2012 NYC Black Pride Heritage Awards, Wednesday, August 15th at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

NYC Black Pride celebrates 15 years of community awareness.  This year’s pride season will kick-off on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 with a five day celebration that includes “The Black Pride Heritage Awards" which will honor Tony Award winner Hinton Battle, highly acclaimed Director and Producer of Paris Is Burning, Jennie Livingston, Kim Ford, Laurence Pinckney, Ralph Emerson, Lee Daniels, Monica Roberts, Christian Ruart, Kaz Mitchell, Byron Barnes, Tona Brown, Ayana Elliot Christian, Junior LaBeija, Dray Ebony, Derek Murphy Ebony, Kenny Chanel, Selvin Khan, Tree/Jaszi/Jahlove and NY Senator Eric Adams, among others.

In celebration of this incredible milestone, we have expanded our committee of health organizations, local business and community leaders to also include youth organizers and media companies. Lee Soulja, the executive director of NYC Black Pride says, We are striving to be a united community organization and present  quality cultural events.

We want to not only lead by example but also empower our youth to take control of their lives and the future.” Lee Soulja continues, “Let’s be the change we seek!” 

Doors Open at 6:00pm

Red Carpet from 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Welcoming Presentation Starts at 7:15pm

Awards Ceremony Begins at 7:30pm

Closing Remarks & Ending at 9:00pm

A few of our proud sponsors and partners include;

GMAD, Gilead, GO Magazine, GBM News, Harlem United, Circle of Voices Inc. and Scenario USA.

NYC Black Pride will begin on Wednesday August 15, 2012 and run through Sunday August 19, 2012   www.nycblackpride.com or www.facebook.com/nycblackpride.

PLEASE RSVP for this event at NYCBlackPrideAwards.eventbrite.com

ABOUT GMAD

In 1986, Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD) was conceptualized in New York City, a result of the vision of founder, The Reverend Charles Angel who embarked on a mission to empower the black gay men. In the many New York neighborhoods, gay black men continued to exist below the radar: Black men were dying in silence from HIV/AIDS because prevention funds did not reach them; Black gay youth were becoming homeless and resorting to violence and prostitution as a result of feelings of isolation, alienation and harassment; Black gay men were suffering from depression and insecurity because they feared coming out and most importantly black gay men felt unsupported by the community at large. Reverend Angel recognized that the need was a hybrid need that was being left unaddressed. Historically, these men had been forced to prioritize their battles as if each was mutually exclusive. They were simply not just black or not just men or not just gay --- they were all three of these things. GMAD stepped in to fill a void and connect the dots. Choosing not the path of least resistance but one of challenge and uncertainty, Reverend Angel and his colleagues took on the role - and the weight - of community activists in order to create parity for the black gay community.

Romelda Teron Benjamin LIVE @ The Triad

Romelda Teron Benjamin

MY WAY 

LIVE @ The Triad

Tonight - 7/30 @ 9:30PM

158 W. 72 ST - NYC

NEW YORK, NY – July 24, 2012- The Triad Theatre Presents Broadway’s Romelda Teron Benjamin making her cabaret debut in her new solo show, “My Way!” on Monday, July 30th at 9:30pm. “My Way” features Musical Director Michael Mitchell on Piano, Lonnie Christian on Drums, David Rosenthal on Guitar and on Bass, Chelton Grey. Together, they create Romelda Teron Benjamin’s “My Way” – “a powerful evening of fun, laughter and a whole lot of sangin'!” says Benjamin.

Featured in Broadway's Brooklyn and Pre-Broadway's Catch Me If You Can, critics have hailed Benjamin:

"...a vocal knockout!" Talkinbroadway.com, 

Matthew Murray, "...a hallelujah gospel solo voice..." 

David Cameron, "...A powerhouse... irresistible!" 

Barbara Adams, 

"Romelda Teron Benjamin hitting her mark with some big notes 

and impressing the audience in doing so." 

Steve Clare, Examiner.com.

