As part of M.A.D.D. Rhythms' ongoing 20th anniversary season, assistant director Starinah "Star" Dixon, rehearsal director Donnetta Jackson and principal soloist KJ Sheldon will premiere new works on the company's YouTube channel in February and March. Each piece is centered on themes related to Black History Month and Women's History Month.
Kicking off the trio of digital premieres is "Dreams & Nightmares" on Feb. 22. Jackson uses her background in both tap dance and Chicago footworking to create a tribute to a fellow dancer who was killed in a car accident. Meek Mill's song of the same name serves as Jackson's spiritual connection between them, compelling her to dance and forming the backbone of this latest piece.
On Feb. 28, Dixon presents "Rhythm Symphony," an octet steeped in the history of the Middle Passage with a nod to the long-anticipated return of Eddie Murphy as Prince Akeem in the film "Coming 2 America," premiering March 5 on Amazon Prime.
KJ Sheldon's piece, "I Get So Lonely," will be released on International Women's Day, March 8. Celebrating the women in M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Sheldon features some of Chicago's leading ladies of tap, performing beside Dixon, Jackson, Megan Davis and Alexandrya Fryson, as well as next-gen hoofers Ivy Anderson and Molly Sute.
Each film is fully intended for online viewing, with DP and editor Ashley Battle joined by Brian Delisi, Ibrahim Useinovski, Chris Owsiany and Mina Jue on the production team.
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For more information, click on M.A.D.D. Rhythms' page below or visit www.maddrhythms.com
