Harlem Stage Announces Fall 2011 Season; Includes Dance, Music, Theater

Harlem Stage, one of the country's leading producers and presenters of performances by artists of color, announced today its Fall 2011 lineup, anchored by premieres and new editions of dance, music and multidisciplinary programs that showcase issues of global and local import.

"What excites me about this season is that it takes what we've done for almost 30 years and really shines a light on it - presenting art that offers cultural critique with the capacity to transform," says Harlem Stage Executive Director Patricia Cruz. "In a world that is becoming increasingly interdependent, we are bringing artists to our stage who can provoke us to examine and celebrate this global interchange and to challenge conventional thinking through their artistic expression."

Well known for commissions of innovative new works and its distinctive collaborations, Harlem Stage continues to feature both this season. "Visible," a new work by choreographers Nora Chipaumire and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, has its world premiere in October after two years of development at Harlem Stage and across the country. Chipaumire and Zollar will be in a two-week residency at Harlem Stage Gatehouse as part of the performance.

Harlem Stage's wildly successful music series Uptown Nights returns for a third year, presenting cutting-edge live music in a vibrant club setting that revives the days when Harlem was the place to see progressive, hip, new music. Two new editions of the politically charged "WeDaPeoples Cabaret" - originally created by the late poet/performer Sekou Sundiata - kick off Uptown Nights in September. The first night of "WeDaPeoples Cabaret" is curated by Samita Sinha and features an engaging night of performances in unexpected, intimate formats. The second night is curated by Carl Hancock Rux and stars legendary singer Nona Hendryx, monologuist Reno, and author/producer Nelson George. Two evenings of alt-jazz with Christian Scott Quintet, the tenth anniversary celebration of Rich Medina's "Jump N Funk" dance party in celebration of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, and a night of new school sacred music with Imani Uzuri heightens the musical diversity of Uptown Nights.

Collaborative programs include an ongoing film series with the Black Documentary Collective and a free community concert series with Carnegie Hall. Two groundbreaking documentaries focus on lives of children and young adults in black communities, but tell very different stories: one film focuses on the tragic lives of albino children in Zimbabwe; the other examines the everyday lives of nine ethnically diverse Black American women ages 18-21.

In addition, Harlem Stage introduces Art Happens, a new program in which art and performance happenings spring up in and around the company's historic Gatehouse - lobbies, stairwells, terraces, and other unexpected spaces - before performances, during intermissions, and post-show.

Harlem Stage's music programming includes Grammy nominee and Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow Miguel Zenón and his quartet playing the Puerto Rican songbook, in a collaborative presentation with the Weill Music Institute of Carnegie Hall.

TICKETS
Ticket prices for Harlem Stage performances range from free to $45. Most are $20 or less. Seats at free performances must be reserved in advance. Ticket purchases and reservations for free events can be made online at www.HarlemStage.org or by calling the box office at 212-281-9240, ext. 19 or 20.

SEASON DETAILS

The Harlem Stage Fall 2011 season was developed by Director of Programming Brad Learmonth. The full season is listed below, presented by discipline and by date, with comments from Learmonth on programs that highlight the season's theme of activism.

"The artists we're presenting this season seek to transform not only their art but also the local, national and global dialogue," Learmonth says. "They confront issues of the day with fearless creativity; they challenge us to think out of the box, they invite us to come together and create a new paradigm in a world moving through enormous challenges and tremendous potential."

DANCE

Visible
Nora Chipaumire and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, co-creators and co-choreographers
Wed. - Sat., October 10-15, 2011
7:30 p.m. at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Avenue (W. 135th St @ Convent Ave)
Tickets: $35
Harlem Stage commissions and Urban Bush Women produces the world premiere of this dance theater work created by two visionary and award-winning choreographers. The performance explores epic journeys, myths and dreams featuring a cast of men and women in their early 20s to mid-60s who hail from many places around the world and who will take up a two-week residency at Harlem Stage before the premiere. The work explores migration and immigration, and stories of those who leave their homelands by choice or by force. Part of Harlem Stage's WaterWorks program. In a two-week residency prior to the premiere, the artists will offer opportunities for Harlem Stage members to observe the creative process.

"‘Visible' takes an in-depth look at the notion of ‘the other' through journeys of migration and immigration," Learmonth says.

FILM

"Our films this season look at Albinism in Zimbabwe, a culture of asexuality, and issues facing young Black girls. We introduce a new partner - Media That Matters - whose provocative, insightful short films will precede all our screenings," says Learmonth.

Daisy Bates: First Lady of Little Rock
Sharon La Cruise, director/producer
Thurs., September 22, 2011
7:30 p.m., at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Avenue (W. 135th St @ Convent Ave)
Tickets: $10
Presented in partnership with Black Documentary Collective, the film tells for the first time the story of political activist and newspaper publisher Daisy Bates, and her public support of nine black students attending all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. As head of the Arkansas NAACP and protector of the nine students, Bates achieved instant fame when the drama played out on national television. But that fame proved fleeting and she paid a hefty price for her attempts to remain relevant. The film is followed by a Q&A. Part of the Harlem Stage on Screen series.

