Bryant Park Picnic Performances: Contemporary Dance Series – Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, Robin Dunn’s ‘SHOUT’: A Celebration of Hip Hop and Gospel, Kevin Wynn Tribute, Brooklyn Arts

Founded by Ronald K. Brown in 1985 and based in Brooklyn, New York, Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, A Dance Company focuses on the seamless integration of traditional African dance with contemporary choreography and spoken word. Through work, EVIDENCE provides a unique view of human struggles, tragedies, and triumphs. Brown uses movement as a way to reinforce the importance of community in African American culture and to acquaint audiences with the beauty of traditional African forms and rhythms. He is an advocate for the growth of the African-American dance community and is instrumental in encouraging young dancers to choreograph and to develop careers in dance. Brown has choreographed work for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, Cleo Parker Robinson Ensemble, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Jennifer Muller/The Works, Jeune Ballet d’Afrique Noire, Ko-Thi Dance Company, Philadanco and others. He choreographed Regina Taylor’s award-winning play, Crowns, and won an AUDELCO Award for his work on that production. The company has traveled internationally to perform, teach master classes, and conduct lectures/demonstrations for individuals of all ages. EVIDENCE brings arts education and cultural connections to local communities that have historically lacked these experiences. The company reaches an audience of more than 25,000 people per year. At Bryant Park, the company will honor the memory of Kevin Wynn with a performance of Torch, a piece created as a celebration of perseverance and self-determination. Set to the music of various artists, including DJ Zinhle, this dance of celebration honors the legacy of Beth Young, a phenomenal dance enthusiast and supporter of Evidence, A Dance Company who studied with the company for over 15 years before losing her battle with cancer in 2012.

Creative director, choreographer and F.A.C.E. coach Robin Dunn brings to you “SHOUT,” a Celebration of Hip Hop Dance and Gospel. This high energy and uplifting piece showcases all of Dunn’s passions for dance, music and inspiration. Dunn teams up SHOUT’S Associate Choreographer and Jazz Continuum performer Ray F. Davis once again to showcase the 2024 version of the piece. SHOUT was inspired by Dunn’s late brother-in-law, Ronald James Crichlow, CEO and founder of the Gospel recording company RJC Productions and the musical ensemble RCE. The piece blends hip hop and contemporary jazz dance styles and features the vocal virtuosity of RCE’s Christina Morgan Diaz and Chanique Rogers. Other featured performers include former Ailey II dancer Martell Ruffin, dancer, model and fitness professional, Manuela D. Sanchez and recent University of the Arts graduate Brooke Brookshire. The ensemble includes some of the most dynamic dancers in New York City. SHOUT debuted in 2010 at The Earl Mosley Institute of the Arts (aka, EMIA) in Kent, CT. Robin and Ray give thanks to Earl Mosely for his continued support of SHOUT. Be ready to clap your hands, sing, dance and experience the joy of SHOUT. Dunn has appeared in and choreographed several off-broadway productions, as well as directing “Amateur Night” at the world-famous Apollo Theater. Her client list includes Saturday Night Live, Nickelodeon, Sesame Street, Missy Elliot, and more. Dunn’s method for breathing life into a performance is through her patented Robin Dunn’s F.A.C.E. (Focus, Attitude, Confidence, Energy, and Eye Contact) technique. F.A.C.E. is a tightly constructed method designed to develop and enhance artists, business professionals, and individuals with being more comfortable on stage, on camera and in the workplace. Dunn teaches Hip Hop dance and is on faculty at The Ailey Extension, Hunter College, and Steps on Broadway. She is currently an Adjunct at The City University of New York teaching Hip Hop Dance History and Cultural Importance. In 1989, she and her sisters, Desiree Crichlow and Greta Dunn of Duntori & Company were the first to introduce the art form of Hip Hop dance to a mainstream studio at New York’s Broadway Dance Center. Dunn’s mission in life is to shape lives, build dreams and give hope for the future.

The dance community pays tribute to beloved dancer and choreographer Kevin Wynn, who passed away late last year. The Kevin Wynn Tribute will celebrate the life of Wynn, a former dancer with José Limón Dance Company and Dianne McIntyre’s Sounds in Motion, as well as a dedicated teacher at Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College, where he touched the lives of many dancers.

Brooklyn Arts is a dual-mission high school dedicated to providing aspiring artists and scholars with an academically rigorous pre-college course of study and a comprehensive, four-year pre-conservatory arts program. At Brooklyn Arts, life-long learners use their creativity to enrich their education, learning both the artistic and professional skills required in their field of study. By using the abundant resources of New York City, students are challenged to achieve their greatest artistic and academic potential. Brooklyn Arts fosters meaningful partnerships with parents, families, and the community to holistically develop global citizens who are prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The Dance Program strives to offer dance students the opportunity to develop their skills both in school and in professional venues. Through study in the Dance Program, students develop their talents in classical ballet, contemporary and modern dance, and graduate prepared for the rigors of a Liberal Arts or Conservatory college program. Students work with professional choreographers each year to hone their skills and learn their craft.

Bryant Park Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America is a free outdoor festival (May 31 – September 13) that welcomes all New Yorkers to experience the city’s vibrant arts and culture. The series provides a platform for extraordinary artists and serves as a vital outdoor venue for a wide array of New York’s cultural institutions. To find out more, visit https://bryantpark.org/activities/picnic-performances