Performance Will Explore The Diversity Of Dance, Poetry And Music

WATERBURY — Diversity of Dance, a New York-based company, will take the stage on Friday, May 19, at Naugatuck Valley College’s Fine Arts Center. The performance will be the last of the season for Litchfield Performing Arts, which is sponsoring the performance. It also marks the culmination of Project Poetry Live!, a groundbreaking curriculum-integrated arts residency for 1,800 seventh graders in eight school districts across the state.

Called a “choreographer to watch” by The New York Times, Earl Mosley is one of New York’s most prolific new choreographers. He has choreographed more than 30 works for Diversity of Dance, a company he founded in 1996. He has also created pieces for other top companies, including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Ailey II, American Ballet Theater, Dallas Black Dance and others.

For the exclusive Connecticut engagement, Diversity of Dance will premiere “Litchfield,” composed by Charles Coleman; the jazzy “Me Me My Mo Mu”; and five new works in the all-new “Pass It On 2000.”

The troupe will also present excerpts from Mosley’s signature work, “Sunrise,” a visual historical account of the African-American struggle through the eyes of Mosley’s grandmother, Bethel Lane, who just celebrated her 100th birthday.

The company also plans to perform member Leonides D. Arpon’s “Nearer My God To Thee,” and “Young Words,” a piece choreographed by Mr Mosley to a score written by Mr Coleman for Project Poetry Live! in 1996.

The program will feature a special guest segment by the students of Project Poetry Live!, an educational residency developed by Litchfield Performing Arts and implemented by LPA and Education Connection in eight Connecticut school districts. Students selected by audition will dance to a work especially choreographed for them by Mr Mosley to a score inspired by their poetry and composed once again by Mr Coleman.

A student chorus, under the direction of Jeffrey Webb, will also perform, highlighting a song written by project student Taccara Williams, a multi-talented youngster who will also appear in the dance ensemble.

Tickets to the event are $15 for adults, or $6 for students under 21. The performance will be held at Naugatuck Valley College Fine Arts Center, 750 Chase Parkway in Waterbury. For tickets and information call 860/567-4162.