Tickets are $15 + 2 drink minimum at: www.brownpapertickets.com The Triad is cash only. The Triad Theatre is located at 158 West 72nd Street (between Broadway & Columbus) www.triadnyc.com -

Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "XIX International AIDS Conference / Brave Soul Collective"

XIX International AIDS Conference 

Brave Soul Collective

“We don't set out to save the world; we set out to wonder how other people are doing and to reflect on how our actions affect other people's hearts.” 

                                                             ― Pema Chödrön


Last night, I shared my story "Shadows & Lights" amongst a group of leaders, believers, dreamers and just great beings.  I am grateful and full of joy.  Much gratitude for the generosity and support.  WE are ALL same and that vibration was definitely present.  


Tonight I join Brave Soul Collective as we continue to "Turn the Tide" and inspire lives through live theater, dance, and music.


Join us if you can.

DIONNE WARWICK RECEIVES NBLCA AWARD FROM VIRGINA C. FIELDS AT THE FORUM 3, THEMBALETHU BEADER CAMPAIGN PHOTO SHOOT

On July 9^th Dionne Warwick, former Health Ambassador for the Reagan administration and current US Ambassador of the 46664 Nelson Mandela Foundation received an award from the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, Inc. at the FORUM 3 photo shoot for THE THEMBALETHU BEADER CAMPAIGN in collaboration w/COVER GIRLS FOR CHANGE at 16 Beaver Studio in New York City.

L to R: Richard E. Pelzer II, Tamecca Tillard, Virgina C. Fields, Dionne Warwick, Camille Evans & Phillip A. Hilton
Photos Courtesy of Steven Littles for Swollen Eye Productions

In addition to Ms. Warwick photo participants included President of NBCLA Virginia C. Fields and NBCLA VP for Administration Phillip A. Hilton along with the producers of the campaign Camille Evans, Richard Pelzer and Tamecca Tillard of Forum 3.  Ms. Warwick an ardent fighter of HIV/AIDS and pioneer within the Black community for promoting health reform and awareness of this disease has joined forces with several Celebrity, fashion, and film notables to produce two photo shoots, which will be the catalyst for a global human rights campaign in an effort to bring economic stability, health reform and awareness to women’s rights starting in South Africa which has the highest rate of HIV in the world.

Proceeds from the campaign will benefit the Thembalethu Beaders.  www.thembalethubeaders.org

FORUM 3 is a philanthropic entertainment and media company devoted to producing public good and innovation. FORUM 3 (created by Tamecca Tillard, Richard E. Pelzer II & Camille Evans) leverages every facet of pop culture, celebrity and media relations to spark social movements, to ignite dialogue and debates about pressing policy and to influence and mobilize the masses. When we are not producing campaigns or investing in social ventures, we are helping corporations and organizations embrace, devise, fulfill, measure and evaluate their ethical commitments to people, planet and profit.

Contributing Sponsors: MEGA Management, CME Group, Element 9, 16 Beaver Studio, K&M Rentals, Go Studios, Zephra Magazine,  Steven Littles

Now Live: First National Deal Site For Gay Men

Groupon- and LivingSocial-type, just-in-time daily deal sites are growing like blue plate specials, but, until now, there has been no such Web-shopping service devoted to the most Web-savvy, most affluent, well-travelled and impulse-buying consumers: gay men. A new site, DirectMale.com, hopes to get first-mover advantage.

The Washington, D.C.-based online voucher company, which launched just under a month ago, is selling upscale goods and services featuring local and national offers from bars, clubs, restaurants, spas, salons, travel, hotels, cruises and much more. 

While the Direct Male site is new, the service isn't. The 20-year-old company actually started as a direct-mail business with a 100,000-person opt-in database, where participating households got "card decks" in their mailboxes, with offers from the likes of Jim Beam Brands, the National Gay and Lesbian Travel Association, British Airways and GlaxoSmithKline.

