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Kyle Abraham/Abraham.In.Motion present Pavement in Pittsburgh

by Diana Roth
February 9, 2013
Byham Theater
101 6th Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 456-1350
Pittsburgh, PA: The Pittsburgh Dance Council, a division of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, will present Kyle Abraham/Abraham.In.Motion:Pavement on Saturday, February 16, 2013, at 8:00 p.m., at the Byham Theater.

Pittsburgh native, Kyle Abraham, brings his company home for a special evening of dance showcasing his latest work, Pavement, a choreography that expresses changes taking place in Pittsburgh's historically black neighborhoods. Abraham's work is influenced by growing up African American in Pittsburgh. From his beginnings at the Civic Light Opera Academy and the Creative and Performing Arts High School in Pittsburgh, Abraham moved to New York City and received his BFA from SUNY Purchase and MFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. In 2009 Dance Magazine named Kyle Abraham one of the "25 to watch."

Steve Sucato of City Paper wrote, "Whether he's talking on social issues or making even bigger splashes on the local and national scenes, the sense that Abraham is on the verge of breakthrough looms primarily because his talent is just too big to ignore." In Pavement Abraham uses these talents to express his view of the current social stigmas of African Americans.

Abraham recently became one of 54 artists to receive the USA Fellowship from the United States Artists (USA), receiving a $50,000 grant. Artists range from 18-31 and represent the most innovative talent. These artists are chosen from the fields of architecture and design, dance, literature, media, crafts and traditional arts, music, theater arts, and visual arts.

Abraham's choreography references early hip-hop musicians, like Kriss Kross - that offer
some comic relief - and challenges the progress made over the past twenty years among African American communities. Abraham.In.Motion dancers have varied backgrounds, bringing their unique styles into the composition such as ballet, hip-hop, and African dance. Pavement, is performed to a diverse score of opera, rhythm & blues, soul, country, essays from W.E.B. DuBois' The Soul of Black Folk, and excerpts from the 1991 film by John Singleton, Boyz n the Hood, all mixed with sounds of the city bringing this powerful dance to life.

Tickets($19-$48) may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square, online at www.trustarts.org
or by calling (412) 456-6666. Subscribe to the 2012-2013 Dance
Council season by calling (412) 456-1390 or online at www.trustarts.org/dance.

Each year the Pittsburgh Dance Council, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, showcases a world-class season of dance. As the largest presenter of international performances in the city, the Dance Council continues to help make our Cultural District one of the country's leading arts and entertainment centers.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is the cultural and economic development of Pittsburgh's 14-block Cultural District through public and private support. The Trust presents and encourages diverse performing and visual arts programs within the District, and is an impetus for additional development in downtown Pittsburgh. www.trustarts.org

Photo © & courtesy of Ian Douglas

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