Collaborative Arts Premieres Brings Video, Dance, Music and Video Together to Honor Veterans, Extend Dance Apprenticeship Program

An array of local creative talent will be on vivid display on November 8 at Real Art Ways in Hartford as innovative choreography, live performance, compelling stories, innovative music video and documentary world premiere projects come together to honor local veterans.

The special first-time program, in honor of Veterans Day, will be a joint fundraising event for the Wounded Warriors Project and the Apprenticeship Program of the Sonia Plumb Dance Company (SPD).

Driven by creative collaborations that highlight the innovative arts community in the Hartford region, the evening will include premieres of recent projects of the Sonia Plumb Dance Company:

• Live Premiere Performance of "Salute to the Troops," an original choreography by Sonia Plumb featuring the Sonia Plumb Dance Company, developed to honor America's veterans.

• Sneak Peek of NIZ Entertainment's Salute to the Troops music video, which is to debut on Veterans Day, November 11. Conceived and produced by NIZ Ent. LLC, Salute to the Troops is an original rap song about a young veteran returning from war to find life back at home has its own challenges. The video, by Burning Sun Films, features choreography by Sonia Plumb.

• World Premiere screening of the original documentary The Making of Dance of da Vinci: A Documentary, created by SPD Apprentice Yoeliz Santana of Hartford. A graduate of the CREC Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, this is her first major project. She is one of 10 apprentices who have participated in the signature SPD apprenticeship program.

Doors open at 6:00 PM; tickets start at $20 and are available at Eventbrite. Real Art Ways is located at 56 Arbor Street in Hartford. A percentage of ticket sales will be donated to the Sonia Plumb Dance Company Apprentice Training Program and the Wounded Warriors Project.

The SPD Apprentice Training Program, now in its third year, provides training and work opportunities for talented high school graduates who cannot afford to attend a four-year college program in dance and/or video due to financial challenges. SPD received a cornerstone three- year grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to launch the program in 2016. Funds raised will help to support continuation and expansion of the successful program.

"We are thrilled to bring these exciting creative endeavors together to honor the inspiring service of our veterans, and to highlight the vibrant arts community in our region," said Sonia Plumb. "Sharing these works with the community, and showcasing the marvelous collaborations that are

reflected in the premiere performance, music video and documentary, is truly a source of pride for everyone involved, and for Greater Hartford."

The Dance of da Vinci premiered at the Bushnell in April 2018, with choreography by Sonia Plumb, original music by Michael Wall, projections by Bryan Swormstedt, costumes by Sabrina Notrafrancisco, lighting by Michael Chybowski and vocals by CitySingers of Hartford.

NIZ Ent. LLC is a Hartford based production company with the mission of providing a platform for local artists of all ages to develop their musical talents through a network of experienced professionals within our own community. Burning Sun Films, based in Hartford, is operated by Bryan Swormstedt and Andrew Reardon.

Sonia Plumb Dance Company (SPDC) was formed nearly 30 years ago with a mission "to enrich, educate, and connect diverse audiences through innovative modern dance." SPDC serves diverse audiences statewide through live performances; K-12 arts education; community engagement events; collegiate and professional level classes; movement programs for children with autism, and dance apprenticeships for talented high school graduates lacking the socio- economic resources to attend college level dance programs. For more information, visit www.SoniaPlumbDance.org.

The Wounded Warrior Project responds to veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound while serving in the military on or after September 11, 2001.