"We are the first national player in this space," says founder and CEO Andrew Isen. "Last summer, when we began to put everything together, we thought we would do it local but the gay male market is so strong that we opted to go nationally out of the bag." He says the niche market, because of the liquidity of its population and its willingness to part with cash for the right products, has become a much-coveted segment in the last two decades. "And because gay men are brand loyal, [marketers] know the value of targeting this segment."  

Isen says that rather than focus on deals-of-the-day the site will have a regular rotation of timed offers. Isen says they are much more affluent than the general market, with the gay male consumer earning nearly double the average household income with 70% more disposable income. The company says that in the U.S. there are about 12.3 million gay men over the age of 18, and 93% of them are active online consumers.

He says among products and services that are popular with gay men -- bespoke clothing that would otherwise be hard to find, skin care, and personalized household products and apparel, for example -- travel is one of the biggest. "We are offering, for example, a trip to a gay-friendly resort in Nicaragua. Travel is one of the biggest items and categories in the gay segment. And it always has been." He points out that roughly 80% of gay men have passports, which is double national average. They travel substantially more than any other niche; the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association has 3,000 members. "Today, every airline and hotel chain has gay-specific services. Winn Las Vegas, for example, has a concierge dedicated to gay clientele."

Per Isen, gay men are, per capita, on the Internet more than any other niche segment. Direct Male is mobile optimized. "The newest studies show that gay male consumers -- over 40% -- will only use mobile smart devices to make web purchases. They will only use smartphones or tablets."

Zolra's Corner: Fried Chicken for Breakfast?

Before I begin, let me just say one thing. This blog post is not about Barack Obama or Al Sharpton. I just found this picture of these two eating fried chicken together, and I had to post this one. Now let's move on.

This has got to be crazy. Who in the world eats fried food for breakfast, and right out of the grease? When I saw that, I wanted to vomit.

Right after my neighbors found my dog after he wandered off when my parents took him out, I was completely exhausted. I was working extremely hard on topics to write for the blog last night, it kept me up all night. Then there was knock on my bedroom door, which interrupted my sleep. That put alot of anger inside of me. It's the one thing I absolutely hate. When I am peacefully sleeping, I want no one to interrupt me. If you do, you might get cussed at for the next ten minutes. That's how upset I get when I am interrupted in my sleep.

Since my dog worried me because he wandered off, I was up for the next two hours after my neighbors found him and brought him back home. I was lying on the couch in the living room, watching the E! Network constantly. Suddenly, my stomach was rumbling like boiling water ready to come up my backside. I didn't feel like cooking. So I went to the grocery store two blocks away from the house. I put on some dress clothes and walked to the store.

I entered the store at nine in the morning. I looked around for those fifty cents honey buns. I wasn't going to buy the traditional high school breakfast. Hot chips and Arizona Fruit Punch.

When I saw the Honey Buns, I grabbed one and started taking my money out. I always have my money out before I check out. I know what the price is. So what's the use waiting until it's your turn. You want to get the heck out of that line right? Then make sure your money is out before it's your time. The only time you can do that is when you are going to use your credit card.

Once the person in front of me placed his food on the shelf, I can hear a loud conversation going on behind me. I turned around and saw a cooking lady giving a man this five dollar bag of chicken.

"This is going to be a good breakfast for me," he said.

I knew it was fried chicken because it was the only food fresh out the grease that morning. First of all, who would be cooking fried chicken at nine in the morning? I only eat fried chicken between noon and midnight. I have never seen someone eat chicken for breakfast.

This is just my opinion. Chicken should stay as a lunch or dinner option. I don't want to see myself walking past a group of people in the city, carrying a brown paper bag of chicken with the grease leaking out of the bag. That will be an embarrassing scene.

I put my sixty cents in front of the front desk man, and walked out of that store as fast as I could. I ate half of it on the way, and then I took a nap on the couch. In the beginning, I wanted to microwave some pancakes, but the fried chicken ruined my breakfast that morning.

What has happened to the future of society's eating habits?

Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "XIX International AIDS Conference features Cornelius Jones Jr."

XIX International AIDS Conference 

features Cornelius Jones Jr

“To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest.” 

