Ronald K. Brown / Evidence, A Dance Company: One Shot

 Co-presented by DiverseWorks and Society for Performing Arts

Praised as “one of the most profound choreographers of his generation” by The New York Times, Ronald K. Brown and the award-winning Evidence, A Dance Company, blend African, modern, ballet, and contemporary dance styles to tell stories of the African Diaspora. In the company’s newest work, One Shot, Brown was inspired by the beauty, sense of community, and legacy captured by the great African-American artist, photographer, and Pittsburgh native, Charles “Teenie” Harris, nicknamed “One Shot.”

Considered one of the largest photographic collections of an urban African-American community, Teenie captured the spirit of African-American life in Pittsburgh from 1936-1975. His work ranged from photos of everyday people in the city to photos of soldiers, jazz legends, baseball teams, and pivotal events in the city’s civil rights movement. Brown comments, “Teenie’s images inspired me to discover the story inside and behind the photos.” One Shot delves into the essence of family, hope, dignity, and celebration at the heart of Teenie’s art in seven sections: “First Glance,” “Bellows,” “Free Spirits,” “The Meeting Room,” “Faith & Decadence,” “Poinciana,” and “The Crossroads.” A seamless fusion of traditional African dance with contemporary choreography and spoken word, One Shot is both a profound reflection of African-American history and universal in theme and resonance. SanDiego.com said of the work, “expressive and intensely focused, the dancers conveyed a sense of the divine and mutual respect.”One Shot premiered at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut on September 14, 2007.

As part of a city-wide collaboration, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts at the University of Houston, DiverseWorks, Society for the Performing Arts, Blaffer Gallery and Project Row Houses have planned a series of programs celebrating Brown’s tribute to Charles “Teenie” Harris.