Arsht Center celebrates Black History Month with a variety of dance, music and theatrical performances! February 2013

MIAMI – Now celebrating its seventh season, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is proud to present 14 dance, music and theatrical performances during February 2013 in honor of Black History Month:

AUGUSTO SOLEDADE BRAZZDANCE
February 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Carnival Studio Theater in the Ziff Ballet Opera House
Part of the 2012-13 Dance at the Arsht Series
Tickets: $35*
“A combination of wildness and precision!” – The Miami Herald

An intoxicating blend of Argentine tango and American hip-hop fueled the imagination of choreographer AUGUSTO SOLEDADE in order to create BRAZZDANCE’s entertaining, high-energy Cordel. The company’s triumphant return to the Carnival Studio Theater also features Kayala, which boasts the company’s sizzling trademark fusion of irresistible African rhythms and abundant Brazilian sensuality.

Choreographer Augusto Soledade, is a native Brazilian based in Miami. A nationally recognized choreographer and dance scholar, Soledade is the recipient of the 2012 State of Florida Individual Artist Fellowship, the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship Award in 2008 and Dance Miami Choreographer Fellowship in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2012. Soledade was also winner of the 2012 Knight Arts Challenge in support of his Miami Dance Mecca Project.

CALYPSO ROSE
February 9 at 8:30 p.m.
John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall
Part of the 2012-13 Live at Knight Series
Tickets: $25 to $65*
“A venerable diva of an all-but-vanished style.” – NPR

The entire community is invited to celebrate the start of the much-anticipated annual Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago (the original home of harmonious and rhythmic Calypso music) with a rousing musical performance led by the reigning “Queen of Calypso.”

CALYPSO ROSE, the first female Calypso artist to receive acclaim in Trinidad and Tobago during the peak of Calypso music in the 60s and 70s, is most noted for her hit song “Fire in Meh Wire,” which has become a nationally recognized Calypso anthem. In addition to performing this legendary hit, the artist will mark her Arsht Center debut with fan favorites from her 50-year career, including “Israel by Bus,” the chart-topping lead single from her latest album “Calypso Rose.”

JAZZ ROOTS: MONK AND COLTRANE
T.S. Monk with Nnenna Freelon and Kevin Mahogany, and Ernie Watts Quartet
Friday, February 15 at 8 p.m.
John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall
Part of the 2012-13 Jazz Roots: A Larry Rosen Jazz Series presented by TotalBank
Tickets: $25 to $130*
“Nature unleashes a gale force voice!” – The New York Times

JAZZ ROOTS honors the legacy of two of the most influential musicians in the history of jazz — Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane. This special concert will be headlined by T.S. Monk, critically-acclaimed drummer and son of icon Thelonious Monk. Dedicated to keeping the musical legacy of his father alive, T.S. Monk founded the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, building it to one of the pre-eminent musical education institutions in the world. In honor of his father’s 80th birthday, he recorded a tribute album, “Monk on Monk,” which received Downbeat magazine’s “Album of the Year Reader’s Choice Award.”

Monk will be joined on stage by the supreme musicianship and improvisatory skills of the quintessential jazz vocalists Kevin Mahogany and Nnenna Freelon. The program will also showcase the high-energy quartet of two-time Grammy Award-winning tenor saxophonist Ernie Watts, who counts Coltrane as one of his major musical influences.

AYIKODANS 25TH ANNIVERSARY
February 15 at 7 p.m.
February 16 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
February 17 at 5 p.m.
Carnival Studio Theater in the Ziff Ballet Opera House
Part of the 2012-13 Dance at the Arsht Series
Tickets: $35*
“Ayikodans has continued to produce world-class work — a testament to the strength of the creative spirit.” – Miami New Times

AYIKODANS made its Arsht Center debut when the Center’s President/CEO John Richard and prominent community leaders joined forces to save the dance troupe after the devastation of the 2010 Earthquake in Haiti. Since then, the stunning ensemble based out of Port Au Prince, Haiti has received glowing international media attention. Most notably, founder/artistic director Jeanguy Saintus was invited by Lincoln Center to stage a piece for its prestigious Out of Doors festival, a performance which earned Saintus recognition from The New York Times.

In a triumphant celebration of its 25th Anniversary season, AYIKODANS – including the full company of dancers, drummers, and vocalists – returns to their Miami family and the Arsht Center with an all-new program for Miami audiences.

FREE GOSPEL SUNDAYS: DOROTHY NORWOOD
With Special Host ABC Local 10 Anchor Calvin Hughes
February 17 at 4 p.m.
John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall
Part of the 2012-13 Free Gospel Sundays Series
FREE ADMISSION*
“Dorothy Norwood has used her soulful vocals and uplifting delivery to rise to the upper echelon of modern gospel music.” – All Music Guide

DOROTHY NORWOOD, known as the world’s greatest storyteller, has been ministering for more than five decades. She began her career at age 8 singing alongside the indelible Mahalia Jackson. She eventually shared the stage with gospel greats Reverend James Cleveland and Albertina Walker and in 1972, in an unprecedented ministry move, became the opening act for Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones National Tour. Songs such as “Victory is Mine,” featured in the Oscar Award-winning movie “The Help,” and “Somebody Prayed for Me” have earned DOROTHY NORWOOD countless honors including two Dove Award nominations, six Grammy nominations and three albums appearing on Billboard’s Top 40. Fifty-six years later, Dorothy’s ministry continues to flourish and remain a mainstay in the gospel world with her latest album, “God’s Been Just That Good.”

FREE GOSPEL SUNDAYS will also feature performances by the Arsht Center’s resident ensemble, MIAMI MASS CHOIR. Under the direction of Pastor Marc Cooper, the MIAMI MASS CHOIR consists of 60 of Miami’s best gospel voices, selected through an open audition process, and representing South Florida from Lauderhill to Florida City.

ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER
February 21 and 22 at 8 p.m.
February 23 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
February 24 at 2 p.m.
Ziff Ballet Opera House
Part of the 2012-13 Knight Masterworks Dance Series
Tickets: $25 to $120*
“One of the great works of the human spirit.” – The New York Times

ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER, beloved as one of the world’s most popular dance companies, returns to the Adrienne Arsht Center February 21-24, as part of a 21-city United States tour led by Miami’s own Robert Battle. In his second season as Artistic Director, Battle will continue to surprise and delight audiences with premieres and new productions that expand his vision for the company, adding dynamic choreographic voices to the repertory that stretch Ailey’s extraordinary artists in new ways.

A variety of repertory favorites and classic Ailey works will also be performed, including the Ailey signature masterpiece Revelations, acclaimed as a must-see for everyone. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater inspires all in a universal celebration of the human spirit using the African-American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition.

*All programs, artists, ticket prices, availability, dates and times are subject to change without notice. Visit www.arshtcenter.org for up-to-date information for details and schedules.