Celebrating local dance, theatre and art in the Dallas Arts District.
B. MOORE DANCE Presents
JAZZ-SOUL-FUNK-CLASSICS
The Elevator Project with Support from Tito’s Handmade Vodka
July 21 – 23, 2023
B. MOORE DANCE celebrates 5 years as a non-profit organization, established June 19th, Juneteenth Day! It has been an honor to lead B. MOORE DANCE, and witness firsthand the growth and development over the years. We are excited about what we have been able to achieve and look forward to the future!
Thank you for coming out to support us in debut performances at the Dee & Charles Wyly Theatre. The company is proud to be part of The Elevator Project , made possible through AT&T Performing Arts Center. I am equally proud to present Jazz Soul Funk Classics , a kaleidoscopic evening of dance and music, featuring performances by some of Dallas’ finest artists. Enjoy the ride as we take you on a journey back down memory lane. Get in the groove and be ready to have “a funky good time.”
~ Bridget L. Moore - Founder/Artistic-Executive DirectorBRIDGET L. MOORE (Founder/Artistic-Executive Director) a native of Dallas, TX, has received national and international recognition for her choreography. Moore’s choreographic works provide both cultural and kinesthetic experiences rooted in African-American and global dance aesthetics. Her most recent commissions include The Sound of Music and Public Works Dallas’ The Odyssey produced by Dallas Theater Center, Mlima’s Tale by Second Thought Theatre, and The Wiz for Booker T. Washington HSPVA’s 100th Centennial. Moore is a recipient of a 2016 Princess Grace Professional Development Award-Arts Administration, and a 2012 Princess Grace Foundation Choreography Fellowship Award. Moore has also been featured in Dance Magazine’s 25 to Watch for the NYC Co-Directorship project, This Woman’s Work. In addition, she has received commissions from Ailey II, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Urban Bush Women, TITAS/Dance Unbound, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Bruce Wood Dance and Red Clay Dance Company, to name a few. Moore’s work has been presented at New York’s Fall for Dance Festival , The Joyce Theater, Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out series, Ailey Citigroup Theater, as well as Moody Performance Hall in Dallas, among others. Moore danced professionally, nationally and internationally with Ronald K. Brown Evidence:
A Dance Company (1999-2009). Moore was a Visiting Professor at Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea, Artistic Director of Joffrey
Ballet School-Texas, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and Director of Dance at Tri-Cities High School Visual and Performing Arts Magnet, Atlanta, GA. She also served on the faculty of her alma mater Booker T. Washington HSPVA, and was the Director of the African and World Dance Ensemble. Moore holds a BFA in Dance from The Ohio State University and an MFA from New York University, Tisch School of the Arts.
JAZZ SOUL FUNK CLASSICS (90 minutes)
DIRECTED/CHOREOGRAPHED BY BRIDGET L. MOORE
Featuring: The Kwinton Gray Project
Music Director/Keyboard ~ Kwinton Gray
Bass ~ KJ Gray
Drums ~ Jackie Whitmill
Percussion ~ Nicholas Rothouse
Saxophone ~ Jonathan Mones
Trombone ~ Phil Joseph
Vocalists: Aden Ambivert Sista
Damon K. Clark
Mirek.e.l
Reuben Lael
Poet/Narrator: Brandon Goodluv
Special Guest Performances:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc
Claude Alexander III
Dante’ Harpe
B. MOORE DANCE
Cristina Aguayo, Ja’Von Mitchell , Paige Mitchell, Jazmun McCoy, Nakendal Simmons, Jada Spriggs, Anthony Wade Jr., Arpege Wallace
CREATIVE TEAM
Bridget L. Moore, Founder/Artistic-Executive Director/Costume Coordinator
Christopher Ham, Technical Director/Lighting Designer
Fernando Hernandez, Costume Designer
Michael Vasquez, Audio Technician
Charlton B. Gavitt, Tech Assistant
Company Intern: Alexis Stus
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Yvette Harris, President;
Winnie Buford, Secretary; Dolores Lagdameo, Treasurer; Rod Ambrose, Antony Francis, Jasmine Banjo, Lisa Webb Cooper
SPECIAL THANK YOU!
