The Dance of the Village Elders returned to their Harlem home at St. Philips Church, 204 west 134th street, after a five-year CONVID 19 induced hiatus. The return was really a reunion of a very special dance family. You may ask how did you all maintain this relationship for so long? The answer is we have a long and rich history.
The Dance of the Village Elders was the brainchild of Monique Headman who produced the concept of a health and wellness program designed for seniors in 2013 for Harlem Hospital. I was one of three teaching artists hired from a world-renowned dance organization to teach for 12 weeks (one third of the 36-week program). This first year I was the last instructor to teach, and the classes attracted more than forty participants far surpassing the other two instructors.
The next year (2014) I went first and attracted a larger following. For the 2015 dance season I asked Monique could we write the grant together with me teaching the entire 36 weeks. She agreed and 2015 I became the primary instructor.
In 2016 the funding was cut, and Harlem Hospital wanted the dance organization to add some funds to offset the loss. The organization was unable (or unwilling), so we proposed to raise the money, approximately $5,000 ourselves. In the spirit of a Judy Garland/Micky Rooney musical we used a performance as our fundraiser.
At first Harlem Hospital was leery of giving us the 450-seat auditorium because to make it cost effective we would need at least 150 guests. By show time we had sold over 500 tickets. The Village Elders saved their program.
The following fall Harlem Hospital did not want to continue the program unless the dance organization contributed financially. The organization refused – why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free? The program was not renewed.
I pleaded with the organization and in writing offered to teach for free. Our request fell on deaf ears. Then the executive director remined me, “I worked for them, and they would tell me if and when the program would return.” My response in writing was “In the words of Billie Holiday I’ll do nothing till I hear from you.” And we waited and waited.
When the fall granting/funding season was over and we had not heard back we realized what it meant we had become a former program. A program is a funded entity that enhances peoples’ lives and when it becomes financially inconvenient it just disappears. Giving the participants the big corporate middle finger.
This could not happen! We were all invested in the Dance of the Village Elders and had developed a kinship that went beyond the instruction. We had become a dance family and refused to disband. We acquired the permission to use the name from Monique; I designed a logo
We moved the program to St. Philips Church two blocks away at 204 west 134th street and decided to create what we call a dance cooperative. We would raise the money ourselves and control our own dance/wellness cooperative. At St. Philips the Dance of the Village Elders flourished.
We partnered with Dancers of a Variable Population as guest performers for their Riverside Park performances. Dance of the Village Elders created our own opportunities and increased our visibility during Harlem Week, at the Richard Rogers Theater in Marcus Garvey Park and our biannual performances at St. Philips Church. We were on a roll! Then the world closed.
COVID 19 forced us to suspend in person sessions, so we went online. This was not as successful as we hoped because not all our participants were not computer savvy. The classes were eventually suspended.
Despite our hiatus we stayed in touch on facebook, by phone, text and email. It was truly gratifying the steadfast love and support we maintained for each other as we continued to share our lives apart. In the words of gospel icon Dottie Peoples “He’s an on time God” we have returned to our Harlem home. And last week we had our first class in five years.
Ww Are Back Dance of the Village Elders
The enthusiasm was palpable, and the love is real. We thank Canon Rector, Reverend Canon Charles Simmons; The Reverend Deacon Fitzroy Edwards, Curate Kevin Booker Kidd and our guardian angel Parish Administrator Gail Silver for making us feel so welcome again.
We are back at our Harlem home. Come join us. We meet every Thursday from 2:30pm to 3:30pm at St. Philips Church 204 west 134th street. For more information contact Walter Rutledge at walterutledge@gmail.com.
