SUNY Brockport to celebrate Garth Fagan Legacy Day

Madison Scott, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·1 min read
Garth Fagan gives some help to one of his dancers, Steven Humphrey, on the proper form for a routine during their practice of the Bucket Dancers.
Garth Fagan gives some help to one of his dancers, Steven Humphrey, on the proper form for a routine during their practice of the Bucket Dancers.
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Following Garth Fagan’s recent retirement announcement, the SUNY Brockport Campus plans to celebrate Garth Fagan Legacy Day on March 13. The event will start with classes led by the Garth Fagan Dance Company, followed by a public screening of his new documentary, "Prelude: The Legacy of Garth Fagan."

The screening will start at 7 PM in the Hartwell Dance Theatre on the Brockport campus and will include work presented by the Sankofa African Dance and Drum Ensemble, along with an announcement about the new Garth Fagan Legacy Award.

This $10,000 annual award will be available to all graduating students starting with the Class of 2025 and has been funded by many anonymous donors, who have been fans and supporters of Garth Fagan Dance.

Professor emerita and former chair of SUNY Brockport’s Department of Dance, Jaqueline Davis, went to college with Fagan and now has become a driving force behind this celebration and the establishment of the Legacy Award. She says Fagan has always had very high standards for the dancers in his company and continuously pushed them to become well-rounded and immersed in all of the arts.

“That is why this Legacy Award is not specifically geared for dancers, per se,” Davis said. “It is for any student — graduate or undergraduate — who shows a passion for dance.”

This event is free, but tickets must be reserved either online, by phone or at the Tower Fine Arts Center Box Office on the SUNY Brockport Campus. There is a limited amount of seating so there is a limit of two tickets per person.

Garth Fagan is one of the six newest inductees to the Rochester Music Hall of Fame. Fagan is a Tony Award-winning choreographer who revolutionized modern dance and Broadway dance, including his work on the Broadway adaptation of "The Lion King."
Garth Fagan is one of the six newest inductees to the Rochester Music Hall of Fame. Fagan is a Tony Award-winning choreographer who revolutionized modern dance and Broadway dance, including his work on the Broadway adaptation of "The Lion King."

— Madison Scott is a recent college graduate who is an intern with the Democrat and Chronicle. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com. Tell her if you have a good history book recommendation, especially about the Rochester region.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Garth Fagan Legacy Day coming in March at college campus