Brooklyn, NY -- Something Positive, a leading Brooklyn based performing arts company comprised of more than 30 dancers, singers and musicians presents “TRIBUTE”, in celebration of the legacy of their founder Cheryl Byron, on Saturday, June 6 at 7:30pm at Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts at Long Island University (Flatbush Avenue between DeKalb Avenue & Willoughby Street).
Ms. Byron was a composer, acclaimed choreographer, and educator. In 1976, Ms. Byron was the first artist to perform a new style of music “Rapso”, in a calypso tent in Trinidad & Tobago. At the time, she was scoffed at for presenting this style of music. Today, she is recognized around the world as the “Mother of Rapso.” She studied dance with Pearl Primus, and became a member of the Primus-Borde “Earth Theater". She then became Ms. Primus' special assistant, accompanying her on numerous teaching and choreography assignments, including works with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Ms. Byron played a significant role in the cultural life of Trinidad & Tobago, and New York City, and was especially devoted to the community’s children.
Since Ms. Byron’s passing, Something Positive has been under the Artistic Direction of Michael Manswell; Associate Director, Cynthia Salandy; and Rehearsal Director, Sonny Salina. Under their leadership, the company has continued to perform their repertoire of original material at venues such as the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Cooper Hewitt Museum, Ruben Museum, Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning, Brooklyn Museum, Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park, Neuberger Museum, and the American Museum of Natural History. Something Positive was honored to be the only company to perform at the official unveiling of the African Burial Ground National Monument (ABG) in 2007. Following their ABG performance, they were invited to perform at Cheyney University, America’s Oldest Black Institution of Higher Education.
“TRIBUTE” will include new and standard works from the company’s repertoire. Among the evening’s offerings will be Ms. Byron’s riveting piece “Ancestral Chant”; “Sweet Nina Suite” a work in progress by Michael Manswell, honoring the works of Nina Simone; and the spectacular Carnival story “The Gift” written by Mr. Manswell and choreographed by Sonny Salina.
Tickets to this special program can be purchased online at kumbletheater.org or by calling the Kumble Theater box office at 718-488-1624.
Ms. Byron was a composer, acclaimed choreographer, and educator. In 1976, Ms. Byron was the first artist to perform a new style of music “Rapso”, in a calypso tent in Trinidad & Tobago. At the time, she was scoffed at for presenting this style of music. Today, she is recognized around the world as the “Mother of Rapso.” She studied dance with Pearl Primus, and became a member of the Primus-Borde “Earth Theater". She then became Ms. Primus' special assistant, accompanying her on numerous teaching and choreography assignments, including works with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Ms. Byron played a significant role in the cultural life of Trinidad & Tobago, and New York City, and was especially devoted to the community’s children.
Since Ms. Byron’s passing, Something Positive has been under the Artistic Direction of Michael Manswell; Associate Director, Cynthia Salandy; and Rehearsal Director, Sonny Salina. Under their leadership, the company has continued to perform their repertoire of original material at venues such as the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Cooper Hewitt Museum, Ruben Museum, Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning, Brooklyn Museum, Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park, Neuberger Museum, and the American Museum of Natural History. Something Positive was honored to be the only company to perform at the official unveiling of the African Burial Ground National Monument (ABG) in 2007. Following their ABG performance, they were invited to perform at Cheyney University, America’s Oldest Black Institution of Higher Education.
“TRIBUTE” will include new and standard works from the company’s repertoire. Among the evening’s offerings will be Ms. Byron’s riveting piece “Ancestral Chant”; “Sweet Nina Suite” a work in progress by Michael Manswell, honoring the works of Nina Simone; and the spectacular Carnival story “The Gift” written by Mr. Manswell and choreographed by Sonny Salina.
Tickets to this special program can be purchased online at kumbletheater.org or by calling the Kumble Theater box office at 718-488-1624.
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