September 29th, 2010 by soul4dance

Get to know the world without leaving Brisbane.
The 2010 Queensland Multicultural Festival is shaping up to be one of the best ever. Make sure you have your diaries marked for Sunday 17 October at Roma Street Parkland from 10am until 5pm.

Entry, performances and workshops are all free.

Come along and experience:

• more than 85 cultural dance and music performances

• more than 100 international food, craft, information and government stalls

• fantastic interactive children’s activities provided by the State Library of Queensland

• hands-on workshops

• six performance stages

In 2010 you will experience many more craft stalls than previous years. If you like Brisbane’s market culture, you will love this year’s festival!

Roma Street Parkland is a garden oasis located in the Brisbane CBD. It is easily accessible by public transport. For public transport information call Translink on 13 12 30 or visit www.translink.com.au. There will be no parking available at Roma Street Parkland for the festival.

Keep your eyes open for further festival updates.

For further information please contact Michelle Kennedy on (07) 322 45468

September 28th, 2010 by soul4dance

Traditionalists are in for a shock next month when Bournemouth’s Pavilion Ballroom, usually home to elegant tea dances, hosts its first ever break-dance jam session.

Local dance crew Second to None, who have starred on numerous TV shows from This Morning to Top of the Pops, have joined forces with Dance South West and Bournemouth Borough Council for a ‘B-Boy/B-Girl Circle Jam’.

The event features various DJs and takes place from 2pm to 5pm on Saturday November 7. It’s open to break-dancers, street dancers and hip hop dancers of all ages and abilities.

And, if ‘head spins’, ‘flips’, ‘windmills’, ‘turtles’ and ‘flares’ are a foreign language to you – there’s plenty of space for spectators.

Cllr Bob Chapman, Cabinet Member for the BIC and Pavilion, said: “I never thought I’d see break-dancing in our historic ballroom - It’s fantastic to see this building already becoming a magnet to all types of dance and I hope people will come along to see history in the making.”

Kate Castle, Director of Dance South West, added: “Break-dance is incredibly popular and it’s so exhilarating to watch; we hope it will give people a flavour of one of the many dance disciplines to be offered when Pavilion Dance opens its doors next year.”

Admission for those wishing to watch or take part costs £3.

Construction work is currently underway on Pavilion Dance – the world-class dance centre in Bournemouth Pavilion will be a venue for everyone, whatever age, ability or preferred type of dance.

It will occupy 1,249 square metres in the currently vacant Ocean Room and former Viking Bar and is due to open in autumn 2010 as the council’s first major Town Centre Vision project.

It will feature a large entrance foyer, community and professional dance studios, changing rooms, and a studio theatre with retractable seating for up to 200.

For further information contact Dance South West on 01202 554131

September 27th, 2010 by soul4dance

WC is hosting the 38th State Dance Festival Oct. 22-24, 2010.

The Dance Program offered at Washington College is designed to train dancers, choreographers, and performers with particular attention to artistry and proper anatomy and biomechanics. These are facets of dance that are viewed as mutually dependent and interactive. Fundamental to the training of the dancer is the building of the dancer’s body; so the program includes technical training in a variety of dance forms as well as Pilates and yoga and work in improvisation, dance composition, dance history, and repertory.

Performances are an important part of the program, ranging in scope according to the student’s abilities, vision, and needs.

A broad dance curriculum emphasizes both physical and cognitive skills and includes classes for academic credit in:

• modern dance,

• ballet,

• jazz,

• dance composition,

• dance history,

• tap dance

• musical theatre dance

• movement for actors.

Students may also take aerobic dance, Pilates, and yoga for additional strength and conditioning of the body.

It is the goal of the program to teach vocabulary of dance movement and knowledge of factors that influence movement by introducing students to kinesthetic awareness and acquiring the fundamental skills of various techniques, developing creative potential through improvisation, developing awareness of tempo, meter, accent, and phrasing in movement, introducing spatial concepts and floor patterns. Students also are exposed to appreciation of dance as an art form by exploring the work of dance artists; viewing dance performances on video/dvd, film, and in live theater; analyzing movement ideas, and composing movement studies based on compositional ideas, musical, or dance forms; understanding musical terminology as it applies to dance; and developing musicality in performance.

