PHILADANCO!

Celebrating Black Genius is an intergenerational evening of dance honoring the enduring legacy, influence, and artistic innovation of Black artists whose work transformed the landscape of contemporary concert dance. Paying homage to a generation of visionaries whose creative voices were interrupted by the AIDS crisis, the program reflects on what was lost, what still remains, and how their artistic influence continues to live in the bodies and practices of contemporary artists today. Guided by Choreographic advisor Mr. George Faison, the evening brings together artists across generations in a shared investigation of lineage, memory, and movement. Black Genius seeks not only to remember the groundbreaking contribution of legendary Black choreographers but also to illuminate the generations of artists who continue to carry their influence forward through personal inheritance and new creative performances. The evening includes a new production of Donald Byrd's BAMM , presented in special collaboration with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC). Originally created in collaboration with DCDC, BAMM is set to powerful music by Mio Morales and unfolds at breakneck speed through Byrd's signature retrograde structures, explosive physicality, and edge-of-your-seat movement language. The work highlights the extraordinary athleticism and emotional intensity of the PHILADANCO dancers while celebrating Byrd's enduring impact on contemporary Black dance aesthetics.