Walter’s World: Weekend Picks Dance, Theatre and Music

By Walter Rutledge

This weekend promises to offers a myriad of stormy event guaranteed to challenge even Mother Nature. We have world class music at the world famous Apollo Theater, a sharing of cultures at a former Harlem firehouse, and fiery drama right off 125th street. Here are a few of the many events taking place around the city and in our community.  

Grammy award winning bassist, vocalist, composer Esperanza Spalding will perform at the Apollo Theater October 26 and 27 at8pm. Spalding has transformed a series of brilliant compositions from her new release, Radio Music Society into a dynamic “big band” format. Inspired by her desire to write for large ensembles, Spalding has crafted her performances to spotlight the talents of her 12-piece world-class band. Weaving high-caliber artists into the context of a big band could be a challenge, but not for Spalding. Her ability to combine musical styles makes her writing accessible to audiences across the spectrum.

Lotus Music & Dance will present Roots of Flamenco on October 28^th at Harlem’s Faison Firehouse Theatre located at 6 Hancock Place (Off 124^th St., btw/ Morningside & St. Nicholas Aves) on Sunday, October 28^th, 2012, 7 pm.  This exciting production is directed by seasoned New York City based Flamenco guitarist Espiritu Gitano (Arturo Martinez) and will feature music and dance from the many cultures, such as Spanish, Indian and Persian, that have blended to create the defiant art form of Flamenco.  Proceeds from the event will go to Lotus’ Arts In Education programs, which bring music and dance from around the world to thousands of children in the tri-state area, many from New York City schools in underserved communities.

Tickets for the program are $25 for the performance only, $100 cocktail hour and performance, and $150 for cocktail hour, performance and post performance reception. Tickets may be purchased by calling 212.627.1076 or online at www.lotusmusicanddance.org/dacb.

Dr. Barbara Ann Teer’s National Black Theatre will present Iced Out now through November 18 at the National Black Theatre located at 2031 Fifth Avenue. Iced Out frames the dramatic parallels between slavery and the Jim Crow era with modern day oppressionandthe lingering effects of slavery. The play illustrates many of the systemic causes of illiteracy, poverty, and racism, while demystifying many of the existing stereotypes perpetuated by history.

Iced Out was written by Kisha T. Spence and Mo Beasley, directed by Jeffery V. Thompson and choreographed by Dyane Harvey. The production can be seen on Friday at 8pm, Saturday 3 and 8pm, and Sunday at 4pm. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased on line at Smart Tix by calling 212-868-4444 or at www.smarttix.com

Henning Rübsam’s SENSEDANCE celebrates their 21^st anniversary on Saturday, October 27^th at 8:30pm and Sunday, October 28^th at 6:00 pm at Salvatore Capezio Theater at Peridance, 126 East 13^th Street. To mark the milestone the company will present two premieres by company founder and artistic director Henning Rübsam entitled obsession | calm and Brahms Dances. The program will be a reprise of Petit Pas as a tribute to the late Neil Armstrong, whose voice is featured in the work; and HALF-LIFE 102.

Tickets are $30.00 for general admission, and $22.00 for student with ID. Tickets can be purchased by calling SmartTix at (212) 868-4444 and on line at 
http://www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showcode=SEN15
  

In Photo: 1&2) Esperanza Spalding 3)Maya De Silva 4) SENSEDANCE ensemble

Photo Credit: 1) Carlos Perices 2) J. Steinmetz 3) Courtesy of Lotus Music & Dance 4) Courtesy of SENSEDANCE