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News Release

Last modified: Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Evidence, A Dance Company, will perform at IU Auditorium, host workshops on campus

WHAT: Evidence, A Dance Company
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4
WHERE: IU Auditorium, 1211 E. Seventh St.
TICKETS: $10 to $30 for IU Bloomington students with a valid ID and for children and $20 to $35 for the general public, on sale now. Tickets may be purchased online at IUauditorium.com or in person at the IU Auditorium Box Office, as well as through Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets or charge by phone at 800-745-3000. The IU Auditorium Box Office is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 17, 2012

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Evidence, A Dance Company, combines traditional African dance with contemporary choreography in a dynamic performance that will take place at 8 p.m. Feb. 4 at IU Auditorium.

Founded by Ronald K. Brown in 1985 and based in Brooklyn, N.Y., Evidence draws inspiration from African, Latin American and Caribbean dance and focuses on the narrative of African Diaspora. The mission of Evidence is to promote understanding of the human experience through dance and storytelling and to provide sensory connections to history and tradition through music, movement and spoken word, leading deeper into issues of spirituality, community responsibility and liberation. Brown welcomes interpretations from his dancers and advocates for the growth of the African-American dance community and for young dancers to pursue careers in the arts.

While Evidence is in Bloomington, it will host two workshops on campus, both of which will include members of the IU Contemporary Dance program as well as the African American Dance Company. The first workshop will focus on the creative process of composition and choreography, and the second workshop will focus on technique.

In the past 25 years, Evidence has performed in local New York theaters including New York's Plaza Hotel, City Center and Harlem Stage. In addition to other venues and festivals across the United States, Evidence acts as cultural ambassadors in Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa.

For his talent as choreographer and founder, Brown won the Astaire Award in 2010 and has created numerous works for prestigious dance companies, among them Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Jennifer Muller/The Works and Jeune Ballet d'Afrique Noire. Each year Evidence tours around 25 communities, where the dancers not only perform but also teach master classes and conduct demonstrations for individuals of all ages. The IU Auditorium audience will witness the company's versatility and talent during its performances of "Ebony Magazine: to a Village," "On Earth Together" and "Incidents."

"Ronald K. Brown has dedicated his life to his passion for dance, and his company's 25 years' worth of performances that evoke the human spirit of love and cultural enlightenment are testament to that," IU Auditorium director Doug Booher said. "We are looking forward to their exciting Bloomington debut and to the interactions that they will have with our IU students."

"Ebony Magazine: to a Village," set to an original score by Wunmi, begins with a parade of individuals preoccupied with their own façade and beauty. The mantra in the score -- "do you see what I see" -- is a challenge to question one's perceptions. The movement allows the dancers to shift from their self-consciousness to a physicality that is more connected to the ground and ultimately to each other. "Ebony Magazine" was originally commissioned and performed by Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble and became a part of the Evidence repertory in March 1998.

"On Earth Together" features choreography set to the music of Stevie Wonder. Songs such as "All I Do," "Blame It on the Sun" and "You and I" accompany the dancers' uplifting movements that embody how love and compassion can make the world a better place. For the pieces in "On Earth Together," Brown allowed dancers to put forth their own "social dances" -- or dances characterized by relaxed socializing between performers on stage -- from the U.S.

"Incidents" is a work created from a collection of images inspired by several historical texts including Linda Brent's "Incident in the Life of a Slave Girl." The images in the work allude to residual physical manifestations and emotional responses that have helped to shape the character of woman of African Descent. The dance utilizes the music of The Staple Singers, Aretha Franklin, Wunmi Olaiya, Donny Hathaway and text by Mom Mabley, Anna Russell and Ronald K. Brown.

For more information on Evidence, A Dance Company, and the rest of the 2011-12 season, visit IUauditorium.com. The website features video clips and a selection of songs from this season's performances, in addition to a direct link to the IU Auditorium Facebook page and Twitter page, whose followers receive exclusive benefits throughout the year.

IU Auditorium's 2011-12 season is presented by Curry Auto Center, B97, The Herald-Times and IU Residential Programs and Services.

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