The Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC) will present A Ramp To Paradise on June 27 and 28, 2025 at the Ailey Citigroup Theater,405 west 55th Street. The dance theater work is the brainchild of THPAC executive chairman Alex Smith, Jr. and is based on the short story A Ramp To Paradise conceived and written by Smith. The story centers around a group of friends who attend the famed 1980’s underground dance club-The Paradise Garage.
Smith admits he originally wrote the story as a template for the choreographer, and he is excited about the third incarnation of the work for the 2025 season. The first version was choreographed in 2010 by the then emerging dancemaker Kyle Abraham; and recreated anew in 2012 by THPAC artistic advisor Walter Rutledge. This latest offering and third version will more tightly adhere to Smith’s original storyline.
A turning point came in 2023 when the story was included in the new anthology entitled A River Runs Beneath Us curated by noted author Doug Cooper Spencer. This sparked Smith to once again consider creating a new third version of the dance work for the company’s 2025 spring season. This new work will showcase the work of multiple choreographers and a new music soundtrack/score by DJ Fred Pierce.
The process of using multiple choreographers to create a single dance narrative work is a unique and groundbreaking way to create a dance work. It’s a collaborative approach Smith and THPAC’s present artistic director, Walter Rutledge have been developing over the last several years. This interaction between emerging and established dancemakers allows them to share new movement concepts and established choreographic cannons in a nurturing and creative environment.
Smith also wanted to use A Ramp To Paradise as a way of documenting the life and times of the historic club. “The Paradise Garage was the trend setting underground Black gay dance club that all other clubs have since been measured by. It was the mecca dance club for a predominately Black SGL/LGBTQ clientele In New York City. Located at 84 King Street the “Garage” reined from 1977-1987”, states Smith. He also wanted to recognize all those that danced, celebrated, and found community at the Paradise Garage before the AIDS epidemic changed that entire world.
“As chairman of THPAC, a long-established presenting organization for Black dance artists and others of color, I thought we needed to document the Garage in a dance narrative form. It seemed only natural to me. I just was not sure how. So, I wrote the short story to serve as a foundation to a dance narrative stage production. The Garage was key to my coming of age and it also greatly shaped my taste in music. I intentionally set out to have THPAC add its voice to the historical account that is now being told about this club of clubs. We must tell our own stories”, explained Smith. “A Ramp to Paradise adds to telling and documenting of American dance culture as a whole and that of the decidedly Black LGBTQ+ history.”
This new 90-minute two-act production will showcase the talents of 12 dancers and four choreographers. As a combination thank you and parting gift the Saturday night performance will be followed by a “Garage” afterparty featuring two DJs Fred Pierce and Frankie Paradise. There will also be a buffet and plenty of eye candy. For more information and to purchase tickets visit https://www.thelmahill.org/events