Thank you for the generosity and impact made on behalf of B. MOORE DANCE. Kitty Carter Dance Factory, James and Gayle Halperin Foundation, The Oak Cliff Fine Arts Society, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Danny Curry, Avalyn Pace, Lisa Webb Cooper, Marilyn Cox, Linda James, Kristin Norman, Antony Francis, Jeff Rodgers, Beverly Hill, Guinea Bennett-Price (Soul Rep Theatre Co)
B. MOORE DANCE BOOKINGS: Bridget L. Moore info @ bmooredance.orgPROGRAM
MADIBA/MASTER BLASTER (COMPANY)
Music: Shaun Martin and Stevie Wonder
THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU
Music: Nancy Wilson Vocalist: Aden Ambivert Sista
P. FUNK (COMPANY)
Music: Parliament Vocalists: Reuben Lael Poet: Brandon Goodluv
Background Vocals: Aden Ambivert Sista, Damon K. Clark, Mirek.e.l
MO F. U. N. K RADIO
Narration Written/Performed by: Brandon Goodluv
DISTANT LOVER
Dancers: Anthony Wade Jr. and Paige Mitchell
Music: Marvin Gaye
GUESS WHO I SAW TODAY
Dancers: Jada Spriggs and Nakendal Simmons
Music: Nancy Wilson Vocalist: Aden Ambivert Sista
LOVE AND HAPPINESS
Music: Al Green Vocalist: Reuben Lael
I KNOW YOU GOT SOUL
Dancers: Dante’ Harpe, Jazmun McCoy, Ja’Von Mitchell, Paige Mitchell, Nakendal Simmons, Jada Spriggs, Anthony Wade Jr., Arpege Wallace
Music: James Brown Vocalist: Reuben Lael
PORK PIE HAT
Music: Charles Mingus Vocalist: Damon K. Clark
THINK (ABOUT IT)
Dancers: Jazmun McCoy, Cristina Aguayo, Paige Mitchell, Nakendal Simmons, Jada Spriggs, Arpege Wallace
Music: Lyn Collins
ROCK STEADY
Music: Aretha Franklin Vocalist: Mirek.e.l
JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS
Music: Cole Porter Vocalist: Damon K. Clark
ON BROADWAY (COMPANY)
Music: George Benson Vocalist: Damon K. Clark
INTERMISSION
HOUSE PARTY-DANCE CRAZES 1960’s-2000’s (COMPANY)
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Music: Compilation Mix
SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE
Dancer: Claude Alexander III
Music: Marvin Gaye
VINTAGE HOP/MONA LISA (COMPANY)
Music: Vintage Swivel, James Brown
ANGEL EYES:
Dancer: Arpege Wallace
Music: Ella Fitzgerald Vocalist: Mirek.e.l
AND THE BEAT GOES ON
Dancers: Dante’ Harpe, Jazmun McCoy, Ja’Von Mitchell, Paige Mitchell, Nakendal Simmons, Jada Spriggs, Anthony Wade Jr.
Music: The Whispers Vocalist: Reuben Lael
Background Vocals: Aden Ambivert Sista, Mirek.e.l, Damon K. Clark
CAUSE I LOVE YOU
Dancer: Claude Alexander III
Music: Lenny Williams Vocalist: Reuben Lael
THE REVOLUTION WILL BE TELEVISED
Dancers: Dante’ Harpe, Ja’Von Mitchell and Company
Music: Gil Scott Herron Poet: Brandon Goodluv
STAND UP/FREEDOM
Dancers: Jazmun McCoy, Paige Mitchell, Jada Spriggs, Anthony Wade Jr., Arpege Wallace, Claude Alexander III
Poetry Written by: Brandon Goodluv
Music: Cynthia Erivo, Beyoncé Vocalist: Mirek.e.l
Background Vocals: Aden Ambivert Sista, Reuben Lael
JAM SESSION-THE KWINTON GRAY PROJECT
SOUL POWER (COMPANY)
Music: James Brown
BIOS
B. MOORE DANCE , founded in 2018, is a Dallas-based Contemporary Modern Dance Company. The diverse collective of performing artists are led by Founder/Artistic-Executive Director and Dallas native, Bridget L. Moore.
B. MOORE DANCE is celebrated as a rising company of artistic excellence and received the Texas Shining Star Award from Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (TAHPERD). B. MOORE DANCE aims to empower and transcend generations through the art of dance through innovative works, performances, leadership, collaboration, education and community projects. The company has performed throughout Texas at various festivals, and most recently performed at the legendary The Joyce Theater’s American Dance Platform (NYC), presenting an evening of choreographic works by Bridget L. Moore. B. MOORE DANCE is supported by The City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture, Moody Fund for the Arts and TACA | The Arts Community Alliance - Dallas.