                                                                                        ― Pema Chödrön

XIX INTERNATIONAL AIDS Conference presents Cornelius Jones Jr.

Making his return to the nation’s capital

Broadway’s Cornelius Jones Jr.

in his new solo-show/poetic memoir

SHADOWS & LIGHTS 

“Cornelius Jones’s life is a profile in courage.”

-Washington City Paper

“...highly reflective, purposeful, and raw oral history..”

-Ramon Johnson, gaylife.about.com

“...the creation of a new form of myth among gay black men, a kind

of “Everyman” of the modern age and this community."

-Philip Fletcher, dctheatrescene.com

"impressive is Jones’ ability to transform that self-awareness into a frank,

funny, and revealing one-man show."

-Aaron Weiner, WashingtonCityPaper.com

"His minimalist writing, recalling in some ways e.e. cummings, carves out finely designed pictographs for the mind to explore."

--Pandora Scooter, CEO Fushicho Entertainment & Spoken Word Artist

“Jones' prose pops and percolates, possessing an immediacy and energy so electric… you will be on the edge of your seat, captured by the rapture of Jones' "a-to-the-men" testimonies on love and lust, hurt and healing, sadness and celebration."

- James Earl Hardy, author of the bestselling B-Boy Blues series

“Cornelius is simply masterful with the poetic word in Shadows and Lights; he writes with a fire in his soul that burns in the rhythm of his prose.  He teaches us not only how to live, but how to love - especially ourselves!”

- Lee Hayes, author of The Bad Seed, Passion Marks, and the forthcoming The First Male

What: Shadows & Lights

Who: Cornelius Jones Jr./SHADOWS & LIGHTS presented by

XIX International AIDS Conference

Where: GLOBAL VILLAGE MAINSTAGE – Washington Convention Center

801 Mount Vernon Place NW, Washington, DC 20001

When: Tuesday July 24 @ 7:00PM

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Info: www.aids2012.org - www.corneliusjonesjr.com

Press Contact: info@corneliusjonesjr.com, 917-334-7526

About Shadows & Lights

Broadway Actor Cornelius Jones Jr. brings together an intimate program of spoken word, movement, and song. Crowd favorites such as: Pump, Plié, Jump, Vulnerability, House Music and Still Swimming are performed to illustrate socially charged topics rooted in love, hope, and solidarity. In this original solo-performance Cornelius courageously shares how it is to live and survive with HIV; as a gay man and as a performing artist. Paying homage to leaders who have helped shaped him; and all the young men and women with dreams, who have grown up gay, who have become positive, and who have not had the chance to express their experiences, the performance aims to be beacon of hope in which we accept our circumstances and move on to become better for ourselves and for our community.

2010 Lorraine Hansberry Nia Award Recipient

2009 Capital Fringe Festival “Best of Fest” awarded by DCTheaterscene.com

2008 Midtown International Theater Festival Nominee:

    Outstanding Performance in a Solo-Show

Cornelius Jones Jr. 

Actor-Author-Playwright-Performance Artist-Educator

Featured in Broadway’s The Lion King &

in the LOGO and Gilead sponsored PSA:

“I AM LIVING MY TRUTH”,

which aired on MTV's LOGO Network.

Artist Information:

www.corneliusjonesjr.com

About the XIX International AIDS Conference

AIDS 2012 will bring together leading scientists, public health experts, policy makers and the HIV-affected community to translate recent momentous scientific advances into action that will address means to end the epidemic within the current context of significant global economic challenges.

The conference will have a positive impact on the HIV and AIDS response globally, and in the United States and Washington, D.C. in particular. The theme, Turning the Tide Together, captures the uniqueness of the moment, with the AIDS epidemic reaching a defining point. By acting decisively on recent scientific advances in HIV treatment and biomedical prevention, the momentum for a cure and vaccine, and the continuing evidence of the ability to scale up key interventions in the most-needed settings, we now have the potential to change the course of HIV and AIDS.  Turning the Tide Together captures the current sense of hope and the renewed optimism that a change of course in the HIV epidemic is possible. it also serves as an urgent call to action. It acknowledges that seizing this potential and actually turning the tide on HIV will require commitment and action on many levels: that each and every stakeholder in the AIDS response must play their roles.

