Helene Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 PNB announced on Facebook that former PNB soloist and PNBS teacher Kabby Mitchell has died: I just met him earlier this year, and he spoke about some wonderful plans. RIP, Mr. Mitchell. Link to comment
sandik Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 This is making me so very sad. Kabby Mitchell was a wonderful performer, and an incredible asset to the company back when they were still working to establish their credentials in the city. The photo above is just one example of his ebullient quality, but he could also be stern, sexy, and transcendent. After he left the company, he was part of multiple projects in the Northwest and elsewhere, including a new performing arts school in Tacoma, Washington -- it is sometimes a cliche to say that the dead will be missed, but in this case it is very painfully true. Link to comment
Helene Posted May 5, 2017 Author Share Posted May 5, 2017 In the "Beyond Ballet" discussion hosted at PNB this past Wednesday, the panelists spoke about how important it was to see someone who looked like them at the front of the classroom. Mitchell's death is a huge blow to the new school and to the community. Link to comment
Helene Posted May 12, 2017 Author Share Posted May 12, 2017 The Seattle Times published an obituary: http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/kabby-mitchell-iii-first-black-dancer-with-pacific-northwest-ballet-dies/ Quote Mr. Mitchell is survived by his sister Patricia Corbert and her family, and by the many friends and students whose lives he touched. His life will be celebrated in a memorial service at 2 p.m. July 9 at Seattle’s Paramount Theater; it will be a weekend of celebrating his legacy, with the Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center planned to open July 8. Donations in Mr. Mitchell’s memory, the family suggests, can help continue his planned work at TUPAC; tacomaupac.org. Among an outpouring of affection for Mr. Mitchell on Facebook this week, one friend wrote, “We will think of you dancing in the stars.” Link to comment
JumpFrog Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Someone who's work and vast contributions will last forever. Rest in Peace. Link to comment
sandik Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 There is a memorial this coming Sunday (July 9), at the Paramount Theater at 2 pm. If you're planning to attend, they've asked us to RSVP here. Link to comment
Helene Posted July 7, 2017 Author Share Posted July 7, 2017 I just got an email from Seattle Theatre Group with this info: Quote Please be advised that STG has increased safety procedures to include a NO BAG policy and a requirement that all patrons remove their coats upon entry. We apologize for any discomfort this may cause but feel that the overall safety of our patrons is the most important thing, therefore these measures have become standard practice. Note: purses of reasonable size are still permitted. We advise that you plan accordingly and refrain from bringing other bags or backpacks to the theatre. Please be prepared to remove your coat upon entry. You will be able to keep your coat with you. Thank you! Link to comment
Helene Posted July 10, 2017 Author Share Posted July 10, 2017 My phone doesn't want to transfer screen shots of the program, so I'll write it out here: KABBY MITCHELL, III Celebration of Life Sunday, July 9, 2017 Master of Ceremony Bertram Johnson, Minister of Advocacy, Justice and Change -- Riverside Church, NYC Sacred Drum Circle Etienne Cakpo, Thione Diop, Yaw Amponsah, Mohammed Shaibu, Kokou Gbakenou Libations Makeda Ebube He Has Never Failed Me Yet Total Experience Gospel Choir Led by Pastor Patrinell Wright Seattle Mayor, Edward Murray Warrior Spirits Walking the Earth NW Tap Connection, Melba Ayco, Director Shaina Mitchell, Alex Jackson, Dani Long & ensemble Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates Co-Founder, The Conciliation Project Que! 3rd movement Choreography by Kabby Mitchell, III ARC Dance Company, Marie Chong, Artistic Director Mark David Bloodgood, Alice Cao, Erin Crall, Diana Crowder, Ethan Schweitzer-Gaslin, special appearance by Erricka S. Turner and Bertram Johnson Francia Russell Co-Artistic Director, Pacific Northwest Ballet, 1977-2005 Smoke and Tequila Choreographed by Alex Crozier Spectrum Dance Theater, Donald Byrd Artistic Director Performed by Lena Silverman Video Tribute to Kabby Mitchell III Dr. Gilda Sheppard, Faculty, The Evergreen State College Edited by David Cramton Hallelujah Vorece Miller Edna Daigre, Founder Ewajo Dance Center Chaconne choreographed by José Limón Dance Theater of Harlem Artistic Director, Virginia Johnson Performed by DTH Company member, Da'Von Doane The Evergreen State College Dr. W. Joye Hardiman, Professor Emeritus, Arts & Humanities George Bridges, Ph.D, President Kenneth Tabbutt, Ph.D, Interim Provist Dr. Maxime Mimms, Emerita Faculty, Tacoma Campus Co-Founder Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center (TUPAC) Klair Etheridge, Director, Kabby Mitchell, III, Artistic Director Musical Tribute Owuor Arunga & Josephine Howell Josh LaBelle, Executive Director Seattle Theatre Group Ricardo Frazer, Board President, Seattle Theatre Group ------------------------------------------------ Reception Immediately Following ------------------------------------------------ Special Thanks Seattle Theatre Group, staff, board, volunteers, and crew Pacific Northwest Ballet Dilettante Chocolates Tom Douglas Catering Kabby Mitchell, III Artist, Cultural Ambassador, Trailblazer, Educator, Friend! December 31, 1956 -- May 4, 2017 Forever in our hearts. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center was Kabby's dream. Please support his legacy by contributing to the GoFundMe campaign, https://www.gofundme.com/kabby-mitchell-iii-tupac ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ THANK YOU! Kabby's Family (In attendance) Patricia & James Corbert, George & Colleen Everly, Noah James Everly, Jurnee Rose Everly, Kabby Mitchell, IV, & Melissa Everly, Kabby Mitchell Everly, V, Varonica Marzett Kabby Mitchell, IV spoke, as did another nephew (if I understood correctly) Link to comment
