SummerStage Dance Kicks Off 2010 Citywide Program 6/4
By: Gabrielle Sierra Jun. 02, 2010
For the 25th anniversary season of SummerStage, City Parks Foundation has launched a major re-branding of the festival to include music, dance, film and theater performances in all five boroughs.
In June, 1986, Central Park SummerStage was launched with a free performance from Sun Ra and the Omniverse Jet Set Arkestra. In 1990, City Parks Foundation began programming free concerts in neighborhood parks under the name CityParks Concerts. In 2006, City Parks Foundation began CityParks Dance and CityParks Theater. Today, City Parks Foundation is combining all of these initiatives under the banner of SummerStage, a city-wide festival of over 100 music, dance and theater events in 16 parks in all five boroughs. It will be one of the largest, most geographical diverse festivals in the nation. Over 200,000 people are expected to attend the free festival."What better time to rebrand and expand our festival than during an anniversary celebration?" says City Parks Foundation Executive Director, David Rivel. "As our arts programs have grown in reach and quality, we've recognized the need to expand the SummerStage name, in hopes New Yorkers and visitors alike will explore the many parks both in and outside Manhattan that help make New York such a vibrant city, while taking in performances that are as culturally diverse as the neighborhoods themselves."The 25th Anniversary season promises to be as impressive as ever, with thirteen FREE dance performance dates featuring twenty-two unique dance companies, this will be a sizzling summer season filled with cutting edge dance performances. SummerStage's Dance programs will run June 4 to August 14.
This summer, SummerStage will welcome back the highly acclaimed Alvin Ailey AMERICAN DANCE THEATER to recreate the magic of their first SummerStage performance from 1993 which yielded over 30,000 attendees and rave reviews. Join us and watch Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson's COMPLEXIONS CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY premiere an exhilarating new program commissioned specially for SummerStage. Watch internationally acclaimed Haitian dance company PENIEL GUERRIER DANCE and the JULIO JEAN HAITIAN AMERICAN DANCE THEATER as they join together for a special tribute to Haiti and its dance culture.SummerStage also offers free, interactive dance classes for many of its performances in a variety of dance styles including: modern, hip hop and African. These classes are held prior to the show with acclaimed professional dancers and are appropriate for all ages. These classes, taught by acclaimed professional dancers, begin at 7pm and are followed by the performances. They are open to everyone of all ages and skill levels.These exciting confirmed shows represent only a small percentage of the festival's entire lineup. In addition to our Central Park SummerStage venue, CityParks SummerStage programming is currently scheduled for all five boroughs: Brooklyn (at Betsy Head Memorial Park, Herbert Von King Park and Red Hook Park), The Bronx (Crotona Park, Soundview Park and St. Mary's Park), Manhattan (East River Park, Highbridge Park, Jackie Robinson Park and Marcus Garvey Park), Queens (Queensbridge Park, Rochdale Park, Springfield Park) and Staten Island (the newly restored Tappen Park).
The complete SummerStage dance schedule follows. For the most up-to-date scheduling and line-up for all SummerStage programming, visit our newly redesigned home on the web at http://www.SummerStage.org
City Parks Foundation (CPF) is the only independent, nonprofit organization to offer park programs throughout the five boroughs of New York City. We work in over 750 parks citywide, presenting a broad range of free arts, sports, and education programs, and empowering citizens to support their parks on a local level. Our programs and community building initiatives reach more than 600,000 people each year, contributing to the revitalization of neighborhoods throughout New York City.SummerStage: Dance 2010 Schedule
AKIM FUNK BUDDHA'S FLYING BOOM BOX/ AN URBAN DANCE THEATRICAL AND ORGANIC MAGNETICS
Von King Park, Brooklyn
Friday, June 4
7:00 pm - Open Afro Funk/ Hip Hop dance class with Akim Funk Buddha
8:00 pm - Magnetic Organics
8:50 pm - Akim Funk Buddha's Flying Boom Box/ An Urban Dance Theatrical
Artist Website: http://www.funkbuddha.org
Akim Funk Buddha creates borderless performance art, fusing sounds and movements. An avid world traveler and self-described old-school B-boy MC, he is known for his holistic approach to hip-hop, drawing from a full spectrum of cultural traditions and artistic disciplines. The Flying Boom Box begins with urban dance and mime skits with youth from Urban Youth Performances and Locker Nation. The Flying Boom Box is a story about a young hip-hop artist who by chance discovers that by manipulating the electric-magnetic field of sound waves from his tape deck, he can navigate himself to various countries and time periods. The show will feature 10 musicians and styles of dance ranging from South African gum boot, Japanese and Balinese traditional to the urban styles of break dancing, body popping, vogue and the hottest new re emerging dance called 'Waaking.' A style of dance from the 70's as seen on Soul Train.
