SummerStage Dance Season Announced!
Read on for Dance schedule & Artists' information
City Parks Foundation is proud to announce the 2013 line up for SummerStage presented by AT&T, New York City's largest free performing arts festival featuring over 100 FREE music, dance, film, comedy, family and theater programs in 17 parks across all 5 boroughs!
This season's dance lineup promises to be as intriguing as ever with a mix of established artists and rising stars.
Audiences can enjoy Hip-Hop dance legends The Rock Steady Crew and the premiere of "RSC Ghetto Made" as part of“This is __ Hip-Hop,” a multi-disciplinary series that celebrates 40 years of Hip-Hop culture. Famed modern dancers The Martha Graham Dance Company will also show works on two evenings at Central Park with a pre-show discussion panel as part of our new "Forewords" series, giving fans the chance to hear about the long lasting effects of Graham's influence on the dance world.
Up and coming artists include Iquail Shaheed's DANCE IQUAIL and the world premiere of "Speak," a work featuring choreography by Adrienne Hurd with live music by Marla Mase and Tomás Doncker.
Below is the link to download the full dance schedule in PDF format. To get the schedule emailed to you, set up interviews, obtain photos or to get put on our press lists, please feel free to email me directly.
2013 SUMMERSTAGE DANCE SCHEDULE
SummerStage Artist Information
Jamal Jackson Dance Company/ Movement for the Urban Village
Friday, June 14, 2013
Von King Park, BK
7:00 PM – All Levels Open Dance Master Class by: Jamal Jackson Dance Company
8:00 PM – Performances
Artist Website: http://www.jamaljacksondancecompany.org
Jamal Jackson Dance Company (JJDC) was founded with the purpose of fusing various traditional African dance styles with modern and Hip-Hop techniques while incorporating diverse musical styles in order to create a technique that is relevant to a diverse community of Americans. Through the company's signature style, which is characterized by looseness in the arms, hips and spine, fast footwork, and a constant bounce, the choreography weaves together to tell stories that redefine ideas of community and blur divisive lines, while still celebrating the beauty of individual cultures. Footprints From My Head's Rhythm is a direct representation of the choreographic themes at the core of JJDC with each piece exploring a different aspect of reconciling the need for people to maintain individuality while being accepted into a community.
JJDC will perform “Bask in The Shade,” a piece that explores the “benchmark” for certain levels of acceptance and inclusion into various social circles. This work, composed by Frank Malloy IV, takes an in-depth look at the influence of surroundings on the individual while also challenging external and internal physical boundaries.
Artist Website: http://www.muvdancecompany.com
Originally founded in 2004, the Brooklyn based Movement for the Urban Village is a contemporary dance company that relies on a community of women dancers of varied identity and life experience who join together to present dance works addressing social, political and spiritual themes. Under the direction of Shalewa Mackall, Movement for the Urban Village performs original contemporary dance rooted in the creative expression, a modality for healing and means for liberation on every level for all people. Since 2005, Movement for the Urban Village has presented six consecutive seasons of original dance in New York City.
Choreographed and directed by Shalewa Mackall, Calling Names is an original dance and theatre work that incorporates live music to explore issues of identity, lineage and personal transformation as the audience is taken on a journey from personhood to spirit hood.
Master Class: Company members of Jamal Jackson Dance Company will teach energetic, full-body movement that flows fluidly between West African, Hip-Hop and Modern dance techniques.
“Speak”
Featuring Live Music by: Marla Mase and Tomás Doncker
Book/Lyrics by: Marla Mase
Choreography by: Adrienne Hurd
Directed by: Sara Berg
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Von King Park, BK
7:00 PM – All Levels Open Dance Master Class by: Calvin Wiley
8:00 PM – Performance
Website: http://speaktheshow.com
“Speak” is a multi-media concert and dance piece inspired by the songs of artist Marla Mase's acclaimed album, Speak Deluxe. Combining live music, spoken word, dance and visual imagery, choreographer Adrienne Hurd melds contemporary and modern dance forms in this one of a kind show. Through Hurd's powerful portrayal of a woman's confinement, sexuality, body image, trauma, oppression and freedom, she celebrates the raw reality of the human condition as expressed through the eyes, bodies, and voices of women. Through the expressive movements of a troupe of seven dancers, each of whom has a distinct voice and tale in the mini-stories, the dancers will explore the archetypes that make up the idea of what it means to be a modern woman.
