Lisa wanted to make sure that we headed to the Apollo Theater while in Harlem so she arranged to get us tickets.  We wanted to go to amateur night, but it didn’t work with our schedule so we got tickets for the Bessie awards.  we didn’t have a clue what they were, but heck we would get to go to the Apollo.  We did find out that it was an award show for dance.

Turns out the Bessie’s were really cool, although we really didn’t know what was going on or who was being awarded what.  Carol was thrilled when Jessye Norman came on stage as the presenter of the 2014 Bessie Award for Lifetime Achievement in Dance to Arthur Mitchell, founder of the Harlem School of Dance.   Carol has heard Jessye Norman’s singing voice but we all could have listened to her speak a bit longer…it was mesmerizing.  A female James Earl Jones.  Another highlight was Dr. Chuck Davis, who received the award for Service in the Field of Dance. Dr. Davis brought his dance and African drummers on stage from his Dance Africa! team.  He got everyone up and dancing.  It was inspiring.  We enjoyed four performances two especially intriguing…one by the Urban Bush Women and the other a very unique tap number which was performed by three dancers all in a lighted area of the stage that could not have measured more than 10 x 5.  Very cool.  Here are some quotes we liked from the event.

Dr. Chuck Davis – “Peace, love, respect – everyone.”

Dr. Chuck Davis – “If you are dancing, there is no time for hate.”

Camille A Brown – I am the last one who anyone would call courageous or fearless and look at me now.  (After she won her award).

Camille A Brown – Don’t let anyone tell you what to do or more importantly, what not to do.”

Well said!