Give Me the Night is a song recorded by Jazz and R&B musician George Benson, which he released from his 1980 studio album of same title. It was written and composed by Heatwave’s keyboard player Rod Temperton and produced by Quincy Jones. Continue reading
By Walter Rutledge
I believe that children are our future;
Teach them well and let them lead the way.
Show them all the beauty they possess inside.
Give them a sense of pride,
To make it easier;
Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be. George Benson- The Greatest
This is the opening stanza for George Benson’s The Greatest written for the 1977 biopic of the same title about Muhammad Ali. It is also the music and title of a duet choreographed by Arthur Mitchell for Dance Theatre Of Harlem, and in many ways it remains Mitchell’s credo. An Afternoon with Arthur Mitchell presented at the Lenfest Center for the Arts, Columbia University on Saturday, January 20, 2018 was an opportunity to see a master teacher, director, educator and showman in action.
After a short introduction Mitchell and percussionist Baba Don Eaton Lenfest Center for the Arts, Columbia University proceeded to teach the audience a series of polyrhythmic music passages. The highlight was a rare screening of the dance documentary (1973), featuring Mitchell’s ballet Rhythmetron, and a fledgling Dance Theatre of Harlem. Most of the film took place in the basement of the Church of the Master, the home of his first school at 81 Morningside Avenue.
Throughout the film Mitchell shares his gift of dance with the charm, confidence and authority that has become his trademark. He masterfully used popular social dances as a bridge to ballet. Mitchell made classic ballet less foreign and more accessible to the young audience from the Harlem community. It was wonderful seeing a performance by the original cast of Rhythmetron; which featured Lydia Abarca, Yvonne Hall, Virginia Johnson, Ronald Perry and Walter Raines.
Following the film Mitchell took questions from the audience, which included balletomanes, dance history enthusiasts and young dancers from Harlem School Of The Arts and Dance Theatre Of Harlem. At 83 years old Mitchell displayed the same vigor, charisma and irrepressible wit we had seen earlier in the film. Always “Mr. Mitchell”, he shared anecdotes, offered advice, and even corrected deportment with an uncompromising paternal demeanor.
An Afternoon With Arthur Mitchell
In her book Page by Page author Ruth Page has a chapter entitled Father Mitchell 1972. Page writes: “Arthur Mitchell is a person with no vices. He doesn’t smoke or drink, and eats a lot of ice cream. He works very hard and is truly a splendid example for young dancers. He is really a sort of Sir Galahad.”
For more information about the Wallach Art Gallery and the Arthur Mitchell: Harlem’s Ballet Trailblazer exhibition and related events visit wallach.columbia.edu.
Upcoming events include:
Wallach Gallery Talks
Saturday January 27, 2018 1:00 – 1:30PM
Learn more about key works in the Arthur Mitchell archive from different perspectives. All talks begin at 1 pm and meet in the Wallach Art Gallery lobby on the 6th floor. Lynn Garafola, exhibition curator and Professor Emerita of Dance, Barnard College, Columbia University.
Wallach Family Afternoon
Saturday February 10, 2018 1:00 – 3:00PM
An afternoon of storytelling, art-making and movement for families to enjoy together.
Discussion with former dancers from the Dance Theatre of Harlem
Saturday February 24, 2018, 1pm
For more information about the Wallach Art Gallery and the Arthur Mitchell: Harlem’s Ballet Trailblazer exhibition and related events visit wallach.columbia.edu.
The Greatest Love of All is a song was written and recorded to be the main theme of the 1977 film The Greatest, a biopic of the boxer Muhammad Ali. Eight years after George Benson’s original recording, the song became even more well known for a version by Whitney Houston. Continue reading
Jimmy Slyde taps with George Benson on guitar and drummer Jo Jones. Continue reading
Whitney Houston popularized the Michael Masser and Linda Creed song (originally recorded in 1977 by American singer and guitarist George Benson) under the title Greatest Love of All. The song was released in February 1985 on her Arista Records debut self-titled album Whitney Houston. Continue reading
Encounter an artist who changed the face of portrait photography. Seydou Keïta: A Tactile Lens is the most expansive North American exhibition of the legendary Malian photographer’s work to date. More than 280 works include iconic prints, never-before-seen portraits, textiles, and Keïta’s personal artifacts, all brought to life with unique insights from his family.
Brooklyn Museum
To mark the centennial of The New Negro—the groundbreaking 1925 anthology of poetry, essays, and art edited by Alain Locke—The Gay Harlem Renaissance invites visitors to immerse themselves in the richness of Black LGBTQ+ life in the 1920s and 1930s.
