By Walter Rutledge
Earl Mosley didn’t choose to dance; dance chose him. Growing up in rural North Carolina Mosley was expected to farm the family land. After taking a dance class on a dare any expectations of living an agrarian lifestyle were lost to a career based in movement.
Mosley applied the life lessons from his upbringing to his dance philosophy. He believes that there is room to nurture the entire artist. Mosley has created more than a dance company, instead to establish a dance family.
The Hearts Of Men (presented as part of Ailey Extension) is a two-week workshop that brings together dancers and movement enthusiasts of different ages, disciplines and technical levels. The participant’s work with established teachers, choreographers and arts professionals culminating with two performances on Saturday, September 5 at 7pm and Sunday, September 6, 3pm at the Ailey Citigroup Theater. The philosophy is geared toward a return to artistic integrity.
A Conversation With Earl Mosley
In an age when texting has replaced face-to-face conversation, Mosley has decided to create an environment based on sharing and communicating. He has designed a safe haven where artists can not only work on their craft, but also find solace from another person who is or has experienced a similar problem or situation. In other words, you are not alone
The concept is not new it is really a return to another era, when dancers didn’t usually travel by airplanes it was the director’s station wagon that became official company vehicle, and it lodgings were motels instead of hotels. Thankfully it was an era when dance had intrinsic aesthetic value, and was not just a trick laden competition sport. Despite the hardships and challenge those dancers describe their performance experiences as “a family”.
The two performances this weekend will showcase thirteen works by ten choreographers, and feature eighty performers including an array of accomplished guest artists. The works presented will range from dance theatre to abstract, from complete choreographic statements to movement studies. The common denominator throughout will be a terpsichorean brotherhood expressed through movement.
Tickets are $25 Adult $18 Students we suggest purchasing online to ensuring seating at http://www.alvinailey.org/hearts-of-men-performance.
