Memorial celebrations on both sides of the river for legendary artist and activist
By Gerald Pace
For the St. Louis American
On Thursday, which would have been her 97th birthday, a banner stretched across Lincoln Middle School, proclaiming “East St. Louis honors ‘Empress’ Katherine Dunham” during A Familial Memorial Celebration in her honor. About 500 people gathered for the event, filled with dance, poetry and music in honor of the legendary artist and activist who passed on May 21 at age 96, leaving an enormous legacy in East St. Louis and all over the world.
“She wanted everyone to remember. A lot of people have forgotten,” said Marie-Christine Dunham-Pratt, Dunham’s only child.
Near the end of her life and at the time of her death, Miss Dunham was very poor and her work almost completely unfunded.
“I hope now she will be remembered. I hope that we’ll keep the legacy alive. This celebration makes a warm spot in my heart,” Dunham-Pratt said.
“The whole point of this is to recognize her as a global phenomenon,” said Eugene B. Redmond, a core Dunham acolyte, chairman of the memorial committee and internationally recognized poet and arts organizer.
“We want it to start in East St. Louis and spread abroad. Next year will mark the 40th Anniversary of her setting up a residency in East St. Louis. We will have a mini-world fair with the Dunham complex as the center of this. I’m thankful for her courageous activist spirit.”
The memorial opened with a poetic performance from Redmond featuring African percussion from about 25 drummers, amid cheers and screams from the audience. During this performance, Dunham-Pratt was presented with a red rose.
“Those of you that are so inclined, I’m going to ask you to share with me a moment in the spirit,” East St. Louis Mayor Carl Officer said.
“She was a woman of faith, character and an educator, an activist, and philanthropist. We come today as a family to share with each other, to remember, to rejoice. The mental and physical Katherine Dunham has just relocated. The spiritual part of her still remains.”
Officer continued, “We welcome you, because this is a family affair. She chose East St. Louis, born in Joliet, but chose here. We must never forget, but recommit to the spirit that transcends mere religion and philosophy. Let us march to drums. Let us march to the drums of freedom and education by keeping her dreams living.”
Several officials gave exaltations to the family of Dunham.
“Those of us here in this room loved her,” said Illinois Rep. Yvetter Young. “Miss Dunham’s legacy is to be universal. She wanted everything done right and done well.”
School District 189 Board of Education presented a proclamation. The auditorium of East St. Louis Senior High School will undergo renovation in 2007. According to Lonzo Greenwood, board president, the auditorium will be named the Katherine Dunham Performing Arts Center. The center will be an auditorium/gymnasium and house a studio for performing arts, a state-of-the-art sound system and classrooms. The school is fourth on a list to receive funding for a $50 million renovation project.
A highlight of the celebration was the presentation of a literary work composed and performed by members of the Eugene B. Redmond Writer’s Club. The work entitled, “The Dunham Mystique … Dunham Technique,” spoke of Dunham’s unique style of dance and choreography. After the presentation, four dancers performed the Dunham technique before the crowd.
Peggy Lewis LeCompte, president of the Top Ladies of Distinction, announced that the Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities in East St. Louis will be the organization’s upcoming beautification project.
Little Leg-a-cies, the East St. Louis Community Performance Ensemble, performed. Many young dancers were present to commemorate the life of Dunham.
“I brought my three granddaughters,” said Minnie Hickman of East St. Louis.
“I did the Katherine Dunham Technique when I was young. I’m hoping they see something here today that would strike their interest. This brings back a lot of memories.”
‘She does still speak’
On Thursday evening a Celebration of Life was held in honor of Miss Dunham at the Missouri History Museum. The event featured vintage film clips of Dunham performing and accepting the Kennedy Center Honors award. Mayor Officer and others shared personal testimonials in honor of her intellectual, artistic and humanitarian achievements.
Hundreds turned out to pay their respects and enjoy an evening of dance in her honor. The audience enjoyed riveting performances from current Alvin Ailey dancer and COCA alum Antonio Douthit and Diadie Bathily’s Afriky Lolo.
Robert Archibald, president of the Missouri Historical Society, said the event was “a celebration of a remarkable life.” He added, “Miss Dunham is not gone, and she does still speak. In her passing, she has once again succeeded in bringing people together.”
Charlotte Ottley, Dunham’s assistant, was the mistress of ceremonies along with Officer, substituting for Eugene B. Redmond.
“It’s an honor to be mayor of the city Katherine Dunham chose to live in,” Officer said. “She could have lived anywhere in the world.”
He fondly remembered the kindness Dunham showed him when he was but a young man of 18 and how she would help him with matters of the heart.
Officer said Dunham would play matchmaker, calling him to say, “Sugar, I’ve got a dancer here for you from New York, and I want you to come meet her.”
Simone, daughter of famed singer Nina Simone, was a surprise guest at the event, along with Keith Williams. Both are appearing in Aida, now showing at the Muny through July 2 with Simone in the lead role.
“Miss Dunham choreographed the original Aida at the Met (New York Metropolitan Opera House) in the ‘60s,” Williams said.
“My mother and Auntie Katherine were good friends,” Simone said.
“It is vital that we tell our children who our great ones are. We have to pass the knowledge and history of who we are and how we got the rights that we have to our children, or it will be lost.”
