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Archive for category Dance
From “Firebird” to “Puddlebutt,” a lively world of dance awaits
Posted by Jennifer Noyer in Dance on August 30th, 2010
Global rhythms take center stage this season
By Jennifer Noyer
The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet (ASFB)
The newest regional dance company in town is Festival Ballet Albuquerque, directed by Patricia Dickinson. It will debut at Popejoy Hall, performing Igor Stravinsky’s “Firebird” with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra.
This event opens a 2010-11 dance season that will feature artistic collaborations between several groups and institutions. Visual arts galleries, orchestras and theater presenters will work together in a variety of new venues.
With a cast of approximately 50, the Festival Ballet will perform in front of the orchestra on stage, featuring Jennifer Boren as the Firebird, Dominic Guerra as Ivan, Jeff Zimmerman as Kotchei, and Amanda Geilenfeldt as the Princess. Symphony conductor Guillermo Figueroa and Dickinson began planning the “Firebird Dance Spectacular” two years ago, finally bringing their collaboration to fruition this fall with three performances, Sept. 24, 25 and 26. Dickinson plans a revival of “Dracula” in February at Rodey Theatre, focusing on the vampire love story for Valentine’s Day.
Global DanceFest
The North 4th Theater opens the Global DanceFest on Oct. 9-10 with “The Crossing,” a theatre/dance presentation by Jonathan Khumbulani Nkala of Zimbabwe and South Africa. It tells the story of Jonathan’s journey from Kwekwe, Zimbabwe, to Cape Town, South Africa, across the Limpopo River. He works his way south by selling his arts and crafts and telling stories that wind up as movement theater.
The DanceFest will continue Oct. 15-16 with “SAN,” choreographed by Vincent Mantsoe of South Africa and France, and performed by him and his company to haunting Sufi music and verses by Rumi. “SAN” is the spiritual search for the ancestors by “five dancers of various heights, nationalities, colors and degrees of sinuosity,” says Marjorie Neset, executive director.
“Tyler Tyler” created by Yasuko Yokoshi and Masumi Seyama comes to N4th Theater Oct. 22-23, fusing Japanese classical Kabuki dance and theater and American post-modern dance in a retelling of a war tragedy from Japanese history. Yokoshi has received numerous awards, including two “Bessies” (The New York Dance and Performance Awards) for her work. She has lived in New York City since 1981, and has performed throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia.
Later in the season, Jan. 14-16 at N4th, Global DanceFest will partner with Tricklock Company to present Theater 8 of Yerevan, Armenia, as part of the Revolutions International Theatre Festival. It is a creative adaptation of Jean Genet’s play “The Maids,” told without the use of language, making a physical dance and theatre piece that is accessible to audiences worldwide. The story works around the fantasies of two maids acting out a plot to murder their absent mistress. Directed by Suren Shahverdyan, the theater company won first place and a special jury prize at the Apostrof International Theatre Festival in Prague.
The DanceFest continues in March at the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) with a dance company from Bogota, Columbia.
Flamenco and UNM dance program
Yjastros Repertory Flamenco Company will return to NHCC October 22-24 with more of its exciting blend of contemporary and classic flamenco choreography, and stunning musicians and dancers. You can call the NHCC box office for ticket information at 505.724.4771.
The dance program at the University of New Mexico will concentrate on student choreography and performance with an October 29-30 concert titled “Still Moving.” Professor Vladimir Conde Reche says that the concert will abound with fresh new talents in the dance program. Eva Encinias-Sandoval and Donna Jewell are artistic directors for the concert.
The fall concerts act as auditions for the spring Faculty Dance Concert featuring new choreography and highly challenging restorations of some of the finest classics of American dance, such as works by Martha Graham and Hanya Holm. Look forward to March 4.
A Master of Fine Arts thesis concert by Jean D’Arc Casas performs at Rodey Theatre Feb. 26-27 and will also feature works from other MFA students. These students are ready to venture forth into the world of professional dance theater, and have come to UNM from all over the country. This concert is always a fascinating view of the latest ideas in dance and choreography at the university level.
Holiday dance
NMSO "Firebird", photo Randy Tally
November and December bring a new round of Nutcracker ballets. The New Mexico Ballet and the NMSO will perform Nov. 27-28 at Popejoy Hall, featuring American Ballet Theatre dancers Sarah Lane and Luis Ribagorda, and current New York City Ballet principal dancers Maria Kowroski and Tyler Angle. Tickets are available in mid-September at NMSO.org, NMSO box office, or UNM ticket offices.
