BrownBody uses rink as stage for black history, culture (Rohene Ward skates 6/1-4/17 in St. Paul MN)

[Sylvia]

Minnesota Public Radio article & photos: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/05/30/brownbody-uses-rink-as-stage

"When I was younger there were many instances where I felt I had to check my blackness at the door before I went into the ice arena," she said. "I'm done doing that."
Now [Deneane] Richburg is the artistic director of BrownBody, a company that combines figure skating, modern dance and theater to explore African-American culture and history. This weekend's performance includes dance pieces by the New York-based Urban Bush Women, translated for ice skates, as well as work that deals with Reconstruction and Jim Crow.

Richburg says her goal is to make the skating rink a place where black skaters can bring their full selves, and feel at home.
"I don't want the perception of skating being a predominantly white space to be a deterrent," she said. "If there are any deterrents — sure, finances, I get it — but everybody should have the opportunity to get on the ice if they want. Have fun, enjoy the ice, enjoy feeling and experiencing your body moving on the ice, enjoy the speed, enjoy the momentum. It's something that I truly hope that for anyone who truly wants to experience it, they get that opportunity."

BrownBody's latest production, "CoMotion," runs Thursday through Sunday at the Charles M. Schulz Highland Arena in St. Paul. The performances include vocals by Thomasina Petrus and a solo by acclaimed figure skater and Minneapolis native Rohene Ward.

Performances run from June 1-4, 2017 - ticket info: http://www.brownbody.org/#service-section
FB page: https://www.facebook.com/Brownbody-612643048879972/

 

[Sylvia]

‘Quiet As It’s Kept’ is modern dance, theater, live music — and skating: http://www.twincities.com/2017/05/3...-modern-dance-theater-live-music-and-skating/

Expect all of those things to happen in the unusual “Quiet As It’s Kept,” which takes its title from writer Toni Morrison and which will be presented by performance troupe Brownbody at St. Paul Highland Ice Arena through Sunday. The idea of the piece — which combines figure skating, modern dance, theater and live music — is to explore how the era after the American Civil War continues to affect our daily lives.
The piece includes on-ice performances of elements of “Give Your Hands to Struggle” and “Walking with ‘Trane,” which were originated (off the ice) by groundbreaking dance company Urban Bush Women.