I witnessed one of the best live performances I’ve seen since I’ve been in Grambling Monday night. For anyone who is was wondering, no, Travis Porter was not onstage “making it rain, trick.” I was in the T.H. Harris Auditorium, where the Dallas Black Dance Theatre brought life back to the once dead auditorium.
The show was delayed for approximately 20 minutes due to a blackout, but no worries because The Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s electrifying performances provided the energy the building needed.
Part of their mission is to create and produce contemporary modern dance at its highest level of artistic excellence through performances and that’s exactly what they did.
Their first performance was “A Boundless Journey” choreographed by Dianne McIntyre.
“Journey has no bounds . keeps on going . never stops, “said McIntyre. “There’s a freedom about the journey.”
As you observed the different segments of the performance you could see that their moves were orchestrated to show the audience the ups and downs of life’s journeys.
I felt like every pirouette, high jump and facial expression were full of emotions and were sending me a message.
“And Now Marvin” was choreographed by Darryl B. Sneed came next. The Black Dallas Theatre paid tribute to the legendary, extraordinary, singer, composer and arranger Marvin Gaye.
This performance had the audience standing, applauding and grooving before it was even over.
Gerri Jackson, newly crowned Miss Covergirl, was in attendance and had this to say, “Once I heard that the DBDT was coming I knew it was a show that I didn’t want to miss.
“I really enjoyed it. My favorite part was the ‘And Now Marvin’ scene. It was a vibrant, entertaining, and made you want to get up and dance!”
At the end of one of their performance during the Marvin Gaye piece, the beautiful Katricia Eaglin mesmerized me.
She was the last to leave the stage. As she was rump-shaking her way to the back, she made a hand gesture saying, call me. I thought she was talking to me, but I quickly came to my senses and figured out it was a part of the choreography.
Now the “Smoke” piece choreographed by Bruce Wood was more than just a dance. This performance really displayed the dancers’ personalities.
“After working with the dancers from Dallas Black Dance Theatre for a while, I noticed that they all have their own personal elegance; and as a company, they have a great sense of humor,” said Woods.
Their animated dance moves brought life and laughter to the crowd.
The Black Dallas Theatre took us to Sunday service with their last piece. “Beams and Heavens” choreographed by Christopher Huggins.
It was an uplifting set performed to traditional and contemporary gospel music.
I’m not even a fan of ballet and similar art forms, but the Dallas Black Dance changed my perspective.