Choreographer Ray Mercer, winner of Joffrey Ballet's Choreographers of Color Award, will present Pure Motion, an evening of his dances produced by and benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Throughout Mercer’s ongoing, 13-year run as a cast member of Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway, he has simultaneously created work on the New Jersey Ballet, the Pensacola Ballet, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Philadanco and Ailey II. Mercer also has been a guest artist for the Boston Ballet and has worked with Rod Stewart, Aretha Franklin and Garth Fagan. Mercer’s dynamic, visually striking and thought-provoking choreography has won the best onstage presentation award seven times at Broadway Cares’ annual Gypsy of the Year and Easter Bonnet Competition.
The prolific choreographer will present some of New York’s most promising dancers in seven contemporary pieces, including two premiere created especially for the event. The evening will provide a fitting closure to Black History Month, which is celebrated in February.
"I was thrilled when Ray, a longtime friend and supporter of Broadway Cares, chose to dedicate the first ever full evening of his work to us,” said Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. “Ray’s powerful and provocative choreography has captivated audiences at Broadway Cares’ events and beyond for years and this will be a truly unique opportunity to experience his talent in full-scale."
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE;
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29th @ 7 & 8:30 PM
