In honor of “Black History Month,” Owings Mills’ Gordon Center for Performing Arts will host a celebration of Black dance in America in partnership with the Baltimore Black Dance Collective. This outreach is supported by the Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences.
In addition, the Gordon’s Meyerhoff Art Gallery will continue to present “Bridge to Freedom: Cross Cultural Conversations Through Art” until the end of February. The visual art exhibition by student artists from the SEED School of Maryland focuses on the relationship between Blacks and Jews and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“Black History Month comes alive at the Gordon through dance, and this year through our partnership with the SEED School of Maryland in the Meyerhoff Gallery as well,” said Sara Shalva, chief arts officer for the Gordon and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore. “We care very deeply that the performers on our stage reflect the diversity of our great county and state.”
On Thursday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 p.m., the Gordon will host “Celebration: Uplifting and Honoring the Culture and History of Black Dance,” showcasing the history, diversity and beauty in African-American culture by community artists from around Baltimore County.
Featuring original dance performances by artists, companies, studios, students and schools, the show highlights selected dance works in styles ranging from ballet to hip-hop to liturgical and more. Companies include the Full Circle Dance Company, Keur Khaleyi African Dance & Cultural Institute, Inc. and Stephanie Powell DanseEnsemble.
Student groups include the ABA Dance Ensemble, Baltimore Dance Tech, Ballet Nouveau, Symmetry Arts, Milford Mill Dance Company, Morton Street Dance Center, Maryland Academy of Dance, Fearless Dance Empire and the George Washington Carver Center for Arts & Technology.
On Thursday, Feb. 29, at 11 a.m., more than 1,000 middle and high school students from Baltimore County Public Schools will attend “Philadanco!” at the Gordon, which is located at 3506 Gwynnbrook Avenue. An award-winning Philadelphia dance company, “Philadanco!” is a nonprofit that presents professional dance performances and cultivates the skills of emerging and professional dancers and choreographers, while increasing the appreciation of dance among its many communities.
Around the world, the company is celebrated for its innovation, creativity and preservation of predominantly African-American traditions in dance.
An evening performance will also be held for the general public on Thursday, Feb. 29, at 7:30 p.m.
“BCPS is committed to expanding opportunities and access for our students to explore career pathways, and we know that this experience will inspire our diverse student body to see their potential in the field of Dance,” said Sonia Synkowski, coordinator of performing arts for BCPS. “Live arts experiences can leave a lasting impact, and we thank the Gordon Center for its commitment to BCPS students.”
Said Shalva: “The Gordon Center is committed to celebrating dance and celebrating African American contributions to this beautiful art form, by prioritizing Black-owned and directed dance companies and schools. As the county has evolved, so have our dance performances and workshops in the Gordon, at times off-site or virtual. We are thrilled to be back in person providing opportunities for students, families and dance patrons to engage and enjoy in this dynamic artistic medium.”
For information, visit gordoncenter.com/dance
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