Get on the Good Foot: A Celebration in Dance honored the life of James Brown (1933-2006), musician, songwriter, dancer, and the self-declared “Hardest Working Man in Show Business.” The production was a conglomerate choreographed by Otis Sallid, Derick K. Grant, Souleymane Badolo, Thang Dao, Aakash Odedra, Ephrat Asherie, Jennifer Weber, Camille A. Brown, and Ronald K. Brown. Using dance, music, voice recording, and costume inspired by Brown’s style, messages, and fans, the choreographers presented works that celebrated Brown’s rhythmic and soulful music, and were danced by members of PHILADANCO, Ephrat Asherie, Derick K. Grant, and Aakash Odedra. Even the logistical aspects of this production seemed to commemorate Brown, from venue choice (Brown honed his craft at the Apollo Theater and recorded his legendary album Live at the Apollo there) to the October 22-26 run (Brown’s ascent to national and international fame began after the October 24, 1962 show at the Apollo was recorded). Initially, the program quickly and seamlessly transitioned through short, straightforward movement vignettes. I appreciated this approach, which might have been an ode to Brown’s own “hit it and quit it” motto. Things changed halfway through, during Thang Dao’s Bewildered. Rowdy applause and shouts from the audience indicated that others found the movement entertaining and surprising. Yet, during and after this […]
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