Urban Bush Women Go 'Uncensored'
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A New York City dance group is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a special performance that promises to give audiences an "uncensored" experience. NY1's Stephanie Simon filed the following report.Urban Bush Women has always done things its own way, but now the dance troupe is going totally "uncensored." To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the modern dance group will perform an evening of work called "Zollar Uncensored."
Founder and Artistic Director Jawole Willa Jo Zollar says it was time to revisit her earlier works.
"We're presenting 'Zollar Uncensored.' And I came up with that title because I'm going back to a lot of my early work from 85, 86, 87," Zollar said. "Work where I was really looking at the power of women through their bodies, through the politics of the body. And sometimes that work, especially during the culture wars of the Helms era was a little threatening to people."
The dances have some nudity but Zollar believes the time is right for these sensual performances. Since 1984, Urban Bush Women has been celebrating the female form and telling stories of the African-American experience and the Africa Diaspora. The performances also explore current social issues and often incorporate poetry and singing.
Besides dancing, the women also help create communities with special community building events in neighborhoods wherever they perform.
"And then there are times when you just want to have fun with movement. It's not always about an issue. So we have that duality where we can address issues and then just dance for pure fun," said Urban Bush Women Associate Artistic Director Christine King.
Urban Bush Women has always been a cultural diplomat in communities across the country. Recently, it was selected by the US State Department to travel to South America as part of a cultural exchange.
"There are a lot of great things happening for Urban Bush Women right now," said Urban Bush Women Executive Director Jana La Sorte. "In our 25th year we were just chosen by the United States State Department to inaugurate a dance cultural exchange program called Dance Motion USA. So we'll head to South America in March the entire month to Brazil, Columbia and Venezuela. We're very excited."
As for their upcoming performances at Dance Theater Workshop in Chelsea from January 20th through 23rd, the Urban Bush Women say they are celebrating 25 years of being sassy, sensual and socially relevant.
For more information, visit urbanbushwomen.org .