"A remarkable work that flows seamlessly from start to finish." 

-The New York Times 

Reggie Wilson returns to White Bird Uncaged with a compelling new full-evening work POWER. The Mission of his Fist and Heel Performance Group is to research, create, and perform work that reflects the spiritual and day-to-day contributions of Africa and its Diaspora. POWER builds on the early evolution of African American spiritual worship and shout traditions by re-imaging what the practices of Black Shakers could have looked like. ​

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3 SHOWS

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Thurs-sat | Nov 7-9 | 8pm

Lincoln hall, pORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY 

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For more information on the company, visit www.fistandheelperformancegroup.org

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Show FAQ

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• Run time: 60 min, no intermission

• Arts for All tickets available 1hr prior at Lincoln Hall with valid Oregon Trail Card

What the press is saying:

 

"Mr. Wilson explores the intersection of worship and dance with poetic imagination. Within the frame of postmodern dance — and with a heady mix of spirituals, contemporary music and field recordings — he produces a remarkable work that flows seamlessly from start to finish... Read more" -The New York Times 

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"Wilson creates a language that is both plain and heartfelt... Read more" - Berkshire on Stage 

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"I had heard about black Quakers because of their involvement with the Underground Railroad and abolition, but it hadn't occurred to me that there might be black Shakers," -Reggie Wilson, in an interview with Times Union... read more.

COMMUNITY EVENT:

Re-Imagining Spirituality Through a Black Lens: a moving conversation about movement

Unpacking INTRODUCTION – Cultural Appropriation, Kinesthetic Anthropology and Post-African Neo Hoodoo Modern Dance

White Bird is excited to facilitate a lecture demonstration with choreographer Reggie Wilson at The Leaven Community Center on Nov 9 at 1pm. While in Portland with his dance company Fist and Heel Performance Group, Wilson will uses his early performance solo INTRODUCTION (1996) to discuss borrowing, stealing, cultural appropriation, copyright, intellectual property and innovation in a lecture demonstration alongside his dancers. He does this by discussing/sharing his field research in the structure and practices of the Spiritual Baptists of Trinidad and Tobago and other Africanist shout traditions.

This event is free and open to the public! Please sign up here to help us with a count for light refreshments!

All people are always welcome at White Bird events, but we are extending a special invitation to people of color to join us for this lecture demonstration.