Spring

Set against the backdrop of traditional African American spiritual music, Alonzo King’s latest creation addresses one of the darkest periods in U.S. history.

For decades, the choreographer has sought out the earliest recordings of the songs Africans brought to America before they were influenced by Western hymns and folk songs. For SPRING, he immersed himself in the songs of the Moving Star Hall Singers, a multigenerational family group from South Carolina founded in the 1960s, as well as the music of Dr. Bernice Reagon, a renowned historian and founder of the a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock.

With SPRING, Alonzo King offers a fresh perspective on the stories of enslaved people. Without succumbing to despair, he creates an opportunity to reflect on what we remember from the past and the will to continue the struggle.

Through a minimalist set design and the interplay of shadows and light, this theme evokes a sense of optimism and hope, heightened by the virtuosity of the talented LINES Ballet ensemble.

« The songs express a tireless effort to dismantle both internal and external chains through boundless originality. They also speak of shared goals: eliminating the oppression that exists among all people, honoring the Earth as a living mother, and viewing the land as sacred.»

Alonzo King

« It’s always refreshing to see a Black artist give a new take on slave narratives. »

Charles Lewis III, 48hills