Your Name Is My Name
Osato Dixon, filmmaker
Wed., October 19, 2011
7:30 p.m., at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Avenue (W. 135th St @ Convent Ave)
Tickets: $10
In 2008, filmmaker Osato Dixon was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to live in Zimbabwe and shoot his thesis film for Columbia University's graduate film program. His intentions were to capture the lives of albino children but he returned to New York with an in-depth look into a world full of heartbreaking tragedy, relentless hope and life-changing discoveries. The film is the compelling story of young people trying to fit into a world that has abandoned them. Part of the Harlem Stage on Screen series.

The Black Girl Project
Aiesha Turman, director
Wed., November 2, 2011
7:30 p.m., at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Avenue (W. 135th St @ Convent Ave)
Tickets: $10
In The Black Girl Project, presented in partnership with Black Documentary Collective, we hear from nine ethnically diverse young Black women between the ages of 18 and 21 who speak of hope, triumphs, education, sex, relationships, abuse, love and more. In a culture where Black women and girls are either venerated for their saintly accomplishments - which strips them of any other character attribute except that of martyr/mammy - or demonized and used as the fall gal for what is wrong with the Black community and society-at-large, it is important to hear and see Black girls speak their own truths. The film is followed by a Q&A. Part of the Harlem Stage on Screen series.

(A)Sexual
Angela Tucker, director/producer
Wed., December 7, 2011
7:30 p.m., at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Avenue (W. 135th St @ Convent Ave)
Tickets: $10
Presented in partnership with Black Documentary Collective, (A)sexual follows the growth of a community that experiences no sexual attraction. Studies show 1 percent of the population is asexual. In a society obsessed with sex, how does one deal with life as an outsider? Combining intimate interviews, vérité footage, and animation with fearless humor and pop-culture imagery, five people grapple with this universal question and the outcomes. Part of the Harlem Stage on Screen series.

MUSIC

Double Take: Two Nights with the Christian Scott Quintet
Fri. & Sat., October 28 & 29
7:30 p.m., at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Avenue (W. 135th St @ Convent Ave)
Tickets: $25
Continuing to push the boundaries of form, critically-acclaimed, Grammy-nominated trumpeter, Christian Scott presents two nights of groundbreaking music with his quintet. The first evening features five new compositions that build upon the "harmolodic" musical philosophy of free jazz innovator Ornette Coleman as well as signature works from Scott's 2007 and 2008 releases Anthem and Live from Newport. On the second evening, the Christian Scott Quintet will premiere five new compositions showcasing a new harmonic form created by Scott called Forecasting Harmony and Rhythms of the Afro-Native American Tradition of New Orleans, in addition to works from his 2010 release Yesterday You Said Tomorrow. Part of Harlem Stage's Uptown Nights and Harlem Stride series.

The Miguel Zenón Quartet
Alma Adentro: The Puerto Rican Songbook
Thurs., November 10, 2011
7:30 p.m., at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Avenue (W. 135th St @ Convent Ave)
Tickets: Free
Grammy nominee and Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow Miguel Zenón leads his quintet in the program Alma Adentro, which features music by great songwriters from Puerto Rico, including Rafael Hernandez, Pedro Flores, Silvia Rexach, Bobby Capó, and Tite Curet. The program represents the legacy of jazz and Latin music that was developed in Harlem, with particular emphasis on the long-standing Puerto Rican community and its musical traditions. The program is presented in partnership with the Weill Music Institute of Carnegie Hall. Part of the Harlem Stride - Community Concert series.

Jump N Funk Live with Rich Medina, Mark Hines & Special Guests
Sat., November 19, 2011
9 p.m., at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Avenue (W. 135th St. @ Convent Avenue)
Tickets: $20
As part of the 10th Anniversary of his legendary party Jump N Funk, DJ Rich Medina transforms the Harlem Stage Gatehouse into a celebratory space of resistance, rebellion and liberation in honor of the life and work of musical icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Alongside visual artist Mark Hines and live special guests, Medina illustrates why music is a weapon and the people who participate in the collective outpouring of dance and conversation at Jump N Funk become the most potent political ammunition. Part of Harlem Stage's Uptown Nights series.

IMANI UZURI's MOSAIC Sacred Music Extravaganza
Sat., December 10, 2011
7:30 p.m. DJ set, 8 p.m. performance, at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Avenue (W. 135th St @ Convent Tickets: $25
Imani Uzuri, an eclectic artist who creates, performs and collaborates across various genres, presents MOSAIC, her music series featuring contemporary women, artists and projects from across the globe that delivers a spiritually expansive range of healing music from ragas to rock. Part of Harlem Stage's Uptown Nights series.

