STG Presents DANCE This

Seattle Theatre Group (STG) presents DANCE This on Saturday, July 10, 2010 at The Paramount Theatre at 7:30pm. The annual performance features local teen artists and professional choreographers collaborating through cross-cultural dance. DANCE This 2010 features a dance fusion of cultural traditions with contemporary and urban styles including hip hop, b-boy/b-girl breakdancers, tap and the Indian dances, Odissi and Bhangra.

Nationally acclaimed and visiting professional artists play an important role in raising the caliber and innovation of the DANCE This performance, year after year. This year's highlighted artists include: Napoleon and Tabitha D'Umo (judges and choreographers from FOX's So You Think You Can Dance), Donald Byrd (Artistic Director of Spectrum Dance Theater in Seattle and Tony Nominated choreographer of Broadway's The Color Purple), Amy O'Neal (Artistic Director, choreographer and performer in locust and amyo/tinyrage), and Massive Monkees (award winning breakdancing group).

DANCE This 2010 features local teen choreographer, Anika Martynowych, presenting a new contemporary piece. Martynowych completed STG's Young Choreographer's Lab this spring and was selected from a group of 18 to debut her piece in DANCE This.

The DANCE This 2010 program includes 100 performers featuring:
Alex Jackson (Contemporary) is a long-time DANCE This young artist and current Cornish College of the Arts dance major. Alex will perform Amy O'Neal's re-stage of "tiny+rage=love" (originally performed in Ten Tiny Dances). The piece, performed on a 4x4 platform, is an experiment in compact dynamism.
Anika Martynowych (Contemporary) is a teen choreographer from West Seattle and she premieres "Hada," a new work developed in STG's 2009/2010 Young Choreographer's Lab. The piece will be performed by young Seattle area dancers.
Apna Bhangra Crew (Indian) Seattle's award winning Bhangra crew will perform Bhangra, a lively form of Indian dance that originated in the Punjab region, featuring 10 young dancers.
Bhangra Fever (Contemporary) by Donald Byrd Artistic Director of Spectrum Dance Theater and Tony nominated choreographer, is re-staged for DANCE This (premiered at The Moore Theatre in 2004) with 15 local auditioned dancers.
New Work (Hip Hop) by Napoleon and Tabitha D'Umo a LA-based hip hop duo and choreographers and judges on FOX's TV show So You Think You Can Dance. This is a cutting edge new hip hop piece performed with 23 auditioned teens.
NW Tap Connection (Tap) tappers along with teen drumline performers bring together rhythmically rooted tap with the percussive explosion of the drumline. NW Tap Connection is directed by Melba Ayco and is a distinctive urban dance studio specializing in rhythm tap. NW Tap Connection is a recipient of the 2009 Mayor's Arts Award.
Urvasi Dance Ensemble (Indian) performs a piece called "The Dream" with 10 young performers and directed by Dr. Ratna Roy. The group practices the traditional Southern India classical Odissi/Orissi dance form.
The Vicious Puppies (B-boy Dance Crew) are influenced by Seattle's Massive Monkees and taught by Jeromeskee and Tim the Pitt. Each member has a unique style and teamwork brings them together as more of a family than just a super-crew of b-boys.
A collaborative finale celebrates the power of cross cultural dance, featuring all the DANCE This performers and styles, staged by Nick and Anna Golla.
Since 1999, youth dance groups representing the cultural diversity of the greater Seattle region are invited to participate in two performances - a matinee for community youth groups and an evening public performance.

The performance connects dance from across cultures, both traditionally rooted and contemporary in form. The culmination of the performers' experience is an explosive and celebratory group finale featuring all participants performing one another's dance forms together, demonstrating the history and connection between dance styles and cultures.

The DANCE This program receives support from Andrew Conru, Starbucks, BECU, ArtsFund, Seattle's Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, 4Culture, The Seattle Foundation and The Paramount Hotel.

DANCE This has grown into a multi-faceted program that includes performances at The Paramount Theatre (youth matinee and evening public performance), a two-week summer dance training intensive in diverse styles, June 21 - July 2, 2010, and the DANCE This Camp at Centrum, August 8 -14, 2010. For registration and more information visit www.stgpresents.org/education/dt.
TICKETS: DANCE This performance tickets are $23.00 for adults and $12.00 for students, in advance (not including fees) and are available online at www.stgpresents.org, by phone at (877)784-4849, in person at The Paramount Theatre box office, Monday through Friday 10:00am-6:00pm and The Paramount and Moore Theatre venue kiosks, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, powered by Tickets.com. The Paramount Theatre is located at 911 Pine Street in downtown Seattle.

About STG
STG is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres in Seattle, Washington. Our mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping these two landmark venues alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at both historic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound and Portland, Oregon.

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