New York, NY—January 23, 2023— The 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center’s 2022/23 Mainstage Series continues with choreographer, educator, and producer Johnnie Cruise Mercer’s ‘to those who have seed in the ground’, bringing together two generations of artists with the intention of calling upon (and embodying) collective inner will.
Inspired by William McDowell’s 2016 album, Sounds of Revival, Mercer comments “‘to those who have seed in the ground’ is structured as a movement sermon on the parable of the mustard seed. Rooted in the practices, and choreographies of my Black, African, American bloodline, and led by an ensemble of movement artists (both professional and in-process), tonight will happen as a series of meta-physical bouts (works) all rooted and calling onto the spiritual pasts of our ancestors.” He further notes, “my work, my art, is my contribution to my community. It is my way of guiding my people towards understanding and surrendering to history, to our shared epic memory. I am interested in where we are, and through feeling, together, finding out where we will be going next.”
The work includes a collaborative sound score composed by music artists dj Om-Amari (DJ Artist), Young Denzel (Composer), Monstah Black (lyrics), Jay Deamour (vocal artist), performances by TheTRPNYC: Movement Ensemble, and features appearance by youth artists from The Appomattox Regional Governor’s School, and Brooklyn Prospect High School.
‘to those who have seed in the ground’ marks Johnnie Cruise Mercer’s third year producing, choreographing, and directing TheREDprojectNYC’s Revival, an annual event curated around communal breath, ephebism, and generational revitalization.
This year’s Revival was made possible through spatial support from the Harkness Foundation’s 2022 Harkness Promise Award, while in residence at The Appomattox Regional Governor’s School during TRPNYC’s 5th Annual RVA Homecoming, and while in partnership/residence with Movement Research’s Dance Maker’s Program.
The Mainstage Series continues
MAURYA KERR / tinypistol
black calls to dark calls to deep underneath
World Premiere
In Person – Thu, Mar 9, 7:30 pm, from $30 / $10 student
Online – noon Fri, Mar 10 – noon Mon, Mar 13, from $20
Maurya Kerr, Bay Area-based choreographer, poet, performer, educator, and the artistic director of tinypistol brings a world premiere to the 92nd Street Y. Much of Maurya’s work—across the disciplines of movement, language, and film—is focused on black and brown people reclaiming their birthright to both wonderment and the quotidian.
FLOCK & ARTISTS
Somewhere Between
New York Premiere
In Person – Thu, Apr 20, 7:30 pm, from $30 / $10 student
Online – noon Fri, Apr 21 – noon Mon, Apr 24, from $20
FLOCK returns to perform again at 92NY after kicking off our inaugural Harkness Mainstage Series in September 2021 for the New York premiere of their brand-new touring show Somewhere Between featuring a cast of world-renowned dance artists.
*Rescheduled date*
PETER CHU
In Person – Sun, May 14, 7:30 pm, from $30 / $10 student
Online – noon Mon, May 15 – noon Thu, May 18, from $20
Performing artist, educator and choreographer Peter Chu brings the world premieres of two works to 92NY – Conscious Shift and take-off. Chu performs with Roger Van der Poel, a member of his company, Chuthis.
MALEEK WASHINGTON
In Person – Thu, Jun 8, 7:30 pm, from $30 / $10 student
Online – noon Fri, Jun 9 – noon Mon, Jun 12, from $20
Maleek Washington, a 2021 New York Live Arts Fresh Track grantee, who was also nominated for a Bessie as an “Outstanding Breakout Choreographer” in the same year will be closing out our Mainstage Season by bringing his compelling creative voice to the 92nd Street Y, New York stage for the first time.
Visit 92NY.org/Dance for details on all 2022/23 Harkness Mainstage Series events in Kaufmann Concert Hall, and spring 2023 Harkness Studio Series events in our newly renovated Buttenwieser Hall.
92NY Harkness Dance Center Presents
JOHNNIE CRUISE MERCER
Revival 2023
‘to those who have seed in the ground’
a movement sermon on the parable of the mustard seed
Producer, Choreographer – Johnnie Cruise Mercer
TRPNYC Movement Ensemble – Brooke Rucker, Paulina Meneses, Alicia R Morales, Alicia Dellimore, Jordan Brookins, Erykah Jenins, J Beardsley, Abigail Linnemeyer, Yolette Yellow-Duke, Luyan Li (Lili), Bria Bacon
With performances by youth movement artists from
The Appomattox Regional Governor’s School of the Arts and Technology
Brooklyn Prospect High School
Music by dj Om-Amari, Young Denzel, WIlliam McDowell, Daft Punk with lyrics/vocals led by Monstah Black, and Johnnie Cruise Mercer, featuring live music performances by vocal artist Jay DeAmour, and Waju.
In Person: Thursday, February 2, 7:30 pm ET
Online: Friday, February 3, 12 pm ET – Monday, February 6, 12 pm ET
Tickets from $20 / $10 student