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September 27, 2007
Black Cultural Center presents coffeehouse about the blues
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Members and directors of four performing arts ensembles will dramatize what they are learning during a semester-long study of blues music at 7 p.m. Oct. 19-20 at Purdue University's Black Cultural Center, 1100 Third St.The performances are free and open to the public.
The ensembles will be fresh from their research tour to Memphis, Tenn. and Clarksdale, Miss., the heart and birth place of the Delta blues, and they will be prepared to share the fruits of their labors with the entire community," said Bill Caise, assistant director of the Black Cultural Center. "We will have spent the semester exploring the foundation of blues music, as well as the myths that have surrounded some of its most notable performers. The ensembles are excited about telling some of these stories."
The New Directional Players, a theater group guided by artist-in-residence McKenya Dilworth, are studying the life of Ma Rainey and will explore her experiences as a recording artist. The group focuses on presenting drama about the African-American experience,
The Jahari Dance Troupe will examine the role dance played in the blues and will be introducing a new piece set to Koko Taylor's Whang Dang Doodle. Kevin Iega Jeff is the artist in residence for the group that performs a repertoire including African, ballet, folk, jazz, tap and modern dance.
The Haraka Writers, a group of student poets, essayists and short-story writers will share through their poetry the history and personal stories of the people who create the music.
The Black Voices of Inspiration, a choir that specializes in gospel music, spirituals and contemporary songs by African-American composers, will explore the sacred and secular sides of the music. Twana Harris is the group's artist-in-residence.
For a long time, the blues were referred to as the 'Devil's Music' but it is now very well respected," Caise said. "Each of our groups will explore the place where the sacred and the secular intersect, and what that music has meant to the development of all the music we listen to today."
The performances are a preview of December's Cultural Arts Festival, which will be performed at 7 p.m. Nov. 30 in Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse.
For information, call (765) 494-3092.
Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu
Source: Bill Caise, (765) 494-4630, wpcaise@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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