"Imani Uzuri redefines and expands what we call sacred music with a mélange of women performing an expansive range of music from around the world," Learmonth says.

THEATER/MULTIDISCIPLINE

HOLDING IT DOWN: The Veterans Dreams Project - a work-in-progress showing for Harlem Stage members
Vijay Iyer, Mike Ladd, and Maurice Decaul, creators; Multiplicity Musics, co-producer/curator
Wed. , September 21, 2011, at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Avenue (W. 135th St @ Convent Ave)
Tickets: A Harlem Stage Members-only event; not available to the general public
Harlem Stage is commissioning this new work-in-progress of music and poetry by acclaimed pianist/composer Vijay Iyer and celebrated poet/performer Mike Ladd, with Iraq veteran and poet Maurice Decaul. Continuing on the heels of their groundbreaking collaborations In What Language? (2003) and Still Life with Commentator (2006), Iyer and Ladd will continue their collaboration with young American veterans of color from the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to create the next version of Holding it Down. After interviewing veterans of about their dreams - be they harrowing, surreal, or mundane - Iyer and Ladd build an evening of music, poetry, and song around soldiers' dream narratives. Part of the Harlem Stage series WaterWorks.

WeDaPeoples Cabaret
Thurs., September 15, 2011
Samita Sinha, curator
7:30 p.m., at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Avenue (W. 135th St @ Convent Ave)
Tickets: $20
Throughout and around The Gatehouse (outside and in stairwells, and throughout the main space), the first of two editions of the acclaimed WeDaPeoples Cabaret presents artists of multiple disciplines that will activate the audience and the space on multiple levels, through cutting-edge explorations of dance, song, food and language. Among the artists included are Marc Cary's Indigenous People, Universes, The Phoneme Choir. WeDaPeoples Cabaret is presented in partnership with The America Project/MAPP International Products. Part of the Harlem Stage Uptown Nights series.

"‘WeDaPeoples Cabaret' is one of the many artistic vehicles Sekou Sundiata constructed in the wake of 9/11 to expand the political and social dialogue beyond the narrow track it was on," Learmonth says. "Harlem Stage continues that work today, on the heels of the 9/11 tenth anniversary, with the fearless artists you will see during two days of events."

WeDaPeoples Cabaret - "Right Now!"
Carl Hancock Rux, curator
Featuring Nona Hendryx, Reno and Nelson George
Sat., September 17, 2011
7:30 p.m., at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Avenue (W. 135th St @ Convent Ave)
Tickets: $45
Presented in partnership with The America Project/MAPP International Products, this multi-disciplinary performance centered on the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11 features legendary singer-songwriter Nona Hendryx, political monologuist Citizen Reno and writer-filmmaker Nelson George in an anarchic coffee-house setting replete with politically charged, provocative, soulful pouncing on Rush Limbaugh and remembrance of Rosa Parks. George pays tribute to poet Gil Scott-Heron and introduces a short film by Carl Hancock Rux focusing on the impact of Scott-Heron's radical political vision and transformative contribution to activism. Reno tackles America with an incendiary wit and a machine-gun delivery in a rant that expands from the neighborhood to the nation, reflecting on the ruins of Sept. 11, Ground Zero politics, and scalding assessments of major names in politics and media. Part of the Harlem Stage series Uptown Nights.

FAMILY SERIES

Shine and the Moonbeams
Sat., October 22, 2011
3 p.m., at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Avenue (W. 135th St @ Convent Ave)
Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for children age 5 and up, Free for children under 5
Shine and The Moonbeams is an imaginative musical romp of classic soul, jazz and hip hop for the whole family. Kids are invited to stomp their feet, clap their hands and sing to melodic and soulful tunes.

¡Parranda! by Zon del Barrio and Danza Fiesta
Sat., December 17, 2011
3 p.m., at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Avenue (W. 135th St @ Convent Ave)
Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for children age 5 and up, Free for children under 5
Families are invited to celebrate the holiday season with Puerto Rican and Afro-Caribbean music and dance from Zon del Barrio and Danza Fiesta. The program includes funk-based classic salsa, bomba, plena and boogalu, alongside folkloric dance moves, and traditional Christmas caroling.

SUPPORTERS AND PARTNERS
Harlem Stage gratefully acknowledges support from the following sponsors: Harlem Stage on Screen series receives support from HBO. The Harlem Stage Partners program receives public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts. The Inside/Out program receives leadership support from the Ford Foundation. Time Warner is the Lead Sponsor of WaterWorks, which also receives major support from The Nathan Cummings Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and The Lambent Foundation Fund of the Tides Foundation. The Harlem Stage Family Series receives major support from the MetLife Foundation. The Harlem Stage Education Program receives major support from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation Consolidated Edison, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, and the Jane and Tad Family Foundation.

2011 Season partners include Black Documentary Collective, the Weill Music Institute of Carnegie Hall, and Rich Medina.

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