THE KWINTON GRAY PROJECT
KWINTON GRAY ( Music Director )
Kwinton Gray is a native of Dallas, TX, and studied Music at Eastfield College (now Dallas College Eastfield Campus). He comes from a musical family, and performs with his siblings in their family band, The Grays. Gray formed his own jazz/fusion group, Kwinton Gray Project in 2015, which later released their debut album in 2018, titled Leap of Faith Both bands continue to perform nationally and internationally. Gray is currently a member of the Dallas based jazz group, The Funky Knuckles . He is a five time nominee for the Dallas Observer Music Awards, and was awarded the 2017 Best Keyboardist, and Best Jazz Act for the Kwinton Gray Project in 2018. Gray is also a thespian and in 2014 made his debut musical performance in Dallas Theater Center’s Rocky Horror Show. In addition, Gray has conducted and played in several musicals — most recently at the Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center for the world premiere of Hood:The Robin Hood Musical , and the 50th Anniversary production of Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical Gray was Music Director for the hit musical Aint Misbehavin’ at Barrington Stage Company, which received a NY TIMES critics pick in 2022. He has had the opportunity to perform at Jazz à la Villette Music Festival in Paris with Foley, Kenny Garrett, Darryl Jones (who played with Miles Davis & Larry Dunn, original keyboardist for Earth, Wind & Fire), and legendary organist/keyboardist/producer, Bobby Sparks. Gray began touring with Tony Award nominated director/choreographer, Camille A. Brown & Dancers in 2018. He has toured and performed around the globe with acts such as Lalah Hathaway, Janet Jackson, MonoNeon, Liv Warfield, The Funky Knuckles, and more.
ADEN AMBIVERT SISTA ( Vocalist )
Aden Jemaneh, the Ambivert Sista, is a singer/songwriter and Dal las native. She has worked in collaboration with B. MOORE DANCE in previous productions of Holiday in the City , Love Etudes and I Am Magic . Ambivert Sista is known for her sultry and melodic sound and was featured in Public Works Dallas’ The Odyssey (Dallas Theater Center), as Circe, a nymph and daughter of the sun god Helios. Unique and fresh on the live
music scene, Ambivert Sista performs at venues across the metroplex, including Three Links, Revelers Hall and The Free Man Cajun Café and Lounge, where she has served as the host for open mic. Ambivert Sista is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business Management at Paul Quinn College.
DAMON K. CLARK ( Vocalist )
Damon K. Clark is a native of Los Angeles, CA, and is an international vocalist and musician renowned for his distinctly wide vocal range, lyrical sensitivity, sublime musical virtuosity, and versatile musical style. Over the years, the seasoned artist has drawn inspirations from a colorful array of musical genres, including musical theatre, orchestral and symphonic music, chamber music, and pop. Winner of the 2022 InterContinental Music Awards for the North American division, Clark was also nominated for a Dallas Observer Music Award for best Jazz Vocalist two consecutive years. With his mesmerizing new tracks, Random Lover and Holy , the stunning artist remains on an upward journey as a composer, arranger, and singer-songwriter. He plans to release more original compositions, culminating with an EP soon, displaying his musical prowess and characteristic genre-bending range.
MIRACLE FOSTER/Mirek.e.l ( Vocalist )
Flowing from urban contemporary pop, gospel, jazz, classical and R&B, Mirek.e.l’s voice expresses the essence of every song with a soulful spirit and sound. A native of Dallas, TX, Mirek.e.l began singing in the church choir at a very young age. She is an alumna of Booker T. Washington HSPVA, where she studied vocal performance. Mirek.el performs nationally and internationally, and is a featured vocalist with RC & the Gritz Band (Dallas).
Mirek.e.l has participated in The Black Academy of Arts and Letters’ (TBAAL) prestigious Summer Arts Intensive Education Program where she performed solo pieces in productions such as Hallelujah Gospel , Michael Jackson - The Musical , and Aretha Franklin - The Musical . She was also a featured vocalist with Jennifer Holliday and Erykah Badu in TBAAL’s Hip Hop Broadway. In the Summer of 2022, Mirek.e.l was awarded the pleasure of playing the role of Deena Jones in Jubilee Theatre’s production
of the musical Dreamgirls at Bass Performance Hall. In addition to musicals, she has also participated in stage plays such as For Colored Girls… (Lady in Purple) and I Prayed and I Stayed (Stacy).
REUBEN LAEL ( Vocalist )
Reuben Lael, a.k.a “Reuben got soul”, is an electrifying talent hailing from Dallas, TX. With a soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics, he has captivated audiences with his unique blend of old-school, jazz, R&B and contemporary pop influences.
In addition to his music career, Reuben is also a passionate advocate for social justice and empowerment, and his music often reflects these themes. He recently released his latest single STAND UP as SOUL/R&B with a likeness to a modern-day What’s Going On or Change Is Gonna Come, providing motivation and inspiration to all persons and backgrounds. Lael also works with nonprofits and civic organizations in Dallas including, Our Vote Our Voice voting coalition for his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is also a national board member for the National Urban League Young Professionals, leading the communications team in branding their initiatives to support policy change, voter engagement, and community outreach.
