Caryn Cooper - Page 4

Dancewave is a Brooklyn-based school/organization that focuses on the development of the whole person through an accessible dance education experience. Being located in New York City- one of the most vibrant cities in the country -- Dancewave offers students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to learn, create and perform dance together. Since its founding in 1995 by Artistic & Executive Director Diane Jacobowitz, it is their vision to see a world where through access to the dance experience, our youth become empowered individuals who contribute to the fabrics of their communities and beyond.

Jersey Tap Fest is a dance festival that features world-class tap dancers, faculty, and an exceptional extravaganza to celebrate the life and legacy of tap dance in New Jersey. Since its founding in 2010 by Hillary-Marie, this annual festival has become a way to bring the tap dance community together, teach its history, preserve its unique percussive and improvisational style, and increase respect for this cherished American dance form.

On the evening of July 28, 2017, as part of the Lincoln Center Out of Doors festival, Paul Taylor Dance Company (PTDC) with special guests DUCHESS and Vuyo Sotashe performed at the Damrosch Park Bandshell. It was quite the popular event as people lined up down the block and around the corner to see the anticipated show. It was a full house as pretty much every seat was taken! But, I could see why so many folks came out. It was a nice night, not too hot, not too humid, with a gentle breeze. The perfect night to be out and enjoy a show.

Kangseon “Sun” Kim, is a female hip hop dancer who specializes in the style of popping from South Korea. She was a member of a dance crew, and won several dance battle competitions. Some of her performance credits include dancing with 45 DEGREES/Cirque de Soleli and producing her own show, entitled WHO YOU ARE, that focuses on overcoming inner battles to find your true self.

Ballet Tech is a unique partnership between the Ballet Tech Foundation, Inc. and the New York City Department of Education. Here students beginning in grade 4 have the opportunity to combine professional tuition-free arts instruction with a public school education. With approximately 180 students enrolled, Ballet Tech is dedicated to introducing children of NYC to the beauty and rigor of classical dance, while producing a new generation of dancers whose diversity reflects the full-spectrum of the American community.

NYC Dance Week is a 10-day festival to promote the joy and diversity of dance in New York City, providing the public access to free and discounted dance and fitness classes at various dance schools and studios across the area. The goal is to engage the community to experience dance in a way that encourages them to live active and healthy lifestyles. Today, nearly 40 studios offering over 100 classes are partnering with the organization to promote and support dance. This year, NYC Dance Week takes place from June 15-June 24, 2017.

Bare Feet is a 3-time New York Emmy® Award-winning travel and dance series. The show follows executive producer, dancer, and host Mickela Mallozzi, as she travels throughout different parts of the world. What makes this show unique, is that she features, discovers, and highlights the rich dance and cultural traditions of the locals of each region she visits.

Carolyn Dorfman Dance prides itself in being a multi-ethnic dance company that is dedicated to the creation and presentation of contemporary dance that reveals the individual uniqueness and commonality of the human experience. Her choreography has been known to be bold and dramatic that connects life and movement. It also broadens students' knowledge and appreciation of dance in the classroom, in after school programs and curriculum building throughout communities across the country while speaking to contemporary issues.

The Step Crew is a production that celebrates the rich Celtic culture through dynamic music and dance. What makes this group stand out? They bring you the traditions of Irish Stepdance, Modern Tap, and Ottawa Valley Stepdancing along with a modern fusion of all three percussive dance styles! In addition, this is all performed to the live music of a five-piece band including vocals and spectacular fiddlers.

As part of their spring NYC season, New York City Ballet (NYCB) presents the Here/Now Festival featuring ten specially curated programs. This is an opportunity for audiences to see the breadth, quality, and range of works that have been developed over the past three decades. On the evening of May 3, 2017, I had the opportunity to see program number 3- dedicated to the repertory of Resident Choreographer, Justin Peck.

April 27-30, 2017 was a special limited engagement to celebrate the history and scope of Indian dance in America at the Theater at the 14th Street Y. The production is part of the a series of dances by the collective, From the Horse's Mouth, conceived and directed by Tina Croll and Jamie Cunningham. This particular program was curated by Rajika Puri- an internationally acclaimed Indian classical dancer. The show was dedicated to the late Balasaraswati- a celebrated Bharatanatyam dancer who was instrumental in making the South Indian classical dance style popular throughout different parts of India and around the world.