Keshet Dance Co
will again bring Shira Greenberg’s fun and contemporary “Nutcracker on the Rocks” to the NHCC on Dec. 3-5. The vision is to bring a modern classic out of the traditional one, with music from a variety of eras—both traditional Tchaikovsky and rock and roll—and a broad range of dance styles.
Ballet Repertory Theatre of New Mexico brings its traditional “Nutcracker Ballet” to the KiMo on Nov. 24, complete with afternoon Christmas tea party, and will premier a new “Alice in Wonderland” by Alex Ossadnik from Feb. 26 through March 6.
The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet (ASFB)
The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet (ASFB) company will be celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2011. Its blend of classical and modern reveals the best of both worlds. ASFB’s “The Nutcracker” appears Dec. 11-12 at the Lensic.
Moving People Dance Theatre will premier its new holiday show Dec. 17–19 at the Greer Garson Theater in Santa Fe. Titled “Quinn Puddlebutt and the Return of the Great Holiday,” the show is set in the future, when the world no longer experiences snow. Quinn is an orphan who travels with his guide through music and dance to see the holidays as they once were.
—Jennifer Noyer is a contributing editor to albuquerqueArts.
Dance Guide
Albuquerque International Folk Dance Foundation
The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet (ASFB)
Ballet Repertory Theatre of New Mexico
Fishback’s Studio of the Dance
Marshall’s Performing Arts Conservatory
National Dance Institute of New Mexico (NDI-NM)
The University of New Mexico Department of Theatre and Dance (UNM)
Yjastros Repertory Flamenco Company
Online Post Requirements
Posted by abq arts in ArtSPREE, Dance, Film, Food & Wine, General, Literature, Music on August 27th, 2010
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DANCE EXPOSE’ Presents – VELOCITY – August 20 and 21
A concert with dancing, singing and a stunning light show
EXPOSE' VELOCITY, Dancer - Erin
Directed by Edye Allen
Edye Allen
August 20 and 21
Friday and Saturday
7:30 pm
Tickets
$18 General
$15 Seniors and Students
Sandia Prep Theatre
523 Osuna NE
505.610.6064
Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival – August 23-29, 2010
Guanábana Productions presents the First Annual “Salsa: Past, Present and Future.”
Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival will take place in various Albuquerque locations-the National Hispanic Cultural Center, the One Up Elevated Lounge, Hotel Albuquerque, Old Town, the Library Bar and Grill, the University of New Mexico, Double Time Dance studio and the Salsa Baby venue. The goal of the Latin Dance Festival is to promote community building/engagement, social networking, to provide education for the different types of dance, and to celebrate the culture of Latin music. There will be salsa dance lessons during the day and social events during the evening.
The Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival will feature world-renowned instructor Edie “The Salsa Freak.” Edie will be teaching classes throughout the week. Saturday night’s closing festivities will feature Jiovanni Cofino & the Latin All-Stars along with 13 other quality performances.
“The most exciting thing about partner dancing in salsa is it crosses economic, cultural and age barriers. It’s beautiful to see children and seniors dancing all in the same event. We want to create an event that solidifies us as a community.” -Programming Chair, Santiago Candelaria.
Tickets
“All-Events” pass - until August 15th $99, after for $150. The “All-Events” pass admits you to all of dance classes and all social events.
Saturday’s event is $15 advance or $20.
Available from the National Hispanic Cultural Center or pick-up locations listed online at Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival.
Sponsors for the event include Duke City Fueling, Instituto Cervantes, National Hispanic Cultural Center, The City of Albuquerque, Pancho Quiñones via Melaza Productions and The Hispano Chamber of Commerce.
For more info click here : Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival or call 505.508.8159.
Download the program here: LatinDanceinsert08-10
Fourth annual Ballet Pro Musica Festival ~ August 13–15
Posted by Jennifer Noyer in Dance on August 1st, 2010
A glimpse of Mexican culture through the prism of chamber music ballet
By Jennifer Noyer
Eric Rodriguez
The annual Ballet Pro Musica Festival returns for its fourth year August 13–15 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC), in partnership with the National Ballet of Mexico and La Catrina Quartet, as well as pianist Jacquelyn Helin. The festival continues to present a welcome insight into the rich and sophisticated fine-art culture of neighboring Mexico through the new entertainment art form of chamber music ballet, which marries live chamber music performance with classical dance.
