By SUSAN BROILI

Special to The Herald-Sun

As the African American Dance Ensemble embarks on its 25th anniversary season with two performances this weekend, most folks expect to hear artistic director Chuck Davis say with great gusto: "Peace, love, respect for everybody!" But few may know where his credo originated.

Turns out, it had something to do with a man who claimed to be from Saturn. In a recent interview at the Durham Arts Council, Davis traced the origin to the late jazz musician Sun Ra. "I used to dance with Sun Ra in the mid-'60s to early '70s," Davis said of those shows in New York where he lived at the time. "He was absolutely brilliant. He was way before his times," Davis said. He also came to know Sun Ra's approach to life. "Sun Ra was for coming together in peace. He believed that we have to respect the planet and each other," Davis said.

His company reflects that philosophy. "We never meet a stranger," Davis said, attributing the company's longevity, in part, to that openness. "Even from the founding years, I've been able to surround myself with the best dancers and musicians available," he added as another reason for the company's success.

For Liz Droessler, who has worked with Davis primarily as lighting/set designer even before the company's formation in 1984, the company's persistence can be summed up in two words: "Chuck Davis," Droessler said in a recent email interview. "It is a joy and honor to work with such a talented, loving, generous artist. He nurtures people. He believes everyone can experience dance. He truly lives his motto: 'Peace, love, respect for everybody,'" Droessler said. "We stay with it because we love it, we love Chuck and we love the 'bantaba' [dancing ground]", Droessler said.

Ava Lavonne Vinesett, founding member of the Durham company, now an assistant professor of dance at Duke University, noted Davis' emphasis on a dialogue between performers and the audience. "Chuck's work (and the work of many of us under his tutelage) embodies our connection to many histories, cultural differences and our desire to elevate the spirit," Vinesett said in an email interview.

For the program this weekend, Vinesett choreographed the "Aunt Sarah" section, danced by Hazel Richardson, in "Powerful Long Ladder," Davis' take on powerful women. Inspired by Nina Simone's classic, "Four Women," the dance includes Durham's own jazz artist Lois DeLoatch as Chanter. "For me, 'Aunt Sarah' embodies the day-to-day acts of resistance and resilience which I believe characterized many individuals during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, but this doesn't mean some aspect of who they were went uncompromised," Vinesett said.

This program includes two new dances by Davis. In "Kutoka Kwa Umati Tuwa Moja" ("Out of Many, We Are One"), Davis pays tribute to "the strength and perseverance" of President Barak Obama. African proverbs inspire Davis' "See the Rhythm and Hear the Movement." Former music director Khalid Salim will be among company alumni who return for this anniversary celebration that features 21 performers, Davis said.

The company continues to give classes and performances at public schools throughout the state. Davis believes that everyone -- especially young people, can learn respect for themselves and others through the arts. "That's what I want the arts to be -- the saving grace for mankind," Davis said.

He and the company remain grateful for enthusiastic audiences especially in their hometown where regular appearances include the American Dance Festival. Davis has garnered many awards most recently the 2008 Capezio Dance Award for contributions to American dance.

The current economy has hit the company hard and Davis has had to make cuts to stay afloat. All of the dancers and musicians no longer receive the full benefits that they did a year ago, he said. "We're struggling but we're going to make it. I'm a firm believer in God," Davis said.

And, he indicated that he would not say no to offers of support from some earthly angels.