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Footworks
July 22, 2008
Welcome to Footworks, your weekly eNews bulletin from the Alabama Dance Council. Please stay tuned each week as we keep you informed of news, performances, and special events from the Alabama dance community.
Help spread the news by forwarding Footworks to a friend and encouraging them to sign-up!
Please visit www.alabamadancecouncil.org/subscribe.htm.
To unsubscribe from future Footworks emails, visit http://alabamadancecouncil.org/unsubscribe.htm.
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Save the Date for the 2009 Alabama Dance Festival
The Alabama Dance Council presents the 12th Annual 2009 Alabama Dance Festival featuring guest company-in-residence Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Tony-nominated Desmond Richardson, one of today's greatest modern dancers, and Dwight Rhoden, one of dance's most sought after choreographers (both of Alvin Ailey fame) combined to form Complexions, recipient of the coveted New York Times "Critics Choice" Award in 1995. From "pointe" to "pop," they explore the full range of human emotions with cutting-edge choreography and original music.
Dwight, Desmond, and the entire Complexions company will be in Birmingham January 16-18 as part of the 2009 Alabama Dance Festival. Be sure to mark your calendars now to take part in Alabama's largest dance event. The Festival offers Pre-Professional Dance Classes for ages 11-up, Professional Workshops and Classes for ages 18-up, and Workshops that include Techonology in the Arts, Grants Writing, Community Arts, and a Choreography Intensive. The Pre-Professional Dance Classes for Ages 11-up are ninety-minute master classes with nationally renowned dance artists in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop, Broadway dance, African dance, Indian folk fusion, and aerial dance. The Professional Workshops and Classes for ages 18-up are exciting opportunities for professional artists in all disciplines: dance, music, theatre, visual arts. Opportunities to earn CEU credit for K-12 classroom teachers and arts specialists are available.
Complete Festival details will be available soon, but in the meantime be sure to log onto the Alabama Dance Festival website at www.alabamadancecouncil.org/dance_festival.htm for preliminary information. | |
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Alabama School of Fine Arts Announces New Dance Department Chair
David Keener accepted the position of chairman of the Alabama School of Fine Art's Dance department this week. He is an accomplished teacher, choreographer, dancer and dance administrator. As a soloist and principal dance artist with Maryland Ballet and Ballet Met Columbus, David has performed roles in works by Alvin Ailey, Sir Fredrick Ashton, George Balanchine, Petrus Bosman, John Butler, Jack Carter, Charles Czarny, William Dollar, Fredderick Franklin, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Ruth Page, Marius Petipa, Fernand Nault, Jimmy Starbuck, John Taras, Domy Reiter-Soffer, Eric Bruhn, Hans Von Manen and many other internationally known choreographers.
After retiring from performance, David held full and part time faculty positions with many prestigious educational organizations throughout the United States including National Academy of Arts, Interlochen Arts Academy, University of Illinois, University of Utah and, more recently the Virginia School of the Arts where he was Director of Dance for over 14 years.
The Alabama School of Fine Arts is a tuition-free, public school for talented Alabama residents in grades 7-12. It is located in downtown Birmingham. Admission to the school is by audition only.
For questions, please call Peggi Davis at 205.252.6617. | |
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 New Artistic Director of Upper School at Children's Dance Foundation
Children’s Dance Foundation (CDF) is proud to announce Shellie Chambers as its new Artistic Director of Upper School. Chambers will also continue to serve as communications coordinator, teacher and school touring performer at CDF. Chambers is a dancer, choreographer and recent interim artistic director of Sanspointe Dance Company and serves as president of Sanspointe’s board of directors.
Chambers received her BA in dance and MA in advertising and public relations from The University of Alabama and has studied with Cornelius Carter, Edie Barnes, Rita Snyder and Gerri Houlihan. She was an inaugural recipient of the Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham’s Grants to Individual Artists award in 2007. The award is allowing her to attend The American Dance Festival Dance Professionals Workshop and Liz Lerman Dance Exchange Choreography Workshop this summer.
In this new position at CDF, Chambers will provide leadership and management of more than 100 students in CDF’s upper school program. CDF’s Upper School consists of dance classes for students in 3rd grade through high school. Upper School dance classes include ballet, modern, jazz, tap and dance for musical theatre.
