Ronald K. Brown\EVIDENCE

This American company blends African, modern, ballet, and hip-hop dance styles to tell stories about the human experience. This engagement includes a collaboration with jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon.

• Dec 7 - 9, 2006
• Eisenhower Theater
• $14.00 - $38.00

About the Program | Related Events

About the Program

Celebrating his company's 20th anniversary in 2006, Ronald K. Brown continues to fuse ballet, hip-hop, West African, and modern movement to share evidence of the world's many cultural perspectives.

December 7, the company joins forces with Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon in the evening-length D.C. premiere of Blueprint of a Lady: The Once and Future Life of Billie Holiday. Exploring the late singer's struggles and triumphs, Ronald K. Brown/Evidence takes the stage with Freelon and her band to bring to life Lady Day's legendary blues and jazz songs through dance, live music, and the spoken word. The New York Times hails this extraordinary collaboration as "a poetic take on Holiday's life and art."

December 8 and 9, the company performs an all-Evidence program of mixed repertory by Brown. Inspired by the 119th Psalm, Order My Steps has been praised for its "stunning passages of choreography" by the Village Voice. This new collaboration with poet and Howard University graduate Chad Boseman is performed to gospel by Fred Hammond, a haunting string score by Terry Riley recorded by the Kronos Quartet, and Bob Marley's "Exodus." Receiving its world premiere, Truth Don' Die follows the spiritual journey of a man named Truth, featuring the Afro-beats of Nigeria's Femi Kuti. Concluding the program is the wildly popular Grace, a "streetwise and soulful" (San Francisco Chronicle) showcase for Brown's signature style that includes the music of Duke Ellington, Roy Davis Jr., Fela Kuti, Jimmy McPhail, and Jennifer Holliday.
 
"One of the most profound choreographers of his generation"  
--The New York Times

Performance Plus:  On Dec. 7, join a post-performance discussion with Nnenna Freelon and members of Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE.

All events and artists subject to change without prior notice.

Group of 20 or more? Contact Group Sales for special terms.

Additional Resources

About the Kennedy Center Louis Armstrong Legacy Series

Cast and Company

Artistic Director:
Ron Brown

Related Events

Ronald K. Brown: Beginner's Movement Workshop  Dec 9, 2006 at 11:00 AM 

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