HARRIS THEATER PRESENTS CHICAGO BLACK DANCE LEGACY PROJECT

Najwa Dance Corps

HOUSE IS HOME

Choreographers: Malika' Brenda' Moore, Andrea Vinson, and Michanna Murphy

Music: James Brown, Goliath (Message House Mix). Wadibusa; Written By Abongile Nxumalo, Lungelihle Zwane, Omphile Sathekhe, Tisetso Masangu; Performed by Uncle Waffles and Royal Musiq (featuring Royal Musiq, OPH SAGE & Pcee); Courtesy of Kreativekornerr: Playa Prayer; Written By OVEOUS; Performed by OVEOUS featuring Tasha Blank; Courtesy of Hyper Soul

Performers: Cheryl Barnes, Hasani Cannon, Erica Cork, Najwa Dobrez, Jamerial Goss, Bradlee Lathon, Brenda (Malika) Moore, Michanna Murphy, Jessica Nicholes, Nathaniel Taylor, Andrea Vinson

Program Note: The journey begins with the foundational grooves of James Brown's early music from the 1960s and '70s. From there, we transition into the dynamic and expressive world of Ballroom and Vogue dance, originating from the LGBTQ+ community in New York in the late '70s and early '80s. From there, the choreography culminates with the infectious rhythms and movements of Amapiano dance from South Africa whose musical roots borrow significantly from Chicago House Music and finally to the pulsating heart of Chicago, exploring the energetic and improvisational styles of House Dance and Footwork. This Diaspora Dance Journey is a testament to the enduring power of Black dance culture — its capacity to evolve, inspire, and connect communities, celebrating the shared heritage and continuous innovation that flows through its veins.

About the Company: Najwa Dance Corps (NDC) is a company of professional dancers and musicians dedicated to the preservation of dance styles and techniques of different eras which reflect the African-American dance heritage and experience. NDC has grown over the years by presenting traditional and contemporary dances of Africa and the Caribbean, traditional and contemporary jazz, tap, nostalgic dances, and the developing hip hop styles of the 21st century.

Follow Najwa Dance Corps on Instagram and Facebook.

Move Me Soul

Love Jones

Choreographer: Rasheida Sa'de

Music: Nina Simone

Performers: Destiny Bonner, Akeelah Jaco, Serenity Mahon, Ohenmaa Marshall, Takira Pough, Kristen Spann, Siren Sargent, Bryanna Taylor

Program Note: Love Jones is a mixtape of Nina Simone's musical catalogue that explores the depths of love, womanhood, empowerment and journeying for a young woman named Nina.

About the Company: Move Me Soul is a pre-professional youth & dance company founded by Ayesha Jaco in 2008. The company is committed to providing an innovative platform for inner-city youth and young adults to train and evolve as the next generation of dancers, choreographers, and teachers. Performers are engaged in dancemaking, storytelling, and character development that allows them to curate their own aesthetics of the past, present, and future.

Follow Move Me Soul at www.movemesoul.com, and on Instagram and Facebook.

Muntu Dance Theatre

Continuum

Choreographers: Sekou Tepaka Lunda Conde, Mamadama Conde, and S101

Musical Arrangements: Sekou Tepaka Lunda Conde

Performers: Victor Banies III, Greta Bell, Taye Brown, Donna Callender, Jascinth Coleman, Markeysha Coleman, Aqila Coleman, Markeysha Coleman II, Perahje Cannon, Abdoulaye Conde, Mamadama Conde, Corey Davis, Aleecia Garcia, Cheretta Hill-Botchwey, Selam Kidane, Jeneba Koroma, Sekou Tepaka Lunda Conde, Annie Rochelle McGuire, Calvin Newman, Calvin Newman, Jr., Iyabo Pommells, Shakeena President-Beckford, Olatunde Reed, Delia Tyler

Program Note: The Continuum, conceived and led by Sekou Tepaka Lunda Conde, is a poetic and powerful exploration of the eternal cycle of creation. It begins with the sacred act of planting a seed — an idea, a vision, a legacy — with deep intention. Through care, labor, and unwavering commitment, that seed is nurtured as it grows, faces challenges, transforms, and ultimately bears fruit. This harvest represents cultural integrity, dignity, life lessons, and ancestral wisdom passed from generation to generation.