La Catrina Quartet is currently the Faculty Quartet-in-Residence at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma calls them “wonderful ambassadors for music,” performing a blend of Latin-American and standard classical repertoire to audiences throughout Mexico and the U.S. Pianist Helin is regularly heard in performance with such groups as Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Santa Fe Music, Chatter, and the Taos Chamber Music Group.
World premieres
This year the festival will present three world premieres. Guest choreographer Eloy Barragan’s “Porteño” set to music by Argentinean composer Astor Piazzolla reflects passions and emotional perspectives between five couples. Piazzolla originally composed the piece as a paean for piano to the residents of Buenos Aires. “Porteño” means “port,” relative to Buenos Aires, which is home to people from all over the world and their cultures. Barragan’s style is a contemporary one, classical yet reflecting quotidian movements of today’s world.
Alex Ossadnik, a co-founder with Henry Holth of Ballet Pro Musica, has created “Ciao, Mama” to Alberto Ginastera’s String Quartet No. 1. The piece features four men and one woman, plus four chairs. The woman is meant to be both fragile and controlling. The men struggle to escape, experiencing the conflicts of youth leaving home for the first time.
The third premiere, “Haydn in Blue,” also by Ossadnik, is a “classical tutu ballet” to Franz Josef Haydn’s “Piano Trio No. 9 in G Major.” Its rondo finale is known for its Hungarian style. Ossadnik says he is striving in this work for a “very elegant, beautiful and yet simple design.”
A unique intimacy
In describing the nature and attractions of chamber music ballet, artistic director Sylvie Reynaud of the National Ballet of Mexico stresses the benefits of hearing live music with the visual stimulus of dance movement, plus the financial benefits of employing smaller groups of musicians and dancers rather than a full orchestra and large ballet company. Holth emphasizes the intimacy and intensity of the music projected in a small quartet, carried out in space by less than 10 dancers.
Master Classes and Free Children’s program
Wednesday and Thursday, August 11 and 12
Master classes for advanced dance students at the NHCC with the company’s ballet mistress Natasha Lagunas.
There will also be a free children’s program at 10 am at the NHCC featuring a discussion of ballet and a short performance.
Tickets:
Regular prices are $75 to $60, $45 and $30. Red Carpet Lounge, for groups of 10 or more.
Available in person at the NHCC box office, 505.724.4771, and Ticketmaster, 505.883.7800, ticketmaster.com.
People interested in the master classes or children’s program may call Ballet Pro Musica at 505.352.1281.
National Hispanic Cultural Center
1701 4th St NW
Albuquerque
505.246.2261
—Jennifer Noyer is a contributing editor to albuquerqueArts.
Do the shim sham shimmy ~ 12th annual Tap Dance Jam ~ July 23 & 24
Posted by Jennifer Noyer in Dance on July 1st, 2010
Dance stars shuffle into town
By Jennifer Noyer
Tap Jam
The Tap Jam is here again with all its bright excitement and glitz, a constantly evolving percussive dance form uniting local dancers with national and international stars.
Big names in tap
The University of New Mexico Department of Theatre and Dance (UNM) and the National Dance Institute of New Mexico (NDI-UNM) will host the 12th annual New Mexico Tap Dance Jam on Friday, July 23 and Saturday, July 24.
Bill Evans
Bill Evans is the featured star of the show and returns to New Mexico from his home in Rochester, New York.
Roxane Butterfly is also returning by popular demand after headlining last year’s Tap Jam performances. Evans is founding director of the Tap Dance Jam, and Ms. Butterfly is an internationally renowned tap icon.
These guest artists join with local professionals and students from the Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas.
The program includes the New Mexico Rhythm Tap Ensemble with NDI-NM’s Albuquerque Artistic Director Jackie Oliver, Jesse Martinez, Robbie Peterson and Zane Barker. Students of NDI-NM, Fishback’s Studio of the Dance, Marshall’s Performing Arts Conservatory , and Johnnie’s School of Dance will offer a glimpse of what they are studying and creating.
The performances will be presented at Keller Hall, UNM campus; shows start at 7:30 pm on July 23 and July 24.
Master teachers, master classes
Master classes held July 19 through 22 will be led by Bill Evans at UNM’s Carlisle Gym. Choreographer Daniel Nagrin wrote in the magazine Dance Teacher Now: “Bill is one of the best teachers in America. He has a fluent, lovely understanding of movement which he conveys very well…everywhere he goes to teach, people come flocking.”
