By Walter Rutledge
The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (CBDLP) will present Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions on Saturday August 23, 6pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance (205 E. Randolph Street). Co- Directors Kevin Iega Jeff and Mashaune Hardy in coordination with co-curators Gary Abbott and Jeff have assembled a cast of ten of Chicago’s most exciting and progressive dance companies. This production will put meaning/message to movement for a transformative evening celebrating the city’s Black dance excellence. It will also emphasize the historic impact of Black dance on the cultural identity of the city of Chicago.
The Chicago Multicultural Dance Company and Hiplet Ballerinas, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Forward Momentum Chicago, Joel Hall Dancers & Center, M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Move Me Soul, Muntu Dance Theatre, NAJWA Dance Corps, Praize Productions, and The Era Footwork Collective will all grace the Harris Theater stage in an event inspired by in part by the Beloved Community concept discussed in detail by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King. In my mind’s eye a Dr. King sermon brings images of me standing on the precipice of a large mountain my arms outstretched as I yell, “Free at last. Free at last. My black ass is free at last.” But we were not unfamiliar with his Beloved Community sermon, and since knowledge is power, we have decided to share this powerful concept with you.
In Dr. King’s idyllic Beloved Community peace, justice, and love would be the prevailing expectations for humankind. An environment where all individuals are empowered to reach their full potential. King did not see his Beloved Community as a utopian society, but as an obtainable global vision of interconnectedness. A world where people work together to overcome social and economic inequalities. (Seems like the kind of thing the Black lady who lost the election was talking about).
The mission of the The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project – Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions encapsulates this concept popularized by Dr. King. The project will present ten dance companies moving forward together united, creative and committed. The camaraderie and collective quest for Black dance excellence has generated a spiritual kinship that will radiant far beyond the Harris Theater stage.
Beloved Community wasn’t tied to a single speech or location, but rather, it was a recurring theme in his writings, speeches and sermons throughout his career. This version was recorded during a victory rally in Montgomery, Alabama, after the US Supreme Court decision to desegregate buses. Dr. King delivered a sermon entitled The Birth of a New Nation in Montgomery, Alabama, on April 7, 1957, at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. The Beloved Community concept was part of his oration, and in this excerpt below please feel free to read along with the close caption. Seeing the words gives the sermon considerable more power and purpose.
Martin Luther King Beloved Community
Since we are discussing a Dr. King sermon we are so glad this production dispels the new testament’s comments and conclusions of Luke 4:24. In the bible given to our enslaved ancestors (King James version) it says, “And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.” The Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project’s Unbound: Shattered Frames, Endless Visions will present Chicago – based artists offering prophetic performances celebrating Black dance excellence in their own beloved Chicago community. For more information and tickets visit harristheaterchicago.org.