A Celebration of our Sons through Words and Images

OPENING ART RECEPTION

Saturday, July 21, 2012, 5pm - 8pm

A Celebration of our Sons through Words and Images is a group art exhibition by ten visual artists, inspired by author Kahlil Koromantee’s latest book release titled “Message to a Youngblood”, a guide book for young males of African descent, particularly those who society considers at risk. What began as an interest in the book’s illustrations by young artists eventually became a collective desire to not only showcase some of these amazing illustrations, but also invite established artists to share their own amazing images and interpretations of young males of African descent, capturing their determination, creativity, pride, originality, purpose and resilience.


“Young Black males in New York City are in a state of emergency. Unjust stop & frisks by police, warehousing in inner-city schools, and very few training and job opportunities are leading to increased crime and very little hope for many inner-city young men. We are bombarded with negative images and stories of young Black men in the media, so this art exhibition, which includes work by young Black male artists, is an attempt to control our own script, and present these men in a positive light for a change”, says exhibiting photographer Ocean Morisset.


The exhibition, a Celebration of our Sons through Words and Images opens on Saturday July 21, 2012 with an artist reception from 5pm-8pm at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Art gallery located on the 2nd floor at 163 West 125th street, east of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. The exhibition is on view through August 8th by appt. To schedule an appointment after the opening, contact the Curator, Gregory Mills at (212) 749-5298

TODAY is Jackie Washington Day!!!

Jackie's Back is a 1999 television movie directed by Robert Townsend. It premiered on the Lifetime Television Network on June 14, 1999.

Presented as a mockumentary, Jackie's Back chronicles the life and career of Jackie Washington (Jenifer Lewis), a 1960s/1970s R&B diva. After several years of toiling in obscurity, Washington decides to organize her own comeback concert with filmmaker Edward Whatsett St. John (Tim Curry) filming the event. The film also features numerous cameo appearances by celebrities.

• Jenifer Lewis as Jackie Washington
• Tangie Ambrose as Shaniqua Summers Wells (Jackie's daughter)
• T.V. Blake as Antandra Washington (Jackie's daughter)
• Loretta Devine as Snookie Tate (Jackie's childhood friend)
• Tim Curry as Edward Whatsett St. John
• Whoopi Goldberg as Nurse Ethyl Washington Rue Owens (Jackie's sister)
• Tom Arnold as Marvin Pritz (Jackie's former manager)
• Robert Bailey, Jr. as Wilson Wells (Jackie's grandson)
• Alan Blumenfeld as Ivan
• Loren Freeman as Kim
• Johnny Brown as Reverend Eustace Barnett
• Julie Hagerty as Pammy Dunbar
• David Hyde Pierce as Perry
• Kathy Najimy as Lola Molina
• Kyla Pratt as Little Jackie Washington
• Isabel Sanford as Miss Krumes
• JoBeth Williams as Jo Face
• Mary Wilson as Vesta Crotchley (Jackie's 3rd grade teacher)

More Male Stories Need To Be Told In Literature

This is something that has been on my mind for a long time now. As a writer, I can't help but think about this subject on a daily basis. Now that I am working on my own projects, this is beginning to come up in my head surreptitiously.


Aside from going to cafes and beach houses, I love going to libraries. I love walking around, seeing constant pieces of literature hanging on the shelves. From one writer to the another, it's just amazing see the work of numerous writers. It's not just something great to look at, but it's also a reminder for myself. It reminds me everyday of who I am and what I want to see in the future. I'm still waiting for that day to come when I see my first published book on a shelf somewhere. It just gives me happiness mentioning something like this.


However, one thing appears to always disappoint me. When I look at a shelf, I'm always looking for a real male story. Everyone knows what I'm talking about. The book where it takes on the everyday life of the everyday man. A male oriented dramedy or romantic comedy with a male protagonist carrying the story to the last page. I know they are there, but it's being overpopulated by female protagonists and stories by 98% when it comes to telling those kinds of stories.


