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The Female as the Essence of Community and the Human Spirit
Urban Bush Women and Spanish singer Buika perform at The Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival
Urban Bush Women
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With a slogan like “Sassy Strong Relevant,” the Urban Bush Women place their cards on the table. It is almost a battle cry for this all-female dance troupe who extend stories of their African roots, all the while using their gender, passion and bodies to offer a sense of balance to the dance field. Their performances tell stories of the African Diaspora community, and in their wake they leave audiences in admiration of their sheer power and energy.
The Urban Bush Women will begin their 25th anniversary season on August 20 at the Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival, sharing a program with Afro-Spanish singer Buika. The evening performance at the Damrosch Park Bandshell at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is one of the many free dance and music events. The Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival is in its 39th season, running from August 5–23, and includes many premiers and anniversary celebrations.
The Urban Bush Women have performed nationally and internationally to much acclaim. As dancers, their draw is the force and muscle behind all of their movement. As a company they have spirit and a dedication to exploration, which makes the audience respond to their message. The troupe was founded in 1984 by choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar and is based out of Brooklyn. Made up of eight female dancers, they combine contemporary and traditional African dance to create a unique and expressive vocabulary. The company has been the recipient of numerous awards in the dance community, including a “Bessie.”
Also performing is Spanish singer Concha Buika. Her smoky, jazzy voice has made her a standout amongst traditional flamenco and Spanish music and her songs are soulful and solid. Her fourth album Nina de Fuego was nominated for album of the year at the 2008 Latin Grammys.
A program of distinctive performances, here the female represents the essence of community and the human spirit. And isn’t it lucky that we have the opportunity to share in such wonderful performances, all for the price of an outdoor summer festival: free. The Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival ’09 will take place from August 5–23. For more information and a complete schedule of performances and events go to lincolncenter.org.