Choreographer-dancer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar's childhood was steeped in African-American popular culture, both its sacred and secular aspects. A native of Kansas City, Missouri, she moved to New York City in 1980 to study dance with Dianne McIntyre at Sounds in Motion. Zollar founded the Urban Bush Women ensemble in 1984. The group's performances explore cross-cultural diversity through contemporary dance and interdisciplinary forms. The company presents dance/theater works rooted in the folklore and religious traditions of the African diaspora. Through live music, spoken word, a cappella vocalizations based on field hollers and chants, and the force and spirit of movement, the company delves into the struggles, growth, and transformation of the human spirit.

Praise House (1990), an evening-length performance in two acts, is one of 19 works Zollar has created for Urban Bush Women. It was inspired by many visionary artists, but particularly by the life, words, drawings, and paintings of Minnie Evans. Zollar often collaborates with artists from other disciplines. Praise House was developed with co-choreographer Pat Hati-Smith, composer Carl Riley, writer Angelyn DeBord, and visual artist Leni Schwendinger.

Presented here are video clips from two main sections of the performance at Brooklyn Academy of Music, 1991