![Dance We Do : A Poet Explores Black Dance - Ntozake Shange](https://www.booktopia.com.au/covers/big/9780807091876/9508/dance-we-do.jpg)
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In her first posthumous work, the revered poet crafts a personal history of Black dance and captures the careers of legendary dancers along with her own rhythmic beginnings.
Many learned of Ntozake Shange's ability to blend movement with words when her acclaimed choreo poem for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf made its way to Broadway in 1976, eventually winning an Obie Award the following year. But before she found fame as a writer, poet, performer, dancer, and storyteller, she was an untrained student who found her footing in others' classrooms.
After 20 years of research, writing, and devotion, Ntozake Shange tells her history of Black dance through a series of portraits of the dancers who trained her, moved with her, and inspired her to share the power of the Black body with her audience. She explores how Black dance speaks to the overlapping histories and diverse cultures that stem from the diaspora, and honors the contributions of the often unrecognized pioneers who continued the path Katherine Dunham paved through the 20th century. Featuring a range of artistry and crossing generational lines, Shange sits down with prominent figures such as Mickey Davidson, Halifu Osumare, Camille Brown, and Dianne McIntyre in personal interviews. In what is now one of her final works, Ntozake Shange welcomes the reader into the world she loved best. Dance We Do is a tribute to those who taught her, the art she cherished, and her passion for rhythm, movement, and dance.
About the Author
Ntozake Shange is a renowned playwright (for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf), poet (nappy edges and The Love Space Demands ) and novelist (Betsey Brown and Sassafrass, Cypress and Indigo). Her most recent book is an illustrated volume of poetry, i live in music . She lives in Philadelphia.
Many learned of Ntozake Shange's ability to blend movement with words when her acclaimed choreo poem for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf made its way to Broadway in 1976, eventually winning an Obie Award the following year. But before she found fame as a writer, poet, performer, dancer, and storyteller, she was an untrained student who found her footing in others' classrooms.
After 20 years of research, writing, and devotion, Ntozake Shange tells her history of Black dance through a series of portraits of the dancers who trained her, moved with her, and inspired her to share the power of the Black body with her audience. She explores how Black dance speaks to the overlapping histories and diverse cultures that stem from the diaspora, and honors the contributions of the often unrecognized pioneers who continued the path Katherine Dunham paved through the 20th century. Featuring a range of artistry and crossing generational lines, Shange sits down with prominent figures such as Mickey Davidson, Halifu Osumare, Camille Brown, and Dianne McIntyre in personal interviews. In what is now one of her final works, Ntozake Shange welcomes the reader into the world she loved best. Dance We Do is a tribute to those who taught her, the art she cherished, and her passion for rhythm, movement, and dance.
About the Author
Ntozake Shange is a renowned playwright (for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf), poet (nappy edges and The Love Space Demands ) and novelist (Betsey Brown and Sassafrass, Cypress and Indigo). Her most recent book is an illustrated volume of poetry, i live in music . She lives in Philadelphia.
Industry Reviews
"Of interest to those familiar with Shange's written work, and generally to dancers and dance historians."
Library Journal
"An elegant and eloquent work by an artist who left us too soon that recognizes and celebrates the unique contributions of Black dancers and choreographers."
Booklist
"Through Ntozake Shange's personal memories of dance what it has meant to her, how she came to know, understand, and feel it we are taken on a journey that chronicles some of the greatest dancers and choreographers of the latter part of the twentieth century."
Phylicia Rashad
"A gorgeous last offering from one of our most gifted and multifaceted artists. Her passion for dance, just like her passion for words, is among the many reasons she will be missed, though these insightful interviews, ruminations, and reflections will continue to be a balm, across generations, from her to us.rdquo;
Edwidge Danticat author of Everything Inside
"A workaholic to her last breath, Ntozake Shange has left us with a book that expands our knowledge of Black dance. Not only is it a textbook but it was composed by someone who created a new form. A true innovator."
Ishmael Reed author of Malcolm and Me
"Ntozake Shange presents a language of movement that only she knew relearned with clarity and courage, and unveiled to the world as a black American groove of words in commemorative motion."
Rebecca Carroll author of Sugar in the Raw: Voices of Young Black Girls in America and host of the podcast Come Through with Rebecca Carroll
"Ntozake Shange delivered her gifts to us embossed with directions, and permission, to create our own magic and miracle and movement. Dance We Do is her final gift to us, but it is, like she was, a gift that will nourish and replenish us for generations to come."
Bassey Ikpi author of I'm Telling the Truth, but I'm Lying
Library Journal
"An elegant and eloquent work by an artist who left us too soon that recognizes and celebrates the unique contributions of Black dancers and choreographers."
Booklist
"Through Ntozake Shange's personal memories of dance what it has meant to her, how she came to know, understand, and feel it we are taken on a journey that chronicles some of the greatest dancers and choreographers of the latter part of the twentieth century."
Phylicia Rashad
"A gorgeous last offering from one of our most gifted and multifaceted artists. Her passion for dance, just like her passion for words, is among the many reasons she will be missed, though these insightful interviews, ruminations, and reflections will continue to be a balm, across generations, from her to us.rdquo;
Edwidge Danticat author of Everything Inside
"A workaholic to her last breath, Ntozake Shange has left us with a book that expands our knowledge of Black dance. Not only is it a textbook but it was composed by someone who created a new form. A true innovator."
Ishmael Reed author of Malcolm and Me
"Ntozake Shange presents a language of movement that only she knew relearned with clarity and courage, and unveiled to the world as a black American groove of words in commemorative motion."
Rebecca Carroll author of Sugar in the Raw: Voices of Young Black Girls in America and host of the podcast Come Through with Rebecca Carroll
"Ntozake Shange delivered her gifts to us embossed with directions, and permission, to create our own magic and miracle and movement. Dance We Do is her final gift to us, but it is, like she was, a gift that will nourish and replenish us for generations to come."
Bassey Ikpi author of I'm Telling the Truth, but I'm Lying
ISBN: 9780807091876
ISBN-10: 0807091871
Published: 20th October 2020
Format: Hardcover
Language: English
Number of Pages: 160
Audience: General Adult
Publisher: RANDOM HOUSE US
Country of Publication: GB
Dimensions (cm): 22.2 x 14.5 x 2.0
Weight (kg): 0.33
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