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A towering jazz masterpiece comes alive onstage with unbridled energy, innovative choreography and live music. TICKETS REQUIRED

A towering jazz masterpiece comes alive onstage with unbridled energy, innovative choreography and live music.

For three decades Urban Bush Women’s powerful moves have shaken theaters and inspired communities celebrating the culture of the African diaspora. As part of their five-month project with FirstWorks this season, Urban Bush Women return to Providence in February 2016 for two jam-packed weeks of workshops, performances and talks.

Jawole Willa Jo Zollar and Thomas F. DeFrantz discuss Walking with ‘Trane, Black Dance in its varied contemporary manifestations, Black Lives Matter, and the long histories of dance in African American social justice advocacy. At RISD Auditorium – FREE

On 2/27, FirstWorks will present Urban Bush Women performing Walking With ‘Trane, a work emblematic of UBW’s practice of weaving contemporary dance, music, and text with the history, culture, and spiritual traditions of African Americans and the African Diaspora. Join us for a discussion of the history and role of jazz in RI. FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Co-presented by FirstWorks and The Providence Athenaeum with Brandeis University Assistant Professor of African and Afro- American Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Jasmine Johnson.

Legendary singer/songwriter Rosanne Cash hits the road with a full band and multimedia experience featuring music from her latest (and finest!) album, The River & The Thread.

The festival partners with FirstWorks, Rites and Reason Theatre, Urban Bush Women, Troupe Yeredon, Dr. Thomas DeFrantz and artists from Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and NYC to engage with students and the larger community in ceremony, performances, discussions, and workshops. TICKETS REQUIRED

Dedicated time with the artists provided for K-12 teachers at this jam dance workshop with Urban Bush Women celebrating “every body” and the diversity that attributes to a unique and powerful community. No prior experience required! At Brown University Ashamu Dance Studio. REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Join us and members of Urban Bush Women as we wrap up their FirstWorks residency with a specialty brunch menu created by the culinary team at the Dorrance. Enjoy a mouth-watering buffet, relaxed conversation & soul-nourishing live jazz performed by Rhode Island’s own Travis Colby Band. ADVANCE TICKETS REQUIRED.

Professional Development and All-school Assembly. Great opportunity for Social Studies, History and Music teachers! CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FLYER

A 90-minute interactive dance party “soundscape through time” with Urban Bush Women’s Founder, Jawole Willla Jo Zollar. At Aurora. REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

A jam dance workshop with Urban Bush Women celebrating “every body” and the diversity that attributes to a unique and powerful community. No prior experience required! At Brown University Ashamu Dance Studio. REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

A jam dance workshop with Urban Bush Women celebrating “every body” and the diversity that attributes to a unique and powerful community. No prior experience required! At Brown University Ashamu Dance Studio. REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

A social evening of food, conversation and local performance capped by a studio performance by Urban Bush Woman in Nora Chipaumire’s dark swan- TICKETS REQUIRED

East Coast Premiere! Combining interactive media and live performance, L.A.’s Cloud Eye Control creates visceral, immediate works that are highly visual, inventive and emotional.