Style Weekly
Richmond's alternative for news, arts, culture and opinion
Change is Underfoot
by Brandon Reynolds
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The performance ensemble Urban Bush Women let their feet do the talking — at least when they're not singing or shouting or gathering sound around them through their movements. The 20-year-old troupe, founded by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, uses the traditions of African dance as its medium, exploring the possibilities for social change through art and culture. The two dances in this show, "Walking With Pearl" and "Southern Diaries," are inspired by the words of others: the former by dance pioneer and educator Pearl Primus, the latter by Langston Hughes and playwright Robbie McCauley. What those words become in movement is something else again, and it's the mission of Zollar and the UBW to translate them into culture and community. "Walking With Pearl … Southern Diaries" comes to the Grace Street Theater Feb. 2-3 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5-$15. 828-2020. S
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