voices from the bush
UBW ON THE BLOCK
Join us for a free event as we continue to celebrate Urban Bush Women’s 40th Anniversary at home in Brooklyn, NY with an afternoon of curated performances showcasing the talent and creativity within the UBW community. Featuring groundbreaking artists Kendra J. Bostock, Courtney J. Cook, Grace Galu Kalambay, and Cheri L. Stokes, this midweek lunchtime concert promises an inspiring blend of dance and live music; hosted by Co-Artistic Director Chanon Judson.
For decades, UBW has been a champion and supporter of BIPOC women+ dance makers and artists. This event is a testament to our ongoing commitment to uplifting and celebrating diverse voices in the arts. Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience the power and beauty of performances by some of the most dynamic artists in New York City.
IN NYC
September 25, 2024
Brooklyn Commons Park
Brooklyn, NY
Urban Bush Women in partnership with Downtown Brooklyn presents
VOICES FROM THE BUSH:
UBW ON THE BLOCK
September 25, 2024
Brooklyn Commons Park | Brooklyn, NY
Grace Galu Kalambay,
accompanied by Lucianna Padmore & Robert Knowles
playing a new version of old songs; for you, and with you.
Grace Galu is a chanteuse provocateur on a mission to protect our sacred histories through song:
Songs that we know, but don’t really know.
Songs that we learned without being taught.
Songs that weren’t meant for “us” but are still meaningful to us.
Songs that are for the hard times, when hopefulness alone becomes unsustainable and the willingness to protect our dreams becomes contagious.
Percussion: Lucianna Padmore
Keys: Robert Knowles
Gurlz from the Hood
Performers: Cheri L. Stokes & BRAT
Choreography: Cheri L. Stokes, (movement invention & collaboration w/ BRAT)
Sound Design: Cheri L. Stokes with Samples from Nat King Cole, The Fugees, DMX, Jay- Z, Mary J. Blige, Millie Jackson, Lil Kim, Queen Latifah, & MC Lyte
Duration: 10mins
be'ware: anchor
"Sometimes change come slow like the subtle growth of a tree toward the sun. And sometimes…change comes in like a sudden, swift, and destructive wave, removing anything unrooted in earth (truth).”
An improvisational collage of messages heard, seen, felt, forgotten, and known. Experiments in sound, movement, text, change, and love.
Music/Sound design: “Kneebone” (-Cum Een) Queen Quet & De Gullah Cunneckshun, "Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning” (-Songs My Mother Taught Me) Fannie Lou Hamer, “Hymns That Brought Me Through” LaShun Pace, Remembering Octavia Butler (2005 Interview with Democracy Now!) Octavia E. Butler “Parable of the Talents”
Sampled, Mixed, & Designed by Courtney J. Cook (Beware: Anchor)
Text: "Don’t Look Down" by Courtney J. Cook, "The Science of Change" by Courtney J. Cook
This work is made possible by being in process, practice, and conversation with Urban Bush Women, Tendayi Kuumba & Greg Purnell (UFlyMothership), and Marguerite Hemmings, Jaimé Yawa Dzandu, Katrina Reid, Italy Welton (Sun Daatuhs). Special Thank You to all of the Black Women in my life, to Fannie Lou Hamer, Octavia E. Butler, and Bernice Johnson Reagan.
Duration: ~10 min
Legend Love
an ode to the powerful Black Women that have shaped, transformed, and supported the BedStuy community. The work explores the magic, triumphs and challenges of these women in their quest of improving and sustaining themselves and their community.
Choreography by Kendra J. Bostock in collaboration with Brittany Grier
Poem by Kendra J. Bostock
Performed by Kendra J. Bostock and Brittany Grier
Music: Mad About the Boy by Lena Horne; One by Cleo Sol; Golden Child (Jealous) by Cleo Sol
Duration: ~17 min
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Founder of STooPS BedStuy,
UBW BOLD Facilitator & Company Alum
Kendra is a dancer, choreographer, and community organizer from Detroit, MI who now lives in Bedford-Stuyvesant, NY. As a performer, Kendra has traveled the world dancing for Urban Bush Women, DJ Kid Koala, MBDance, Andrea E. Woods/Soulouworks, and more.
Kendra J. Bostock
Dancer, Vocalist, &
UBW Associate Artistic Director
Courtney is a Virginia Native now residing in Brooklyn, NY. She began her formal dance training at the Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts. She later attended and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University, receiving her B.F.A in Dance and Choreography.
COURTNEY J. COOK
Vocalist, Actor, Composer, &
Haint Blu Composer, Music Director
Grace is a vocalist, actor, guitarist, and composer. She combines the sounds of her Irish and Congolese heritage with her LES upbringing in a soulful and gritty twist. Kalambay was recently featured in Buskerball 2022, and recorded Firelight with Fearless Music.
Grace Galu Kalambay
Dancer, CCI 2.0 Fellow, &
UBW Associate Producer of Special Projects
Cheri born and raised in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn, NY received her M.F.A. in Choreography and Performance from The Florida State University (2017) and a B.A. in Dance Studies with a K-12 Dance Teaching Licensure from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2005).
Cheri L. Stokes
ABOUT THE HOST
UBW Co-Artistic Director
Chanon Judson’s been growing with the acclaimed Urban Bush Women since 2001, as performer and now Co-Artistic Director. She’s a director’s fellow with New Perspective Theatre Women’s Work Lab, Chicago Director’s Lab, and APAP's Leadership Fellowship Program. Choreographic credits include "Times Up!" (commissioned by Flea Theatre), “The Hang” (Taylor Mac, Here Arts), “Cannabis: A Viper Vaudeville” (Collaborator/Performer - Baba Israel/Grace Galu/ Talvin Wilks), and more.
READ FULL BIO
cHANON JUDSON
Urban Bush Women 40th Anniversary leadership funding provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Additional funding is provided by the Howard Gilman Foundation.
MAJOR FUNDING FOR URBAN BUSH WOMEN IS PROVIDED BY:
