K*STAR*PRODUCTIONS home of the Kendra Kimbrough Dance Ensemble (KKDE) Presents 15th Anniversary Celebration Concert “In The Meantime”
Friday, October 26 – Saturday October 27, 2012, 8 pm at Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon St, Oakland
www.kkde.org
9 October 2012 – Oakland, CA: K*STAR*PRODUCTIONS, home of the Kendra Kimbrough Dance Ensemble (KKDE), presents its 15th Anniversary Celebration Concert, “In the Meantime” (www.kkde.org). This original dance-drama probes the period of time during which a person awaits news that may significantly alter her life. “In the Meantime” combines dance and text to provide a glimpse into the hidden anxieties of anticipation, and an intimate insight into the meantime—when one hopes for the best but must prepare for the worst. “In the Meantime” was written in collaboration with Izzie-nominated Delina Patrice Brooks, a Bay Area-based songwriter, playwright, dancer, and choreographer, and features vocalist Tossie Long and accompanist Tasche.
“In the Meantime” will be performed on Friday and Saturday, October 26–27, 2012, at 8pm at Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon Street, Oakland (Lake Merrit BART accessible). Tickets ($8–$22) are available at www.brownpapertickets.com; by calling 888.819.9106; or at the Box Office one hour prior to the concert. Further information is available at www.kkde.org
On Friday, October 26 (8pm), the program opens with Dimensions Extensions Performance Ensemble performing repertory by Kendra Kimbrough Barnes and Latanya Tigner. A discussion follows the concert.
On Saturday, October 27 (8pm), K*STAR*PRODUCTIONS/KKDE says “Thank you” to the audience that has supported its work for the past 15 years by hosting a post-performance reception, featuring the mesmerizing sounds of Boon, who also will perform an opening set. All are welcome to enjoy this celebratory evening of live music, dance and reflection as K*STAR*PRODUCTIONS/KKDE mark this milestone as a viable and valuable organization in the community.
Director Kendra Kimbrough Barnes presents “In the Meantime” as a tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, remembering her mother’s battle that ended 21 years ago, and to the many families still affected by the disease. This dance-theater work probes the lives of women who cope with different aspects of breast cancer. KKDE explores what it’s like to face the possibility of death while managing the demands of life. Through movement and text, the dancer-actors articulate the gripping emotional commitment and vulnerability of those suffering from breast cancer, whether researching preventive measures, caring for a loved one who is ill, or personally facing the disease. In The Meantime also takes an honest look at breast cancer awareness campaigns.
“’In The Meantime’ is a spell-binding work that pays tribute to the strength and resilience of women,” says Kimbrough Barnes. “I’m honored to mark the company’s 15-year milestone with a performance intended to uplift those who have suffered or are suffering from this epidemic.”
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Kendra Kimbrough Barnes established KKDE in 1996 after graduating from San Francisco State University’s Dance Department. She later received her MA in Arts Administration while on full scholarship at Golden Gate University. Kendra’s work displays true vision as she grows and establishes herself as an accomplished choreographer. KKDE has received funding from the Zellerbach Family Foundation, CA$H grant, the City of Oakland, and other sources. An accomplished dancer, Ms. Kimbrough has performed with Robert Henry Johnson, Robert Moses, and other renowned Bay Area choreographers. Currently she teaches children in Oakland through Dimensions Dance Theater’s Rites of Passage Program, and teaches Jazz, Modern, African-Haitian, Pilates, and Yoga at the College of San Mateo.
The Kendra Kimbrough Dance Ensemble (KKDE) focuses on paying respect to the rhythmic cycles of life to create a holistic cyclone of expression. The group consists of well-versed dancers that strive to bridge cultures through performances and workshops that reach a diverse audience. KKDE is committed to representing a range of ages, body-types, and movement styles, and strives to inform audiences about various social issues. The ensemble teaches, creates and presents dance works that build on a wide array of dance forms, with choreography that integrates modern dance with movements inspired by African, Brazilian, and North Indian cultures.
COLLABORATOR
Delina Patrice Brooks (Writer / Creative Collaborator) earned a 2009 Isadora Duncan “Izzie” Award nomination for “Beauty, The Beast: A Dance-Theater Production”, coined as her breathing self-portrait. She has studied and performed dance in the U.S., Western Europe, Southern Philippines and Guinea, West Africa. She has received funding from The Zellerbach Family Foundation, City of Oakland’s Cultural Funding Program, and The East Bay Community Foundation. Brooks has been presented by Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Youth Speaks, The Black Choreographers Festival, The Crucible, and University of Wisconsin-Madison, among others. She has performed with The Living Word Project, ASE Dance Theatre Collective, City Circus, Willows Theater, African American Shakespeare Company, Cherrie Moraga/Cihuatl Productions, Rhesus Media Group, and other companies.
KKDE DANCERS
Leila Anglin, a Philadelphia native, received her fine arts degree in dance from Temple University. Her passion for the arts has led her to work with renowned artists such as Dr. Kariamu Welsh (Kariamu and Company: Traditions), Charles O. Anderson (Dance Theatre X), and Tania Santiago (Aguas Da Bahia). In addition to performing, Leila is an arts administrator working as the Executive Assistant for Luna Dance Institute. Leila looks forward to growing as a performer as one of the newest members of The Kendra Kimbrough Dance Ensemble.