Artist Website: http://www.organicmagnetics.com
Organic Magnetics is a theater arts laboratory that binds creativity and sustainability, inspiring collaboration across cultures and art forms. Director Maija Garcia fuses a contemporary style inspired by Afro-Latin rhythms, with yoga, martial arts and theater dynamics. The company integrates movement, sound, visual art and design to produce site-specific performances, installations and workshops. Organic Magnetics transforms the creative process into urban folklore for the future. The company will perform YaYa Dreams, A Future a kaleidoscopic experience of the modern world as viewed through the eyes of a child who dares to imagine his future. Through a series of visions and soundscapes, with live music composed and performed by Monk and Hamilton, YaYa forges a way into alternate realms by interacting with the people, places and possibilities that come to life in his dreams.
PENIEL GUERRIER DANCE AND JULIO JEAN HAITIAN AMERICAN DANCE THEATER present a tribute to Haiti in collaboration with THE HAITI CULTURAL EXCHANGE
Von King Park, Brooklyn
Saturday, June 5
7:00 pm - Open Yanvalou (Haitian Folkloric Dance) class with Peniel Guerrier of Tamboula
8:00 pm - Julio Jean Haitian American Dance Theater
8:50 pm - Peniel Guerrier Dance
Haiti Cultural Exchange is a nonprofit organization established to develop, present and promote the culture of Haiti and its people. The organization seeks to raise awareness of social issues and foster cultural understanding and appreciation through programs in the arts, education and public affairs.
Artist Website: https://sites.google.com/site/jeanjulio/
Julio Jean Haitian American Dance Theater was created in 2000, and is universally known for its deeply moving and soulful productions. Julio Jean was one of the first Haitian dance artists to bring the spirit of Haiti to a wide audience in the United States. Each production is a breathtaking composite of authentic Haitian rhythms, folklore, symbolism and singing on a canvas of modern American dance. Join this groundbreaking dance company as they premiere a selection from the original dance play, "7.0" by Julio Jean. It is an exuberant journey into the world of mysticism, history, art and culture of Haiti culminating in the tragic event in January 2010: the 7.0 quake. A requiem and inspiration to future generations of Haitians to unite and remember the creative potential and spirituality that lives in Haitian dance.
Artist Website: http://www.tamboula.comPeniel Guerrier Dance is one of the most prestigious dance companies in Haiti and well known throughout the Caribbean and United States for its traditional dance performances and use of drums. Under the artistic direction of Peniel Guerrier, Tamboula performs Afro-Haitian folkloric dance with traditional rhythms, and showcases the unique cultural heritage of this country.
RENNIE HARRIS RHAW AND LE SOUL AFRIQUE with special guest AKIM FUNK BUDDHA
St. Mary's Park, Bronx
Friday, June 25
7:00 pm - Open Hip Hop Old School Party and B-Boy Breaker dance class with RHAW
8:00 pm - Le Soul Afrique
8:50 pm - Rennie Harris RHAW
Artist Website: http://rhpm.org
Rennie Harris RHAW was conceived in 2007 as a youth organization driven by community outreach and education. Harris' inspiration for this youth driven company was inspired by the overwhelming interest from teens and young adults to join his internationally renowned company, Rennie Harris Puremovement. RHAW is a company that teaches and performs street dance techniques such as Campbell Locking, Popping & Boogaloo, House and Hip Hop dance.
