16, 2011 7pm
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Millennium Park
205 East Randolph
Chicago, Illinois Muntu will present an evening of work that celebrates the resiliency of the human spirit. The concert will feature new pieces by guest choreographers, featuring Reggie Wilson, founder and artistic director of Fist and Heel Performance Group in New York, and Theo Jamison, one of the Katherine Dunham Dancers in East St. Louis, now program director for Southern Illinois University/East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts. The choreographers will draw from personal and collective experiences to create vignettes that express our common will to keep moving forward despite difficult circumstances.
Community Engagement Activities
Master Classes and Community Dialogue
Muntu will host a community dialogue and master class with each choreographer of “This Far by Faith” during their residency with the Company.
Community Engagement Event - "United We Drum"
Muntu will host this communal event for Chicago’s diverse communities to celebrate the significance of “The Drum.” The goal of this powerful project is to involve as many drummers from as many cultures as possible in a communal sharing of rhythm, movement and energy – coming together to make a joyful noise for peace and harmony in the world. United We Drum is in keeping with Muntu’s philosophy that there is merit in all cultures; and, that through our cultural interactions with each other, we learn to accept our differences and to celebrate our similarities.
2011 Summer Dance Jamboree
"Summer Dance Jamboree - The Young People's Concert"
Wednesday, July 6, July 13, July 20 and July 27, 2011
University of Chicago's International House
Assembly Hall
1414 East 59th Street
Chicago, Illinois
Wednesdays in July
Specifically designed for youth and families, Jamboree presents vibrant performances of contemporary and ancient African and African-American dance, music, and folklore. These interactive performances will be held at the University of Chicago’s International House and are a great way to interject dance and culture into summer fun.
2011 Fall Concert Series and Benefit
December 1 – 4 , 2011
Gary Comer Youth Center
7200 S Ingleside Ave (corner 72nd & South Chicago)
Chicago, Illinois
Hosted at Chicago’s South Side Gary Comer Youth Center, the 35th annual fall concert series will feature a captivating new work by Muntu Artistic Director Amaniyea Payne. Also featured will be select works from the Company’s extensive repertoire, including “pick of the season favorites” chosen by our audiences.
For more information, call Muntu Dance Theatre at 773.241.6083 or 773.241.6086.
"Muntu Dance Theatre is hotter than hot these days"
by Sid Smith, See Chicago Dance, July 19, 2010
"Though familiar and venerable, Muntu Dance Theatre is hotter than hot these days. Saturday's gala performance at the Harris Theater showed off a troupe that's never been faster, never been more animated, as it continues to push the limits of its cultural exploration into valuable new terrain.." Read the article...
People are talking about Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago
“After seeing Muntu Dance Theatre perform on Saturday evening, I have added their company to my list of favorite companies to view when performances are held.”
Dominique L. Read More
“I've seen more than a few African dance performances but never one like this: the lights and music-live and recorded-paired with the dances gave me goose-bumps.”
Olivia C. Read More
“Never have I been so moved by a dance performance. The dancers were so powerful; the music so strong; the lighting so stirring: I know that today is not the last day I will visit the Muntu Dance Theatre.”
Olivia C. Read More
“From the beginning to the end of the performance I felt welcomed. There is something about Muntu Dance Theatre that is warm. From the people that worked at the box office table to the ushers to the opening of the show. The gentleman [Babu Atiba] that opened the show really set the stage. He helped me prepare my mind and spirit to have the Muntu experience. At that moment when he did his welcome and monologue, I felt honored.” Aarynn M. Read More
“The choreography was very strong in contemporary modern. It was amazing how traditional African technique was meshed with modem technique.”
Aarynn M. Read More
“It was by far one of the best performances I'd ever been to! As far as the story goes, it was amazing. In every single piece I felt the emotion and the story being told. So bold and energetic, I found myself nodding to the rhythms of the drums and wanting to just join in with them!” Kristy B. Read More
“But the dance pieces were very well portrayed and the choreography was amazing! I loved how they incorporated African dance into all types of genres of music and dance.” Kristy B. Read More
“The colorful outfits and the way the dancing was perfectly in sync with the music made it exciting and also seemed to tell a story”. Lauren B. Read More
“African dance seems much more specific and I really enjoy that about it. The tradition and symbolism in each dance or drum rhythm is what I find interesting. It runs much deeper than I've ever experience in a ballet, jazz, or modern class. l think everyone should take time to experience a little bit of a culture that they're unfamiliar with. The performance was really an eye opening experience.” Lauren B. Read More
People are Talking about Muntu’s “Suite Nina”
“I think if I had to choose a favorite dance, I would choose Suite Nina. I really enjoyed the energy, music, and meaning behind the dance. It was quite unique because it was like modern dance infused with African dance, which made it different than any other performance I have ever seen”. Ashley M Read More
People are Talking about Muntu’s “Ayo’s Dream”
“What really amazed me [about the show] were the drumming women and the combination of the dancing and the drumming together. Honestly, I have seen a lot, but I have never seen anything like it before. There was so much energy and passion. It made you want to jump on stage and join and completely break out of your box. Not only did they dance and play the drums, but they did it together and be so precise as a group…” Rachael H. Read More
“What I really enjoyed was when the women came out with drums. I was surprised. Not that I don't think women can't play the drums, but I just didn't expect it. They blew me away. I mean the guys tore those drums apart too, but the women were working it all over the place to say the least. These women were dancing while playing the drums, executing different formation changes in between, and they didn't loose a beat. The beauty of it was the flow and the energy this choreography had.” Adrian T. Read More |