The music, co-written by Marla Mase and Tomás Doncker is an integral part of “Speak” and features elements of Rock-n-Roll with World Beat, Punk, Funk, Electronica, Reggae and Soul and will be performed live at each performance with both Mase and The Tomás Doncker Band.
Marla Mase is a writer/performer/producer/singer/songwriter from New York City. Her songs, a mix of World Beat, Spoken Word, Funk, R&B, Punk, Soul, and Classic Rock-n-Roll are infused with Global Soul, the signature sound of Tomás Doncker, her guitarist, co-writer and producer.
Tomás Doncker, a musician that has performed at SummerStage in 2012 with the production, Power of Trinity, has expanded his musical vision of “Global Soul” drawing influences from numerous musical sources, including East/West Africa and the Caribbean and fused them into something all his own.
Adrienne Hurd has performed in several Broadway shows and has also choreographed dance pieces for some of the world’s largest programs, such as The Ailey School Junior Division, Professional Performing Arts School, The United Arts Counsel, American Ballet Theatre summer intensives and Nomad Contemporary Ballet Company.
James Jankiewicz has been a filmmaker for over 20 years, having worked in all aspects of production and post-production. He is the founder of VideoBiopics, a full service production company dedicated to telling stories, and his background includes work on all kinds of films including features, corporate, sports, and the arts.
Sara Berg has been a director, producer, dramaturge and actor in theatre, radio, television and cabaret. She was Co-Artistic Director for the Titans Theatre Ensemble, and directed A Brief Night Out for Marla Mase and Tomás Doncker in 2012.
Master Class: Join acclaimed fitness and dance choreographer, Calvin Wiley for a high energy, stylistically diverse dance class.
Rennie Harris Collective Inc.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Queensbridge Park, QN
7:00 PM – All Levels Open Dance Master Class by: Rennie Harris Collective Inc.
8:00 PM – Performances
Artist Website: http://rennieharrisinc.com
In 2005 Dr. Rennie Harris conceived Rennie Harris Collective Inc. to foster collaboration with other dancers and choreographers outside of Rennie Harris' world renowned companies, Puremovement and RHAW. Versed in urban dance styles such as Popping, Locking, House, GQ, B-Boying and Hip-Hop, Rennie Harris is an internationally recognized dance teacher and master choreographer. After receiving an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Bates College, Harris' company was chosen as one of four US dance companies to serve as cultural ambassadors for President Obama's “Dance Motion USA”, a program designed to share work by some of America's finest dance makers in the effort to promote cultural exchange. Through the use of Hip-Hop B-Boys and B-Girls, the Rennie Harris Collective Inc. is committed to providing audiences with a sincere view of the essence and spirit of Hip-Hop.
Join Rennie Harris Collective Inc. as they partner with some of New York’s best Hip-Hop choreographers and dancers to debut a series of three new works at SummerStage.
Master Class: Join members of the Rennie Harris Collective Inc. for a high-energy dance class showcasing Hip-Hop basics.
DANCE IQUAIL!
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Queensbridge Park, QN
7:00 PM – All Levels Open Dance Master Class by: Karisma Jay
8:00 PM – Performances
Artist Website: http://www.danceiquail.org
DANCE IQUAIL! now celebrating its fifth anniversary, returns to SummerStage. Described as “a tour de force of athleticism and passion,” the company speaks in the universal language of movement, and is committed to creating works that confront the destructive nature of racism, violence, substance abuse, poverty, and promotes the importance of family and unity.
DANCE IQUAIL! will feature a sizzling program of works with live music by Iquail Shaheed, Christopher Ralph, & Amber Perkins.
Master Class: Join Karisma Jay, of Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn. A charismatic Brooklyn native, Karisma will lead a fun class fusing the basic elements of traditional African dance with various dance moves of today.
Martha Graham Dance Company
Special Guest: Dancin’ Downtown at The Joyce Contest Winner
Tuesday, July 23 - Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Central Park, MN
8:00 PM – 10:00PM
Artist Website: http://marthagraham.org/
Informed by the expansive vision of pioneering choreographer Martha Graham, the Martha Graham Dance Company brings to life a timeless and uniquely American style of dance that has influenced generations of artists and continues to captivate audiences. As one of the most celebrated modern dance companies in America, Graham and her dancers have expanded contemporary dance’s vocabulary of movement and forever altered the scope of the art form. The Martha Graham Dance Company has been a leader in the development of contemporary dance, and is recognized for its model audience engagement activities. The company has received international acclaim from audiences in over 50 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, and has performed at most of the major venues of the world. In addition, the Company has produced several award-winning films broadcast on PBS.
