Cultural Spotlight
Cultura del Lobo presents hula, hip-hop and jazz in 2009
The Cultura del Lobo Performance Series has been bringing engaging performers to South Florida for almost 20 years. But this spring, it will feature some of the most exciting work yet.
“What we continue to try to do is straddle the line between tradition and innovation,” artistic director Gregory Jackson said. “This season is no different in that we have exceptional artists coming in to work with our students and perform for the community.”
“These artists reflect important, current artistic movements. Their meanings and expressions challenge what we think we understand about other cultures, through art,” said Jackson.
In February, the Living Word Project and poet Marc Bamuthi Joseph will present the break/s, a multimedia excursion across planet hip-hop. The piece – influenced by Jeff Chang’s, American Book Award-winning Can’t Stop Won’t Stop. It also highlights Joseph’s remarkable range of movement and method. Joseph’s “stories put sound and gesture on a single continuum of expression,” according to the Washington Post.
Keo Woolford will present his I LAND in March. At once hilarious, defiant and transcendent, I LAND is Woolford’s moving, semi-autobiographical search for the meaning of heritage in a post-modern world. Through traditional Hawaiian hula, hip-hop, Hawaiian talk story and spoken word, Woolford navigates the many worlds where hula lives – from backyard parties to Hollywood kitsch, to the realm of the sacred.
“Woolford breaks down commonly held stereotypes about hula and shows us that the cultural lines run much deeper. It’s an amazing story,” Jackson said.
Last but not least, three-time Grammy-winning jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis will make a long-awaited return to South Florida in April. Known for his innovative spirit and broad musical scope, Marsalis is equally at home on the stages of the world’s greatest jazz clubs and classical halls.
Marsalis’ group – featuring Jeff “Tain” Watts, Eric Revis and Joey Calderazzo – has developed into one of the most adventurous groups in hard-core jazz.
For showtimes, tickets or venue information, visit www.mdc.edu/culture or call 305-237-3010.
— Katherine Joss