Children’s Dance Foundation’s (CDF) mission is to provide quality dance education to all ages and abilities, fostering many essential skills, creativity and confidence. Founded in 1975, CDF is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) corporation, and offers classes and programs to more than 700 students in its state-of-the-art Community Arts Center. In addition, CDF has an extensive Community Partnership Program which teaches more than 2000 typical and challenged children each week; a school touring program, "Math In Motion" and a Creative Community Workspace program for local artists and organizations. To learn more about CDF, call 205/870-0073 or visit www.childrensdancefoundation.org.
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 Westwood Ballet Welcomes the Eatons
Westwood Ballet is pleased to announce that James and Regina Eaton will be joining the teaching staff of the Westwood Ballet Ministry. Both James and Regina have taught at the Harkness House for Ballet Arts in New York, Briarwood Ballet and Christian Ballet Arts in Birmingham. Regina has also taught at Birmingham Southern and UAB. James’s career as a dancer included the Washington Ballet and Pennsylvania Ballet, as well as the Ballet du Grand Theatre de Geneve in Switzerland under the artistic direction of George Balanchine.
The Eatons are offering summer classes on Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00pm-3:00pm. This class is for intermediate to advanced students and there is no age limit. The cost is $10.00 per class. We look forward to an incredible year worshiping through the beauty of ballet. If you have any questions please call Cindy Best at (205) 798-0900. Westwood Ballet is located at Westwood Baptist Church, 2349 Forestdale Blvd., Birmingham, AL, 35214. James and Regina are looking forward to continuing their work with Christian dance at Westwood Ballet.
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Alabama Ballet at Gorham's Bluff
Spectacular views. Superb dancing. Splendid cuisine. All of this and more await audiences during Alabama Ballet’s outdoor performances at Gorham's Bluff. Overlooking the Tennessee River Valley, the Bluffside Dance Tent offers patrons a matchless viewing experience. Alabama Ballet is excited to return to the Bluff for its eleventh annual summer residency, a unique collaboration between Alabama Ballet and the Gorham's Bluff Institute. Audience members also have the option of attending the Patron's Dinner prior to the performance. This special treat, provided by Gorham's executive chef, takes place one hour prior to each performance.
Performances are Friday, July 25 & Saturday, July 26 with Dinner at 7pm, Performance at 8pm. Tickets are $75 for Dinner & Performance, $100 for Dinner, Performance and Bus from Birmingham. To order, please call (205) 975-2787. For more information visit www.alabamaballet.org.
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 Stars on the Riverfront
The Alabama Dance Theatre will open its 22nd Season with two spectacular free performances of "Stars on the Riverfront." These eclectic performances are the culmination of ADT’s two week Summer Dance Seminar and will be held Sunday, July 27th at 2:30 p.m. at the Armory Learning Arts Center and Monday, July 28th at 7:30 p.m. at the Riverwalk Amphitheater. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. on July 28th for picnicking. Guest teachers for the two week seminar include former Principal Ballerina with American Ballet Theatre and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Marianna Tcherkassky, former Soloist with American Ballet Theatre, Shawn Black, and Complexions dancer, Sabra Perry, who will coach dancers on their performances.
The performances will feature classical works along with new contemporary works by Ballet Master Foye Dubose, and Resident Choreographers Sara Sanford and Janie Alford. Professional guest artists from around the southeast will collaborate and perform with the dancers from the Alabama Dance Theatre’s seminar. The performance will also feature the up and coming talent of the company in "Etudes" under the direction of Artistic Director Kitty Seale. "Stars on the Riverfront" performances are sponsored by Summit America and supported in part by Alabama Power, the City of Montgomery, Montgomery Advertiser, and the Alabama State Council on the Arts. Performances are free. Call 334-241-2590 or visit www.alabamadancetheatre.com for more information.
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M.A.D. Skillz Dance Company on BET
Attention Alabama... M.A.D. Skillz Dance Company needs your help!
On Wednesday, August 6, at 5:00 p.m., M.A.D. Skillz will be representing Alabama in the Battle of the Year on BET Wild Out Wednesdays All-Star Dance Competition. Log onto www.bet.com and vote for Birmingham's own M.A.D. Skillz Dance Company! Don't vote just once, keep voting 'till we win.