The New York Historical
Following a successful Off-Broadway season, A Taste of Ireland returns with its holiday spectacular, A Celtic Christmas! Prepare to be enchanted with some of the world’s finest Irish dancers and musicians bringing the spirit of Christmas to life, in a show that will make you laugh, cry, and sing into the night.
Sheen Center- 18 Bleecker Street , New York, New York, 10012
175 Eighth Avenue
Its Taylor Time! The Paul Taylor Dance Company returns to Lincoln Center’s State Theater November 4 through 23. The company will present a total of eighteen works including the New York premiere of choreographer Hope Boykin and world premieres by resident choreographers Lauren Lovett and Robert Battle.
State Theater- Lincoln Center
Brooklyn Nets vs New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden
4 Pennsylvania Plaza New York NY 10001
Following a successful Off-Broadway season, A Taste of Ireland returns with its holiday spectacular, A Celtic Christmas! Prepare to be enchanted with some of the world’s finest Irish dancers and musicians bringing the spirit of Christmas to life, in a show that will make you laugh, cry, and sing into the night.
Sheen Center- 18 Bleecker Street , New York, New York, 10012
Encounter an artist who changed the face of portrait photography. Seydou Keïta: A Tactile Lens is the most expansive North American exhibition of the legendary Malian photographer’s work to date. More than 280 works include iconic prints, never-before-seen portraits, textiles, and Keïta’s personal artifacts, all brought to life with unique insights from his family.
Brooklyn MuseumTo mark the centennial of The New Negro—the groundbreaking 1925 anthology of poetry, essays, and art edited by Alain Locke—The Gay Harlem Renaissance invites visitors to immerse themselves in the richness of Black LGBTQ+ life in the 1920s and 1930s.
The New York HistoricalEncounter an artist who changed the face of portrait photography. Seydou Keïta: A Tactile Lens is the most expansive North American exhibition of the legendary Malian photographer’s work to date. More than 280 works include iconic prints, never-before-seen portraits, textiles, and Keïta’s personal artifacts, all brought to life with unique insights from his family.
Brooklyn MuseumTo mark the centennial of The New Negro—the groundbreaking 1925 anthology of poetry, essays, and art edited by Alain Locke—The Gay Harlem Renaissance invites visitors to immerse themselves in the richness of Black LGBTQ+ life in the 1920s and 1930s.
The New York HistoricalThe Paul Taylor Gala featuring premieres by resident choreographers Lauren Lovette and Robert Battel
State Theater at Lincoln Center
Following a successful Off-Broadway season, A Taste of Ireland returns with its holiday spectacular, A Celtic Christmas! Prepare to be enchanted with some of the world’s finest Irish dancers and musicians bringing the spirit of Christmas to life, in a show that will make you laugh, cry, and sing into the night.
Sheen Center- 18 Bleecker Street , New York, New York, 10012
Rennie Harris, praised by The New Yorker as "the most brilliant Hip-hop choreographer in America," returns to The Joyce with the New York premiere of American Street Dancer, a new commission that pays tribute to the profound influence of Street Dance on the arts.
Joyce Theater
Toronto Raptors vs Brooklyn Nets at the Barclay Center
Barclay Center Downtown Brooklyn
Encounter an artist who changed the face of portrait photography. Seydou Keïta: A Tactile Lens is the most expansive North American exhibition of the legendary Malian photographer’s work to date. More than 280 works include iconic prints, never-before-seen portraits, textiles, and Keïta’s personal artifacts, all brought to life with unique insights from his family.
Brooklyn MuseumTo mark the centennial of The New Negro—the groundbreaking 1925 anthology of poetry, essays, and art edited by Alain Locke—The Gay Harlem Renaissance invites visitors to immerse themselves in the richness of Black LGBTQ+ life in the 1920s and 1930s.
The New York HistoricalFollowing a successful Off-Broadway season, A Taste of Ireland returns with its holiday spectacular, A Celtic Christmas! Prepare to be enchanted with some of the world’s finest Irish dancers and musicians bringing the spirit of Christmas to life, in a show that will make you laugh, cry, and sing into the night.
Sheen Center- 18 Bleecker Street , New York, New York, 10012
Its Taylor Time! The Paul Taylor Dance Company returns to Lincoln Center’s State Theater November 4 through 23. The company will present a total of eighteen works including the New York premiere of choreographer Hope Boykin and world premieres by resident choreographers Lauren Lovett and Robert Battle.
