UnderScored is a multi-faceted project rooted in the intergenerational stories and memories of NYC underground club heads. Created in collaboration with legendary elders from the underground dance community, Archie Burnett, Michele Saunders, Louis “Loose” Kee, and Brahms “Bravo” LaFortune, the cast ranges in age from 25-77. This project takes shape as a series of performances, community based events and an oral history archive. In this work and progress showing audiences peak into the creative process and the shared conversations that inspire this work.

The work is commissioned by ArtPower at UC San Diego along with Works & Process at the Guggenheim Museum, the Momentary at Crystal Bridges, and the Yard. The complete work will be performed as part of ArtPower’s 2021–22 season.

Tickets here.

UnderScored is a multi-faceted project rooted in the intergenerational stories and memories of NYC underground club heads. Created in collaboration with legendary elders from the underground dance community, Archie Burnett, Michele Saunders (both featured in this video), Louis (Loose) Kee, and Brahms (Bravo) LaFortune, the cast ranges in age from age 25-77. This project takes shape as a series of performances, community based events and an oral history archive.

Originally commissioned by Works & Process for the subterranean theater at the Guggenheim, this work continues to evolve. Before the creators of Underscored exited their Works & Process bubble residency, they created a site-specific work for and filmed at Lincoln Center. While the pandemic has brought club life to a halt, the bonds created on dance floors across boroughs and across generations continue to provide the company with a sense of family and community.

In conjunction with this project, the Jerome Robbins Dance Division at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts will provide a fellowship for Asherie to collect and archive oral histories. This archive will focus on elders who are part of the generation of dancers who helped create and usher in NYC’s underground dance culture in the 1970s and ’80s. When it is safe, Underscored will officially premiere in front of a live audience at Works & Process at the Guggenheim.

In order of appearance:
Teena Marie Custer, Manon Bal, Val (Ms. Vee) Ho, Ephrat (Bounce) Asherie, Dorren (Moglii) Smith, Ron (Stealth-1) Chunn Jr., Matthew (Megawatt) West, Michele Saunders, and Archie Burnett

The work will premiere digitally on Sunday, November 15 at 7:30 pm ET on this page and Lincoln Center’s Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube as well as on Works & Process at the Guggenheim’s Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Works & Process at Lincoln Center
Works & Process at the Guggenheim and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts present four newly-commissioned video performances created during Works & Process bubble residencies at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park in rural Hudson Valley and filmed on the Lincoln Center campus. The works are co-produced by Works and Process at the Guggenheim and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and filmed by Nic Petry at Dancing Camera. When it is safe for artists and audiences to gather, these works will premiere in full form at Works & Process at the Guggenheim. Click here to learn more.

Join Ephrat Asherie in an intimate conversation with UC San Diego dance lecturer Grace Jun.

Tickets here.

Film Screening and Conversation with Ephrat Asherie and dancer Archie Burnett.

Check Your Body At The Door brings to light the 1990s house dance culture that has largely been in the dark. The film includes underground footage culled from the past thirty years, with focuses on shared relationships and histories of some of its major players and master free-stylists. The virtuosity of eclectic urban dance styles and the personalities of the people who created these moves are revealed. Ephrat Asherie’s newest work UnderScored—which can be seen on November 19, in-progress—employs testimonials and unbridled dancing to capture the work of her artistic forbearers in the safety and freedom of New York’s downtown clubs. After the screening, join the film’s griot/guiding star Archie Burnett in conversation with Asherie as they discuss the golden decade of dancing and its continuing resonance today in popular shows like Pose, Legendary, and The Get Down.

Tickets here.

Ahead of the fall premiere of UnderScored by Ephrat Asherie Dance, enjoy a special look into the Works & Process commission from home. Joined by dramaturg Melanie George, Bessie Award winner Ephrat Asherie will discuss her creative method and the unique process of choreographing and rehearsing new work through video conferencing technology. Company dancers will then perform excerpts from the work.

This Works & Process program will be hosted virtually through Zoom. Audience members should have access to a computer with Wi-Fi.

Free, but space is limited. RSVP is required; a Zoom link and password will be emailed the day of the performance.

RSVP here.

For more information, email info@worksandprocess.org.

To learn more about House dance, watch the documentary Check Your Body at the Door.

Having received the honorary status of Legend after 10 years of competing in the Vogue Ballroom scene and performing across the globe, choreographer Omari Wiles brings the ballroom to the Peter B. Lewis Theater at the Guggenheim. With excerpts of New York is Burning, performed by Les Ballet Afrik and guest artists, Wiles presents his signature “AfrikFusion” style, which fuses traditional African dances and Afrobeat styles with House dance and Vogue.

Excerpts from Ephrat Asherie’s UnderScored (working title) are performed by EAD company members with guest artists from New York City’s underground dance scene. Beginning with the legendary parties at The Loft and the Paradise Garage, UnderScored is inspired by intergenerational club-life memories and explores the ever-changing physical landscape of New York City’s underground House dance community.

Tickets here.

Having received the honorary status of Legend after 10 years of competing in the Vogue Ballroom scene and performing across the globe, choreographer Omari Wiles brings the ballroom to the Peter B. Lewis Theater at the Guggenheim. With excerpts of New York is Burning, performed by Les Ballet Afrik and guest artists, Wiles presents his signature “AfrikFusion” style, which fuses traditional African dances and Afrobeat styles with House dance and Vogue.

Excerpts from Ephrat Asherie’s UnderScored (working title) are performed by EAD company members with guest artists from New York City’s underground dance scene. Beginning with the legendary parties at The Loft and the Paradise Garage, UnderScored is inspired by intergenerational club-life memories and explores the ever-changing physical landscape of New York City’s underground House dance community.

Tickets here.