Bill Evans came back to Albuquerque in June to conduct the Teachers’ and Dancers’ Intensive in association with the UNM dance program. He and Don Halquist have developed methodologies and materials to help dancers become more effective teachers and performers. The daily schedule included Evans’ technique in modern dance, Laban movement analysis, repertory, and rhythm training and studies. Halquist and Evans are both associated with the State University of New York College at Brockport. Evans is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at UNM.
Roxanne Butterfly
A contrasting artist and teacher is Roxane Butterfly, a hybrid artist born in France with a father from the Romansh region of Switzerland, a mother from Morocco, and 18 years of study in New York City. Expanding the art form’s vocabulary and technique, she has been a transforming force in revitalizing stereotypical presentations of tap around the world, and is the only woman tap dancer to receive the Bessie Award, which is awarded for innovative achievement in dance.
Program hints
Some pieces included in this year’s Tap Jam are “Latin,” performed by Evans, Oliver, Martinez and Peterson; “Three Preludes” by Evans; “Bojangles” by the Rhythm Tap Ensemble; and a new jazz-influenced 40th Symphony in G minor by Mozart, which will be danced by the Rhythm Tap ensemble, with music by Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band.
For tickets call 505.277.4569 or visit online UNM Tickets.
For more information on the master classes, call 505.872.1800, ext. 1103.
Visit the National Dance Institute of New Mexico (NDI-UNM) website for registration forms and class schedules.
—Jennifer Noyer is a contributing editor for albuquerqueArts.
Dancing different in The City Different ~ auditions & performance
Posted by Jennifer Noyer in Dance on May 31st, 2010
Moving People Dance Summer Dance Intensive promises more than a workout
By Jennifer Noyer
The 6th Annual Summer Dance Intensive offered by Moving People Dance in Santa Fe
June 13-July 2
Student dancers between the ages of 10 to 25 may choose to attend one to three weeks to train for 30–40 hours per week, in classes that include a core curriculum of ballet, pointe and variations, modern, jazz, repertoire, gyrokinesis and supplemental classes in African, flamenco, tap and hip-hop.
A faculty of eight professional teacher/choreographers from all over the country will guide the students and offer the opportunity to perform in weekly studio showings followed by question and answer sessions.
On July 2nd, students who attend for three weeks may perform repertoire chosen by the guest choreographers at the Greer Garson Theater.
Publicity for the intensive suggests dancers “dance different in the city different.” The educational philosophy of Moving People Dance stresses an overall, very different approach to dance education by creating environments that nurture the unique gifts of each student, facilitating independent thinking, imagination and tenacity. The staff also works with the most current injury prevention techniques, while attempting to build self-esteem and leadership skills.
Dynamic faculty and staff
The list of faculty members and directors includes amazing resumes of past and current dance experience, promising an extremely rich environment for the students. Executive Director Layla Amis trained at the New World College of the Arts in Miami and danced professionally with the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Gail Gilbert Dance Ensemble. In 1999, Amis co-founded Moving People Dance Theatre. She teaches ballet, modern dance technique and repertoire. Artistic Director Curtis Uhlemann received a full scholarship to the American Dance Festival at Duke University, where he performed the works of José Limon, Paul Taylor, Gail Gilbert, David Parsons and Mark Morris. He works with Associate Artistic Director Echo Gustafson, a dancer, teacher, and choreographer who danced professionally with the Martha Graham Dance Company and the Pearl Lang Dance Theatre. She is a Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis Master Trainer, utilizing those techniques in her classes to prevent injuries.
Duncan Cooper is the co-director of the Summer Intensive. Originally from New York City and San Francisco, Mr. Cooper danced with the San Francisco Ballet and the Dance Theatre of Harlem, where he performed such leading roles as Balanchine’s “Apollo,” “Prodigal Son,” and “Agon.” He is the creator and assistant director of a national outreach program for kids at risk called Athletes for Kids.
Karah M. Abiog, from California, has performed and taught since 1995 for the International Dance Seminar of Brasilia. She currently teaches at Alonzo Kings’ LINES Ballet Training Program.
Lydia Roberts Coco began her professional training with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. After retiring from the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre in 1997, she taught ballet, modern and jazz in Fairfax, Virginia, and serves on the faculty of the Virginia Ballet Theatre. Most recently, she has been touring with Athletes for Kids as a faculty member.
Catherine Cabeen brings 16 years of experience with Graham technique and Bill T. Jones postmodern style to her classes at the Summer Dance Intensive. Tai Jimenez, from Jamaica, New York, danced 12 years with the Dance Theatre of Harlem. She is a guest artist with companies across the United States and brings a rich repertoire in ballet to her students.
