The pandemic brought us eviction from our daily normal, akin to the increasing home evictions faced by some in our communities. Eviction in personal and intimate relationships, where the normal activity of touching became a threat to health and life.
The pandemic brought eviction and separation from once-held jobs, once owned businesses, creativity, worship, and play, looming over the community like an unbeatable giant, like a David and Goliath standoff. The great outdoors of beaches, parks, woodlands, etc. became more beloved and desirable for our health and well-being.
The program features two top-notch musical artists. The world premieres of TOUCH and RAIN ON ME will have live accompaniment by the Ballet and Dance Orchestra with scores commissioned by PLGDC and composed by founding Artistic Director of BAD, Ezra Haugabrooks. International Jazz great, Nicole Henry will premiere her first collaboration with PLGDC for a new ballet. Included in the program are world premieres by Peter London, Brooke Logan, Gentry Isaiah George, and Justin Rapaport.
THE STREETS: During this time it is estimated that there has been a significant increase in evictions from homes, exacerbating an already looming crisis.
THE MIAMI DAVID (Rafael del Vizo, Gentry Isaiah George, Aaron Lopez, Leon Cobb): The pandemic has forced people to self-quarantine and mandated lockdowns and the closings of public spaces, like those caught in the Lock-Up/ incarceration system. The pandemic stands like a Goliath against its victims. A seeming insurmountable force and battle.
JOURNEY TO TEA ( Deja Darbonne and Aaron Lopez): The simple act of sharing tea or quality time with a loved one was suspended.
MY BROKEN HEART (Johnnie Wright and Rafael del Vizo): The inability to see loved ones and to touch, or say goodbye, as they made their final transitions, produced devastating emotional trauma for many. Relationships broken, suspended, lost, sudden goodbyes forever.
URBAN SERENGETI-KALINDA WASH (Kalinda, Jade McCartney, the River, Aaron Lopez, Deja Darbonne, Gentry Isaiah George, Rafael del Vizo): One of the pandemic's watch word is "wash your hands". That is if you have clean water or water to spare to wash your hands. Water, and clean water became more crucially vital and essential in the pandemic. Kalinda is the Indian (Sanskrit) word for the sun. Mythology has it that that the Kalindi waters flow from the mountains of the Kalinda to the ocean. In this dance, we acknowledge the divine waters and the sun that is large part, the source of of our existence and renewal, and the pandemic could not have made it more real. more clear.
Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
Photographer: Shameka Seabrook