This work stands as both an offering and a tribute: to the ancestors who laid the foundation, to those who carry the torch today, and to the generations who will inherit and advance the legacy. The Continuum is a living call to honor, remember, and sustain — a sacred cycle rooted in purpose and uplifted by community.

About the Company: Muntu Dance Theatre exists to preserve, celebrate, and educate global audiences about the dance, music, and folklore of the African Diaspora through inspiring and impactful theatrical productions. The company presents both authentic and progressive interpretations of contemporary and traditional African and African-American cultural expressions.

Renowned for its innovative repertory, Muntu remains deeply committed to honoring the integrity of traditional African dance while also creating new works rooted in the vibrant legacies of African, Caribbean, and African-American traditions. Every performance is informed by rigorous cultural research, ensuring that the historical and social significance of each dance — and the communities from which they originate — is thoughtfully respected and powerfully conveyed.

Follow Muntu Dance Theatre at www.muntu.com and on Instagram and Facebook.

M.A.D.D. Rhythms

The Origins of Love

Choreographer: Andrew Carr

Music: Andrew Carr

Performers: Bril Barrett, Andrew Carr, Tanzania Covington, Starinah Dixon, Kelsey Fields, Ellie Guzzano, Caleb Jackson, Devin Mosely, Aneesa Muhammad, Davon Suttles, William Wims

Program Note: This work is a deep dive into the intersecting and interchangeable nature of love by way of expression through the outlet of percussive dance and music. Every number in the show represents a new story being told, each taking a closer look into the countless avenues of love and human interaction that we observe in our everyday lives. Whether it is the young, playful love that we encounter at the beginning of our lives, the shared love expressed within a community over mutual interests, or the infatuation that we experience with a partner or even a crush. Even though the end of each piece may symbolize the end to one story on the surface level, the stories and authentic interactions that we experience as humans will allow these stories to live on forever.

The Origins of Love is a piece that realizes the intersecting nature of tap dance, community, and love. The piece focuses on different “pocket steps” and grooves that pay homage to some of the past and present pioneers of this art form, including Gregory Hines, Lon Chaney, and Dorrance Dance.

About the Company: M.A.D.D. Rhythms preserves, promotes, and contributes to tap by teaching its history, representing its culture, and advocating for its future. M.A.D.D. Rhythms makes a difference in under-served communities by connecting and caring for youth through tap and believes that having access and options gives a child a greater chance at a positive life. M.A.D.D. Rhythms spread the joy, love, discipline, and expression of tap to as many children as possible and work diligently to ensure that all students have the opportunity to dance, regardless of their financial situation. Its youth apprenticeship program Studio to Stage is an alternative to the school-to-prison pipeline.

Follow M.A.D.D. Rhythms at www.maddrhythms.com and on Instagram and Facebook.

Praize Productions, Inc.

The Threshing Floor

Choreographer: Ennerèssa LaNette

Music: Gospel Medley arrangement by Dave Felton, Spoken Word by Ennerèssa LaNette

Performers: Shanna Cruzat, Brianne Davis, Jada Dudley, Hazel Gates, Allison Harsh, Miranda McGovern, Genesis Medious, Dorianne Thomas, Erica Wade, Terri Woodall

Program Note: The Threshing Floor is more than a place; it’s a sacred encounter. Spiritually, it represents a divine moment of separation, purification, and breakthrough, where God gently but powerfully removes what no longer serves us to make room for something greater.

In this stirring new work, Ennerèssa LaNette draws from her Baptist roots in the Black church to tell a deeply spiritual story of intercession led by the “mothers” of the church. Through them, we witness a breaking of the old and an ushering in of unlimited newness.

Set to an evocative musical arrangement by Grammy Award–winner Dave Felton, this work is a testament to the enduring way Black people have always known to call on our Divine for guidance, healing, and transformation.

About the Company: Praize Productions, Inc. (PPI) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) arts-based organization located on the South Side of Chicago. PPI’s award-winning professional company, RIZE Pro-Elite, is composed primarily of women of color. This sisterhood of artists cultivates a safe space for artistic excellence, personal growth, and empowerment, while also inspiring and developing the next generation of Black women leaders.

Through high-quality, thought-provoking productions and arts programming, PPI amplifies the voices and stories of Black artists and communities. While delivering work on professional stages, PPI remains deeply rooted in community engagement, cultural relevance, and connectedness.

Follow Praize Productions at www.praizeproductions.com and on Instagram and Facebook.