Le Soul Afrique is a New York-based Global hip-hop collective consisting of MCs, vocalists and dancers from all around the world, including Senegal, Haiti, Cuba, Brazil, and the West Indies. The group met in NYC's underground scene and discovered a mutual passion for dance that infuses dynamic energy into their live performances. Characterized by upbeat vibes, intelligent lyrics, and earthy beats, Le Soul Afrique is next up to create a dance floor Hip-Hop Revival. This performance will feature a special guest appearance by Akim Funk Buddha, whose company is also being presented at SummerStage Dance this season in Brooklyn.
ABAKUA Afro-Latin Dance Company and Areytos Performance Works
St. Mary's Park, Bronx
Saturday, June 26
7:00 pm - Open Intro to Afro-Latin Funk dance class with Emmanuel Blackett of Abakua
8:00 pm - Areytos Performance Works
8:50 pm - ABAKUÁ Afro-Latin Dance Company
Artist Website: http://www.abakuadancers.org
Celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year, the ABAKUÁ Afro-Latin Dance Company was founded by Frankie Martinez, to preserve and advance the heritage of Afro-Latin music and dance. Martinez is widely heralded as one of the key innovators in his genre, known for his unique style of dance encompassing elements of mambo, funk, and Afro-Caribbean dance entitled "Afro-Latin Funk". Since its formation, ABAKUÁ has gone on to perform in hundreds of destinations in over 50 countries and reshaping the performing arts landscape as one of the most brilliant and exciting acts performing today.
Areytos Performance Works (Artistic Director, Sita Frederick) is a dance theater company working at the crossroads of performance art, African-Caribbean dance, contemporary modern dance collaboration and stage environments. Areytos is a variation on the Taino/Arawak word areitos, - a multi-day long community ritual gathering including dance, music and art. Presenters of their work include: Hostos Center for Arts & Culture, Pepatian@Jacob's Pillow Inside/Out, Aaron Davis Hall, Rutger's University, Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, Bronx Museum, The Point, and BAAD.Join internationally acclaimed dancer and instructor Manny Blackett, of ABAKUÁ Afro-Latin Dance Company for an exciting pre-show, all ages dance class. Blackett has toured the world, performing in Europe, Central America and domestically. He has also experimented in choreography, choreographing and dancing in the MUSE Project at Julliard School of Music as well as creating choreography for his own performance class.
Master Class description:
Intro to Afro-Latin Funk dance class
An all ages appropriate introduction to Afro-Latin Funk dance which incorporates elements of mambo, funk and Afro Caribbean dance.
SEEWE AFRICAN DANCE COMPANY AND BALAFROHOP
Queensbridge Park, Queens
Friday, July 16
7:00 pm - Open Guinea West African dance class with Seewe African Dance Company
8:00 pm - BalAfroHop
8:50 pm - Seewe African Dance Company
Artist Website: http://www.myspace.com/seeweafricandancecompany
Seewe African Dance Company is dedicated to performing and teaching traditional African dance forms. Artistic Director/Choreographer Mouminatou Camara founded the company in 2005. Mouminatou is praised as the pre-eminent female instructor of Guinea dance in the United States. For a decade, she was the principal dancer for the world-renowned dance company, Les Ballet Africans. Seewe aims to bridge the gaps in African music, song, dance and folklore existing in African American culture. Using traditional instruments such as the Bote, the Krin, the Balaphone and the Djembe orchestra, Seewe's high-energy performance, its use of the traditional rhythms, instruments and dance forms educates and enlightens its audiences. Join Seewe as they perform a Guinea West African story featuring dancing, songs and drama.