The only time I see these male characters is when I find them in detective, thriller, and horror novels. Even though that is amazing, it's still kind of putting our male characters in a bubble. We have to show that men are not just strong built, brave, and gutsy men who knows how to take control of the situation. We have to show that men go through their everyday lives just like a woman. Some of them are fun. Some of them are heart wrenching. Some can be both. We have to show that men has feelings too. We can laugh, cry, hate, love, and every other emotion just like women.


I have nothing but love and respect for female writers. I love all of their stories and the strong females they've created. I can sit in bed and read a book by Emily Giffin, Marian Keyes, Jennifer Weiner, Kristin Hannah, Candace Bushnell, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sophie Kinsella all over again, and still love them the same way. Everyone that knows me is aware that I love romantic comedies. But as a man, I'm looking for the stories I see when it comes to my life. I want to see a buddy story with two men. I want to see literature become more masculine.


As a writer, I want to walk into a library where I see my stories being displayed. Either written by me or another writer, I hope to see it real soon.

Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "Grounding in self"

GROUNDING IN SELF

"I used to think I was the strangest person in the world but then I thought, there are so many people in the world, there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do."

-Frida Kahlo

After reading this quote of Frida Kahlo's it triggered a memory from my childhood.  I would sit in my room at night, gaze out the window count the stars, cause there were many, and wished for the same boy like me who felt like me, who had the same feelings I had, and wondered when I would meet him. I knew he was out there. Strange, like me.  My dream was to find him.  My heart would ache because I knew he was out there, even in the stars, I knew he was there, even if he was just 1, he was there and I thought to myself then, "I'm gonna search for him."

Staying Grounded in self today.

FYI:  I will be performing scenes from my 1-man play 

"Shadows & Lights" 

at the 

XIX International AIDS Conference

Tuesday, July 24

7PM - 7:30PM

Global Village Mainstage

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Walter E. Washington Convention Center 

801 Mount Vernon Place NW 

Washington, DC 20001 

 http://www.aids2012.org/.  

Check out this expert of "PUMP-PLIE-JUMP"

Connect with me online:
www.corneliusjonesjr.com
facebook: Cornelius Jones Jr.
twitter: CorneliusJonesJ
facebook fanpage: FlagBoy: Official Fan Page of the Actor

YouTube Channel: LifeJones77

ACTOR DEMO REEL: CLICK HERE

Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "Best Practices For Youth Conference"

2012 Best Practices For Youth Conference

August 6 - 10, 2012

I'm excited to be presenting at the 2012 Best Practices for Youth Conference - a Unique Online Event August 6 - 10, 2012. 

My Workshop EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ADVERSITY is Wednesday August 8th at 3:15PM EST/12:15 PST.  I hope you will join us as the event is OPEN to the public and will stream live through YouTube as a Google+Hangout on Air! 

Register or Learn More at - http://apydconference.sisgigroup.org 

Or you can  go directly to: http://apydconference.sisgigroup.org/conference/live-stream

to find out more about my workshop -

EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ADVERSITY. 

Feeling empowered to partake in the entire conference. 

Save time and a few bucks by clicking this link to register:

http://apydconference.eventbrite.com/?discount=Cornelius

EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ADVERSITY - What issues have you faced in your life that may have disempowered you?  How are you handling the situation?  What options and/or outlets are there to help access your power to be empowered?  The arts (writing, dance, drawing, photography, acting), Spiritual and meditative practices, health and fitness, education tools. How do we use and access the tools to empower the younger generation?  Join Cornelius Jones Jr. in a conversation about strategies to empower and support youth through adversity. Share your stories for the discussion by emailing youthconference@sisgigroup.org Subject - Empowerment through Adversity. You can also tweet your ideas, questions or suggestions at #APYDConEmpower @ideas4youth or @CorneliusJonesJ. All issues on adversity are welcome.  This conversation on Google+ is open to all ages.