State Theater at Lincoln Center
Following a successful Off-Broadway season, A Taste of Ireland returns with its holiday spectacular, A Celtic Christmas! Prepare to be enchanted with some of the world’s finest Irish dancers and musicians bringing the spirit of Christmas to life, in a show that will make you laugh, cry, and sing into the night.
Sheen Center- 18 Bleecker Street , New York, New York, 10012
Rennie Harris, praised by The New Yorker as "the most brilliant Hip-hop choreographer in America," returns to The Joyce with the New York premiere of American Street Dancer, a new commission that pays tribute to the profound influence of Street Dance on the arts.
Joyce TheaterEncounter an artist who changed the face of portrait photography. Seydou Keïta: A Tactile Lens is the most expansive North American exhibition of the legendary Malian photographer’s work to date. More than 280 works include iconic prints, never-before-seen portraits, textiles, and Keïta’s personal artifacts, all brought to life with unique insights from his family.
Brooklyn MuseumTo mark the centennial of The New Negro—the groundbreaking 1925 anthology of poetry, essays, and art edited by Alain Locke—The Gay Harlem Renaissance invites visitors to immerse themselves in the richness of Black LGBTQ+ life in the 1920s and 1930s.
The New York HistoricalFollowing a successful Off-Broadway season, A Taste of Ireland returns with its holiday spectacular, A Celtic Christmas! Prepare to be enchanted with some of the world’s finest Irish dancers and musicians bringing the spirit of Christmas to life, in a show that will make you laugh, cry, and sing into the night.
Sheen Center- 18 Bleecker Street , New York, New York, 10012
Rennie Harris, praised by The New Yorker as "the most brilliant Hip-hop choreographer in America," returns to The Joyce with the New York premiere of American Street Dancer, a new commission that pays tribute to the profound influence of Street Dance on the arts.
Joyce TheaterEncounter an artist who changed the face of portrait photography. Seydou Keïta: A Tactile Lens is the most expansive North American exhibition of the legendary Malian photographer’s work to date. More than 280 works include iconic prints, never-before-seen portraits, textiles, and Keïta’s personal artifacts, all brought to life with unique insights from his family.
Brooklyn Museum
A dance and wellness classes design for Older Adults taught by Walter Rutledge
720 Nereid Ave, Bronx, NY 10466
To mark the centennial of The New Negro—the groundbreaking 1925 anthology of poetry, essays, and art edited by Alain Locke—The Gay Harlem Renaissance invites visitors to immerse themselves in the richness of Black LGBTQ+ life in the 1920s and 1930s.
The New York HistoricalRennie Harris, praised by The New Yorker as "the most brilliant Hip-hop choreographer in America," returns to The Joyce with the New York premiere of American Street Dancer, a new commission that pays tribute to the profound influence of Street Dance on the arts.
Joyce Theater
THE LONG AWAITED REURN OF THE STUDIO MUSEUM HARLEM
Studio Museum in HarlemEncounter an artist who changed the face of portrait photography. Seydou Keïta: A Tactile Lens is the most expansive North American exhibition of the legendary Malian photographer’s work to date. More than 280 works include iconic prints, never-before-seen portraits, textiles, and Keïta’s personal artifacts, all brought to life with unique insights from his family.
Brooklyn MuseumTo mark the centennial of The New Negro—the groundbreaking 1925 anthology of poetry, essays, and art edited by Alain Locke—The Gay Harlem Renaissance invites visitors to immerse themselves in the richness of Black LGBTQ+ life in the 1920s and 1930s.
The New York HistoricalRennie Harris, praised by The New Yorker as "the most brilliant Hip-hop choreographer in America," returns to The Joyce with the New York premiere of American Street Dancer, a new commission that pays tribute to the profound influence of Street Dance on the arts.
Rennie Harris, praised by The New Yorker as "the most brilliant Hip-hop choreographer in America," returns to The Joyce with the New York premiere of American Street Dancer, a new commission that pays tribute to the profound influence of Street Dance on the arts.
Joyce TheaterEncounter an artist who changed the face of portrait photography. Seydou Keïta: A Tactile Lens is the most expansive North American exhibition of the legendary Malian photographer’s work to date. More than 280 works include iconic prints, never-before-seen portraits, textiles, and Keïta’s personal artifacts, all brought to life with unique insights from his family.
Brooklyn MuseumTo mark the centennial of The New Negro—the groundbreaking 1925 anthology of poetry, essays, and art edited by Alain Locke—The Gay Harlem Renaissance invites visitors to immerse themselves in the richness of Black LGBTQ+ life in the 1920s and 1930s.
The New York Historical