Women of Excellence in the Arts Evening

Monday, March 28 at 7pm
Admission $10 with Post-Reception $25

An evening of conversation sharing the beauty and power of women in the arts as experienced through the unique artistic journeys of Carol Mailliard, Dr. Glory Van Scott, Ntozake Shange, Tamara Tunie, and Jawole Zilla Jo Willar.

Five renowned artists in illuminating conversation - not to be missed!

Hosted by award winning journalist, author, playwright and radio host Esther Armah.

Carol Maillard
Carol is a founding member of SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK. Carol is an accomplished actress and has performed in film, television, and on stage. Her theater credits encompass a wide range of styles from musical comedy and revues to drama and experimental. She has performed on and off Broadway.

Ntozake Shange
Poet, playwright, novelist, and essayist, Ntozake Shange was propelled into the national literary and dramatic scene in 1974 with the dramatic debut of for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf and has since maintained a literary presence, garnering awards and honors for her achievements as a dramatist, poet, and novelist.

Dr Glory Van Scott
Producer/director, actress, singer, dancer, composer, performing on and off Broadway, She is a recipient of an Eleanor Roosevelt N.A.I.R.O. grant in the field of Human Relations and is also a Breadloaf Writers Scholar. Dr. Van Scott has also been awarded the key to the City of Dallas for her artistic achievements and the Coat of Arms and Maple Leaf Pins form the City of Owen Sound in Canada for her creative work with children.

Tamara Tunie
Best known for her roles on As the World Turns and Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, Tamara Tunie made her Broadway debut alongside Lena Horne in Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music. In addition to being twice nominated for the Soap Opera Digest Awards, Tunie was honored with two nominations for the NAACP Image Awards. In 2007, she received a Tony Award as co-producer for the musical Spring Awakening. She was also a Tony Award nominee (Best Play) for co-producing August Wilson’s Radio Golf. Tunie completed her directorial debut with the 2010 romantic comedy See You In September.

Jawole Willa Jo Zollar
Jawole is a award winning choreographer and founder of Urban Bush Women. She is a fellow of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation for choreography as well as a United States Artists Wynn fellow. Jawole was also selected by the Kennedy Center as a Master of African American Choreography. Jawole was featured as a leading influential dancer/choreographer on FLY: The Five First Ladies of Dance alongside last year's Woman of Excellence Carmen de Lavallade.

Cultural Animators Series:
Tearing Down the Walls

A new musical by Daniel Beaty

The Riverside Theatre, Voza Rivers/New Heritage Theatre Group, and Walk Tall Girl Productions present the New York premiere of Tearing Down The Walls, a new musical featuring direction, book and lyrics by Obie Award-winner Daniel Beaty (Through the Night, Emergency) and music by Beaty and Oscar and Grammy-nominated songwriting team Jamal Joseph & Charles Mack (August Rush). This production follows on the heels on the acclaimed, award-winning, and extended run of Beaty's solo show Through the Night, which premiered at the Riverside Theatre last year.

Infused with soulful music, impassioned spoken word and laugh-out-loud humor, Tearing Down The Walls tells the story of the residents of a tight-knit Harlem community upended and pushed to the limit by life's challenges, but who find hope in the most unusual places.

Previews

May 6th at 8 PM
May 7th at 8 PM
May 8th at 3 PM
May 10th at 8 PM
May 11th at 8 PM

Opening

May 12th at 8 PM, followed by a VIP Reception and Art Exhibit by Bryan Collier

Performance thru May 29th - Thursday thru Saturday at 8 PM; Saturday and Sunday at 3 PM

All preview tickets are $15.00, and all regular performance tickets are $25.00.

Opening night tickets are available for purchase at $50, and include exclusive access to the VIP reception, which will include an exhibit of original artwork by Bryan Collier.

New York Family Arts Festival - Free Admission

June 11th @ 2pm - Ecuadorian Cultural Village - Free Admission

Experience colorful costumes, wonderful melodies, traditional dances and storytelling as Ayazamana and Andes Manta showcase the beauty of Ecuadorian culture.

June 12th @ 2pm - Youth Theatre - Free Admission

The David and Goliath Rumble - A timely, original, artistic modern day dramatic, musical and dance version of the Biblical David's tangle with Goliath - and his ultimate triumph over this terrorizing bully. David and the other children recognize in this musical, that a bully is a coward, and to defeat one... you do not have to become one!

Written, Directed and Choreographed by Dr. Glory Van Scott, starring Dr. Glory's Youth Theatre

June 17th @ 7pm - Power of Drum: Percussion Trios - Free Admission

Power Of Drum VI...'Dialogues 3'
Join us this year as master drummers
Dialogues 3 explores the art of the Trio through musical telepathy and language

Will Calhoun - Horacio 'El Negro' Hernandez & John Riley lead their groups in an evening of rhythm, conversations and sound

Hosted by POD founder Michael Wimberly

June 18th @ 7pm - Gestures Dance Ensemble - Free Admission

Enjoy a youthful celebration of dance through the works of emerging and established professional choreographers that include Darrell Grand Moultrie, Troy Powell, Amy Hall, Nina Klyvert-Lawson, Blanca Alonso, and Harbor Conservatory alumni. The evening will offer an eclectic program of cultural, traditional and contemporary modern choreography performed by seasoned young dancers who are well versed in creating a cinematic dance montage that will excite all.
Click here to RSVP

June 19th @ 2pm - Celtic Footprints - Free Admission

Choreographer Ellen Sinopoli, storyteller Bairbre McCarthy and ESDC dancers take families on a fantastical journey as they weave stories, song and dance to follow the footprints of the Celts from Central Europe to Scotland, Wales & Ireland and then across the Atlantic to Appalachia.

See and hear the Myth of the Seal People, the Legend of the Swans, the Adventures of Jack (beyond the beanstalk), the Tale of Norouas, the Northwest Wind, the fable of Dagda's Magical Harp and the hilarious yarn of how Marika Got Her Story. These are stories of a very special people that bring laughter, thrills, sadness and silliness to touch your hearts.

June 24th @ 7pm - Artz, Rootz, Rhythm - Free Admission

Come and enjoy a high energy evening of dance and music.
Featuring: the versatile voice, dynamic singer Ioana Wicker; the dynamic tap artist Tyrice "Cartier" Conway; the beauty and grace of Uptown Dance Academy; the powerful voice of Naoko Yoshioka "NOW" accompanied by "Don't Give Up" Choir

Hosted by M.C. Lola Jimoh

June 26th @ 2pm - Harlem Speaks - Free Admission

Join us for a fabulous afternoon of swing!
Featuring The National Jazz Museum in Harlem All Star Swing Band directed by Loren Schoenberg.

Bring the whole family and Swing!

For addittional information call 212.870.6784