Joe Amon, The Denver PostCleo Parker Robinson, dancing for the last time as the principal dancer, with Martez McKinzy in Barrel House Blues in the Gates Hall at the Newman Center on the University of Denver Campus, on Sept. 28, 2018 in Denver, CO.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostCleo Parker Robinson takes the stage for the last time as the principal dancer in Barrel House Blues in the Gates Hall at the Newman Center on the University of Denver Campus, on Sept. 28, 2018 in Denver, CO.- John Prieto, The Denver PostIn this April 8, 1986 photo, Cleo Parker Robinson clapping her hands for dance student Leon Ray at the Den. Childrens Home.
- The Denver PostMor Thiam, left, greets his one-time dance teacher Cleo Parker Robinson in the dressing room as Robinson prepares for the 25th anniversary gala at the Denver Center of the Performing Arts on Saturday, Sept. 30, 1995.
- Cyrus McCrimmon, The Denver PostIn this 2004 photo, Cleo Parker Robinson talks with Lucy Van Dusen (left) and Margie Soo Hoo Lee (right) about architecture plans to renovate and expand her studios at 119 Park Avenue West.
- Cyrus McCrimmon, The Denver PostCleo Parker Robinson is founder, artistic director and choreographer of the Denver-based Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. She was at their auditorium in Denver on Monday, Nov. 30, 2015. Her company is preparing to open it's production of "Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum."
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostCleo Parker Robinson leads the "Circle" before her Dance Ensemble's performance of Rhapsody in Black in the Gates Hall at the Newman Center on the University of Denver Campus, on Sept. 28, 2018 in Denver, CO.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostCleo Parker Robinson, dancing for the last time as the principal dancer, with Martez McKinzy in Barrel House Blues in the Gates Hall at the Newman Center on the University of Denver Campus, on Sept. 28, 2018 in Denver, CO.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostDis-Moi Josephine, Samiyah Lynnice portrays Josephine Baker during Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble World Premiere of Rhapsody in Black at the Newman Center, Gates Hall on the University of Denver Campus, on Sept. 28, 2018 in Denver, CO.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostCleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble artists performing during Rhapsody in Black in the Gates Hall at the Newman Center on the University of Denver Campus, on Sept. 28, 2018 in Denver, CO.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostChloe Abel preforms as "The Woman" in "Strange Fruit" as the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble launched its 48th Anniversary Season with Rhapsody in Black in the Gates Hall at the Newman Center on the University of Denver Campus, on Sept. 28, 2018 in Denver, CO.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostCleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble artists performing during Rhapsody in Black in the Gates Hall at the Newman Center on the University of Denver Campus, on Sept. 28, 2018 in Denver, CO.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostCleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble artists performing during Rhapsody in Black in the Gates Hall at the Newman Center on the University of Denver Campus, on Sept. 28, 2018 in Denver, CO.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostCleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble launched its 48th Anniversary Season with Rhapsody in Black in the Gates Hall at the Newman Center on the University of Denver Campus, on Sept. 28, 2018 in Denver, CO.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostCleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble launched its 48th Anniversary Season with Rhapsody in Black in the Gates Hall at the Newman Center on the University of Denver Campus, on Sept. 28, 2018 in Denver, CO.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostMaster dancer Theo Jamison joins Cleo Parker Robinson greeting the crowd and spreading blessings as her Dance Ensemble launched its 48th Anniversary Season with Rhapsody in Black in the Gates Hall at the Newman Center on the University of Denver Campus, on Sept. 28, 2018 in Denver, CO.
- Chloe Abel preforms as "The Woman" in "Strange Fruit" as the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble launched its 48th Anniversary Season with Rhapsody in Black in the Gates Hall at the Newman Center on the University of Denver Campus, on Sept. 28, 2018 in Denver, CO.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostCleo Parker Robinson takes the stage for the last time as the principal dancer in Barrel House Blues in the Gates Hall at the Newman Center on the University of Denver Campus, on Sept. 28, 2018 in Denver, CO.
- Joe Amon, The Denver PostCleo Parker Robinson talks to the audience as her Dance Ensemble launched its 48th Anniversary Season with Rhapsody in Black in the Gates Hall at the Newman Center on the University of Denver Campus, on Sept. 28, 2018 in Denver, CO.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
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Cleo Parker Robinson, dancing for the last time as the principal dancer, with Martez McKinzy in Barrel House Blues in the Gates Hall at the Newman Center on the University of Denver Campus, on Sept. 28, 2018 in Denver, CO.
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By Joe Amon | The Denver Post
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Cleo Parker Robinson has performed “Barrelhouse Blues” around the world, and her career came full circle in her hometown of Denver on Friday night. Robinson, 70, performed for the last time as principal dancer in Martex McKinzy classic Dance at Gates Hall in the Newman Center on the University of Denver Campus on Sept. 28. The Dance concert celebrated the culture of black Americans in Paris by telling the stories of entertainer Josephine Baker, dancer and choreographer Katherine Dunham, novelist James Baldwin and poet Langston Hughes. The Cleo Parker Robinson Dance company has been in the Denver community since the 1970.