Wideman/Davis Dance combines the talents of two stars of the dance world: Thaddeus Davis and Tanya Wideman-Davis, both of whom have danced and choreographed for companies as renowned as Alvin Ailey Dance, Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Joffrey Ballet, among many others. The young company, founded in 2005, is passionate about creating dialogue about the human condition, by using dance as its central voice.

“The Bends of Life” follows two characters from slavery to

sharecropping, receiving the right to vote after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech in Gee’s Bend, Alabama, and the creation of functional quilts by southern black women being sold as art. The work was created to celebrate the opening of The Quilts of Gee's Bend exhibit at the Auburn University's Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art.

A testament to human courage and beauty in the face of adversity, “The Bends of Life” represents not just the women of Gee’s Bend but their quilting sisters across the country. Set to jazz, blues, folk music and the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the piece chronicles some aspects of history paying homage to the celebrated quilters of Gee's Bend, Alabama.

In a residency timed to coincide with the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, Wideman/Davis Dance will be in Cincinnati from January 12 through January 26 conducting outreach activities with schools and community groups. In addition to numerous other engagements, the Company performs on January 21 at Cincinnati Museum Center's African Culture Fest and will present two educational concerts as part of the Cincinnati Arts Association's School Time Series on January 24