A Tribute to Creative Souls in Ebony, Beige and Bronze: The Philadelphia Show—
Multimedia Production Remembers The Men We Loved and Lost
Who: The Smoke, Lilies and Jade Arts Initiative
When: Sunday and Monday, April 29-30, 2007, at 7 p.m.
Where: The New Freedom Theatre - 1346 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Admission: [supply admission info – s.s.]
For More Information: Call 215.828.6453
Even though AIDS has been transformed from a certain death sentence to a chronic illness for many, it continues to affect both the performing arts and African-American communities profoundly. Now the Smoke, Lilies and Jade Arts Initiative (SLJ), a socially conscious dance theater production company, has crafted a multimedia artistic tribute to some of the talented African-Americans whose lives AIDS has claimed.
On April 29 and 30, 2007, SLJ, under the artistic direction of Zane Booker, will premiere its first annual theater production, Ebony, Beige and Bronze: The Philadelphia Show, at 7 p.m. at the New Freedom Theater in North Philadelphia. The production combines dance, spoken word and film elements to create a powerful tribute to the men of The Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO). Through this work, SLJ will honor the lives of African -Americans that have been claimed by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Joining in the tribute as cast members will be several Broadway notables, including the phenomenal Tony Award-nominated Desmond Richardson, last seen performing Twyla Tharp’s Movin’ Out.
The premiere is timed to coincide with Philadelphia’s annual Black Gay Pride Week festivities. Last year, more than 350,000 people attended Black Gay Pride events in 30 cities across the country, including 8,000 participants in Philadelphia. Ebony, Beige and Bronze: The Philadelphia Show will be one of the cultural highlights of Black Gay Pride Week this year, expanding the audience for Black Gay Pride offerings while raising awareness of important issues through arts and culture.
As the nation marks the 25th Anniversary of HIV/AIDS, SLJ seeks to bring to the forefront an entire generation of performing artists and creative people, among millions in the general public, who were lost to the AIDS epidemic. Booker conceived SLJ in 2004 after being compelled to create a work which directly related to the unexplored pain the African-American Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community has suffered as a result of the devastating loss caused by HIV/AIDS. SLJ is designed to stimulate the imagination and creativity and nurture the values of cultural diversity. The organization is a member of the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition.
This inaugural SLJ performance will support and raise funds for The Attic Youth Center, Philadelphia’s only agency exclusively serving Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Youth. “This event is an opportunity to resurrect the power of art by using commentary and inspiring our youth to change their behavior as it relates to the complex sociopolitical issues that surround our lives and HIV/AIDS in the LGBTQ communities.,” said Booker. “We must continue to educate our population about safer sex and healthy relationships.”
Come join us for a spectacular evening of a fusion of spoken word, dance, music, and theatre. A closing reception follows the Monday night performance. Tickets are $15, $25, $35 - April 29, 2007 and $60.00 - April 30, 2007. Ticket info available by calling 215- 823-6976 or myspace.com/liliesandjade.