The Center for Contemporary Dance, Inc.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2015
Contact:
Craig W. Johnson, Executive Director
The Center for Contemporary Dance, Inc.
(407) 695-8366
Craig@TheCenterForDance.org

Allegory, Ecology and Choreography Collide in Contemporary African Ballet 

Featuring Students, Pre-Professionals & Professionals from The Center for Contemporary Dance

What:  MAKULU: A Contemporary African Ballet is the annual Winter Concert presented by The Center for Contemporary Dance.  Featuring students of all ages and the organization's pre-professional dancers, MAKULU (mah-koo-loo)  uses animal allegories to celebrate family, love and miracles through the emblematically true story of a mother wildebeest's daring journey to reunite with her herd. Selections from the organization's professional ensembles include performances by Moore Dance Project and Dawn Branch Works. 

When:  2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 6, 2015

Where:  Trinity Preparatory School, 5700 Trinity Prep Lane, Winter Park, FL 32792

Tickets: $12 (advance); $15 (at the door); $25 (VIP premium reserved seating)

Box Office:  Call (407) 695-8366 or purchase online at www.thecenterfordance.org

   

Buy Tickets Now 

The Center for Contemporary Dance presents
MAKULU:  A Contemporary African Ballet
on Sunday, December 6 at Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park.  Inspired by actual ecological events surrounding Africa's Serengeti Desert, the performance features students of all ages, pre-professionals and professional dancers.

WINTER PARK, FL - September 8, 2015 - The Center for Contemporary Dance presents its winter concert, MAKULU: A Contemporary African Ballet, at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 6 at Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park.  Featuring students of all ages and the organization's pre-professional dancers, MAKULU (mah-koo-loo) fuses West African and contemporary choreography inspired by the ecological phenomenon of the Great Serengeti Migration, which annually involves the unified movement of thousands of wildebeest and zebra across the African continent. Using animal allegories to highlight the importance of family, MAKULU tells the emblematically true story of a mother wildebeest's courageous journey to bring home her newborn calf and reunite with her herd. Under the artistic direction of Dario J. Moore, MAKULU brings together cultural music, contemporary West African dance and poetic narration by favorite Oprah guest Dr. Tererai Trent, offering audiences of all ages a unique alternative to other holiday dance shows. Selections from the organization's professional ensembles include performances by Moore Dance Project and Dawn Branch Works. Proceeds benefit the organization's cornerstone campaign to Give Kids the Arts!, which annually provides more than 5,000 at-risk youth access to free dance education experiences.  General admission tickets are $12 if purchased in advance and $15 at the door; VIP tickets with reserved seating are $25 (cash/check/credit card). Tickets can be purchased by calling (407) 695-8366 or visiting www.thecenterfordance.org. 

 

"MAKULU means 'strong woman chief' in Zulu," explains Moore, who serves as Artistic Director for The Center for Contemporary Dance and lead choreographer/director for the show. "Above all else, MAKULU is a celebration of family, love and miracles, which are universal ideals seen in all cultures.  Though the show is about one wildebeest named MAKULU, it's really a story about all of us."  Presented for six consecutive years between 2004 and 2009, MAKULU was placed on hiatus to make room for new productions, explains Moore.  "Audiences have been asking for MAKULU to return to the stage, and I'm happy to oblige--it's one of my favorite stories to tell."  

Upon learning about the allegory-rich MAKULU, Dr. Trent was eager to be involved.  Trent is a Zimbabwean-American whose unlikely educational success brought her international fame. Her life story was featured in the book "Half the Sky" and, subsequently,The Oprah Winfrey Show ran a feature on Trent; in 2011, Winfrey revealed that Trent was her all-time favorite guest, and donated $1.5 million so Trent could build a school in her Zimbabwean village.  "I grew up with a grandmother who always taught and imparted the ways of her ancestors through the wisdom of wild animals.  My ancestors are being honored through my involvement in MAKULU," says Trent.  

"Like the character of MAKULU, Dr. Trent is a symbol of strength, resilience and achievement," says Moore, "Through the stories of these inspiring female characters, we are reminded of our own potential for achieving excellence."

 

Dance works in MAKULU highlight a diverse cast of more than 80 students and are choreographed by faculty members and artists from The Center for Contemporary Dance, including Artistic Director Dario J. Moore, Dawn Stewart-Branch, Margo Blake and Jennia Shanley. To learn more, call (407) 695-8366 or visit www.thecenterfordance.org.

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About The Center for Contemporary Dance
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Center for Contemporary Dance is a leading Florida production center for dance performance and community dance education programs. Over the past 14 years, the organization has supported emerging and seasoned artists in the creation and presentation of more than 220 new dance works, including those by Moore Dance Project, U-Turn Dance Company, Mary Love Dance Projects, Coby Project, explore theatre & dance co., DRIP, Dawn Branch Works, Yow Dance, Emotions Dance and more. In addition to producing professional stage productions, the organization develops arts-education programs that reach underserved populations and public schools across 5 Central Florida counties. To learn more, please call (407) 695-8366 or visit www.thecenterfordance.org.