The Dance Minor

The Minor Program in Dance shares a performing arts philosophy that courses in theory and history must be integrated with courses and experience in performance. Consequently, the study of dance within the context of a liberal arts education is designed as an important ingredient in the development of students for whom rigorous intellectual and artistic inquiry are inextricably linked. Critical thinking, creative imagination, intellectual and artistic collaboration, and development of aesthetic awareness and communication skills are integral components of the Dance Program. The balance of creative, cognitive, and kinesthetic courses locate the program firmly within the liberal arts tradition.

The Dance Program encourages students to indulge their passion for dance by combining a minor in dance with any of the major programs offered by the College or to incorporate dance into a interdisciplinary major of the student’s own design. Within the dance minor the student will have the opportunity to develop and configure a personal program, matching that student’s academic interests and goals with the requirements of the minor and the College. The Dance Minor offers coursework in dance technique, choreography, history and theory, production and performance. Course offerings strive to create an atmosphere of cooperative learning, group process, and camaraderie within a wide variety of dance traditions. The courses in the dance minor are designed to give the student an in-depth understanding of the art of dance and choreography, the field of dance scholarship, the science of mind/body integration, the craft of performance, and the management and problem solving skills necessary to produce creative work. The distribution of required courses in the minor program provides the student with an introduction to dance composition, history, technique, and theory and allows each student to direct study in the minor toward a specific area of interest. All students in the program will be encouraged to participate in technique and repertory classes each semester.

September 24th, 2010 by soul4dance

EMORY DANCE SEASON EXPLORES THE BREADTH OF DANCE FROM HIP HOP TO FILM

The 2010-2011 Emory Dance Program season begins with “B-Girling: A Herstory of Hip Hop Dance and Culture,”an Emory Friends of Dance Lecture by Teena Marie Custer, B-Girl and hip hop dance theatre artist (Sept. 14, free), exploring the journey of women in hip hop dance and culture accompanied by demonstrations by local dancers. Professor Brenda Dixon Gottschild of Temple University lectures on“Researching Performance – The (Black) Dancing Body as a Measure of Culture,”(Feb. 8, free). Using visual images and dance, she will examine the pervasive Africanist presence in American culture and the sociopolitical implications of its invisibility.

Emory faculty George Staib and his company Staibdance join the Vega Quartet and pianist William Ransom for their second collaboration, “Staibdance, the Vega String Quartet and William Ransom: In Concert,” (Sept. 23-25; Tickets: $25; Discount Category Members $18; Emory Students $10). In 2009 Atlanta critic Pierre Ruhe referred in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution to their first effort as “magnetic, tense, euphoric.” Music by Chopin, Einhorn, Schumann, Rachmaninov and Emory’s Kendall Simpson will provide the foundation for the physicality, athleticism and nuance that characterizes Staibdance.

Emory Dance teams up with other Atlanta colleges and choreographers for the Emory Dance Company Fall Concert, (Nov. 18-20; Tickets: $12; Discount Category Members $10; Students $8), featuring new dances created by Emory’s Lori Teague and Gregory Catellier, Atlanta Ballet principal dancer Tara Lee and T. Lang, director of Spelman Dance Theatre. Bridget Roosa, director of dance at Agnes Scott College, will restage “Shakers,” the 1931 classic by Doris Humphrey, for a cast of student dancers from Agnes Scott and Emory. The Saturday matinee will feature a work by Emory faculty George Staib performed by Spelman’s student company.

Patrons can experience the intersection of film and contemporary dance at “Dance for Reel: An Evening of Dance on Camera,” (Oct. 14, free, Performing Arts Studio, 1804 N. Decatur Rd., 30322) a presentation of works from the Dance Films Association. Several Dancers Core co-sponsors two Fieldwork Showcases (Dec. 5, May 1; Tickets: $7 only available at the door), of new works created by community artists in various disciplines. The Women’s History Month Dance and Theater Presentation, (Mar. 17, free) highlights collaborative and individual dance and theater presentations.

Emory Dance welcomes back its alumni for the “Emory Dance Alumni Concert, (Mar. 25-26; Tickets: $10; Discount Category Members and Students $5), which will showcase works choreographed by Emory dance alumni working in the field as performers, choreographers, teachers and scholars. The Emory Dance Company Spring Concert (Apr. 14-16; Tickets: $10; Discount Category Members $8; Students $5) features new works choreographed and performed by students. Emory faculty Gregory Catellier closes the season with an evening length dance and multi-media performance created with six dancers in a Faculty Dance Concert (May 20-22; Tickets: $12; Discount Category Members $10; Students $5).