Conference Mission

The Alliance for Positive Youth Development provides valuable training and professional development for youth development professionals in an effort to improve and increase the positive outcomes on issues impacting young people. The Best Practices Conference promotes innovative and dynamic ideas from around the country on the future of youth development, engagement and leadership including the role of technology and its impact, and strategic approaches to the most pressing issues facing young people.

Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: Groove Theory: Laurie M. Taylor/Soul Movement

Happy 4th FUTURE Fans and Happy Birthday to my mom. 


A day of independance and a day of sharing.  Check out this article featuring up&coming choreographer Laurie M. Taylor.






Groove Theory: Laurie M. Taylor/Soul Movement
by Jamal Story

A host company may want to think twice before engaging Laurie Taylor/Soul Movement to open its evening.  After her performance Saturday at DNA, it’s clear she and her troupe can easily run away with a show.

Alongside her admirable desire to re-define the business model for dance companies toward respectful partnerships vs. hand-me-down write-off receptacles, Taylor presented a festival of moods and feelings that emanate from the stage.  Her work is as much a celebration of musical nuance as it is a trek through transcendental expression.  

This was especially evident in Repositioned for Greatness, a collage of several dance idioms that asked a very spirited quartet to inhabit flatback, arabesque and house club footwork in less time than it takes to read this sentence. The young ladies, all laden with strong energy and general swagger, rose to the occasion. 

But none were as adroit in her work as Taylor herself, whose star power and maturity prevailed in Best Love Ever.  Set to a throbbing Robert Glasper track, Taylor succeeded in embodying her ideal:  a strong artistic life force with spiritual honesty, emotional integrity and sensitivity to the “groove” in the music, all to our ineffable fulfillment.  She refused to dwell, giving nothing less than 100% of her energy investment to the present moment she and her audience are experiencing. 

And while we’re on presence, it would be criminal not to mention Jessica Featherson, whose endless arms and sumptuous torso were impossible not to watch as they managed to find ethereal and earthly roots at once.

Just in case we were skeptical about her vision, Taylor featured mesmerizing Francine Ott in a self-made solo aptly titledUndivided Attention.  Clad in black from ankle to wrist, the young woman appears oddly exposed, confronting herself at every turn.  Ott ran the gamut from arrogance to plummeting self-esteem while her articulate ribcage demonstrated how virtuosity can exist in an undulation.      

Let’s be clear; Taylor has some things to say as well. Nestled in the abstraction of her group pieces were several whispers about femininity, sexuality, body image and the value of community.  In a particularly affecting moment of Falling, individuals stand present, chests lifted and weight forward as if to confront adversity; one begins to collapse as the others rush to pull her to standing.  It happens a few more times and, thanks to the commitment of her dancers, loses no impact.

Taylor’s art could benefit from more hands-on contact of this sort throughout the rep. And we can only imagine what kind of musical imaginings might be inspired by more involved partnering.  But eerily absent were men, making it hard not to wonder if a Paradise Island demographic is essential to her dance-osophy.

For the competition it might be a good thing. Add select male dancers and a big budget and Taylor could run off with more than our standing ovation. 

Jamal Story:

An LA native, Jamal began dancing with Lula Washignton  during his teen years. He went on to perform as a guest artist with Dallas Black Dance Theater and Fort Worth/Dallas Ballet while earning earning two degrees (Dance Performance and TV/Radio Communications) from Southern Methodist University. Jamal has also danced with Donald Byrd/theGroup, Madonna's 2001 Drowned World Tour, Complexions, and (as an aerialist and dancer) Cher's Living Proof: The Farewell Tour.

He worked with Donald Byrd to help discover the movement for the history-making Broadway show, The Color Purple, where he was a dancer and assistant dance captain for the Broadway run. Jamal continues his advocacy for educating young artists about the changing landscape of dance. His first novel, 12:34 is now being taught in English classes at Cypress College, Cal State University Long Beach and Los Angeles City College. www.jamalstory.com