BRANDON GOODLUV ( Poet/Author )
Brandon “B. GoodLuv” Puryear is a native of Dallas, TX. B. Goodluv attended the University of North Texas, where he became a professional writer and also published his first book of poetry entitled, Was the Grass Even Greener? B. Goodluv is also an author and rhythmic literature poet. Exploring the gray area of art, he’s curated an ensemble of talented artists known as the P4cK, standing for Poetry 4 The Cool kids , aiming to provide and create community for those who don’t prescribe to the traditional lens of their mediums. “The need for support and community amongst artists, cultivates authenticity and raises the frequency we all operate on while living through expression.”
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® ( AKA ) , an international service organization, was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated® is comprised of more than 355,000 initiated members in graduate and undergraduate chapters located in 12 countries including the United States, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Dubai, Germany, Japan, Liberia, Nigeria, South Korea, South Africa and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Led by International President & CEO Danette Anthony Reed of Dallas, TX, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is often hailed as “America’s premier Greek-letter organization for African American women.”
OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INC.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. ( ΩΨΦ) is the first international fraternal organization founded on the campus of a historically black college. On the evening of November 17, 1911, Omega Psi Phi was founded inside the Science Building (later renamed Thirkield Hall) at Howard University located in Washington, D.C. The founders were three undergraduates — Edgar Amos Love, Oscar James Cooper and Frank Coleman . Joining them was their faculty adviser, Ernest Everett. Just from the initials of the Greek phrase meaning, “ friendship is essential to the soul “, the name Omega Psi Phi was derived. That phrase was selected as the motto.
Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift were adopted as Cardinal Principles. Since its founding the organization has chartered over 750 undergraduate and graduate chapters.
Omega Psi Phi celebrated its centennial during the week of July 27–31, 2011, in Washington, D.C., becoming distinguished as the third African American collegiate fraternity to reach the century mark. The Centennial Celebration recognized the impact of the Fraternity in communities over the past 100 years, honored Omega Men for achievement in all walks of life, reiterated Omega Psi Phi’s commitment to providing unparalleled community service and scholarship, and charted the Fraternity’s future activities.
CREATIVE TEAM
CHRISTOPHER M. HAM ( Lighting Designer ) is the Director of Dance Production at Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of the Arts, Dance Division, where he also received an MFA in Theatre-Production Design. Ham has designed lighting, projection, scenery, sound, and has worked in all technical areas at the professional level. He has produced trade shows for SONY and HASBRO, designed for the American College Dance Festival, the International Choreographers’ Showcase in Spain, the St. Louis Ballet, and the Shenandoah University Dance Ensemble, where he was an adjunct assistant professor.Ham has also designed for Hathaway Academy of Ballet, Repertory Company Theatre, Upstart Productions, Cara Mía Theatre Company, Shakespeare Dallas, WaterTower Theatre, Big Thought/Creative Solutions and 6 o’Clock Dance Theatre. Ham most recently opened Lazer Invasion , a mind-bending celebration of science fiction, space exploration and pop-culture through the use of multimedia film production, high-tech laser design, theatrical lighting and atmospheric effects, all conceived and produced by Ham.
FERNANDO HERNANDEZ ( Costume Designer ) is a native of Monterrey, Mexico, where he was introduced to costume design. His professional career started in architectural design, Ballet and Folklórico dance. He formed Fernando Costume Designs, creating several designs for Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey and dance companies throughout Mexico. In the United States, he has created costume designs for Orchestra of New Spain, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Bruce Wood Dance/METdance, Flamenco DNA, Ballet Dallas, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, and Red Clay Dance Company. Hernandez serves as a consultant, choreographer and costumer at Booker T. Washington HSPVA. Currently, he is performing with Compañia Folklórica Alegría Mexicana. Hernandez’s collaboration with Artistic Director Bridget L. Moore started in 2010. He has created designs for B. MOORE DANCE since the inception of the company.
Cristina Aguayo Dancer
Claude Alexander III Dancer
Dante’ Harpe Dancer Jazmun McCoy Dancer
Paige Mitchell Dancer
Ja’Von Mitchell Dancer
Nakendal Simmons Dancer
Jada Spriggs Dancer
Anthony Wade Jr. Dancer Arpege Wallace Dancer
Kwinton Gray Music Director Ambivert Sista Vocalist
Damon K. Clark Vocalist
Reuben Lael Vocalist
Mirek.e.l Vocalist
Brandon Goodluv Poet
KJ Gray Musician
Nicholas Rothouse Musician
Jonathan Mones Musician
Phil Johnson Musician
Jackie Whitmill Musician