La MaMa to Close 55th Season with DANCING IN THE STREET Block Party

La MaMa will celebrate the conclusion of its 55th with "Dancing in The Street," a BLOCK PARTY on Saturday, May 20th from 11AM to 4PM in front of La MaMa's theatres on East 4th Street between Second Ave. and the Bowery (Ellen Stewart Way), it has been announced by Mia Yoo, La MaMa's artistic director.

A highlight of the BLOCK PARTY will be the announcement of La MaMa's newest undertaking, the largest capital project in the company's 55-year history. New York's City Council members, representatives from the Manhattan Borough President's Office, and New York City's Department of Cultural Affairs, as well as all the members of La MaMa's artistic and neighborhood community will be gathered for the announcement. Details to be revealed on May 20.

The BLOCK PARTY, a free event, will feature dancers and choreographers from La MaMa annual dance festival, La MaMa Moves! Also scheduled to perform will be La MaMa artists and other neighboring arts groups from the East Village: Rude Mechanical Orchestra, Yoshiko Chuma, Thurgood Marshall Middle School Step Team, Kinding Sindaw indigenous Filipino Dance Company, Stephanie Batten Bland, Pua Ali'I Ilima O Nuioka traditional hula dance troupe, among many others. In addition to performances, La MaMa's celebration of its diverse community includes a variety of dance workshops, children's activities, neighborhood food, and a bouncy castle. Additional performers TBA.

La MaMa is dedicated to the artist and all aspects of the theatre. The organization has a worldwide reputation for producing daring performance works that defy form and transcend barriers of ethnic and cultural identity. Founded in 1961 by award-winning theatre pioneer Ellen Stewart, La MaMa has presented more than 5,000 productions by 150,000 artists from more than 70 nations. A recipient of more than 30 Obie Awards and dozens of Drama Desk, Bessie, and Villager Awards, La MaMa has helped launch the careers of countless artists, many of whom have made important contributions to American and international arts milieus.

For more information about the BLOCK PARTY, visit www.lamama.org.

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