Helene Posted July 10, 2017 Author Share Posted July 10, 2017 In trying to find an online version of the photo that was in the program, I found this wonderful photo from "City Arts":http://www.cityartsmagazine.com/articles/memoriam-kabby-mitchell-iii Link to comment
Helene Posted July 10, 2017 Author Share Posted July 10, 2017 Here it is, downloaded from the STG site: Link to comment
Jayne Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 Could you give us the jist of remarks about his ballet career? Link to comment
Helene Posted July 11, 2017 Author Share Posted July 11, 2017 It really wasn't about Kabby Mitchell, III, Dancer, but about Kabby Mitchell, III, Mensch. It was about his generosity as a teacher, mentor, colleague, social justice warrior, friend, founder, and bigamist: at least 2/3 of the women said they were his wife It was about his smile, his eyes, his honesty, his sarcasm, his humor, his laugh, his love of family, food, friends, justice, community. It was about the man who, as Francia Russell described, bored and playing a Capulet, found a huge, blond fright wig and wore it onstage. Hearing her heels in an attempt to grab him at his exit, he exited the other way. As he realized that she realized what he had done and headed the other way, he did another zig. Back and forth until she caught up with him, and then they both burst into laughter and couldn't stop. It was about the man who, when after he'd been teaching, a disabled student started to cry, and when he asked what was wrong, the student, who had Cerebral Palsy, was bereft about not being able to do the movement. The next day, he taught choreography from the waist up. It was a celebration of a life that was cut way too short. Link to comment
sandik Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 He was generous with his time, he was generous with his skills, and he was generous with his spirit. I don't ever remember him saying "no" to a request. He originally trained in Oakland, and came to Seattle to teach for Edna Daigre, who ran a studio here focused on Dunham technique. Kabby walked into an audition for Pacific Northwest Ballet in 1979, when the company was still very raw (Francia Russell's comment yesterday was that they had a collection of semi-professional dancers at the time, with the emphasis on "semi") He performed with them until 1984, as well as more briefly with Nederlands Dance Theater and Dance Theater of Harlem. He taught at the PNB school, created works for their summer shows in the 1980s, ran his own company for several seasons, danced in Las Vegas a couple of times... He was a lovely dancer -- everyone remarked on his flexibility and elevation, but the thing I remember was his clarity. His phrasing and shaping was so full. He went on to work extensively in the theater as a director and choreographer, as well as teaching at Evergreen State College, which has a very collaborative academic structure -- he team taught with artists, scientists, and other scholars. And he had just launched a new arts school in Tacoma with a focus on young students of color -- they opened their doors the day before this memorial service. It was wonderful to hear stories and see video, but the lesson I took away with me is one that I often feel at events like this. Do the work you should be doing now -- appreciate the people in your life now. Don't wait till later. Link to comment
Helene Posted July 12, 2017 Author Share Posted July 12, 2017 There are photos of the opening of Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center (TUPAC) on Saturday, July 8 at this link: http://features.crosscut.com/tacoma-urban-performing-arts-center Link to comment
Helene Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 Clips from Sunday's Celebration of Life have been posted to YouTube. This is the compilation of Mitchell's dancing: Link to comment
Helene Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 3rd Movement of Mitchell's Que!, danced by ARC Dance Company Link to comment
Helene Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 Lena Silverman, Spectrum Dance Theater, in "Smoke and Tequilla," choreography by Alex Crozier: Link to comment
Helene Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 Da'Von Duane, Dance Theatre of Harlem, in José Limón's "Chaconne": Link to comment
Helene Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 "Hallelujah," Vorece Miller: Link to comment
sandik Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 Thank you for tracking these down and posting them. It was particularly sweet to see Mitchell as a young dancer. Link to comment
Helene Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 This is a wonderful article about TUPAC and Mitchell: http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article161164353.html Quote The focus would be providing arts education for children of color with limited means. “We wanted to make a school where children could see teachers who look like them, who understood how to talk to them, how to inspire them,” [TUPAC Co-founder Klair] Ethridge said. In March, Ethridge and Mitchell looked at the space TUPAC now occupies. On the drive home, Ethridge turned to Mitchell. “I said, Kabby, what are we going to call this’?” Ethridge decided they needed a catchy acronym. “As soon as I said that a Tupac (Shakur) song came on the radio,” she said. The rapper’s name inspired them. “We worked (the acronym) out,” Ethridge recalled. “I said, ‘Kabby, write it down right now’.” Link to comment
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