Santo Domingo, D.N. – Every February in the United States, we commemorate Black History Month, through which we honor the contributions of African Americans to American culture and society through the ages. To commemorate Black History Month, the United States Embassy in Santo Domingo and the DanceMotion USA program sponsor the dance company Reggie Wilson| Fist and Heel Performance Group dance tour focused on social inclusion from February 15 to the 24th.
The dance company will have two free presentations: the first on Saturday, February 18 at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium Enriquillo Sanchez of the Ministry of Culture in Santo Domingo. In Santiago, the dance company will have a conference called “Afro-centric Roots in American Dance” on Wednesday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Centro Cultural Eduardo León Jimenes.
Reggie Wilson Fist and Heel Performance Group will also hold workshops with teachers of contemporary and folk dance on techniques, movements and how to incorporate groups with special needs in their programs. In addition, they will have gatherings with young dancers and students with special needs.
Presentations and workshops are held in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the National School of Dance, the Mauricio Baez Cultural Center, the Dominican Rehabilitation Association, the National School for the Deaf and the Dominican Association of Down Syndrome.
Other Black History Month commemorative activities include the photo exhibit “The Dream Continues” featuring Camilo José Vergara’s photographic work on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. this will take place on Tuesday, February 21 at 7:00 pm in the Domínico-Americano Cultural Center in Santiago.
The exhibition will be complemented by a discussion of guided readings “It’s Time to Serve Others” and “The Dream Remains, the Work Continues” on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Thursday, February 23 7:00 pm. The exhibition and the public reading are free and open to the public. This last one is organized by the Dominic-American Cultural Center Readers Club in Santiago.
About DanceMotion USA
DanceMotion USA is a State Department program by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, produced by the Brooklyn Academy of Music in order to facilitate cultural exchange while presenting the best of contemporary American dance abroad. This program is a good example of American cultural diplomacy connecting people through dance.
Reggie Wilson / Fist & Heel Performance Group
The Reggie Wilson / Fist & Heel Performance Group is a Brooklyn-based dance company that investigates the intersections of cultural anthropology, movement practices and believes in the potential of the body as a valid medium for knowledge. Their artistic work is a continuous manifestation of the rhythmic languages of the body brought about by the spiritual and everyday traditions of Africa and its diaspora, including the rhythms of Blues, Slave and Gospels. The group has been touring around much of the world.
About Black History Month
The celebration of Black History Month begins in 1915 by African-American research historian Carter G. Woodson, who was the son of former slaves and a fierce defender for African-American rights. Woodson was the founder of the so-called Association for the Study of African-American Life and History, which is now one of the most active organizations in promoting research and education in African-American culture.
