Co-presented with Harlem Stage
Major support provided by The Rockefeller NYC Cultural Innovation Fund
About Breaking Ground with Bill T. Jones
A New Series is Launched: On October 9, 2007, the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company launched an on-going Harlem community dialogue series in partnership with Harlem Stage, taking place at Harlem Stage's The Gatehouse. Artistic Director, Bill T. Jones, moderates this compelling public "talk show" series, featuring a multi-generational, cross-section of distinguished cultural and civic leaders, artists and thinkers. "Breaking Ground" focuses on a diverse range of subject matter from creativity to politics and creates an open conversation between some of our best minds and the broader public.
A Harlem Community Gathering: Each program is a collaboration between the audience and the guests, and is a large-scale "salon" with Jones as the catalyst for stimulating exchanges. A discussion between guests and Jones (which may include performances by the guests) begins the program. After the discussion/performances, the forum is open to questions and comments from the audience. Communal participation is followed by a raffle drawing to win tickets and prizes, and then a post-event reception takes place where guests and audience members meet and greet. On-line web casts and/or pod casts of each program are posted on this web site in addition to an on-line interactive forum (links to each).
CHASE Lead Sponsor: "The questions that will be examined during 'Breaking Ground' are relevant to ensuring a continual re-examination of important artistic, political, social and cultural issues in a fast-changing world," said Kimberly B. Davis, President of the JPMorgan Chase Foundation. "The JPMorgan Chase Foundation believes that investments in art and culture are important to building vibrant communities, and we value our long association with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company."
Don't Miss The Next Breaking Ground
Harlem, Cultural Capital: Naming the Future
Tuesday, June 18, 2008 7:30 PM
Join us for the next Breaking Ground with Bill T. Jones at Harlem Stage Gatehouse.
For tickets: www.harlemstage.org
Location:
Harlem Stage Gatehouse
150 Convent Avenue (W. 135 & Convent Ave.)
212-281-9240 ext. 19
Recent Dialogues
Harlem, Cultural Capital: Naming The Future
"Naming things is only the intention to make things"--poet Frank O'Hara, "Memorial Day 1950"WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2008, 7:30 PMBill T. Jones' third in a series of invigorating community dialogs focused...
Harlem - The Scene
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 7:30 PM
This lively discussion was given poetic resonance with a reading by essayist and activist Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts accompanied by musician /composer Craig Harris as well as a performance by hip-hop artist Swave Sevah. Jones led the moderated discussion which expanded upon subjects such as, where do artists (musicians, poets, dancers, actors, singers) hang out now? What are the various Harlem social scenes? Is there a racial and ethnic divide? How are things changing with the encroachment of gentrification? Is there still an innovative jazz scene? Are there places and restaurants where locals go to hang? What kind of impact does tourism have on the neighborhoods? In addition to Rhodes-Pitts, Harris, and Sevah, guests included author and cultural historian, Michael Henry Adams, and author, restaurateur and former opera singer, Alexander Smalls.
Link to pod cast
Special thanks to WNYC for providing the recording of Harlem-The Scene
Harlem Cultural Capital?
Tuesday, October 9, 2007 7:30 PM
Mr. Jones kicked-off the first program by asking, what is a "cultural capital?" And is Harlem considered one? Joining Mr. Jones were guests: actor, director and producer, Kamilah Forbes; president and CEO, United Negro College Fund, Dr. Michael Lomax; State Senator, Bill Perkins; and writer and activist, Kevin Powell. Each guest debated the "cultural capital" questions as they offered their stories and perspectives on cultural identity, ethnicity, history, public policy, citizenship, and Harlem's place in the world and as it lives in our collective imaginations. Enthusiastic audience participation ensued and a fun reception immediately followed.
Special thanks to New Heritage Films; Executive Producer, Voza Rivers; Executive Artistic Director, Jamal Joseph for the videotaping of Harlem, Cultural Capital?
