Fans of James Brown know that, in concert, the Godfather of Soul “Got the Feelin’,” was a “Sex Machine” and was “Superbad,” to borrow three of his better-known titles.
All that and the man could bust moves like no one else — sweaty lost-in-the-moment, funk-filled motion that is relished still on countless YouTube videos.
Now, the Georgia Music Hall of Famer’s steps are being celebrated in a showcase that is a highlight of the Rialto Center for the Arts’ 2013-14 season, being announced Monday exclusively in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“James Brown: Get on the Good Foot, a Celebration in Dance” comes Nov. 9 to the Georgia State University downtown center known for bringing top national and international dance talent to Atlanta along with a blend of jazz, world music and other performing arts.
Conceived by choreographer Otis Sallid, “Get on the Good Foot” features Philadanco (the Philadelphia Dance Company) dancing Brown-inspired new works by six choreographers from four continents: Souleymane Badolo (Burkina Faso), Ronald K. Brown (United States), Thang Dao (Vietnam), Derick K. Grant (United States), Aakash Odedra (United Kingdom) and Abdel Salaam (United States).
The taped musical score includes Brown classics and new compositions.
It’s the only Georgia stop for the tour presented by the Apollo Theater.
Coinciding with steady growth in the maturing metro dance scene, Rialto director Leslie Gordon has featured dance strongly in the mix that she has booked over the past decade. For the past four years, she has enjoyed $50,000 in annual support from the Atlanta-based Charles Loridans Foundation targeted for presenting dance. The gift for the coming season brings its combined contribution to $250,000.
“The point I made that resonated with the foundation was the fact that there were these very important American dance companies going to Birmingham and Miami and Charleston, all around us, and they weren’t coming to Atlanta,” Gordon said. “And they agreed that it’s important for Atlantans to see these companies.”
With other university-run arts entities, including Emory’s Schwartz Center for the Arts and Georgia Tech’s Ferst Center for the Arts, also presenting touring dance, along with programs put on by a growing number of metro-based ensembles led by Atlanta Ballet, the city has never offered dance in a greater volume or in a wider array.
In another highlight of its 2013-14 season, the Rialto will present its second “Edge Biennial Dance Immersion,” a showcase of new international, national and local choreography, in collaboration with Kennesaw State University’s Department of Dance on the weekend of Jan. 31, 2014.
The full Rialto lineup:
Oct. 5: Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club
Oct. 20: Idan Raichel Project
Nov. 1-2: Balé Folclórico da Bahia
Nov. 9: "James Brown: Get on the Good Foot, A Celebration in Dance" (featuring Philadanco and special guest dancers)
Dec. 7-8: GSU's School of Music's 16th annual Gala Holiday Concert
Weekend of Jan. 31, 2014: "Edge Biennial Dance Immersion"
Feb. 8, 2014: Soweto Gospel Choir
Feb. 22, 2014: Capitol Steps
Feb. 28, 2014: Johnny Mercer Celebration with special guests Joe Gransden and Carmen Bradford
March 8, 2014: Max Raabe and the Palast Orchester
March 29 2014: Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn
April 5, 2014: Wayne Shorter
April 11-13, 2014: Georgia State University Opera Theatre and Symphony Orchestra
April 17, 2014: Georgia State University Jazz Band
April 26, 2014: Trey McIntyre Project
Subscriptions are on sale, with single tickets available Aug. 1, at the Rialto box office or 404-413-9849, www.rialtocenter.org.
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