LIU Brooklyn's Kumble Theater Presents the World Premiere of 'Black Buddha'

The fall season is quickly approaching and Kumble Theater at LIU Brooklyn has a busy season planned! Kicking off things is Viewsic Expressions Dance, led by New York Dance and Performance “Bessie” award winner Germaul Barnes in the world premiere of “Black Buddha.” The evening-length, contemporary work features Barnes' signature action-packed and theatrical stylings. The Viewsic Expressions company will be joined by guest performers Nejla Yatkin and Miguel Anaya with documentary video and projections by Whitney V. Hunter.

“Black Buddha” is the story of a young African American man’s journey in search of enlightenment. Barnes says of the work, “I took inspiration from a quote by Masaaki Morinada, ‘happiness is not simply about having calmness and tranquility. It’s discovering that within each of our lives is the great life force to face and overcome all manner of challenges and difficulties.’ Born into a dry, hostile environment, the young man has to develop thorns for protection, maintain faith like flowing water and yet he blooms beautiful flowers like the saguaro cactus.”

“Black Buddha” will run Friday, September 21, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, September 22, at 7:30 p.m.

LIU Brooklyn’s Kumble Theater is located on Flatbush Avenue between DeKalb Avenue and Willoughby Street. Tickets are $22; $16.50 (students); $18 (seniors). Tickets can be purchased at the Kumble Theater box office at (718) 488-1624 or online at www.kumbletheater.org.

The Brooklyn-based company was founded in 1993 as a forum for investigating both the creative processes and the artistic products that result when artists of different mediums collide. Anchored in the choreographic work of Bessie Award winner Germaul Barnes, GB/VED creates dynamic performances that engage the body as an intersection for ideas. Barnes is a former member of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company (1996-2005), Shapiro & Smith Dance, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Tolada Dance Co. (Berlin, Germany) and Philadanco.

For more information visit www.ViewsicEx.org.