The Apollo celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Black women-led theatrical dance company and social activism ensemble, Urban Bush Women with a stunning visual exhibition in the Laura and Frank Baker Gallery. With special pop-up performances on select dates, Legacy, Lineage and Liberation: An Examination of Urban Bush Women’s Art-Making and Community Organizing Praxis contains rare photographs, performance footage, manuscripts, costumes and memorabilia from the groundbreaking ensemble’s 40-year history.

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CREDITS

Lead Curators

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Chanon Judson, Co-Artistic Director
Mame Diarra Speis, Co-Artistic Director

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Curatorial Team

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Jonathan D. Secor, Producer
Laura Stewart, Curatorial Consultant
Pia Monique Murray, Associate Producer

Burkindy, Visual Artist
Vince Ballantine, Visual Artist
Eddie Ballard, Installer
Jean Barberis, Lead Installer
Lizzy Cooper Davis, Scholar/Writer
Andrew Gordon, Installer
Nick Hussong, Video Compilation & Projection Design
Teya Juarez, SUNY Buffalo Research Assistant
Camille Lawrence, UBW Archivist
Nina Angela Mercer, Scholar/Writer
Makeda Smith, Marketing Director

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Presented in Partnership with Urban Bush Women

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‍ABOUT URBAN BUSH WOMEN:
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Urban Bush Women is a groundbreaking Black women-led theatrical dance company and social activism ensemble, founded in 1984 by visionary choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar as an engine and an amplifier for the unheard stories of Black Women+. Today, under the artistic leadership of Chanon Judson and Mame Diarra Speis, UBW combines revolutionary performance, deep-healing community engagement, and ancestral knowledge from the African diaspora into a cultural force that is urgent, forward-looking, and essential.

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UBW embraces the power of radical storytelling to activate social change. Whether creating genre-defying work for the stage, guiding the development of Black Women+ choreographers and producers, organizing for justice through art-making, or inspiring leaders across generations, UBW is an innovator, operating at the vanguard.

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Urban Bush Women 40th Anniversary leadership funding is provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies. Additional funding is provided by the Howard Gilman Foundation.‍
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Legacy, Lineage, and Liberation: An Examination of Urban Bush Women’s Art-Making and Community Organizing Praxis was made possible with additional support from the University at Buffalo.

APAP Cocktail Events 

Thursday, January 9, 2025 | 6pm

Friday, January 10, 2025 | 6pm

Saturday, January 11, 2025 | 6pm

Free with RSVP to Loss ticketholders with APAP registration. Must show APAP credential at check-in.

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The Apollo and Urban Bush Women welcome APAP attendees to a private cocktail pre-show reception at the Apollo Stages at The Victoria. Before Ian Kamau’s Under The Radar Festival performance of Loss, join us for hors d’oeuvres, libations, and a meet and greet with Urban Bush Women company members and Apollo staff.

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Legacy, Lineage and Liberation: An Examination of Urban Bush Women’s Art-Making and Community Organizing Praxis

Saturday Pop Up Performances

Saturday, January 11, 2025 | 4pm

Saturday, January 25, 2025 | 4pm

Saturday, February 22, 2025 | 4pm

Saturday, March 8, 2025 | 4pm

Free w/ RSVP

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Visit the Urban Bush Women 40th Anniversary Exhibition for intimate solo or duet performances by Urban Bush Women in the Laura & Frank Baker Gallery. Space is limited, RSVP to reserve your spot.