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The Music Center's Artsource® Curriculum Donald McKayle

Donald McKayle Artsource Unit

Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder

Performed by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Donald McKayle proclaims, "What is beautiful about mankind are the differences, and that is a thing to celebrate." As a black man, he faced many challenges in becoming a dancer and choreographer.  In this seminal work, Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder, he examines life from the perspective of prisoners on chain gangs during an earlier time in the South. In portraying the dreams of freedom, a female dancer represents their mothers, sweethearts and wives. Lessons are grounded in themes such as rhythms of work, leading and following and Freedom and Oppression.

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  • 'Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder'

'Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder'

Credits

Video courtesy of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Donald McKayle.

 

All videos, audio tracks, and artwork on this page are for educational use only and is not to be reproduced.

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