Velocity's Bridge Project 2014 to Run 1/31-2/2

Four of Seattle's most promising choreographers create 4 new works in the pressure cooker of just 4 weeks at Velocity's Bridge Project - turning Velocity into an intense hive of urgency, excitement and dedication. This year's performance features exciting new work by emerging Seattle artists Shannon Stewart, Babette McGeady [the Pendleton House], Anna Conner and Colleen McNeary.

Shannon Stewart brings her Velocity BIG BANG! mosh pit to the stage with a cast of 17, Babette McGeady combines her exquisite choreography with the Pendleton House collaborators' live sculpture and sound, Anna Conner explores herd mentality with tight-knit unity fused with "impressive sensitivity" and new original music, and Colleen McNeary debuts a stunning solo work.

The Bridge Project Creative Residency showcases Velocity's fierce commitment to supporting new generations of dance artists. Each choreographer receives the creative, financial and administrative support they need to develop their work before it reaches the stage. They also receive the creative support of a cast of dancers and the choreographic mentorship of Velocity 2013 Artist-in-Residence Dayna Hanson.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Shannon Stewart is a Seattle-based contemporary dance artist and choreographer who has taught and performed inter/nationally. In 2012-13 Shannon had the pleasure of working with Crystal Pite and Deborah Hay and going on her first National tour through Velocity's SCUBA program. She was awarded Individual Artist Funding from 4Culture and two years of residencies from Seattle Storefronts and Open Flight (Seattle). Shannon received degrees in Urban Planning and Dance from the University of Washington and teaches technique, improvisation, GYROKINESIS, and is a teaching artist at Velocity and with the Mark Morris Dance for Parkinson's program. She primarily collaborates with filmmaker Adam Sekuler. feetlikebirds.blogspot.com

Babette Pendleton McGeady, curator, choreographer, entrepreneur, founder and executive director for the Pendleton House, began her training at the acclaimed Baltimore School for the Arts and Nutmeg Conservatory for Ballet. She trained with Alonzo King Lines Ballet/BFA program before graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Cornish College of the Arts. She currently works in collaboration with artists in the Pendleton House, combining multiple art forms to create post-disciplinary work that pushes the dynamics and depth of traditional aesthetics. thependletonhouse.tumblr.com

Anna Conner studied at the American Dance Festival under full scholarship and at Dance New Amsterdam, NY and has received residencies at Germany's Ponderosa Dance and at Velocity. Anna is a recipient of a 2013 SmART Ventures Grant from the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture and a 2013 Art projects 4Culture grant for her work Luna. She is a graduate of Cornish College of the Arts with a Bachelors of Fine Art in Dance. annaconnerandco.wordpress.com

Colleen McNeary is a Northwest artist working in Seattle, WA. Her wok is grounded in dance and movement but includes and is inspired by theater, music and the visual arts. Currently she is working as a solo artist, as well as collaborating with the Pendleton House, a multidisciplinary artist group in Seattle, of which she is a founding member. She holds a BFA in dance from Cornish College of the Arts. colleenmcneary.com