ODESSA, Texas —
Through the cooperation between Odessa Arts and the Black Cultural Council of Odessa, Dallas Black Dance Theater: Encore! was back in town for one night at The Ector Theatre.
“Having the Dallas Black Dance Theater: Encore here makes me feel incredibly proud," said Randy Ham, executive director of Odessa Arts. "I think it's so important to be able to bring world class talent here to the Permian Basin, Dallas Black Dance Theater: Encore is a phenomenal company. They do incredible work and to be able to offer that to our community for free during Juneteenth is so important.”
Ham said there are some families out there who have never had the chance to go outside of Texas or even the Permian Basin. Odessa Arts didn’t want them to feel like they’re missing out on world class talent.
Artistic director of DBDT: Encore!, Nycole Ray, said ever since the first time they performed in Odessa they’ve fallen in love with the community and the people in it.
“The people that bring us in are so welcoming and hospitable for us, and it just makes us want to keep coming back. That's one particular reason also to service the community. That's what we do," Ray said. "And so, we want to share, we want to be far reaching to all of the communities of this world. If we could, you know, and so, it's really about the people and the hospitality that touches us when we come here and the wonderful people of Odessa.”
Not only are they happy they got the chance to perform in celebration of a special day like Juneteenth, but they also got to show their appreciation to the Odessa community.