Press Releases

American Masterpieces: Artistry & Influence Tour

Baltimore, MD - Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation is pleased to announce a special fee support initiative for the 2007-2008 season as part of the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces project: The American Masterpieces Artistry & Influence Tour celebrates the legacies of three women founders of seminal performing arts companies with deep ties to the mid-Atlantic region.  The Foundation will provide support for the presentation of the companies founded by Joan Myers Brown, Martha Graham, and Bernice Johnson Reagon.  Fee support will be available for the tours of Philadanco, the Martha Graham Dance Company, and Sweet Honey in the Rock in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia during the 2007-2008 season.

As part of the American Masterpieces  Artistry & Influence Tour, these groups will present works from their repertoire that exemplify and celebrate the rich evolution of modern dance and choral music. Repertoire will represent works that are artistically, historically and culturally significant.

2007-2008 American Masterpieces Artistry & Influence Tour Roster

PHILADANCO
The Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO), founded by Joan Myers Brown in 1970, is a modern contemporary dance company that tours nationally and internationally. Celebrating its 35th Anniversary Season, the company has traveled the country and the world, performing before sold-out audiences of diverse people of all ages, creed, ethnicity and cultural traditions.
PHILADANCO will perform a number of pieces from their repertory of innovative works by renowned American choreographers such as Talley Beatty, Ron K. Brown, George Faison, Donald McKayle, Elisa Monte, Pearl Primus and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. www.philandanco.org

Martha Graham Dance Company
The Martha Graham Dance Company is the oldest and most celebrated contemporary dance company in the world. Noted as an American genius, Graham is widely acclaimed as the founder of modern dance. She created an art form and a repertory of 181 works – putting her creative output on a par with Picasso and Stravinsky. Since its inception, the Martha Graham Dance Company has received international acclaim from audiences in over 50 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Martha Graham Dance Company will tour a program of such renowned works as Appalachian Spring, Acts of Light, and Sketches from Chronicle, as well as Prelude and Revolt, a special program chronicling Graham’s emergence as a singular artist.

Sweet Honey in the Rock
Founded by Bernice Johnson Reagon in 1973 at the D.C. Black Repertory Theater Company, Sweet Honey In The Rock, an internationally renowned a cappella ensemble, has been a vital and innovative presence in the music culture of Washington, D.C., and in communities of conscience around the world. Now in her fourth decade, the Grammy® Award-winning ensemble moves forward, following Bernice Johnson Reagon’s retirement in February 2004, continuing the legacy begun thirty-three years ago. Sweet Honey will perform its full range of works in this tour offering, including songs inspired by the American Civil Rights movement, the distinctive “call and response” style of African and African-American composition and performance, hymns, gospel music and spirituals of the black church as well as jazz and blues.

Presenters interested in booking any of the 2007-2008 American Masterpieces Artistry & Influence Tour artists and receiving support should contact the groups’ agents directly. While there is no application process involved for American Masterpieces Tour funding, funds are limited.  Presenters are encouraged to pursue this opportunity and secure artist engagements as soon as possible to increase their chance of receiving funds. 

Agent Contact Information

Philadanco
Marc Baylin, Baylin Artist Management
267-880-3750
mbaylin@baylinartists.com

Martha Graham Dance Company
Rena Shagan (DC, DE, MD, NY, NJ, PA, VI)
212-873-9700
Rena@shaganarts.com
Lou Hockett (VA, WV)
404-320-7577
Lou@shaganarts.com

Sweet Honey in the Rock
Elaine Lipcan
212-556-6842
elipcan@icmtalent.com


Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation supports the richness and diversity of the region’s arts resources and promotes wider access to the art and artists of the region, nation and world. To learn more about MAAF, its programs and services, visit our Web site at www.midatlanticarts.org.