Arts Alive San Antonio

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor –

First a piece of advice: If you have never seen Rennie Harris Puremovemnet before, the Carver Community Cultural Center is giving you a new chance this Saturday, April 13. Don’t miss it! The dance company is a pure joy to watch and, I promise, your spirits will be “Lifted.”

“Lifted” is indeed the title of the production which tells a story of transgression, redemption, faith and community, through Harris’ signature hip-hop/street dance style which he transforms into powerful stage presentations.

Loosely based on Dickens’ “Oliver Swift, “Lifted” follows a young man named Joshua as he gets involved with a band of B-Boys (thieves/pickpockets) and finds out that to be admitted into the group he must rob a stranger. Joshua eventually regrets his deed and seeks forgiveness and redemption from his church community. Gospel music is a strong component of the show under the musical direction of Steven Sapp and Mildred Ruiz-Sapp.

Over the years, the Philadelphia-based Harris has received numerous awards as a pioneer of street-dance theater, which also includes House dance, a subgenre of hip-hop featuring fast and intricate footwork combined with fairly loose upper body movements. He’s been compared with the legendary Bob Fosse and Alvin Ailey, the great African-American choreographer. Harris was also named one of the ambassadors for the United States in President Obama’s cultural exchange program, Dance Motion USA.

Local dancers and choir members will join the company on the Carver stage. (If you see it, drop me a note via the Comments section)

“Lifted,” Saturday, April 13, 8 p.m.’ Carver Community Cultural Center; tickets at box office 210-207-2234 or via Ticketmaster 800- 745-3000.