Tonight the Bermuda Festival curtain goes up on the first of two performances by the Dance Theatre of Harlem II, and based on the company's reputation and acclaim in such countries as Japan, Russia and South Africa, as well as its native US, local audiences will be in for a very special evening.

Founded in 1969 by Arthur Miller and his mentor and ballet instructor Karel Shook, Dance Theatre of Harlem has been described as “like no other dance company in the world”.

It mixes classical ballet traditions from Europe, modern dance styles which are especially American (jazz, tap and social dance), and ethnic dance traditions from around the world, and is regarded as a major cultural institution.

Dance Theatre of Harlem encompasses a world-class ballet company, an accredited School of Dance, and a national and international arts education and community outreach programme, ‘Dancing Through Barriers'.

The latter is based on the success of the Company's original mission to provide Harlem youngsters with the opportunity to study and excel in neoclassical dance. The goal has been to bring the accumulated expertise and experience of Dance Theatre of Harlem to communities worldwide.

Born in Harlem in 1948, Mr. Mitchell began his dance career at the New York High School of the Performing Arts, where he studied jazz, tap and modern dance. He became the first male student to win the coveted Annual Dance Award, and was offered two scholarships one of which was to study at the School of American Ballet, which he took even though African American dancers were generally not accepted in the ballet world. By excelling in ballet, Mr. Mitchell hoped he would prove that a good dancer is a good dancer regardless of their skin colour. In fact, such was his talent that, just three years later, he was invited to join the New York City Ballet. There he quickly rose to become Principal Dancer, and George Balanchine choreographed two roles especially for him.

Today, Mr. Mitchell is the company's artistic director, and continuously adds to the company's rich legacy. An exceptional artist, humanitarian, and trail blazer for equality, he has led the company to performances in 40 countries on six continents.

During a 1992 tour of South Africa, Nelson Mandela described seeing a performance as “one of the most delightful evenings I have enjoyed...I have forgotten all the troubles I have had in my life”.

Collaboration with the Soweto String Quartet in 1999 resulted in the ‘South African Suite', which Mr. Mitchell choreographed, and on a tour of Russia the company earned a standing ovation at the Kirov Theatre, where it was also inducted into the Kirov Museum.

Performances tonight and tomorrow night take place at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts, and begin at 8 p.m. For ticket/further information see today's Bermuda Calendar.