Alena Odrene Cawthorne is a native of Portland, Oregon, but has made her home performing, choreographing and teaching in the Bay Area with such artists as The Purple Moon Dance Project, Elvia Marta, Malia Movement Company, and most recently with The Kendra Kimbrough Dance Ensemble. She graduated with a BFA in Dance from California Institute of the Arts. She has studied ballet, modern and West African dance for over 20 years as well as Japanese, Balinese and hula dance. Alena has also had the pleasure of bringing the joy of dance to all as a Rhythm & Motion dance workout instructor.
Clairemonica Figueroa is an artist. She has been working with KKDE for over a decade.
Cria Merchant This is Cria’s first season with KKDE. Cria is honored and humbled to be a part of this project and would like to thank Kendra and all the dancers for creating a welcoming and sacred space as she reconnects with movement.
Lavinia Mitchell At the age 8, Lavinia began dancing in Dimensions Dance Theater’s (DDT) pre-professional company Dimensions Extensions Performance Ensemble (DEPE). She also joined DDT’s Rites of Passage program where she learned various forms of dance that include jazz, hip hop, west African, and Haitian to name a few. Through ROP Lavinia was introduced to Kendra, and from that moment began their teacher-student relationship. Now Lavinia dances with DDT, El Wah Movement, Culture Shock Oakland, and is in her 5th season with KKDE.
Chelsea Sibet Morris is a native of Richmond, California. She has been dancing since the age of 3 beginning at Katie’s Dance Studio for 13 years, and continued dancing in advanced dance performance at St. Mary’s College High School and Contra Costa College. She began dancing as a company dancer for Dimensions Dance Theater in 2010. She has had training in jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, and many variations of African and Latin styles such as Congolese, Brazilian and Cuban. Chelsea has performed throughout the Bay Area and is honored to be a new company member of KKDE this season.
Roquisha Townsend, Dancer, choreographer, instructor, artistic director///Roquisha began training in classical ballet, tap, modern and jazz at the Art of Ballet School of Dance in Richmond,Ca under the direction of her mother Sylvia Townsend. She later trained in west African, Dunham and Haitian and completed a summer intensive with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center in NY. She received her B.A. in Dance and Psychology from San Francisco State University. Roquisha is currently an instructor and program coordinator for the Art of Ballet School of Dance and also instructs for Dimensions Dance theater’s Rites of Passage youth dance program. Roquisha was a member of the Bantaba West African Dance Ensemble for 15 years, is currently a member of Dimensions Dance Theater and does regular guest work with the Kendra Kimbrough Dance Ensemble. In 2011 Roquisha formed On Tap Dance Theater, an all tap dance company.
*Marianna Hester (Apprentice) has been dancing since 2010 when she moved from North Carolina to the Bay Area. She began in the Rites of Passage Program in Dimensions Dance Theater. After only one session in the program, Marianna began dancing with DDT’s pre-professional dance company, Dimensions Extensions Performance Ensemble. Now Marianna is a teacher’s assistant in the Rites of Passage Program. This is her first year as an apprentice for KKDE. She is a freshman at California State University East Bay studying Human Development and Dance.
additional performers:
Vocalist Tossie Long and accompanist TASCHE (www.tascheVIBE.COM)
Dimensions Extensions Performance Ensemble, a 12-member group of students ranging in age from 12-19 years, has developed an outstanding reputation for presenting pre-professional work that is considered unique and quite remarkable in terms of what is expected of youth groups. DEPE has the honor of continuing Dimensions Dance Theater’s legacy of performance by providing performances of the African-American experience. Members of Dimensions Extensions are trained in jazz, modern, hip hop, Haitian, ballet and traditional African movement. Members are arts ambassadors who serve the community through performances at local festivals, schools, church events, Kwanzaa celebrations, fund raisers, etc. The group has performed and studied in Orlando, Los Angeles, Congolese Dance and Drum Camp in Nevada City, Washington D.C., and New York. Some members of the group traveled to Guinea, West Africa, in December 2006 to participate in a cultural exchange with the youth of Conakry, Boke, and Sangaredi; they took class with and performed for Guinea’s national company Les Ballet Africains. Participation in the group is by audition only; call (510) 465-3363 for audition dates and times. www.dimensionsdance.org
Songwriter/Producer/Musician Boon has been developing his music and style for years and is now excited to take his music to audiences around the world. A native of Oakland, CA, Boon was raised in a family of musicians and singers who greatly influenced his musical tastes. His parents and family nurtured his interest in music at an early age by exposing him to jazz, jazz fusion, gospel, and movie sound tracks. This allowed Boon’s creativity in songwriting and producing began to take shape. Boon enjoys every aspect of the creative process and simply wants to touch people’s lives by sharing his intimate feelings through his musical creations. www.boonavue.com
CALENDAR LISTING:
WHO: K*STAR*PRODUCTIONS home of the Kendra Kimbrough Dance Ensemble (KKDE)
WHAT: 15th Anniversary Celebration Concert “In The Meantime”
WHEN: Friday, October 26 – Saturday, October 27, 2012 @ 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon St, Oakland CA (Lake Merrit BART)
TICKETS: Advance $18 Students & Seniors / $20 General; At Door $20 Students & Seniors / $22 General; $8 children 12 & under Group Rates Available for nonprofit organizations – Call 888.819.9106 www.brownpapertickets.com/event/275892 888.819.9106
BOX OFFICE: Opens one hour prior to performance (opens 7pm)
INFO: 888.819.9106 / kspkkde@comcast.net / www.kkde.org
