Canada’s African Dance Heritage Focus of Wendy Michener Symposium at York University

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TORONTO, November 6, 2003 -- Some of North America’s most prominent dance artists, historians and educators will be featured in the 2003 Wendy Michener Symposium Exploring Canada’s African Dance Heritage, taking place November 10, 11, 13 and 17 at York University.

The keynote speaker for the symposium is Jeni LeGon, the legendary dancer, singer and actress who became the first female African-American to obtain a major movie studio contract (MGM’s Hooray for Love) and went on to work with many screen stars, including Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson. LeGon opened her own dance studio in Vancouver in 1969 and has been inspiring young performers to pursue their dreams and develop their talents ever since. Her talk, illustrated with clips from some of her many films, will be enhanced by the appearance of Frank Clavin, a seasoned jazz drummer and singer of ballads and blues.

The other distinguished presenters are:

  • Canadian jazz dancer, choreographer and teacher Leonard (Len) W. Gibson, who studied and performed with internationally renowned American dancer, choreographer and anthropologist Katherine Dunham in New York City. He will share memories and moves from many dance styles during his interactive session.
  • York history professor José C. Curto, a member of York University’s Harriet Tubman Research Centre on the African Diaspora. He will introduce the Tubman Centre with a talk on Documenting African Diasporic Cultures with New Technology.
  • Toronto-based dancer and writer P. Afua Marcus, coordinator of the AfriCan Dance Conference: The Business of Dance, who will speak on the history of African Canadian dance.
  • Dance historian, writer and filmmaker Sally R. Sommer, who will present her most recent documentary, Check Your Body at the Door, focusing on New York City’s club dancing and dancers – among them Archie Burnett, who will join Sommer in her presentation.
  • Dancer, choreographer and educator Zelma Badu-Younge, a York University alumna who has taught and performed worldwide, and co-directs Azaguno, an African drumming and dance company based in West Virginia.

For details, please see the attached program and presenters’ bios. Admission to all presentations is free of charge.

The Wendy Michener Symposium is presented by the Department of Dance and the Graduate Program in Dance, York University in cooperation with dance Immersion, and complements the AfriCan Dance Conference, sponsored by dance Immersion, taking place November 14-16 Toronto’s Metro Hall.

The Wendy Michener Symposium was established in the Faculty of Fine Arts at York University in honour of Canadian arts critic and journalist Wendy Roland Michener. The Symposium provides a forum for discussion of issues and developments in the Canadian cultural scene, past and present.

York University’s dance department was the first to offer a degree program in dance in Canada, and the first in the world to offer a graduate program in dance focusing on dance theory, criticism, and history. A pioneering centre for dance education, research and technology, the department has been a seminal force in Canadian dance performance and scholarship for more than 30 years.

For further information about the 2003 Wendy Michener Symposium Exploring Canada’s African Dance Heritage, call 416 650-8030.

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Media Contact:

Mary-Lou Schagena
Communications
Faculty of Fine Arts
(416) 736-2100 ext. 20421
schagena@youku.ca