Skip to main content Skip to footer site map

2016 Guggenheim Fellow Raphael Xavier presents POINT OF INTEREST

As part of THE AMERICAN ROOTS FESTIVAL, the Autorino Center for the Arts presents award-winning POINT OF INTEREST by Guggenheim, PEW Fellow and USA Artist Fellow Raphael Xavier, with support from the New England Foundation for the Arts. The performance will be in the Hoffman Auditorium, located on the University's main campus at 1678 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, Ct, at 7:30pm Friday and Saturday, February 24th and 25th, with doors to open at 7pm. Ticket prices are $25 for general, $20 for seniors.

Raphael Xavier was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship and a USA Artist Fellowship for choreography in 2016, along with his Pew Fellowsihp from 2013, Xavier has been a breaking practitioner since 1983. An active alumnus of the world-renowned hip-hop Dance Company, Rennie Harris Puremovement, Xavier has gone on to forge an exceptional approach to improvisation, creating new ways to expand the vocabulary of the dance form. In his newest work, Point of Interest, Xavier tackles the natural, humorous and at times painful change of the maturing Breaker dancer.

Director of the Autorino Center for the Arts, Steven Raider-Ginsburg said, "I love watching Raph impress and relate to the older and the younger generations. He's an elder in the breaking community and is teaching hip-hop to seniors and youth alike. His work is masterful and there couldn't be a better fit for dance in our American Roots Festival."

Lauded by The Boston Globe as one of the "top 10 in the year of dance," Point of Interest crackles with Xavier's signature "bravado dance style" (Dance Magazine) and high-energy physicality as it follows a standard of traditional Breaking aesthetics and pushes the boundaries of this young culture and form. Sharing the stage with a multigenerational cast, performing a series of solos, duets and quintets, the leading hip-hop artist shines a light on the natural, humorous and at times painful change of the maturing breakdancer. Xavier's goal is to open doors of possibility for hip hop dance and dancers, and to ambitiously continue to sustain his movement practice in the form.

The American Roots Festival at the University of Saint Joseph runs now through April 21st and features 7 acts of music, dance and theater, which cover a vast breadth and depth of uniquely American performative arts.






New Ballet KITCHEN DANCE Explores Womens Evolving Domestic Duties Photo
As Women's History Month draws to a close, Ballet Co.Laboratory will present a ballet that honors the creativity and resilience of women through their relationships to the kitchen.

Award Winning Choreographer Candace Taylor Brings Joy To JACK This April Photo
Award winning choreographer Candace Taylor brings joy to JACK with Candace Taylor: Effervescent Encounters, April 14 - 15 at 7:30 pm and April 16 at 3:00 pm.

First Friday Film Festival Continues April 7 With The American Tap Dance Foundation In RHY Photo
The American Tap Dance Foundation's First Friday Film Festival will return on Friday, April 7 from 7-8pm ET, with a livestreamed Rhythm in Motion. Registration and link can be found at Shows & Events. Fee: $5.00.

Kaatsbaan Cultural Park Announces Community Classes Beginning This Month Photo
Kaatsbaan Cultural Park has announced that their Community Classes will begin on March 27, 2023. Kaatsbaan offers Ballet, movement, family dance, and contemporary movement classes.


More Hot Stories For You


New Ballet KITCHEN DANCE Explores Women's Evolving Domestic DutiesNew Ballet KITCHEN DANCE Explores Women's Evolving Domestic Duties
March 20, 2023

As Women's History Month draws to a close, Ballet Co.Laboratory will present a ballet that honors the creativity and resilience of women through their relationships to the kitchen.

First Friday Film Festival Continues April 7 With The American Tap Dance Foundation In RHYTHM IN MOTIONFirst Friday Film Festival Continues April 7 With The American Tap Dance Foundation In RHYTHM IN MOTION
March 17, 2023

The American Tap Dance Foundation's First Friday Film Festival will return on Friday, April 7 from 7-8pm ET, with a livestreamed Rhythm in Motion. Registration and link can be found at Shows & Events. Fee: $5.00.

Kaatsbaan Cultural Park Announces Community Classes Beginning This MonthKaatsbaan Cultural Park Announces Community Classes Beginning This Month
March 16, 2023

Kaatsbaan Cultural Park has announced that their Community Classes will begin on March 27, 2023. Kaatsbaan offers Ballet, movement, family dance, and contemporary movement classes.

Stella Abrera Named Artistic Director of ABT JKO SchoolStella Abrera Named Artistic Director of ABT JKO School
March 16, 2023

Stella Abrera, former Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre, has officially been named Artistic Director of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School as announced by ABT Artistic Director Susan Jaffe.

Dallas Black Dance Theatre Presents DBDT: Encore! Rising Excellence PerformanceDallas Black Dance Theatre Presents DBDT: Encore! Rising Excellence Performance
March 16, 2023

Dallas Black Dance Theatre's (DBDT) professional training company DBDT: Encore! Rising Excellence performance draws on the heritage and memories of Japanese, Polish, and African American choreographers. PNC Bank is the Presenting Sponsor for the performance scheduled on Friday and Saturday, April 21-22, 2023, at the Moody Performance Hall.