City of Seattle Mike McGinn, Mayor

Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center Launches African American Dance Program

Seattle Parks and Recreation's Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center (LHPAC) commences a new program, the African American Master Choreographer Series. The inaugural production of "Beautiful/Ugly" places a spotlight on popular Northwest dancer and choreographer Kabby Mitchell.

"Beautiful/Ugly" performs May 24 - 27, 2007; Thursday through Sunday at 7:30 p.m., and a matinee showing at 2 p.m. on Saturday. All performances will be held at Langston Hughes, 104 17th Avenue South, Seattle. Admission is $18 for General Admission and $10 for students and seniors. A group rate of $8 is available for groups of 10 or more. Tickets are available by calling the Langston Hughes Box Office at 206-386-1177. Tickets are also available for purchase through Brown Paper Tickets, on the web at www.brownpapertickets.com or by phone at 1-800-838-3006.

"Beautiful/Ugly" features an ensemble of African American dancers, moving through and around current events in search of the African American viewpoint.
Through imagery, movement and storytelling, Mitchell explores the juxtapositions of contemporary African American life. This multi-media work is both touching and disturbing, providing imagery that provokes, disturbs, inspires and heals.

Mitchell says, "The inspiration for "Beautiful/Ugly" comes from the phenomenal contributions bestowed upon this country by African Americans, who continue to suffer the grotesque maladies that exist due to racist institutionalization and systemic oppression. This contemporary dance show is in response to incidents and current events-such as Hurricane Katrina, AIDS, and the Iraq war-that need to be addressed with depth, breadth, honesty and integrity."

The African American Master Choreographer Series was created this year to showcase the work of both established and emerging African American choreographers. Each year, one choreographer will be commissioned to create an original dance production. The production will receive full support from the Center, culminating in public performances in May.

Kabby Mitchell is a choreographer, educator and performer and has danced with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, the Nederlans Dance Theater, Civic Light Opera, Oakland Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Kabby has been a dance instructor for more than 20 years having taught ballet, modern jazz, and Haitian dance at schools and dance academies in Seattle, Iowa, and Mexico. In Seattle, Kabby has worked with Pacific Northwest Ballet, Cornish College of the Arts, University of Washington, and Ewajo Dance Workshop.

He is currently on faculty at the Evergreen State College in Olympia. His local choreography credits include work with Spectrum Dance Theatre, The Group Theater, Seattle Repertory Theater, Bathhouse Theatre, A Contemporary Theater and the Civic Light Opera. Kabby's signature choreography is seen in the annual presentation of Black Nativity, directed by Jacqueline Moscou at the Intiman Theatre. He also frequently contributes his time to help programs that support the development of young urban dancers and is a supporter of local art and theatre companies whose goal is to serve the under served community through the arts.

Founded in 1972, LHPAC has served as a primary artistic and cultural gathering place for Seattle's Central District. Now in its 35th year, the expanding arts center aims to serve the needs of the region's emerging and generative artist community while providing the Seattle audiences with dynamic and provocative theater.

"Beautiful/Ugly" is made possible by the generous support of several partners and funders, including Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Mayor's Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, 4Culture, Arts Fund, Washington State Arts Commission, Associated Recreation Council, and PONCHO.

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Seattle Parks and Recreation

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