2024 Founders’ Week Celebration | February 11-17
Join Dance Theatre of Harlem as we celebrate our iconic founders Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook and 55 years of access, opportunity and excellence! Our weeklong celebration kicks off with a special Sunday Matinée on Sunday, February 11th, celebrating the life of DTH ballerina and founding member Gayle McKinney-Griffith. Free events include DTH School Director Tai Jimenez in an online conversation with former DTH principal dancer Charmaine Hunter, an alumni masterclass with former DTH company member and permanent faculty member at the School of American Ballet, Christopher Charles McDaniel and open ballet and jazz classes with DTH faculty member Darryl Quinton. During Founders’ Week, you can also enjoy a special offer on New York Season opening night tickets!
2024 New York Season Founders’ Week Special OfferSave 20% on opening night (April 11th) tickets $55 and up. Use Code: DTH55Offer valid: 12pm on Sunday, February 11th – 11:59pm on Saturday, February 17th only!
Schedule of FREE Events
(All activities are Eastern Standard Time)
Sunday, February 11th
Sunday Matinée Honoring Gayle McKinney-Griffith
($20 gen public, $12 seniors 65+ and kids 12 and under)
The program will feature special tributes from the women of the 152nd Street Black Ballet Legacy organization and the Griffith family, as well as live performances by former DTH Ensemble member Sarah Bukowski in Arthur Mitchell’s Balm in Gilead, the LaGuardia Dance Ensemble from Mr. Mitchell’s alma mater Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, students from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Dance Program under the direction of former DTH ballerina and Co-Director of the Ailey School Melanie Person, and former DTH company member Alicia Mae Holloway in an excerpt from Geoffrey Holder’s timeless ballet Dougla. A Meet-the-Artist reception immediately follows the program.
Tuesday, February 13th
Free Adult Open Ballet and Jazz Classes with Darryl Quinton
Ballet Class 6:30-7:30
Jazz Class 7:30-8:30
Thursday, February 15, 2024
“The Ballerinas of DTH” moderated by Tai Jimenez with Charmaine Hunter
(Free Zoom webinar)
1:30pm-2:30pm
Saturday, February 17th
Free Alumni Master Class with Christopher Charles McDaniel
4:00pm-5:30pm
For ages 12 and up, this mixed-level ballet class will focus on refinement, precision, and expansive movement. Having grown up in New York City and danced professionally in various companies in America, Christopher’s teaching style is “classically American” and has something for everyone. Dancers with a basic knowledge of ballet vocabulary are encouraged to attend.
All in-person events will be held at:
Dance Theatre of Harlem
Everett Center for the Performing Arts
466 West 152nd Street
New York, NY 10031-1814