Artist Website: http://www. TracyJack.com
The BalAfroHop Project 2010, conceived and choreographed by Tracy Jack combines traditional Ballet, African and hip-hop dance to tell a story in a new, seamless, fast and physical form. Complete with live drummers, a DJ, and music that spans era & genre, The BalAfroHop Project 2010 focuses on the universal theme of love to tell a tale inspired by dance styles from all over the globe.
Seewe African Dance Company
http://www.myspace.com/seeweafricandancecompany
Seewe African Dance Company is dedicated to performing and teaching traditional African dance forms. Artistic Director/Choreographer Mouminatou Camara founded the company in 2005. Mouminatou is praised as the pre-eminent female instructor of Guinea dance in the United States. For a decade, she was the principal dancer for the world-renowned dance company, Les Ballet Africans. Seewe aims to bridge the gaps in African music, song, dance and folklore existing in African American culture. Using traditional instruments such as the Bote, the Krin, the Balaphone and the Djembe orchestra, Seewe's high-energy performance, its use of the traditional rhythms, instruments and dance forms educates and enlightens its audiences. Join Seewe as they perform a Guinea West African story featuring dancing, songs and drama.
THE DANCE OF LIGHT choreographed by Vernard J. Gilmore and Abdur-Rahim Jackson
Queensbridge Park, Queens
Saturday, July 17
7:00 pm - Open Hip Funking Hop dance class with Calvin Wiley
8:00 pm - The Dance of Light: Choreography by Vernard J. Gilmore and Abdur-Rahim Jackson
The Dance of Light project was created to rejuvenate the Artist and the Dance. We believe dance is not just steps but a way of being. We want to inspire passion through form and technique allowing the Dancer and the Choreographer to grow continuously. By creating with the artists we are able to push pass all boundaries allowing everyone to be an important entity. The Approach, in return allows the world to see its Light. We truly believe that the beauty of simplicity is the complexity it attracts.
Vernard J. Gilmore seeks to make his choreographed pieces into journeys into the exploration of dance. Dance of Light will see him premiering two newly choreographed pieces, Woman's Work - A work built on the backs of all the glorious fabled lives of women that have inspirEd Gilmore and Down Wit It - an exploration about the tyranny of one's selfish desires. Torn between two, the moment is never controlled but reckoned. Dance of Light will also include Can U See, a work commissioned by Brandon Fradd for the Fire Island Dance Festival 2008, Exist, and Communaute d' home.
Vernard J. Gilmore began dancing at Curie Performing and Creative Arts High School in Chicago and later studied at the Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theater with Marquita Levy, Harriet Ross and Emily Stein. He attended Barat College as a dance scholarship recipient, received first place in the all-city NAACP ACT-SO Competition in Dance in 1993 and studied as a fellowship student at The Ailey School. Mr. Gilmore is also a teacher and choreographer and a former member of Ailey II. He joined Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1997 and is a choreographer with The Ailey Dancer's Resource Fund as well as a dance teacher and speaker.
Abdur-Rahim Jackson
Abdur-Rahim Jackson's beautiful and enlightening pieces for Dance of Light are a collage of courageous and eclectic works celebrating the search for purpose, beauty, and power by stretching boundaries. It is a cerebral and passionate journey inviting audience members to not only engage in self-exploration, but to simply enjoy the beauty of dance and individuality.
Master Class description:
CALVINOGRAPHY®: Hip Funking Hop
A cardiodance workout fused with hip/hop, funk, street jazz and theatre. A collaboration of movement bringing something different to the dance floor and to your dance/movement palette.THE Alvin Ailey AMERICAN DANCE THEATER
Friday, July 23 and Saturday, July 24
8:00 - 10:00 pm
Artist Website: http://www.alvinailey.org/
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the world's favorite dance companies comes to SummerStage to show off the brilliant artistry and passionate energy that bring audiences around the globe to their feet night after night. What makes this phenomenal company so special is the incomparable sense of joy, freedom and spirit that the dancers and audiences share. Discover for yourself what millions of fans already know - you don't just see an Ailey performance, you feel it.
