JANUARY—FEBRUARY 2017

As multidisciplinary performers and interpreters of the African diasporic tradition, Reggie Wilson and his artists engaged deeply with communities in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Panama.

JANUARY—FEBRUARY 2017

As multidisciplinary performers and interpreters of the African diasporic tradition, Reggie Wilson and his artists engaged deeply with communities in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Panama.

ABOUT THE RESIDENCY

Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group’s residency focused on using the varied skill-sets of its company members to discover and support existing commonalities, connections and differences between teachers and students, beginning with a series of workshops in Panama City. In Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the company worked closely with ZANMI BENI, an organization that cares for children left homeless in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake and subsequent disasters. After immersing themselves in the intricacies of Haitian folkloric dance and pre-Kanaval festivities, the company continued on to the Dominican Republic where they worked peer-to-peer with local teaching artists, exchanging useful techniques and options to use with differently-abled students. Here the company led workshops for students with varying degrees of ability, some of whom went on to share and perform on stage with the company. 

ABOUT THE RESIDENCY

Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group’s residency focused on using the varied skill-sets of its company members to discover and support existing commonalities, connections and differences between teachers and students, beginning with a series of workshops in Panama City. In Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the company worked closely with ZANMI BENI, an organization that cares for children left homeless in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake and subsequent disasters. After immersing themselves in the intricacies of Haitian folkloric dance and pre-Kanaval festivities, the company continued on to the Dominican Republic where they worked peer-to-peer with local teaching artists, exchanging useful techniques and options to use with differently-abled students. Here the company led workshops for students with varying degrees of ability, some of whom went on to share and perform on stage with the company.

FROM THE TRAVEL BLOG

“In Jacmel, we Fist and Heelers attempt to undulate in tandem with the dancers of Explosion. They enthusiastically yank us by the hand into two lines as we prepare to cross the narrow tiled floor. A video of us trying to perform Yanvalou is being held for blackmail.”

—Hadar Ahuvia on learning Haitian dance

FROM THE TRAVEL BLOG

“In Jacmel, we Fist and Heelers attempt to undulate in tandem with the dancers of Explosion. They enthusiastically yank us by the hand into two lines as we prepare to cross the narrow tiled floor. A video of us trying to perform Yanvalou is being held for blackmail.”

—Hadar Ahuvia on learning Haitian dance

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Reggie Wilson/Fist & Heel Performance Group is a Brooklyn-based dance company that investigates the intersections of cultural anthropology and movement practices, and believes in the potential of the body as a space of knowing.

The company’s performance work is a continued manifestation of the rhythm languages  provoked by the traditions of Africa and its Diaspora, including blues, slave, and Gospel idioms. The group has received support from major foundations and corporations, and has performed at notable venues in the United States and abroad.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Reggie Wilson/Fist & Heel Performance Group is a Brooklyn-based dance company that investigates the intersections of cultural anthropology and movement practices, and believes in the potential of the body as a space of knowing.

The Mark Morris Dance Group has inspired international critics and audiences alike throughout its more than 30-year history. Founded in New York in 1980 by artistic director/choreographer Mark Morris, the company spent three years in residence at Brussels’ Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie as Belgium’s national dance company, returning to the United States in 1991. Mark Morris Dance Group tours domestically and internationally to great acclaim, and is distinguished as the only modern dance company with a deep commitment to live music in performance, founding the MMDG Music Ensemble in 1996.