Donald McKayle celebrates the depth of music with Kansas City
Jheel Mehta
Issue date: 1/28/08 Section: Culture
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On Jan. 24, at the Central Library in conjunction with the Kansas City Ballet; the recipient of five-time Tony Award-nomination; the NAACP Image Award (for "Sophisticated Ladies"); an Emmy Award nomination; the Samuel H. Scripps/American Dance Festival Award; the Capezio Award; the Heritage Award; the Living Legend Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award; McKayle discussed his exceptional career and experience with the passionate dancers in Kansas City.
McKayle has come to Kansas City to create a masterpiece to celebrate the Kansas City Ballet's 50th anniversary.
"Hey-Hay Going to Kansas City" is the piece that will personify the spirit and energy of Kansas City's golden age of jazz.
"The rich history in fact, anecdote and legend surrounding Kansas City Jazz is fertile ground for a marvelous dance," McKayle said.
McKayle will give Kansas City a taste of everything from traditional jazz to boogie style to exotic to every style imaginable in jazz dancing and music.
"It was always different, because you never knew what you'll run into next…" McKayle said.
With a mischievous smile, McKayle told stories about different artists he's worked with. Barbara Smith, a singer with a marvelous voice, was one of the artists McKayle worked with, and he will never forget the experience.
"Barbara was at the event to sing 'Evergreen'," McKayle said.
He explained how Smith had asked for a new stage and after the practice changed the camera settings and so forth. Not taking any names, he mentioned another dancer who had refused to dance on the stage.
"I don't dance on that," McKayle said, imitating the dancer. But this was not where it ended. After building a new stage, the dancer had refused once again.
For McKayle these experiences have not just been memorable, but also an inspiration for his work. McKayle is working with 10 couples for "Hey-Hay Going to Kansas City." This means for 10 couples there are 20 characters and double the choreography. In the journey of making this masterpiece, the past experiences have influenced McKayle to create a different character and choreography for the piece.
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