Cultural catalyst for change

“Sassy, strong, relevant.”

This is the tagline for the Urban Bush Women, a contemporary dance company dedicated to creating dances that produce social change. The company will perform two pieces Friday and Saturday at 8 p. m. at the Grace Street Theater.

African-American dance pioneer and activist Pearl Primus was Urban Bush Women founder and artistic director Jawole Zollar’s inspiration for the pieces.

“She left an incredible legacy,” Zollar says of Primus. “She led a courageous life of exploration, of going to Africa and bringing back dances, and going to the [American] South and bringing back culture.”

Created in 2004, “Walking With Pearl … Africa Diaries” and in 2005, “Walking With Pearl … Southern Diaries” examine two parts of Primus’ legacy.

The first piece is inspired by the journals Primus kept on her journeys to Africa in the late 1940s. Primus performed throughout Africa, and observed the continent’s indigenous dances.

The second piece is based on an interview with Primus while she was working as an anthropologist and activist in the South.

“She [Primus] said that it was necessary for African-Americans to study African dance but not to the detriment of overlooking African-American dance traditions,” Zollar said. “It is her legacy as an artist dedicated to social change that resonates deep within me.”

Primus’ own words play a large role in the first selection, while the second employs words from playwrights and poets to help illustrate her experience as a social equality advocate in the 1940s American South.

“Each person will take away something different from the performance because they bring something different to it. It’s a work that makes them think. It will take them on an emotional journey through collective experiences,” Zollar said.

While in town, Zollar is teaching dance class at the VCU Dance department, the William Byrd Community House, Richmond City Public Schools and the Henrico Center for the Arts.

Tickets are $15 or $5 with a VCU ID.