Abeni Cultural Arts will present two free performances of "Visions: An Odyssey in Black Dance," at the Black Box at S.P.A.C.E., Feb. 6 and 8 in conjunction with the Savannah Black Heritage Festival. In conjunction with the 20th annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival, the City of Savannah's Department of Cultural Affairs will be hosting two free dance performances by Abeni Cultural Arts on Feb. 6 and 8 at the Black Box at S.P.A.C.E., located at 9 W. Henry St.

The Savannah-based cultural dance group will be presenting encore performances of their production entitled, Visions: An Odyssey in Black Dance. The show presents a journey through history with African, Modern, Contemporary, Jazz and Hip-Hop dance. Their performances last February played to standing room audiences.

"There is no secret about the contributions Africans and their descendents have made on the cultural fabric of America, especially in dance and music," said Abeni co-founder and artistic director Darowe McMillon. "With the emergence of ragtime jazz in the early 19th-century, African- Americans have been changing the way America makes and listens to music. The essentials of each era are combined in this show to provide an entertaining historical journey through dance."

Abeni Cultural Arts was founded in 2006 by Darowe McMillon, who is the group's manager, Muriel Miller who is the Artistic Director and Stephanie Sykes-Davis. Their intention is to create engaging cultural programs in the areas of dance, drama, music, visual arts and voice. Over the past year, Abeni has been featured in several local productions including All Walks of Life's Hip-Hop History Play, the Savannah Shakespeare Festival and Savannah's Cultural Arts Theatre's Once On This Island. They also recently staged their first solo production For the Love of Christmas, at the St. Pius X Family Resource Center.

The performances are free and open to the public with limited seating. Doors will open at 7 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Seating will be ticketed on a first-come, first-served basis. S.P.A.C.E. is located at 9 W. Henry St. Free off-street parking is available.

For information, contact 912-651-6783 or visit www.savannahga.gov/arts.

For information on Abeni Cultural Arts, visit www.abeniculturalarts.com.

For information on the Savannah Black Heritage Festival, visit:

www.savannahblackheritagefestival.

com.