COME YE

(2002)

Choreography by: Ronald K. Brown

Music: Nina Simone and Fela Anikulapo Kuti, 

Costume Designer: Omotayo Olaiya

Lighting Design: Brenda Gray

Video: Robert Penn

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Inspired by the music and sociopolitical legacies of artists/activists Nina Simone and Fela Kuti, Come Ye is a multimedia work that utilizes Mr. Brown’s signature style of kinetic storytelling. Through African, Caribbean, modern, ballet, and social dance styles. The work summons warriors, angels and activists dedicated to the pursuit of liberation and peace amidst the struggles of human conflict. Come Ye is a call to all those living in fear, all those willing to fight for their lives, and ultimately, for peace.

 

Come Ye was created with lead commissioning support from the Center for the Arts, Wesleyan University and with funding from the Edward W. Snowdon Fund, the Doris Duke Fund for Dance of the National Dance Project, a pro- gram administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts with fund- ing from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and Altria Group, Inc. Additional commissioning support was provided by the Hayti Heritage Center, the Dance Place, George Mason University, Washington Performing Arts Society with support provided by the Doris Duke Charitable Fund, the College of St. Benedict St. John’s University the Creation Fund of the National Performance Network, the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, the African-American Cultural Center of Greater Pittsburgh and the American Dance Festival.