For more information about M.A.D. Skillz, or Winston Strickland, Artistic Director, log onto www.myspace.com/madskillzdance. To become involved with M.A.D Skillz, or to book the company for an upcoming event, feel free to contact Shuanny at (205) 447-8291 or email at madskillzent03@yahoo.com.
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 Dancing Primas and Divas Fall Fashion Show
Come take a peek at what's new for this season! Experience a breathtaking view while exercising your etiquette with your young dancer at Montgomery's beautiful Capital City Club. View the Premiere Fall Dancewear Collection 2008-09 from Trendy to Classic by Capezio and more. Featuring the latest dancewear fashions for the Prima Ballerina, young classics for Junior and Pre-dancers, as well as Urban Pre teen and Teen fashions for the hipster. Dancewear models and entertainment from C.J.'s Dance Factory and The Prattville Ballet, Tammy's Academy of Dance, The Capital City Dance Alliance, and Sharon's School of Dance-Maxwell/Gunter AFB. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Children's Miracle Network. Saturday, August 9th, 2:00 p.m. For ticket information call: 334-265-5299 or 334-361-0554. The show is hosted by Jazz Z dancewear.
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 Gypsy Night at Workplay
Irene Rimer and Corazon Flamenco present Blood Wedding at Workplay on August 16, 2007 at 6:00 pm at Workplay in Birmingham, AL. Based on a true story of love, lust, and betrayal, Blood Wedding is one of the most powerful and innovative plays written this century.
Federico Garcia Lorca wrote his best known play years after reading a newspaper account of a young bride in Andalusia who abandoned her husband-to-be on their wedding day to escape with her childhood sweetheart. Lorca evokes the spectacle of human passion through sophisticated and often surrealistic poetic technique, elevating the love story to a tragedy of fate. Tickets on sale at www.workplay.com.
Download the flyer HERE.
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What's coming up?
July 28-August 5, Birmingham - BalletCenter is proud to present a 7-day Late Summer Ballet Workshop with ballet master Rafael Delgado July 28th through August 5th in Birmingham, AL. The get-back-in-shape/stay-in-shape workshop will include floor barre, ballet technique, pointe or male technique, partnering, choreography workshop and a variations & repertory class. This program is intended for serious minded ballet dancers ages 11 and above who are interested in improving their ballet technique skills. The workshop classes will be at an intermediate to intermediate/advanced level. Individual day and single class rates are available. Find more details at www.balletcenter.net.
August 3, Pelham - Open House: Stevan Grebel Center for Dance, Sunday, August 3 from 1-4 PM. The Academy at Grebel Ballet, under the direction of Stevan and Debbie Grebel, focuses on quality technical training in classical ballet as well as other forms of dance. Students are exposed at an early age to a disciplined, professional attitude, developing through the years the strength, line and flexibility of classical technique. Self-discipline and dedication to work, along with a love and appreciation of dance as an art form, are nurtured in each child. Grebel Dance offers a variety of dance classes for all ages, specializing in classical ballet technique (Vaganova/Russian Method). Classes include: ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, hip-hop, Irish, yoga, Tai Chi, DharmaSword and more. The 2008-2009 school year begins August 4, however, registration is open year round. Classes are filled on a first-com/first-served basis. The performing wing, Alabama Youth Ballet Company, as well as a community cast, will perform "The Nutcracker" in December. Other performances include the school's Spring Concert, touring performances, Lecture Demonstrations and special events. Stevan and Debbie Grebel have been teaching ballet in Birmingham for 37 years. Stevan Grebel's professional experience is unsurpassed in Alabama. Debbie Grebel is an expert in kinesiology and the biomechanics of dance, with a MA.Ed in kinesiology and dance. For more information on classes and programs, call 205-987-7234 or go to www.grebeldance.com.
August 4-8, Chicago - The Dance COLEctive (TDC), an innovative Chicago modern dance company is hosting a week long summer intensive at The Drucker Center in Chicago, IL. On August 4th-8th, TDC will conduct a week long summer intensive. Classes will meet Monday-Friday and will include Pilates Mat Class taught by company member Jessica Post from 10:00am to 10:45am, Modern Technique class taught by TDC Artistic Director Margi Cole with live accompaniment from 10:45am to 12:30pm, and Modern Partnering, Improvisation and Repertory, taught by Margi Cole with members of the company from 1:15pm to 3:00pm. The cost of the workshop is $350.00 ($325.00 if paid in full by July 1st). Classes will focus on correct alignment, athleticism, efficiency in movement and the individuality of each dancer. Space is limited to 16 participants. To reserve your space or for more information contact Donnette Cannonie (773) 604-8452 or email administration@dancecolective.com. Download the full release HERE.
