Praise Dance Participants and choreographers in the 2nd Annual Praise Dance Intensive
“Grand Jete’”, “arasbeque”, “plie”, and “battement” were some of the vocabulary words learned by participating dancers in the 2nd Annual Praise Dance Intensive. This year the theme was Fresh Winds Praise Dance Intensive. This week long workshop was held Monday-Friday on the March 24th -28th from 5-9 p.m. at the Friendship Primitive Baptist Church, 1520 Avenue E, Birmingham, AL 35218 (near Jackson-Olin High School). The Pastor is Avery Hunter. The children learned two dances from Adair Whetstone (former director of the Woodlawn Ballet). “I love the way she teaches dance,” stated Aubri Rutledge, a student at Restoration Academy. “She is very patient, and makes sure that we have the choreography just right.” While Ms. Whetstone taught the girls choreography, the boys were in another room learning how to step from Mr. Averyll T. Lewis, Sr., an employee with the Birmingham City Schools. “Mr. Lewis teaches us discipline first…like how to be still and pay attention, and then we can pay attention to what he is teaching in step,” says Sahlace Baskin, a student at Wilkerson Middle School. The students had the opportunity to learn not only dance but the dynamics of worship and how to have a personal relationship with Christ. Dance parents and members of the church also engaged in the devotionals. “I learned that praise dancing is more than just learning the technique…we are communicating to God, I enjoy dancing because my dream is to one day become a professional dancer,” mentioned Sabre Baskin, a freshman at Carver High School. After a strenuous session, the students would enjoy a light, nutritious supper and return for more dance. Tuesday morning, participating dancers took a field trip to Bud’s Cookies. They not only learned the way cookies are made but also tasted cookies straight from the rack. “I wanted the dancers to know that everything in dance is a process…just like baking cookies.”On Thursday, March 27th the dance participants showed their choreography to members of St. Paul AME Church in the Smithfield community. Mrs. Ira Cummings organized a week-long session at her church, and invited Birmingham Dance to partake in the celebration. On Friday, the Department of Youth Services gave tickets to the dance participants to see Alvin Ailey II at the Alys Stephens Center for Performing Arts. The students and parents were energized with the performance. “This is my daughter’s first time participating and she loves it, remarked Mrs. Sharon W. Fatunmbi. The tuition for this week long class was minimal but the experience was priceless.
Praise Dance Participants, parents, and Dr. Berry at the Alys Stephens Center to see Ailey Ailey II.
Saturday morning, the dancers went to St. Paul to learn new choreography. Sign Language, mime, and dance were taught in the workshop. The meeting culminated with a special program called Fresh Winds Fine Arts Concert which celebrated various local artists from around the city and state. The program was held at HIS Word Ministry 1200-20th Street North where Apostle Merlin Taylor and Patricia Taylor are pastors. The final program not only featured the dances learned by the participants during the Dance Intensive, but also yielded talent from other Christian artists such as Natricia Bibb, psalmist; Essence Young and Karar Performing Arts; Robert Langford, singer; Pastor Patricia Taylor, Christian author of the book, “Life Is Not Over Until God Says it’s Over”; Sanchez Tanniehill, singer; Melissa Williams, interpretative dancer; SUPERIOR step team; and Birmingham Dance; photography by Larry O. Gay and videographer was David Biddings. The program had a special guest appearance by Ms. Jonerika “Jeh” Cheatham, dual winner of the Talent and the Fashion Division for the Diamond Federated Club Debutante Cotillion 2013-2014 who won the talent division by dancing from a song by John Legend. “Jeh” is a senior at Jackson-Olin High School and the daughter of Erika Cheatham Williams, granddaughter of JoAnn King and former dance student of Dr. Berry. “I helped train Jonerika as a dancer when we were in the same church. She was younger than the other dancers but she retained the choreography very well, and her form was outstanding. I am so proud of “Jeh’s accomplishments and look forward to seeing future successes in dance.”
Jonerika Cheatham, winner of Talent and Fashion Division for the Diamond Federated Club Debutante Cotillion 2013-2014
The Mistress of Ceremony was Rubie Moore, radio talk show host and educator. Birmingham Dance is a seasonal (6 months) community praise dance team that operates from the last week in March to the last week in September. This team is for ages 7-adult. “To me, it’s not just about the teaching dance and choreography, it’s about creatively witnessing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ without saying a word.” The event was sponsored by Birmingham Dance and Dr. Janice Baskin Berry. “We are looking for new members this season of Birmingham Dance,” says Janice. For more information on Birmingham Dance, visit our website at www.BirminghamDance.net. or contact Dr. Berry @ (205) 422-8506.
