For 147 years, 92nd Street Y has been serving its communities and the rest of the world with groundbreaking programs in the performing and visual arts; literature and culture; adult and children’s education and more. Relating to dance, the 92Y Dance Center was formed in 1935, offering classes taught by Modern dance pioneers such as Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, Hanya Holm and Charles Weidman. Alvin Ailey premiered his iconic signature work Revelation at 92Y in 1960, in 1994 the annual Harkness Dance Festival was first launched at the 92Y, and the Dance Education Laboratory (DEL) was founded there in 1995 by Jody Gottfried Arnhold. Many dance artists continue to launch their careers performing at the 92Y.
Marking the long awaited return of a full dance season to 92Y’s historic Kaufmann Concert Hall, the 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center has announced that its 2021-22 Mainstage Series continues with the in-person performance of An Evening of Hope on Thursday, October 21, 2021. Hope Boykin is a veteran of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, performing with the company for 20 years. An Evening of Hope will feature several of her renewed works and the New York City premiere of Redefine US, From The INside OUT. An Evening of Hope will be available via streaming Friday October 22, noon ET – Sunday, October 24, midnight ET.
Hope Boykin – Photo courtesy of the artist.
The Evening of Hope Program Includes
Redefine US, From The INside OUT (New York City Premiere)
No, Don’t (Ne Me Quitte Pas)
Again, Ave
About Her. Me.
… with Your name.
The incredible cast includes Hope Boykin, Patrick Coker, Alisha Rena Peek, William Roberson, Deidre Rogan, Martina Viadana, and Terri Ayanna Wright.
“When given the opportunity to have An Evening of Hope, I wanted to take a look back at my life as a dance maker and rethink, renew, and revise what today’s Hope may have made,” comments Boykin. “What would the 21st century, retired performer, say differently more than 20 years later? Two of the works explore this idea… No, Don’t (Ne Me Quitte Pas) and Again, Ave (an excerpt from Ave-s). Watching dancers I have known for so long approach movement I created while at their age, all while finding new understanding; discovering I should have given more weight to my voice as a creator, and honored the person I was hoping to become. Performing in New York City again, in a program called An Evening of Hope is really more about me embracing who I am, and what I want to continue to bring to our world of art. Nothing can stop truly stop an artist, but the artist themselves. I have waited, sometimes patiently, for my turn, permission to be given. Who have I been waiting on and why? I can’t wait anymore.”
In-Person Performance
Thursday, October 21, 8 pm ET, $30 General Admission, $10 Students
Streaming
Friday October 22, noon ET – Sunday, October 24, midnight ET – $15 – 92Y.org/event/hope-boykin
For more information and to purchase tickets, click HERE.
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Want More?
The Mainstage Series will continue with:
YIN YUE DANCE COMPANY
In Person – Thu, Nov 18, 8 pm, $30 general admission / $10 student
Streams On Demand – Fri, Nov 19, 12 pm – Sun, Nov 21, 12 am, $15
The Yin Yue Dance Company present a world premiere alongside existing repertoire.
MICHELLE DORRANCE, DORMESHIA & GUESTS
In Person – Thu, Dec 16, 8 pm, $30 general admission / $10 student
Streams On Demand – Fri, Dec 17, 12 pm – Sun, Dec 19, 12 am, $15
Michelle and Dormeshia host an evening of tap dance.
Harkness Dance Center Artists in Residence
PASSION FRUIT DANCE COMPANY, BAYE & ASA
In Person – Thu, Feb 24, 8 pm, $30 general admission / $10 student
Streams On Demand – Fri, Feb 25, 12 pm – Sun, Feb 27, 12 am, $15
Artists in Residence, Baye & Asa and Passion Fruit Dance Company present their dynamic choreographic styles in tandem, showcasing celebrated past works.
CALEB TEICHER & CONRAD TAO
In Person – Thu, Mar 3, 8 pm, $30 general admission / $10 student
Streams On Demand – Fri, Mar 4, 12 pm – Sun, Mar 6, 12 am, $15
Caleb Teicher and Conrad Tao present the New York City premiere of their collaborative duet Counterpoint.
WITH CARE (NYC Premiere) — Created by Bobbi Jene Smith in collaboration with Keir GoGwilt
Bobbi Jene Smith (dancer), Or Schraiber (dancer), Keir GoGwilt (violinist), and Miranda Cuckson (violinist)
In Person – Thu, Apr 28, 8 pm, $30 general admission / $10 student
Streams On Demand – Fri, Apr 29, 12 pm – Sun, May 1, 12 am, $15
FUTURE DANCE FESTIVAL
In Person – Thu, May 26, 8 pm, $30 general admission / $10 student
Streams On Demand – Fri, May 27 – 12 pm – Sun, May 29 – 12 am, $15
The Future Dance Festival builds on 92Y’s rich legacy of presenting the work of pioneering dance artists who propel the art form forward.
JONATHAN FREDRICKSON
In Person – Thu, Jun 23, 8 pm, $30 general admission / $10 student
Streams On Demand – Fri, Jun 24, 12 pm – Sun, Jun 26, 12 am, $15
Jonathan Fredrickson, of Tanztheater Wuppertal, presents an evening length world premiere created specifically for the Kaufmann Concert Hall space.
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92Y Health & Safety Protocol
MASKS MUST BE WORN BY EVERYONE OVER THE AGE OF 2, REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS.
STARTING MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2021: ADULTS AND CHILDREN AGE 12+ MUST SHOW PROOF OF VACCINATION UPON ARRIVAL AT 92Y.
To read more about the 92 Street Y, click HERE.
Written and compiled by Jeff Slayton from a 92Y press release.
Featured image: Hope Boykin – Photo by Steve Vaccariello
