Legendary dancer/director Arthur Mitchell visits L.A.

In tandem with the soon-to-close "40 Years of Firsts," a loving and comprehensive art gallery retrospective of Dance Theatre of Harlem, Arthur Mitchell, the troupe's artistic director emeritus, will appear at the California African American Museum the evening of June 30.

The multimedia exhibit, organized by the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, has been at CAAM since February. Must viewing for dance lovers, and well worth the trek to USC Exposition Park, the show is slated to close on July 4.

It beautifully memorializes, through photo, poster, correspondence, video, costume, and bric a brac, the boutique ballet troupe's repertory of twentieth century dance masterpieces.

Dance Theatre of Harlem still functions as a school, but its performing ensemble has been "on hiatus" since 2004.

I recently covered a reunion/symposium of former DTH alumni for the Los Angeles Times.

Read the Culture Monster blog item here.

The full Los Angeles Times article is here.

Arthur Mitchell in conversation | California African American Museum | USC Exposition Park | Wednesday June 30, 7 pm

photo credits: Gene Ogami (caam exhibit), heinz awards (arthur mitchell)