This Friday and next, the Strand Theatre in Uphams Corner will host free cultural events that will give Boston youth a grand venue to express themselves in a surprising range of urban art forms.
The first is tomorrow’s “Peace Groovement” dance event organized by OrigiNation, Inc., the Roxbury-based non-profit that offers “quality dance, theater arts, and African history education for 5 to 18-year-olds.” The second is next Friday’s “One Night Only” spoken word/music mash-up put together by Dot-based ARTiculation. Both presentations are funded through the Boston Foundation’s “My Summer in the City” initiative.
OrigiNation’s Managing Director Musau M. Dibinga explains the genesis of the August 6 dance showcase.
“There’s usually a price associated with going to some event,” Dibinga says. “We had the idea that people from different communities could come together in one peaceful place to see a wide variety of dance from African to Hip Hop to Irish Step—all for free. The theme of the evening is the Boston Dance Community celebrates peace.”
Dibinga reports that the shortest number is three-and-a- half minutes of hip-hop by some boys connected with the group ALEYE (which means “fit to be kings.”) The longest will be an eight minute work she choreographed for her NIA Dance Troupe. Using traditional Congolese dances, Dibinga created a piece depicting two African families showing off their individual dance skills separately, then coming together for the conclusion.
OrigiNation’s guest roster encompasses a diverse array of styles: Ballet Rox, Fedner, Unyted Stylz Crew, ITM (In the Making), Boston Tap Company, Artists for Humanity Street Team and the O’Shea-Chaplin Academy of Irish Dance.
Uphams Corner resident Tory Bullock, who in 2005 founded ARTiculation as a multi-disciplinary arts collaborative, says the August 13 event is best described as an “indoor block party.” “ARTiculation is taking over the Strand ‘For One Night Only.’ To celebrate our 5th year anniversary we’ll be taking the stage with an eclectic group of Boston’s most original performers from Improv comedy to classical/ rock fusion,” Bullock said.
Because ARTiculation has built a strong fan base through its well-reviewed, eclectic shows at local universities and clubs and its relationship with the progressive Company One theater ensemble, the Dorchester native expects a healthy turnout for “One Night Only.”
The evening will feature three Dorchester-based acts: rappers E.O.T, spoken word artist Gianella Flores, and the evening’s emcee and rapper, International Show. Also appearing spoken word artists London Bridgez and Wallace Coar; steel drum band Pan United; R&B group Afro DZ AK All-Stars; classic/rock fusion band Huellas; and sketch comedy group, Friends of Gertrude. The Handy Experience will be the house band.
Both shows run 6 to 8 p.m. and are free. For more information visit strandboston.com.
