Dance Gala
Ballethnic Dance Company
Fri. Oct. 2
7:30 p.m.
Gaillard Auditorium
77 Calhoun St.
$15
ballethnic.org
All dancers are dedicated, but the classically trained members of Ballethnic are more devoted than most. In their quest to marry ballet with African dance, they’ve journeyed to West Africa and researched dance, percussion, and movement, using ethnic rhythms and rituals to stretch the parameters of traditional ballet.
Ballethnic’s performance will include the acclaimed main work of choreographer and company co-founder Waverly Lucas’ “Euphoria.” This dance revolves around shadows as the dancers move in and out of the light, using their bodies to create unique silhouettes, moving to the Asian music of Kitaro. Another highlight juxtaposes earthy, soulful male dancers with light-footed females moving with Harlem Renaissance grace.
In case you haven’t guessed already, this is eclectic stuff. Throw in some reggae music and an Ennio Morricone score, with dancers responding to his abrupt sounds, and you’re guaranteed a surprise package that reflects the unique personality of each performer. One thing’s for sure — this mix of traditional, ethnic, and modern dancing will take your idea of ballet and spin it on its head.
Spiritual Classics II
CSO Spiritual Ensemble
Thurs. Oct. 1
6 p.m.
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
67 Anson St.
$10
csospiritual.com
To the singers in the recently formed CSO Spiritual Ensemble, African American spirituals are the equivalent of classical oral pieces by Beethoven, Brahms, or Verdi. The difference is that “John the Revelator” and “Come Here Jesus, If You Please” are much catchier than “A German Requiem.”
Recognizing this, Ensemble Founder and President Lee Pringle is developing a repertoire that shows how the spiritual evolved in the South. Spiritual Classics II takes the audience from early, indigenous a capella songs to modern day arrangements.
The program includes a moving, delicate rendition of “Dry Your Tears Africa,” composed for the movie Amistad, and a poignant version of “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian.”
Around 35 singers of different ethnic backgrounds will perform their intricately woven harmonies in the 173-year-old St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. They will be directed by the exuberant Nathan L. Nelson. Don’t wait till the last minute to pick up tickets — the Ensemble has a very loyal following, and most of their past events have sold out.
One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show
Art Forms and Theatre Concepts
Sept. 23-24, 26 at 8 p.m.; Sept. 24-25 at 11 a.m.; Sept. 26 at 3 p.m.; Sept. 27 at 7 p.m.
Memminger Auditorium
56 Beaufain St.
$20/adults, $15/seniors, students
aftcinc.com
Charleston-based Art Forms and Theatre Concepts is best known for its exuberant musicals and period comedy-dramas. But for this year’s MOJA, they figured that audiences would respond to a show that’s exceptionally light, funny, and family-friendly. So Artistic Director Art Gilliard chose Don Evans’ comedy One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show, set in 1970s Philadelphia.
“I see it as three love stories,” Gilliard says. “There’s Avery and Myra, Beverly and Caleb, and Felix and Li’l Bits. They’re all completely different.” Myra is a particular handful, movin’ on up to a white suburb where she evolves into a glamorous lady. Now and again she slips into her rough old ways or uses big words in an inappropriate manner.
Over the course of 14 seasons, Arts Forms has honed a formula of audience-pleasing theater. Monkey‘s dialogue-based humor has a wide appeal, with broad comedy that’ll please the kids and plenty of sly ’70s references for the adults.
Jonathan Green and Protégés
Sept. 13–Oct. 4
City Gallery at Waterfront Park
34 Prioleau St.
Gallery Hours: Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., noon-5 p.m.
Free
(843) 958-6484
When Jonathan Green painted his first MOJA poster, its appearance was short-lived. His accompanying exhibition ended after one day, thanks to pesky Hurricane Hugo. Twenty years later, he is an internationally known artist with a sumptuous body of work. But this year’s MOJA art show at the City Gallery isn’t all about him. He’s been training several artists of different ages, and three of them are involved in the exhibition. They are all in their 20s.
Jean Dornevil is an energetic artist from Haiti. He uses primary colors to make his acrylics spring off the canvas. He’s joined by Cuban Ryenier Llanes and Juan Diaz from Bogota, Columbia. Diaz is constantly experimenting, brightening his contemporary work with daring red and blue hues.
This group show has a cohesive colorfulness. To Green’s credit, although his fat landscapes dominate the City Gallery, they complement his protégés work rather than overwhelm it.
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