For information and to audition for the intensive:
Contact Moving People Dance at 505.438.9180 or by email.
Moving People Dance
1583 Pacheco Street
Santa Fe, NM 87505-4227
—Jennifer Noyer is a contributing editor to albuquerqueArts.
Olé! The Festival Flamenco Internacional reignites the city ~ June 9 – 13
Posted by Jennifer Noyer in Dance on May 31st, 2010
By Jennifer Noyer
Festival Flamenco 2010 returns
Five days of performances and workshops for children and adults June 9-13.
Flamenco School Film photo Karen Kuehn
It was sorely missed last year, and founder Eva Encinias-Sandoval has had to gather broad community support to continue the annual festival, especially during the tribulations of the recession. Seven performances by international flamenco stars and their companies will appear at the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) and the University of New Mexico’s Rodey Theatre, all under the banner of the frst annual Savor ABQ arts events (see the Official Guide in June’s print issue).
Documentary film
In addition, a feature-length documentary film titled “Flamenco School,” by Albuquerque filmmakers Brent Morris and Reinhard Lorenz, will premiere June 8 at 6 p.m. and repeat June 10 at 1:30 p.m. and June 12 at 4 p.m. in Keller Hall. It presents an in-depth look at the programs of the National Institute of Flamenco, the umbrella organization that includes the Conservatory of Flamenco Arts, youth companies Alma Flamenca and Niños Flamencos, the flamenco program at UNM, and Yjastros, the repertory company headed by Joaquin Encinias.
Fiery program
Manuela Carrasco Y Compañia opens the festival June 9 at NHCC at 7 p.m. with her “Suspiro Flamenco,” a flamenco sigh. Carrasco will also be teaching in the workshop program.
Andres Peña and Pilar Ogalla Y Compañia
The festival moves to Rodey Theatre on June 10 at 7 p.m. for Manual Liñan Y Compañia, featuring dancer “La Tacha” with two cantaores and two guitarists.
At 9 p.m. in the same venue, the seventh Concurso Nacional de Flamenco will occur.
Andres Peña and Pilar Ogalla Y Compañia will perform “A Fuego Lento,” a slow fire, at Rodey Theatre June 11, 7 p.m.
Also on June 11, Juan Antonio Suarez “Cano” in a special collaboration with Concha Jareño will perform “Seis Cuerdas Para Dos Tacones,” six strings for two heels, 9 p.m. at NHCC.
The all-inclusive Fiesta Flamenca will repeat Carrasco’s “Suspiro Flamenco” at NHCC June 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. This last performance closes the festival and includes just about everybody participating in the five-day program.
Workshops
The workshops throughout the festival include classes in baile, cante, guitar and palmas (hand rhythms).
For information on the classes:
Contact:
National Institute of Flamenco
214 Gold Avenue Southwest
Albuquerque, NM 87102-3320
email or 505.242.7600.
Tickets for the concerts are on sale now.
For Rodey performances, click here: UNM Tickets.
For NHCC performances, click here: Ticketmaster.
These seats sell out quickly, so don’t miss this exciting experience that comes to Albuquerque with a tremendous explosion of sound, rhythm and dynamic movement. The Festival Flamenco has achieved both national and international acclaim as one of the finest presentations of extant flamenco art.
—Jennifer Noyer is a contributing editor to albuquerqueArts.
Hello Latin Dancers – Schedule @ the Harwood Arts Center
LA and Club-Style Salsa with Sarita Streng and Shawn Claude Muller
4 Week Class
Monday Nights May 3, 10, 17 and 24
Harwood Arts Center
1114 7th St NW (at Mountain Rd)
Upstairs in the Cafeteria
7 pm Beginning
8 pm Intermediate
$10 per class or $15 for two classes/same evening
Classes will progress over the four weeks – and you are welcome to drop in.
Start warming up for Salsa Under the Stars!
Cuban Style Casino – “Cuban-style Salsa Dancing and Rueda de Casino
Thursday nights
Salsa Baby Studio
3901 Central Ave NE (at the corner of Central and Aliso – three blocks east of Carlisle)
6 pm Intermediate
7 pm Beginning
$10 per class or $15 for both classes/same evening
June 11 - Los VanVan – one of Cuba’s most famous modern dance bands will be at Salsa Under the Stars .
For more information: Amp Concerts
Saturday mornings in June and July
Salsa and Bachata
The Harwood
10 am and noon
August 23 through 29
Latin Dance Festival - a week of performances, classes and concerts
at the National Hispanic Cultural Center and many other local venues.
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