Baltimore, MD - Dance & Bmore's Bmore Broadway Live will mount the second production of its inaugural season. Bmore Broadway Live is dedicated to producing Broadway-caliber shows with Baltimore talent. Its June 2023 production celebrates Black music through dance with a spotlight on Quincy Jones.
The 2023 inaugural Bmore Broadway Live season consists of two Broadway musicals, Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope, and Sweet Charity; an adaptation of the opera Carmen set in a high school with a youth cast; and a music and dance concert celebrating Jazz, Pop, R&B, and Gospel artists with a special focus on composer-producer Quincy Jones.
The season's first show, Cope, took place in February and drew sold-out crowds of college students, senior citizens, and everyone in between. Theatre-goers of diverse ethnic backgrounds gathered for this celebration of Black History Month with a show that debuted on Broadway in 1972, written by Micki Grant, the first Black woman to win a Grammy for best cast album, and directed by Vinnette Caroll, the first Black woman to direct a Broadway show. Cope also featured collaborations with artist Larry "Poncho" Brown, whose artwork was incorporated into the set and projections for the show, and designer Yelé, who created the show's costumes.
The highly anticipated second show in the Bmore Broadway Live season will run June 10th and 11th during Black Music Month. The 2023 Black Music Festival will shine a spotlight on the work of Quincy Jones and the many artists he's influenced and collaborated with over his 75-year career. The Festival is intended to be an annual event with a different artist spotlight each year. Ticket holders are invited to arrive 30 minutes before each show for music by DJ Sole and an open dance floor before the band and performers take the stage.
The Black Music Festival is a celebration of music through dance created by the Dance & Bmore Ensemble under the leadership of artistic director CJay Philip. “This annual music and dance concert has been a year in the making,” Philip says. “Dance & Bmore concerts have always been a fusion of live vocalists, musicians, and dancers creating together and connecting with our audience in meaningful and playful ways. Back in 2021, we were working on the idea of creating an annual concert in June with beloved songs that you would want to dance and sing along to. After the success of Cope during Black History Month, we saw a great opportunity to continue to celebrate and highlight brilliant art and culture for Black Music Month in June.”
The Dance & Bmore Ensemble includes Everlea Bryant, Winston Philip, Alisha Tatem, Peri Walker, Timothy Johnson-McCoy, DeMerris Russell, and CJay Philip. Open auditions have added both fresh and familiar faces to the Black Music Festival cast. You may remember Tracie Jiggetts, Brandon Shaw McKnight, Terrell Chambers, and Solita Price from February's production of Cope. New to the dance ensemble are Ivy Fox, Frances James, and three teens from Dance & Bmore's Voices of Carmen program, Saniah Wharton, Tyonna Williams, and Dia Kess. Musical director Winston Philip considers Quincy Jones a huge creative influence. We are excited to have 14-year-old Noah Kabia returning on drums and to feature Bentley Corbett on trumpet, Dana Cole on flute, and Voices of Carmen alum Quinn Rehkemper on saxophone, playing songs like "Cool Joe," "Stuff Like That," You Put a Move on My Heart," and "Miss Celie's Blues" from The Color Purple.
The 2023 Black Music Festival will perform four shows on June 10th and 11th at the Motor House. The show will feature a live band, singers, dancers, DJ Sole, and an open dance floor. Tickets are available now for Bmore Broadway Live’s first annual Black Music Festival.
Follow the Bmore Broadway Live Facebook page or @BmoreBroadwayLive on Instagram to see behind the scenes of the creative process. For more about the shows and season, email [email protected] or visit the Dance & Bmore website at http://danceandbmore.com/.
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Lauren Erazo at [email protected] or call Dance & Bmore at 410-871-8322.