This engagement marks the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's return to Central Park, where their first SummerStage performance in 1993 yielded over 30,000 attendees and rave reviews. Alvin Ailey believed that "dance came from the people and should always be delivered back to the people." Join Ailey's acclaimed dancers in a moving celebration of the human spirit in their highly anticipated SummerStage homecoming performances this season.
CREATIVE OUTLET DANCE THEATRE AND KYLE ABRAHAM/ ABRAHAM.IN.MOTION
Jackie Robinson Park, Manhattan
Friday, July 30
7:00 pm - Open Contemporary Modern dance class with Jamel Gaines (Dir. Of Creative Outlet)
8:00 pm - Kyle Abraham/ Abraham.in.Motion
8:50 pm - Creative Outlet Dance Theatre
Artist Website: http://www.creativeoutlet.org
Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet is a professional dance company that marries rigorous classical and modern technique with African-American soul and spirit. Under the direction of Jamel Gaines, the company has been hailed by reviewers in the United States, Europe and the Caribbean for its "richness of dance tone" and "contagious vitality." It is also a dance school for children 3 to 18, with an impressive track record for spotting and nurturing raw talent to produce young performers who gain access to leading performing arts institutions, television, Broadway and concert stages.
Artist Website: http://abrahaminmotion.org
Abraham.in.Motion, led by Kyle Abraham, showcases his diverse training in classical music, visual art, and a multitude of dance forms from ballet to hip-hop to give range and depth to his sleek, evocative work. Dance Magazine named him one of the "25 to Watch" in 2009 and has described his work as "elastic and electric, luxuriantly rippling, poetically arranged with moments of perfect stillness that arrive amid splashes of expression. His choreography wriggles energy through the body, stretches it, suspends it, then unleashes it."
EARL MOSELEY'S INSTITUTE OF THE ARTS AND MOTION THEATER LAB
Jackie Robinson Park, Manhattan
Saturday, July 31
7:00 pm - Open Hip Funking Hop dance class with Calvin Wiley
8:00 pm - Motion Theater Lab
8:50 pm - Earl Moseley's Institute of Dance
Artist Website: http://emiadance.org
Earl Moseley began his dance training at the North Carolina School of the Arts. His professional performing experience grew to include the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble (Ailey II), Gus Soloman's Dance and Ron Brown's Evidence Dance Inc. He is the founder and artistic director of Diversity of Dance, Inc. a not-for-profit organization concentrating on dance education. The major focus of the organization is Earl Mosley's Institute of the Arts (EMIA) which offers a summer intensive program (including ballet, modern, African, hip hop, jazz, and tap), residencies and workshops. Join EMIA students as they perform works choreographed by Ronald K. Brown, Troy Powell, Kevin Wynn, Darrell Moultrie and Fredrick Earl Mosley.
Hot off the heels of its successful world premiere, Thoroughly Modern Michael, comes Motion Theatre Lab, a chamber dance company comprised of seven critically acclaimed performers under the direction of choreographer/dancer Michael Leon Thomas. Jennifer Dunning of the NY Times wrote, "Michael Thomas scorched the stage with his quiet intensity during his years with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater." Creating works of deep passion and beauty, MTL will premiere a new work, Aquarius Rising, to the sounds of classic underground dance music.Join internationally acclaimed dancer and instructor Calvin Wiley, founder and president of "From The Top International", an international fitness and dance consulting company and Founder and Artist Director of Calvin Wiley Dance Theater (CWDT), a concert and commercial performance group based out of NYC. Calvin has pioneered and branded his teaching style CALVINOGRAPHY®, which maintains the philosophy that beauty, art and brilliance can be elements in fitness.