Artist Website: http://www.dradance.org
Dancin’ Downtown at The Joyce is a collaboration between Dancers Responding to AIDS (DRA) and The Joyce Theatre. Dance studios are adjudicated by top names in the dance world with the award winner performing at SummerStage.
Rock Steady Crew Dance Celebration
World Premiere of “RSC Ghetto Made”
Part of the “This is __ Hip-Hop” series
Wednesday, July 31, 2013Central Park, MN
8:00 PM – 10:00PM
Artist Website: http://www.crazylegsworkshop.com/rock-steady-crew/about-rsc
Originally founded in 1977 in the Bronx, by Jimmy D and Jojo, Rock Steady Crew has become one of the most well-known and recognizable B-Boy groups in the world. These pioneers and creators of break-dancing used dance battles as a means of recruitment to grow its talented team and gain national acclaim while touring throughout the world. Since its formation, Rock Steady Crew has adapted all aspects of Hip-Hop, from DJ's to Emcee's, and from Writers to B-Boys & B-Girls. More recently, Rock Steady Crew received a VH1 Hip-Hop Honors award, performed on ABC's, Dancing With The Stars, and also had CNN coverage of their 35th anniversary.
In their world premiere work “RSC Ghetto Made”, Rock Steady Crew will be showing New York and the world what a real Hip-Hop show looks like as they bring it back to basics and display why they are the kings of the original movement.
The Faison Firehouse and SummerStage Presents: Harlem Dance Caravan
Friday, August 09, 2013
Marcus Garvey Park, MN
7:00 PM – All Levels Open Dance Master Class by: Dana McBroom-Manno
8:00 PM – Performances
Acclaimed Harlem performing arts institution, The Faison Firehouse has joined with SummerStage to present Harlem Dance Caravan, a thrilling evening showcasing the diversity and depth of today’s dance landscape.
Audiences will be enthralled by companies such as Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, which seamlessly meld contemporary dance, traditional West African dance, ballet, house, Hip-Hop and martial arts together; Camille A. Brown & Dancers, famed for its high theatricality, gutsy moves and virtuosic musicality; Illstyle & Peace Productions, a multicultural dance company that creates works rooted in Hip-Hop blended with an eclectic mix of performance disciplines including tap, DJing and beat boxing and OPUS Dance Theatre whose works present visual and emotional images of the human experience.
More artists to be announced soon!
The Faison Firehouse and SummerStage Presents: Harlem Dance Caravan
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Marcus Garvey Park, MN
7:00 PM – All Levels Open Dance Master Class by: Calvin Wiley
8:00 PM – Performances
**See above for show details**
Master Class: Join acclaimed fitness and dance choreographer, Calvin Wiley for a high energy, stylistically diverse dance class.
The Francesca Harper Project
Friday, August 16
East River Park, MN
7:00 PM – All Levels Open Dance Master Class by: Cecilia Marta
8:00 PM – Performances
Artist Website: http://www.francescaharper.com/
Francesca Harper blends original choreography, dance, music and film to create groundbreaking works that are category-defying. Harper has performed in several Broadway productions including: Fosse, The Producers, The Frogs, and The Color Purple. The Oakland Tribune says “Harper, who has the physique of a modern goddess, had the audience on the edge of its seats.” She has choreographed works for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, Tanz Graz, and her own company The Francesca Harper Project, which aspires to create a unique style – classical dance forms, deconstructed and fused with cutting-edge text, music, and film. The content of the pieces are rooted in her most fundamental themes: creation, imperfection, love, humanity, race, sexuality, politics, and identity. The Francesca Harper Project embraces and celebrates the spirit of diversity and individuality.
Conceived, choreographed and directed by Francesca Harper, Modo Fusion: Art Prototype is an hour-long exploration through the world of beauty pageants, using a surreal blend of original dance, music, film and narration.
Master Class: Come join Cecilia Marta in discovering the richness of World Jazz and embody it's instinctual rhythms and sensual organic flow.
“Speak”
Featuring Live Music by: Marla Mase and Tomás Doncker
Book/Lyrics by: Marla Mase
Choreography by: Adrienne Hurd
Directed by: Sara Berg
Saturday, August 17, 2013
East River Park, MN
7:00 PM – All Levels Open Dance Master Class by: Craig Smith
8:00 PM – Performance
Website: http://speaktheshow.com
** See above for show details**
Masterclass: Join music industry choreographer and fitness veteran, Craig Smith, for this high energy, fun, dance fusion class. This class will highlight various dance & cultural music styles.
