Dance Theatre of Harlem previewing its January performance at the Detroit Opera House

2021

Dance Theatre of Harlem previewing its January performance at the Detroit Opera House

  • Artistic Director Virginia Johnson and Director of Arts and Culture Rochelle Riley will chat in a live-streamed conversation about her vision and the company’s love affair with Detroit.

Dance Theatre of Harlem does Detroit in a visit previewing its January performance at the Detroit Opera House Artistic Director Virginia Johnson and Director of Arts and Culture Rochelle Riley chat in a live-streamed conversation about her vision and the company’s love affair with Detroit.

The last time the Dance Theatre of Harlem performed in Detroit, was before 2,500 students in its second home. The next time the company performs in Detroit will be in January.

To talk about the company’s love of Detroit, Artistic Director Virginia Johnson will chat with Rochelle Riley, the City’s Director of Arts and Culture, about the company’s 30-year commitment to the Motor City and its exciting new work, “Higher Ground,” based on the music of Motown legend Stevie Wonder.

“Detroit is a second home for the DTH, and we are so proud to host them," Riley said. “They are among the best in the world, and we want our children and our families to see the best in the world. And for some of them, we want them to become the best in the world. Imagine a child from Detroit choosing a dance career because of their interaction with these wonderful ambassadors for the craft.”

The Johnson-Riley conversation will be live-streamed on the City's Facebook page and YouTube channel at 1PM on Wednesday, December 14.

The live-streamed event will give Johnson a chance to talk about her stellar career, which she began as a founding member of DTH. Meanwhile, the company has a chance to take Detroit by storm, with a series of upcoming events:

  •  The dancers visited Hitsville U.S.A. Dec. 14 to see and experience the space where Stevie got his start.
  • Wednesday, December 15, Rochelle will talk with Johnson about her life as a prima ballerina and her vision for the company, and future collaborations in Detroit.
  • Thursday, December 16, the dancers will visit schools and speak with future young dancers.
  • Saturday, December 18, the company will host a Skate Party at Campus Martius from 6PM to 8PM
  • And on Sunday, the company will visit Greater Grace Church for its 10 a.m. service. The company will give a moving presentation set to Aretha Franklin’s “Wholy Holy.” The event is open to the public.

For more information and to get tickets go to www.motopera.org