Master Class description:
CALVINOGRAPHY®: Hip Funking Hop
A cardiodance workout fused with hip/hop, funk, street jazz and theatre. A collaboration of movement bringing something different to the dance floor and to your dance/movement palette.
DANCIN' DOWNTOWN contest winners (To Be Announced May 17th)
COMPLEXIONS CONTEMPORARY BALLET
Tuesday, August 10
8:00 - 10:00 pm
Artist Website: http://www.dradance.org/ddatj2010/ddatj2010.html
Dancin' Downtown at The Joyce Theater, produced by Dancers Responding to AIDS is the only competition providing dance students the opportunity to be seen by such a diverse and distinguished group of dance luminaries on one of the most prestigious dance stages in New York City - The Joyce Theater. This unique competition benefits Dancers Responding to AIDS (DRA), a program of Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. Watch the top two winning groups of this contest perform a short piece on the famed SummerStage and get a glimpse into the freshest faces of dance today.
Artist Website: http://complexionsdance.org/
Complexions Contemporary Ballet is a company dedicated to removing boundaries and transcending the limits of performance. Artistic directors Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson's lifelong appreciation for the artistic and aesthetic appeal of the multicultural forms the cornerstone of Complexions Contemporary Ballet's approach. Complexions' mix of methods, style and cultures has produced an entirely new and exciting movement: an open, continually evolving form of dance reflecting the movement of our world.
Paul Taylor II AND NAGANUMA DANCE
East River Park, Manhattan
Friday, August 13
7:00 pm - Open Contemporary Fusion dance class with Darcy Naganuma of Naganuma Dance
8:00 pm - Naganuma Dance
8:50 pm - Paul Taylor II
Artist Website: http://www.ptdc.org
Paul Taylor established Taylor II in 1993 to ensure that his works could be seen by audiences all over the world, unhindered by economic or technical limitations. To do this, he looked back to the 1954 origins of the Paul Taylor Dance Company for the structure of his new company: six professionals with a particular gift for his style who perform his work throughout the world. The repertoire spans the broad spectrum of his work. Several of the dances performed by Taylor II have been re-worked from the original Dance Company's version to enable the smaller ensemble of dancers to perform them. Critics and audiences cheer as Taylor 2 introduces the athleticism, humor and range of emotions found in Mr. Taylor's work.
Artist Website: http://www.naganumadance.com
Under the artistic direction of the Hawaii-born/half-Japanese Darcy Naganuma, Naganuma Dance is a contemporary dance company that draws upon many different disciplines to create captivating and socially dynamic dance works. Founded in 2006, Naganuma has assembled a company of multi-ethnic and physically tempestuous performers, presenting works that touch upon themes of cultural dissonance, the absolute and the relative, gender and class, through inventive choreography as performed by a cross-cultural cast of dancers.
COMPLEXIONS CONTEMPORARY BALLET and WIDEMAN/DAVIS DANCE
East River Park, Manhattan
Saturday, August 14
7:00 pm - Open World Jazz dance class with Cecilia Marta
8:00 pm - Wideman/ Davis Dance
8:50 pm - Complexions Contemporary Ballet
Artist Website: http://complexionsdance.org
Complexions Contemporary Ballet is a contemporary ballet company founded by Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson. The company uses a wide range of dance forms including classical, modern, and contemporary and has won the New York Times "Critics Choice" Award. Complexions was also America's first fully multicultural ballet company. Its groundbreaking mix of methods, styles, cultures has created an entirely new and exciting vision of human movement over the past decade-and-a-half.
Wideman/Davis Dance is a company that brings different artists together to create dialogue about the human condition, by using dance as its central voice but not sole voice. Wideman/Davis Dance is interested in bridging cultural gaps through dance by bringing all communities and ethnicities together to view dance in its contemporary aesthetic. The company is committed to creating work that is accessible to audiences of all ages, by blurring the lines between dance, theatre, and reality.
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