All performances are in the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, Dance Studio at 1700 N. Decatur Rd., Atlanta, GA 30322, unless otherwise noted. For tickets and information call the Arts at Emory box office at 404-727-5050.

September 23rd, 2010 by soul4dance

Discover Dance, Newport’s annual dance festival, includes performances, workshops, films and more demonstrating all types of dance from ballet to break dance with opportunities to see national and international dancers perform and chance for you to get involved and learn some new moves!

There is a strong Welsh focus with Independent Ballet Wales performing popular Welsh folk tale The Lady of Llyn y Fan Fach where Artistic Director Darius James has created a world of myth and magic and the dancers push back the barriers of classical ballet.

The all male Welsh award-winning dance company Dynion will perform Excess and hold workshops that will be open to members of the public.National Dance Company Wales will show work from choreographers Stephen Petronio and Itzik Galili.

The renowned Jasmin Vardimon and her dance company combine choreography and use of video in their new dance piece 7734.Not forgetting famous break dance competition, the Welsh BBoy Championships 2010, which take place Saturday 18 September with international b-boy stars including Ivan Urban Action Figure.

PUT YOUR DANCE SHOES ON!

This year members of the public have the chance to dance in workshops taking place throughout the Festival including:

• Tea dance / ballroom

• Breakdance

• Hip Hop

• Contemporary dance

• African dance

• Flash mob

The workshops will be held at The Riverfront, outside (weather permitting) and in empty shops throughout Newport in conjunction with the Empty Shops Project.

September 22nd, 2010 by soul4dance

Saturday 25 and Sunday 26th September 2010

Come and boogie along to Darlington’s Dance Festival weekend where you can sample and join in with all dance forms in Joseph Pease Place and the Market Square.

There will be demonstrations from Darlington dance schools, a chance to learn and participate in Line dancing, Ceroc, Zumba and Street dancing.

On Saturday evening from 6pm the market square will come alive with a Caribbean themed dance party night, Carnival Crew Tees Valley will warm the audience before the Paradise Steel Band take to the stage to perform Soca or soul calypso (a form of Popular West Indian music originated in the islands of Trinidad and Tobago).  The Royal Blood Reggae band from Leeds will then take to the stage to end the evening with Reggae music and dance.

A mass dance performance will be the highlight on Sunday with Darlington dance schools performing their chosen dance routines throughout the afternoon.  There will also be demonstrations from UK Latin American representatives and James Hobley, star of BBC’s ‘Autism. Disco and Me’.  Young local musician Oli Patterson will accompany Darrien Wright’s dance performance.

September 21st, 2010 by soul4dance

Take a twirl and get a taste for tea dancing this October, as older people across Medway will be donning their glad rags and heading to the dance floor

From the fox trot to the cha cha cha, residents will be able to take a stroll down memory lane at a tea dance to celebrate World Older People’s Day.

The dance, which will take place on Friday, 1 October at the Corn Exchange Rochester, will be the fourth annual celebration of World Older People’s Day and will mark this year’s theme of ‘becoming and staying active in later life’.

Guests will be able to enjoy cream tea to the sounds of a 16 piece band at the Corn Exchange, Rochester, with special performances from an over 50s dance troupe to get everyone onto the dance floor.

Amongst the movers and shakers will be Rainham couple Bob and Brenda Woodrow.Bob, 76 and Brenda, 71, have been fundraisers for community group, the Medway Lions Club, for the past 25 years and are an active pair.

From organising and running fundraising events at Medway’s festivals and events, to pub raffles, and an annual Christmas party for more than 100 older people, the Medway Lions are committed to supporting their local community.Bob and Brenda, who have lived at Macklands House, Rainham for the past 2 and a half years also help to run the scheme, and are keen to ensure older people stay active in the community.

“This tea dance will be a chance for older people to get together and chat more than anything” said Bob. “It’s important to keep active as you get older and events such as these are so valuable in engaging older people in our local community.”

Organised by Medway Council, NHS Medway and mhs homes, the tea dance will take place from 2 to 5pm and aims to encourage older people to get involved in healthy activities and make them aware of the range of services available to them.

