SummerStage and The Firehouse Present: The Harlem Dance Caravan: Erasing the Boundaries

Acclaimed Harlem performing arts institution, The Faison Firehouse has joined with SummerStage to present Harlem Dance Caravan, a thrilling celebrating our diversity through music and dance.
Audiences will be enthralled by companies such as Baoku & the Image Afro-Beat Band, who presents African drumming and dancing that fuses jazz and rock with traditional elements; Jamel Gaines’ Creative Outlet, famed for its merging of classical and modern techniques and shows that incorporate theatrics like spoken word and video; Lotus Music and Dance, the only company and educational institute in NYC that makes accessible the music and dance traditions of all world cultures; and the multicultural Cecilia Marta Dance Company, who aims to build bridges between communities through dance.

Baoku & The Image Afrobeat Band is a world class Afrobeat music powerhouse. Based out of Cincinnati, Ohio, this band performs all original music by their Nigerian front man, Baoku Moses. Baoku is a professionally-trained African drummer, dancer, and talented songwriter. He began the band in 2005. In following the legacy and footsteps of the late Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, Baoku’s music blends a solid rock and jazz fusion with African instruments and languages to express world peace and unity. Baoku released his first solo album, Okodoro Oro: The Realistic Reality, in 2004 and will release the band’s first album together in the summer of 2014. Comprised of musicians from different musical and cultural backgrounds, Baoku & The Image Afrobeat Band provides more than just another musical performance; it is a complete high-energy, cultural experience.
Jamel Gaines’ Creative Outlet (CO) is a professional dance company that merges rigorous classical and modern technique with African-American soul and spirit. Under the artistic direction of Jamel Gaines, the company has been hailed by reviewers in the United States and Europe for its “richness of dance tone” and “contagious vitality.” The company is comprised of unique performing artists whose talents include theatre, spoken word, multi-media/ visual arts, and instillation. Based in New York City, CO has been featured at the Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), The Apollo Theatre, SummerStage in Central Park, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Martha Graham School, McCallum Theatre, Rialto Theatre, Paramount Theatre, and NewYork Theatre Workshop. Internationally, CO has toured in Rome, Italy; London, England; Acapulco, Mexico; Madrid, Spain; Kingston, Jamaica; Cologne, Germany; and
Toronto, Canada. Our artists have been featured on Broadway stages such as: Fela!, The Lion King, Chicago, Fosse, and Memphis. Additionally, Gaines has collaborated with Notable artists such as: Michael Jackson, Madonna, Beyonce, Rihanna, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Holiday, Max Roach, Savion Glover, Ornette Coleman, and Chris Brown. Jamel Gaines’ vision is to bring art to the masses that touches the human spirit. http://www.creativeoutlet.org
Cecilia Marta Dance Company is committed to creating dance and artistic collaborations that inspire diversity of movement and unity; fuse the multicultural richness of sight, sound, and feeling in its vision of “World Jazz”; and build bridges between communities. After traveling the globe, Cecilia returned to NY with a vision to bring together a diverse and extraordinary group of dancers that would create CMDC. The objective: to speak through the language of dance, about the ritualistic rhythms and magical experiences she encountered throughout her life, and as a child growing up in Panama. CMDC is a multicultural dance company, committed to celebrating diversity and unity by creating works that inspire collaborations with other artists and art forms. Possessing a distinct breath, CMDC’s repertoire incorporates elements that are reflective of Ms. Marta’s life and heritage, as well as her intimate acquaintance with many forms and styles of dance. Website: http://www.ceciliamartadance.org/cmdc/Home.html
Theresa Lavington, is a fitness and dance professional with over 15 years of experience. She holds an Associates of Arts Degree in Dance and is certified by AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America). Theresa, has taught a variety of group exercise classes for Bally Total Fitness, Crunch, New York Sports Club, Equinox, New York Health & Racquet and other elite gyms in the New York City area. As part of the New York Sports Club, Bally’s and Crunch PR team, Theresa Lavington has also appeared and participated in demos for upcoming fitness and dance classes on Telemundo, WB11 News, CBS Morning News, and Fox 5 Good Day New York. Additionally, Theresa has performed and choreographed for singing artists, health and fitness venues, and many other events. Join Theresa for a fun, energetic, and easy to follow dance workout fused with hip-hop, funk, and the latest dance moves.