Viewsic Expressions Dance, led by New York Dance and Performance “Bessie” award winner Germaul Barnes and Kumble Theater present the New York premiere of “Black Buddha.”
The evening-length, contemporary work features seven performers and the music of Olu Dara, Koko Taylor, Etta James, Quiet Village and Tina Turner.
“Black Buddha” will run Friday, Sept. 21, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 22, at 7:30 p.m. LIU Brooklyn’s Kumble Theater is located on Flatbush Avenue between DeKalb Avenue and Willoughby Street. “Black Buddha” is the story of a young African American man’s journey in search of enlightenment.
Barnes says of the work, “I took inspiration from a quote by Masaaki Morinada, ‘happiness is not simply about having calmness and tranquility. It’s discovering that within each of our lives is the great life force to face and overcome all manner of challenges and difficulties.’ Born into a dry, hostile environment, the young man has to develop thorns for protection, maintain faith like flowing water and yet he blooms beautiful flowers like the saguaro cactus.”
Germaul Barnes/Viewsic Expressions Dance (GB/VED), is a Brooklyn-based, contemporary dance company dedicated to interdisciplinary conversations and collaborations. GB/VED was founded in 1993 as a forum for investigating both the creative processes and the artistic products that result when artists of different mediums collide. Anchored in the choreographic work of Bessie Award winner Germaul Barnes, GB/VED creates dynamic performances that engage the body as an intersection for ideas. For more information see www.ViewsicEx.org.
Germaul Barnes (choreographer), is the artistic director of Germaul Barnes/Viewsic Expressions Dance (GB/VED). Barnes has received commissions from Alvin Ailey/Fordham School, Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, Central Park Summer Stage, Judson Church, Aaron Davis Hall, P.S.122, Danspace Project, Dixon Place, Institute of Contemporary Art-Boston, Arizona Dance Festival, Ghana National Theater, Graham Town Arts Festival (South Africa), and many others. Barnes is a former member of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company (1996-2005), Shapiro & Smith Dance, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Tolada Dance Co. (Berlin, Germany) and Philadanco.
Tickets can be purchased at the Kumble Theater box office at (718) 488-1624 or online at www.kumbletheater.org.
