By Walter Rutledge
The Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC) presented A Ramp To Paradise at the Ailey Citicorp Theater on June 27th and 28th. The two-day spring performance season showcased the third rendition of the dance theater narrative. The story begins in 1985 at the now celebrated underground nightclub- the Paradise Garage. The sold-out Saturday evening performance was followed by a classic Paradise Garage style after party that lasted from 9pm to 12am (that’s 12 midnight not the Garage’s notorious Sunday noon closing- for those who remember).
Now over a week after the performances have concluded we continue to receive positive feedback from all who experienced the production. The performers didn’t just develop characters, instead they created personas as distinct and individual as a fingerprint. Our choreographers ranged from emerging to established, and each challenged themselves to develop signature styles and movement vocabularies. The result was five solo voices that blended perfectly in a harmonious chorus of dance and movement.
The most gratifying aspect of the experience came from the audience. From the opening narrative to last beat of music they were more than passive participants. They could be best described as “appropriately incorrigible”, clapping and singing along, they enthusiastically yelled, and cat called throughout. Following the performance many were in tears as they shared personal Paradise Garage memories with us.
We wanted to offer you the public an opportunity to continue to share in the Ramp To Paradise afterglow. We are asking you to share your Paradise Garage experience with us. Please tell us about your experience in 250 words or less and or a short video (can be a cell phone selfie) with a brief written narrative. Send material to ramptoparadise@gmail.com we will start posting them beginning Friday, July 11th. We feel this is especially important during this present political climate where history is either being erased and/or inaccurately rewritten. Looking forward to hearing from you and sharing your truth.
In Photo: 1. Paradise Garage Logo 2. Micah Bullard, Justine Delius and Victor Reddick 3. Alex Smith Jr and Company
Bob Gore photographer