Medway Council’s Portfolio holder for Adult Services, Cllr Tom Mason said: “This event is a fantastic opportunity for older people in Medway to get together, meet new people and try something different.

“It’s important we recognise the valuable contribution all older people give to our community and let them know about the range of services available to them that can help them maintain their independence for longer.”

Patricia Hewitt, Head of Housing at mhs homes said, “We are very pleased to be working in partnership with Medway Council and NHS Medway on this event. It’s going to be a brilliant event and it’s free too! We look forward to seeing some of the residents of our 21 sheltered there.”
Representatives from Medway’s Welfare Benefits Team, Public Health, Kent Fire and Rescue as well as Medway Council’s Sports Development Team will all be on hand to offer help and advice on how their services can benefit older people.

Tickets to the tea dance are free but must be booked in advance. For more details contact Tracy Stevens on 01634 333185.

September 20th, 2010 by soul4dance

The Blackpool Sequence Dance Festival covers Classical, Modern and Latin Sequence Dancing.The format has changed over the years and 2009 saw the 60th anniversary of the Championships held in the Empress Ballroom, Winter Gardens.

The Festival takes on two separate events, the Children’s and Adult’s dancing. The Saturday is devoted to the children who dance in various competitions.The Adult’s dance on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.The Inventive Dance competition is on the Monday with the Winning Dances being taught on the Tuesday morning.The British Sequence Championships are held on all three evenings.

There is plenty of opportunity for social dancing in-between the competitions and also on Sunday and Tuesday afternoon.

Start date -Sunday 17 October 2010
End date-Tuesday 19 October 2010
Address-Winter Gardens, Blackpool, FY1 1HW

September 18th, 2010 by soul4dance

Pollak Theatre

Adapting their name from a stringed folk instrument, the Tamburitzans are an energetic ensemble of talented folk artists dedicated to the preservation and performance of the music, songs, and dances of Eastern Europe. Appearing in more than 400 original and authentically reproduced costumes, the Tamburitzans of Duquesne University present a two-hour kaleidoscope of sight and sound from countries that include Greece, Armenia, Hungary, Croatia, and more. This all-new production creates a carousel of style and color from the first note to the final stomp.

A lecture and dance demonstration will be conducted by Duquesne University Tamburitzan alumnus Beth Stafura to introduce folk music, song, and dance from Eastern European countries including Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and many more! Students will have the opportunity to learn the Tamburitzans’ world of dance, comparing and contrasting the styles of dance and the rhythms of music found in each region of Eastern Europe.

With the dance session being the majority part of the workshop, a video presentation of the world cultures and question and answer session will be incorporated. Dance experienced preferred, but students of all ages are welcome to participate. Bring your dance shoes and put a whole new meaning to traveling on foot through Eastern Europe, with this exciting educational journey of dance!

Part of the South-Central-Eastern Europe: Legacies and Identities Project

Date-September 25, 2010 at 8 PM

Cost- $28

TAMBURITZANS WORKSHOP

Date-September 25, 2010

Timings-2 - 3:30 PM.

Venue-Woods Theatre Dance Studio

Strength-Maximum 30 participants

Cost-$10 or free with performance ticket

Please call 732-263-6889 for reservations

September 17th, 2010 by soul4dance

Over 40 dancers and teachers from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts School of Dance and the Shanghai Theatre Academy College of Dance teamed up for the first time this evening to transcend the borders of Chinese dance, ballet and contemporary dance at Shanghai Expo.

The Crossing Borders show at the Academy Theatre, Shanghai Theatre Academy saw students from both schools perform five works - Once in a Secret Night, Ambuscade, the finale from Free Radicals, The Secret Bob, and Place.

On June 12, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts will stage another free performance in a different setting and format. Devised by the academy’s staff members John Utans and Yu Pik-yim, Arts•Travel•Two Cities will be staged in Shanghai’s Museum of Contemporary Art. The dance not only showcases the dancers, but also some of the venue’s key architectural features.

Other upcoming dance performances co-ordinated by Hong Kong for the Shanghai Expo in June include the City Contemporary Dance Company’s site-specific dance gala, DELT, and Tales of Two Cities - Hong Kong•Shanghai•Eileen Chang, while the Hong Kong Dance Company’s Qingming Riverside will be performed in July.