2nd Annual Southern Vermont Dance Festival Set for 7/17-20

The Southern Vermont Dance Festival returns to Brattleboro July 17-20 for its second year with a wide range of dance classes, workshops and lectures, performances, several formal, informal and site specific concerts, free community events including outdoor performances, and live music.

"There will be over 100 different classes throughout the weekend," says Brenda Lynn Siegel, Artistic Executive Director of the Festival.

Yes, the celebrated Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company is participating and will lead technique classes, repertory workshops and talks throughout the festival. They have performed worldwide in over 200 cities in 40 countries on every major continent. The Company's repertory is widely varied in its subject matter, visual imagery and stylistic approach to movement, voice and stagecraft and includes musically-driven works as well as works using a variety of texts. Former Company member Catherine Cabeen will lead all activities and perform a solo choreographed by Bill T. Jones in the Saturday gala performance. In addition, Navarra Novy-Williams, currently with Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and formerly with Batsheva Ensemble has joined the faculty. Other faculty members include: Donlin Foreman, Principle Dancer with Martha Graham 1977- 1996 and co-founder of the Buglisi/Foreman Dance (1993 -2005), Mucuy Bolles, veteran Alvin American Dance Theater, Adrian Hawkins, world renowned jazz dancer and choreographer who danced with Cab Calloway and the Cotton Club review and opened for acts such as Miles Davis; Ryan P. Casey, major tap artist, Marshall Jarreau, top finalist in "So You Think You Can Dance" who also performed with Cirque De Soleil, Lorraine Chapman, LCTC the company and faculty at The Boston Conservatory, Billbob Brown, Director of Dance Umass Amherst, Director of Chaos Theory Dance company and chair of the Massachusetts Dance Festival and many more top notch dance educators and choreographers .

From professionals to dance enthusiasts, from the belly dancer to the ballet dancer this is an opportunity to take classes with world-renowned faculty. There will be a variety of classes offered including Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary, Modern, Horton Technique, Graham Technique, Luigi Technique, Gaga Style, Dunham Technique, Eric Hawkins Technique, Laban Movement Analysis, Contact Improvisation, Composition and many more. In addition the festival is offering bonus styles including Belly Dance, Afro Jazz, Tap, Budoh, Yoga and Pilates. This is a special opportunity for dance enthusiasts, professionals and students to participate especially for dynamic summer training and invigorating dance experience.

One of the main goals of the festival is to help put Brattleboro on the map as a great place to dance. This year queries about the festival have come from all over the country. The line up of faculty hails from New York, Massachusetts, California, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia with many local favorites as well.

The majority of festival offerings will be held in and around the downtown Brattleboro area. This festival has been designed to help the local economy as well as provide a new event for Brattleboro and a great opportunity for dancers of all levels and styles. The festival is growing quickly and with the support of the town is on its way to becoming a destination for dancers from all over New England and across the country.

Out of Martha's House is just one of the lectures that will be offered this year. It is presented by, as well as based on, a book written by Donlin Foremen, principal dancer from the Martha Graham Dance Company. Others include a teaching symposium by Patricia Wilson, a course on bio and resume writing for the professional and the history of Hip Hop culture..

A partial list of local teachers participating includes Patricia Wilson, Keene State College and Sobo Studio; Jane LoMonaco, Brattleboro School of Dance; Holly Johnson, Brattleboro School of Dance; Donlin Formen, (also above), principle dancer with Martha Graham, former faculty Barnard College, on faculty in Brattleboro at IBIT Dance Company and NECCA; Mucuy Bolles (also above) veteran of the Alvin Ailey Company who also teaches locally; Cyndal Ellis, Director of SOBO Studio; and Alisa Houser, former Broadway dancer.

The festival offers a variety of ticket choices. One can choose to attend the festival for the full four days or sample the festival offerings by purchasing tickets for one day, three days, or all four days taking only one class per day. In addition tickets are available for performances only that take place throughout the weekend. Classes will be filled on a first come first serve basis. Online registration is available once a ticket has been purchased.

Tickets are available now by visiting www.southernvermontdancefestival.com. For more information on how to purchase tickets, become a sponsor or volunteer at the festival, please email info@southernvermontdancefestival.com