August 8, Fultondale - The Birmingham Swing Dancers are hosting a swing dance on Friday, August 8 at the Fultondale Friendship Hall, 1024 Old Walker Chapel Road, Fultondale from 8:00 – 11:00 pm. Music will be provided by the well known Edd Jones Orchestra out of Huntsville, Alabama. The orchestra is a big band composed of talented and versatile musicians specializing in music for swing dancing and known for their ability to please the varied tastes of the dancing public. The band has earned an enviable reputation for dynamic instrumentals and unique vocal styles. Admission is $11 for BSD members, $13 for non-members. Light snacks, soft drinks, water and ice are furnished. No alcohol or smoking is allowed in the Friendship Hall. For more information or directions visit www.birminghamswingdancers.com or call Shirley at 205-903-0278. Everyone is welcome, join us, meet new people and have a great time!
August 14, Birmingham - Guitar Workshop with Manolo Vargas on Thursday, August 14th from 6:30 to 9 PM at Dance Essentials, Cobb lane, 1314 20th St. South, Birmingham, AL (above The Blue Monkey). $75 per person. Must Register by August 10th by emailing irenerimer@msn.com or calling 205-933-8922 (Please give us your name, phone number, and number of people attending in your group). Learn several flamenco techniques like compass, arpeggios, tremolos, falsetas, picados, pulgar and arzapua. For guitarists qualified, there will be practice on Friday and a performance opportunity with Manolo in "Blood Wedding" on Saturday, August 16th. www.danceir.com/Upcoming%20Events-new.htm.
September 21, Birmingham - Clean out your closets for Children's Dance Foundation (CDF). Don't throw away your gently-used, outgrown dancewear, dance shoes, costumes, dress-up clothes and accessories... donate them to CDF's Bargain Costume Closet. When your bring your items to CDF this summer, you will receive a receipt for your donation and a pass to shop early at the Bargain Costume Closet on September 21st. Children's Dance Foundation is located at 1715 27th Court South in Homewood, AL. For more information, please call 205-870-0073, or visit www.childrensdancefoundation.org.
October 7, Decatur - Decatur's Princess Theatre presents DIAVOLO on Tuesday, October, 7 at 7:30 p.m. Single tickets go on-sale August 11. The dynamic modern dance troupe left the audience gasping for air at their show in 2001. Under the artistic direction of Jacques Heim, DIAVOLO has redefined dance, redefined theater and redefined thrills. DIAVOLO takes movement, athleticism and risk to the extreme and creates surreal tableaux in which the imagination thrives. Q & A with artists after the show. For more information, visit www.diavolo.org. Box Office: (256) 340.1778, Reserved Tickets: $25-$40, Student/Teacher: $25, On line: www.princesstheatre.org. | |
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Submit to Footworks
Are you a current ADC member and have an announcement that you would like ADC Footworks subscribers to know about? Performances, masterclasses, special events, scholarship, educational, or audition opportunities - if it's going on, we want to know; and more importantly, we want to share it! Please send your info to Wesley@alabamadancecouncil.org with "Footworks" in the subject line. A headline, brief description with a link, and even a photo would be much appreciated. Weekly deadlines are Mondays at noon for Tuesday distribution. If you're not a member but would like to join, please visit our membership page at www.alabamadancecouncil.org/membership.htm to download a form. | |
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Visit activeculture.info!
Administered by the Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham, activeculture.info is an exciting web-based arts and culture service for Central Alabama. Bookmark this page and visit often to see what's happening in dance, theater, music, food, and sports. www.activeculture.info.
Culture Cards are here!
Give the "one-size-fits-all" gift! Everyone on your list will love the CultureCard. Accepted just like money at the coolest places around like the Alabama Ballet, Alabama Symphony, Birmingham Zoo, Vulcan, and Birmingham Botanical Gardens! To learn more, visit www.activeculture.info. | |
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