Name: Dalilah Whitmore
Title: BACE co-producer, director of development for Dancin’ in the Street.
Festival dates: Memorial Day weekend May 23-26, 2013
Tell us a little bit about the BACE and how this event came about?
The Black American Cultural and Educational Productions (BACE), was founded in the early 1990’s by my parents Shirley Marks Whitmore and Clarence Whitmore along with a group of their friends who were musicians, dancers, vocalists and theatre professionals. The original BACE group developed the ‘Dancin in’ the Street Motown & More Revue’ as a stage-show reminiscent of touring revues of the 19th century but now the revue has become a Houston Memorial Day weekend tradition at Miller Outdoor Theatre, known as “The Thrill On The Hill.”
How do you plan to top last year’s show?
For the past 18 years it has been one of the highest attended productions of the Miller Theatre production season. Last year’s show attracted more than 40,000 Houstonians and tourist but this year we have a lot of remarkable discoveries that have come together to make a very strong cast of performers. This new group’s bringing in new ideas and a fresh new energy! These artists are so hungry for a performance and to prove themselves to the veterans that even the dynamic of the rehearsal process has changed. If our fans loved last year’s performers then they will be blown away this year.
What special guest performances can we expect to see?
We always try to bring back the fan favorites and last year’s show was taken away by the James Brown performance. That segment of the show will be returning with a larger musical number and “American Idol” semi-finalist, Vincent Powell was also a huge success last year; he will be back to perform Lenny Williams “Cause I Love you” and more. Our major breakout performer this year will be Darian Wes who will be impersonating Bobby Womack; he is a must see.
How do you continue to keep this a free event?
The BACE has a grant through Miller Outdoor Theatre and the city of Houston but we have to match the grant through corporate sponsors and investors. Individual patrons can also donate and show their support for the concert by making a small contribution on our webpage.
For more information, please visit www.baceproductions.com/ www.baceproductions.com/keepondancin
