THE WORK OF 2 NEAR THE EDGE
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
2 Near the Edge has performed a range of lectures and demonstrations for schools and public events
Freedom Seekers
Through dance, song and audience participation, Freedom Seekers celebrates selected individuals and events from the civil rights era through to the present. Audience members will gain an understanding of racial segregation in the South in the pre-Civil rights era and how courageous people brought about change. They will be encouraged to recognize and become contemporary "freedom seekers."
Freedom Seekers has been called "moving, simultaneously entertaining and educational" in its 12-year touring history. It is suitable for all ages, and has been successfully received by pre-school through adult audiences. As an interracial team, Mr. Burris and Ms. Khalsa are role models and living examples of people from different backgrounds joining and working together for understanding and justice.
Night of Renewal
Go to entry in collaboration section
Workshops and Masterclasses
Both Mr. Burris and Ms. Khalsa are master teachers, each with over 30 years teaching experience. Masterclasses or workshops for students, teachers and/or staff are individually designed to fit the needs of the sponsor.
Areas of expertise include creative movement; African, modern and jazz dance techniques; dance, music and culture of the Scottish Highlands; dance composition, improvisation, partnering, movement for actors; yoga and meditation.
Residences
Residencies of a day, multiple days, or week can combine classes, workshops, teacher training sessions and/or a formal or informal performance. 2 Near The Edge works extensively with sponsors well in advance of the residency to choose activities most suited to the goals of the sponsor.
RECENT COLLABORATIONS
Night of Renewal
With Scottish dancer, vocalist and scholar Michael Newton and musician Ed Butler . . .
Night of Renewal is an evening length work conceived and choreographed by 2 Near The Edge and Scottish dancer, vocalist and scholar Michael Newton, with musical direction by former Red Clay Rambler Ed Butler. With an ensemble of 11 dancers, musicians and vocalists, Night of Renewal revisits dance and music from African American and Scottish Highland traditions. Particularly inspired by the North Carolina slave celebration Jonkunnu and the Scottish Highland Oidhche Challuinn ritual, this program acknowledges the inter-relationship of African American and Scottish Highland peoples in North Carolina while re-visioning two important holiday traditions celebrated in these cultures.
Michael Newton was awarded a Ph.D. in Celtic Studies from the University of Edinburgh in 1998. He is the leading authority on the literature and cultural legacy of Scottish Highland immigrant communities in America. During his seven years of residency in Scotland, he studied with native Highland tradition bearers of oral tradition and dance. He has performed at various venues in the US and Canada, and in Scotland and France with folklore ensemble Drumalban (based in Edinburgh, Scotland).
Ed Butler is well-known on the North Carolina music scene, playing percussion with many different artists, including the Tony-Award winning Red Clay Ramblers. He has played music on Broadway, in many theatrical productions, and with dance companies such as the Carolina Ballet.
Bring Me Your Breasts
With poet Jaki Shelton Green and composer/percussionist John Hanks . . .
Bring Me Your Breasts is a full-length work for six dancers that uses dance, poetry, music, and text to honor all those whose lives have been affected by breast cancer. This compelling work is a collaboration between 2 Near The Edge, poet Jaki Shelton Green and composer/percussionist John Hanks, Jr. Pearl Shelby, a breast cancer survivor of 23 years, segues the end of the performance with a discussion/sharing about the work and audience members' experiences with breast cancer and healing. Information about breast cancer prevention and support services is made available at performances.
Jaki Shelton Green's poetry has appeared in textbooks, journals, anthologies, and publications such as The Crucible, The African-American Review, Essence Magazine and Obsidian. She has performed her poetry and taught workshops in the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, and Brazil. Dead on Arrival and New Poems was selected as one of only 32 American titles at the Frankfurt, Germany International Book Fair in 1984.
John Hanks is full-time staff musician for the Duke Dance and has been a dance musician for the American Dance Festival since 1984 and accompanist for the Jazz Dance World Congress since 1992. As a free-lance percussionist he is jazz drummer for the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra and the Gregg Gelb Swing Band, concert percussionist with the Mallarme Chamber Players, and percussion instructor for the Duke Music Department. His percussion compositions for dance class were released on the CD Here Come the Drums in 1999.
RECENT COMMISSIONS
The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady
Music: Charles Mingus
Commissioned by the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra, James Ketch, Director
Premiered at NCJRO's performance Rhythm is Our Business & Swing is the Thing, Memorial Hall, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, October 12, 2007
Oblivion
Music: Astor Piazzolla
Commissioned by Hsiao-Mei Ku for her chamber ensemble of violin, cello, and piano
Premiered at St. Mary's College, Raleigh, NC January 10, 2006