Formally known as the New York Dance and Performance Awards, the Bessies celebrated their 30th anniversary Monday night at the Apollo.
Hosted by Lisa Kron, the night featured performances by Circus Amok, Mark Morris Dance Group, Urban Bush Women and the mesmerizing Dorrance Dance. New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray gave the opening remarks for the event.
A major milestone honor was given to Dr. Chuck Davis with the NY Dance and Performance Award for Service to the Field of Dance. The Chuck Davis Dance Company is the prominent Dance Africa parent, celebrating African dance, arts and culture. Davis accepted his award stylistically true to his honor: with a drum circle dance that got the audience up and shaking their hips, singing, “Peace love and respect for everyone.”
The full list of honorees are below:
Outstanding Production Award Winners: Camile A. Brown for Mr. Tol E. RAncE, John Jasperse for Within Between, Akram Khan for Desh, Okwui Okpokwasili in collaboration with Peter Born for Bronx Gothic.
Outstanding Revival: Dark Swan by Nora Chipaumire.
Outstanding Performer: Aakash Odera in James Brown, Get On The Good Foot, Rebecca Serrell-Cyr in Fire Underground, Linda Celeste Sims, Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, Stuart Singer in Within Between.
Outstanding Music Composition/Sound Design: this was a tie win with Simphwie Dana, Giuliano Modareli, and complete quartet for Exit/Exist and Nicholas Young for his percussion tap platforms in Rhythm in Motion.
Outstanding Visual Design: Peter Ksander, Olivera Gajic, Ryan Holsopple, Chris Kuhl, and Keith Skretch for This Was The End by Mallory Catlet.
2014 Emerging Choreographer Award: Jen Rosenblit and Jessica Wang.
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