- Urban Bush Women
Urban Bush Women (UBW) is a
Brooklyn ,New York based non-profit dance company that was founded in 1984 by Jawole Jo Zollar. It is an ensemble of seven women who perform very diverse pieces choreographed by Jawole as well as many other reputable choreographers. The UBW performances are dedicated to exploring the cultural influences of the African Diaspora and are very strong works based on women's experiences. Their fan base is quite diverse; they tour locally and internationally where they often receive standing ovations for pieces like 'Batty Moves' and their very popular production 'Hair stories.'UBW has presented New York City and throughout the United states, Asia, Australia, South America, Europe and in 2008 will embark on project in Senegal with acclaimed Jant-Bi; a contemporary African dance company founded on 1998. This very influence female ensemble's Festival appearances include Jacob's Pillow, Spoleto USA, National Black Arts Festival, Dance Umbrella UK and Lincoln Center. The Company has been commissioned by major presenters nationwide, and includes among its honors a 1992 New York Dance and Performance Award ("Bessie"); the 1994 Capezio Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance; and a 1998 Doris Duke Award for New Work from the American Dance Festival.
The company's repertoire consists of approximately 29 works. Zollar works include collaborations with jazz artist David Murray; poets Laurie Carlos and Carl Hancock Rux; directors Steve Kent and Elizabeth Herron; and the National Song and Dance Company of Mozambique (supported by The
Ford Foundation 's Africa Exchange Program).One of UBW's missions is to build communities through the arts, thus they have developed a Summer Institute in Brooklyn NY which was founded in 1997. The program educates young dancers about political and cultural situations in their environment through the use of dance, music and poetry. Upon completing their intense training sessions there is a dance/ music performance where the are to present all the education and talent that they have honed.
External links
* [http://www.urbanbushwomen.org/ Urban Bush Women official site]
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