Carissa Laurel is a NYC-based dancer who began her training in her home country in the Philippines. I had the opportunity to speak to her about her unique background, experience and success in the dance world.

Peridance Capezio Center is a leading New York City based dance school that is known to be a home for all styles of dance and for all ages. The teachers are world renowned and the center is a place where toddlers, teenagers, adults and International students from around the world can learn alongside professional dancers. Peridance Capezio Center (more affectionately known as Peridance) is dedicated to offering accessible dance classes of the highest caliber- with over 250 weekly classes for adults and children in a nurturing and professional environment; providing dancers the opportunity to learn and work with acclaimed master teachers and guest artists; giving access to affordable high-quality rehearsal studios and performance spaces for artists to create and perform; all while maintaining a strong national and international presence in the dance education community to positively influence future generations of artists.

The legendary Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) returned to their “stage home” for their annual NYC season at the New York City Center, April 19-22, 2017. Some highlights of the season included a special performance by Grammy-Winning Recording Artist India.Arie, NY and DTH premieres by Robert Garland, Francesca Harper, and José Limón, and the return of other favorites by Dianne McIntyre and Darrell Grand Moultrie.

MJM Dance, under the artistic direction of Megan J. Minturn, presented their first evening-length piece entitled Monopoly: The Landlord's Game April 13-14, 2017 at the Mark Morris Dance Center. Here, Ms. Minturn in collaboration with her dancers- Leah Antonellis, Michelle Applebaum, Kelli Chapman, Cantata Chen Fan, Anna Johannes, Mara Katz, Chie Kurokawa, and Beverly Lopez, came together to tell the little known history of the game of Monopoly while exposing the injustices of our society and economic system.

As part of the Tilt Kids Festival, Montreal-based circus- The 7 Fingers (Les 7 Doigts) brought a mix of circus, dance, theater, and a side of cooking to the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts stage April 11-16, 2017. You may remember this company as they were behind the Tony-Award winning production of Pippin and had appearances on the popular TV show-America's Got Talent and the opening ceremony of the Sotchi Olympics! The Tilt Kids Festival is a cultural event for families presented by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy and the French Institute presenting a series of forward-thinking events in dance, circus, visual art, music, and theater to stimulate and inspire audiences.

Broadway Dance Center (BDC), affectionately known as a dancer's “home away from home,” is one of New York City's most popular dance studios. Located in the heart of the theater district in Manhattan at 322 West 45th Street, BDC prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming environment for ALL dancers to train and learn.

The American Tap Dance Foundation (ATDF), under the artistic direction of Tony Waag, presented its 5th yearly showcase Rhythm in Motion, March 29-April 2, 2017 at the Duke on 42nd Street. The series featured two distinct programs of fresh, groundbreaking tap dance choreography, with some strong and emotional statements. This is a very interesting time for tap dance as “the world has finally realized that tap dance and tap choreography can also test the audience, tell a story, be influenced by world issues and express anger, fear, sadness, and spirituality” said Mr. Waag, ATDF Artistic/Executive Director and curator of this show. The program featured some of the best and emerging tap dancers/choreographers of this time.

Following their 25-city world tour, Ailey II returned to the Big Apple for their annual New York City season and debut at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, March 29-April 2 2017. The company performed two distinct programs, including four world premieres. Ailey II is a universally renowned group of young performers who are fantastic dancers, with amazing technique and energy. I had the privilege to attend the “All New” program, which truly showcased why they are one of the most popular dance companies in the country.

MJM Dance, under the artistic direction of Megan J. Minturn, is a New York City based company that fuses movement with intention and creativity as a means to express, speak, and reveal. On April 13 and 14, 2017, the company will have its world premiere (and first evening length work) of their latest dance entitled Monopoly: The Landlord's Game at the Mark Morris Dance Center located at 3 Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. Based on the ever popular classic board game Monopoly and its little known founder, Lizzie Magie, this piece seeks to consider the injustices of for-profit prisons, poorly paid work, and inadequate housing caused by our current “game board rules.”