Fifteenth Annual Festival Line-Up 

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Festival Dates and Event Titles
Click on Event to view Program Line up

Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. - "Champagne Gala Awards Ceremony"

Friday, March 28, 2008 at  8 p.m. - “Politically Speaking”

Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 2 p.m. matinee. - “Identity”

Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 8 p.m. - “En Route”

 Sunday March 30, 2008 at 2 p.m. - “Shades of Love”

Sunday March 30, 2008 at 7 p.m. - “Uncut”

"Gala Awards Ceremony and Champagne Reception"

Co-hosted by:  Hattie Winston (“Becker,” “Port Charles”, “The Tap Dance Kid”) and Ted Lange (“National Pastime,” “Moesha,” “The Love Boat”)

Entertainment:  Celebrity performer Kim Wayans, the internationally renowned Lula Washington Dance Theatre, Ellen Hagen, Laxmi Chandrasheka and The Lindz. 

Directed by: Fay Hauser-Price (“Living With Soul,” “The Young and the Restless”) 

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“Politically Speaking”  

Hosted by Florence LaRue (5th Dimension) and Lissa Reynolds (Artistic Director, Fremont Centre Theatre)

Ellen Hagan,“America What? I Dream an America.” This piece is based on unedited interviews with girls ranging in age from 15-18 who share their ideas of growing up in America.  

Shyamala Moorty

             "Emblem" This dance piece explores The Bald Eagle, which has been the emblem of the United States of America since 1782 because of its long life, great strength, and majestic looks.  The eagle has come to represent freedom as it has free access to boundless space and it also represents the predator.

             "Balance" In this dance, Shyamala references the supposed East/West duality by dividing her body down the center as she practices ballet on one side of her body and Bharatanatyam on the other.  As the piece progresses, the forms become more and more mixed up, transforming the artificial border that she starts with.

Akweta Colbert,“In These Moments (Revisited).” This dance work explores the influence of one’s culture, gender and economic background when working through the creative process.  

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“Identity”  

Hosted by Lorettta Devine (“Eli Stone,” “Grey’s Anatomy”) and Kiki Melendez (“Hot Tamales Live!”)

Kim Wayans, “A Handsome Woman Retreats.” A woman reconnects to her spiritual source during her inner journey at a 10-day silence retreat.

Erica Lann-Clark, “Shopping For God.” Comedic storytelling concerning God, family, enemies and the power of language.

Nafeesa Monroe, “Journey to Becoming a Super Woman.” A biracial woman seeks that place between black and white wherein she fits.

Ada Luz Pla, “Tracing my Lineage- A Story of a Puerto Rican Spitfire.”  The title of this storytelling piece is self-explanatory.

Lan Tran, “Tale of the Lockpicking Child.”  A young girl during a short spree as a would-be burglar stumbles across her father’s secret life in this poignant and darkly humorous story.  

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“En Route” 

Hosted by James Pickens, Jr. (“Grey’s Anatomy”) and Betty Garrett (“On The Town,” “Laverne and Shirley”)

Sufe Bradshaw, “Little Girl Blu.” Through fast-paced poetry and song, we learn about a little girl’s passionate dream and journey as she becomes an actor.

Susan Damante, “Life…Death…and Entertainment.” This autobiographical musical piece is about overcoming adversity, facing fear, cheating death, and gaining character.

Ruth Otero,“Dancing With My Demons.”  This comedic theatre piece merges the topics of Puerto Rican identity and fear with a disco theme.

Sally Randa, “Growing Up…And Liking It.” A woman reveals her life as a cosmetics counter clerk and her journey toward wholeness.

Rose Weaver, “Menopause Mama.” Through a variety of characters and songs, this piece depicts the struggles, triumphs, tears and the lighter side of menopause and aging, while also tackling tough subjects with honesty.  

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“Shades of Love” 

Hosted by Lee Meriwether (“All My Children”) and Malathi Iyengar (Artistic Director, Rangoli Dance Company)

Laxmi Chandrasheka, “Singarevva and the Palace.” This narrative theatre piece depicts the folkloric story of a rural belle of India exploited by her father, husband and servant.

Juliette Jeffers, “Looking 4 a Chocolate Match.com.” This piece chronicles a woman’s self-conscious journey into the uncharted world of online dating.

Mattilyn Rochester, “A Song For My Father.” In this musical memoir, a preacher’s daughter comes to terms with her father’s death and her own life.

mZuri, “Songs of Love.” mZuri bridges the pieces of this program with songs of love.  

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“Uncut” 

Hosted by Starletta DuPois (“The Notebook,” “First Sunday”) and Dawn Didawick (“Erin Brockovich,” “The Amateurs”)

The Lindz. “WASP.” The accomplished spoken word artist contributes socially-conscious, goofy, insightful, sardonic and riotous performance poetry.

Atalee Judy, “Logotype 03.” The Chicago dancer performs a powerful commentary on the objectification of women.

Mari Weiss, “Good Girl.” She tells the story of a one-time adventure into the world of S & M and how it was incredibly freeing and healing.

Fylicia Renee King, “Mama Was a Bad Mutha….Shut Yo’ Mouth.” A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Fylicia takes the audience on a rollicking journey with her partying mother and colorful, card-playing friends.  

Tamara Roso, “Milkwhite- The Ritual of Disguise.” From the Netherlands’ Zid Theatre, this dance theatre piece explores the process a woman is going through to find control as she disguises her personal and cultural identity.  

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