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Footworks
June 17, 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.
 


 

Emerging Arts Leaders of Alabama to Hold Creative Conversation

Are you an emerging arts leader looking to make a difference in Alabama? If so, then you are invited to attend the Emerging Arts Leaders of Alabama’s (EALA) creative conversation to help shape Alabama’s own network of emerging arts leaders. Join guest speaker David Dombrosky as he leads a group discussion designed to shape the functions and direction of a statewide emerging arts leaders network. David is Executive Director of the Center for Arts Management and Technology at Carnegie Mellon University and Immediate Past-President of Americans for the Arts Emerging Leader National Council. The conversation will take place on Thursday, June 26 from 12:00-4:00 p.m. at the Alys Stephens Center’s Abroms Patrons Lounge in Birmingham, and lunch will be provided.

To RSVP, please email emergingartsleaders@gmail.com and request an invitation. EALA exists to serve arts professionals new to the field who are thirty-five years of age or younger, or who have less than five years of experience. However, we also invite arts leaders from every age range to participate. Please note: this is not a presentation, panel, or workshop. The conversation is generated by those who attend and the ideas they bring. Come prepared to share your thoughts and ideas about how EALA can best support Alabama’s emerging arts leaders! If you have an emerging leader working in your organization, please let them know about this event. For questions about the event, please email emergingartsleaders@gmail.com, or download the flyer HERE.

 

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CLEAN FOR THE CAUSE!

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.

 

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Nathifa Dance Company and Outreach, Inc. is Reclaiming the Village

Nathifa Dance Company and Outreach, Inc. is taking it to the streets. Come join us for dance and drum classes at any of the five locations near you! All classes must be filled with 5 or more students for classes to take place. Your support is much needed, so bring a friend and receive a gift. Per class price: $12 ages 12-up; $8 children under 12. Drum classes: $10. Students must be ten or older to enroll in drum classes and students must have their own drum. Nathifa Dance Company will provide drums for students for up to four weeks, until they purchase their own.

Locations:
 - J. Lockhart Performing Arts Institute
 - Devyani Dance Studio
 - Birmingham Dance Theatre
 - Harrison Recreation Center
 - Children's Dance Foundation

For more information, download the flyer HERE.

 

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Dharma Sword Training at Grebel Dance Center

The Stevan Grebel Center for Dance presents Dharma Sword Training with guest teacher Swami Kalanatha. Wednesday, June 18-July 9, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Filipino and Korean methods: Korean long sword, Filipino stick/short sword. For more information call (205) 987-7234 or visit the Grebel Dance Centre website at www.grebeldance.com.

 

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Dance with the Birmingham Swing Dancers
 
Dance with the Birmingham Swing Dancers on Friday, June 20 at the Kelly Ingram VFW Post 668, 1801 11th Avenue North, Birmingham from 8:00 – 11:00 pm. to the tunes played by the BSD’s very own DJ, Rick Alfano. Even though the focus of the BSD is Jitterbug/East Coast Swing, the DJ will also play a mix of Ballroom, Zydeco/Cajun, West Coast Swing and Bop!! Cost is $6 for BSD members, $8 for non-members. Soft drinks, water, etc can be purchased at the bar, light snacks will be provided. For more information or directions visit
www.birminghamswingdancers.com or call Shirley at 205-903-0278. Everyone is welcome, join us and have a great time!

Did you know the Birmingham Swing Dancers teach dance lessons? The month of June BSD Instructors Pat Abbott & Rinsel McIntosh are teaching beginner ChaCha Wednesday nights at Hoover Senior Center, 400 Municipal Drive, Hoover from 7 - 8 pm with 30 minute practice afterward. The very affordable cost is $5 per person/$8 per couple. Everyone is welcome; partners are encouraged but not required! Questions about classes call Pat 205-427-3737.

 

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Merrimack Hall to Host So You Think You Can Dance Winner

Merrimack Hall is excited to announce Master Classes with the stars from Season 3 of Fox TV's smash hit So You Think You Can Dance. Sabra Johnson, last year's winner and America's Favorite Dancer, and Kameron Bink, one of the Top 10 Finalists, will be teaching 3 days of Master Classes at Merrimack Hall June 16-18 for ages 6 and up.

They will also be hosting a Q & A with a photo op, where they will talk about what it was like to be on the show. Sabra and Kameron are both contemporary dancers, whose combination of graceful and stylized movement is more than captivating.

Class spots on-sale now at www.merrimackhall.com. For discounted Class Package prices please call Leigh Caruso, Director of Dance Education, at (256) 534-6455.

Monday, June 16 Master Class Times:
Beginner (Ages 6 & up) w/ Kameron: 10:00-11:00am
Intermediate (Ages 10 & up) w/ Kameron:
11:15am-12:30pm
Intermediate/Advanced (Ages 13 & up) w/ Sabra:
2:45-4:00pm
Advanced (Ages 16 & up) w/ Sabra: 6:30-8:00pm



Tuesday, June 17 Master Class Times:
Beginner (Ages 6 & up) w/ Sabra: 10:00-11:00am
Intermediate (Ages 10 & up) w/ Sabra:
11:15am-12:30pm
Intermediate/Advanced (Ages 13 & up) w/ Kameron:
2:45-4:00pm
Advanced (Ages 16 & up) w/ Kameron: 6:30-8:00pm

Wednesday, June 18 Event Times:
Advanced Master Class (Ages 16 & up)
w/ both Sabra & Kameron: 3:00-5:00pm
Meet & Greet: 7:00pm

Event Prices: Each Class - $50, Meet & Greet - $25,
Souvenir T-Shirt - $15

 

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Ballet Center Presents Summer Ballet Classes

BalletCenter is proud to present Summer Ballet Classes with ballet master Rafael Delgado beginning on Monday, June 23rd, 2008 in Birmingham, AL. The week-day daily classes will include floor barre, ballet technique, pointe technique classes (Check schedule for times and days off). This program is intended for serious minded ballet dancers ages 11 and above who are interested in maintaining or improving their ballet technique skills. The classes will be at an intermediate to intermediate/advanced level with live acompaniment (when available). Full summer rates, weekly rates, and single class rates are available. Visit www.balletcenter.net/blog/.

Ballet Center's late summer Ballet Workshop will take place August 4-8. This 5-day Summer Workshop is ideal to get ready for school. The workshop will include: Floor Barre - for flexibility, turnout, strength, and more; ballet technique; pointe class; classical variations; partnering; and contemporary dance choreography workshop. More details will be available soon.

 

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Centre for Performing Arts to host Ballet Master Class

The Centre for Performing Arts in Prattville will host a master ballet class on July 16th with Valery Lantratov, Artistic Director of the Russian National Ballet Foundation. Two classes will be held that day and all interested ballet enthusiasts in the Prattville area are invited to attend.

A graduate of the Moscow Academic Choreographic College, Lantratov was selected as a first soloist with the Moscow Stanislavski Ballet. In 1993, Lantratov began working for the Kremlin Ballet. This same year, he formed the Russian National Ballet Foundation. The Russian National Ballet Foundation has toured in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the United States. In 1997, Russian president Boris Yeltsin named Valery Lantratov "People’s Artist of Russia," the Russian Federation’s highest honor. Mr. Lantratov holds a teaching certificate from Russia’s renowned National Academy of Theatrical Arts-GITIS. For three years, Mr. Lantratov served as a guest instructor at the Boston Ballet.

For more information, contact The Centre for Performing Arts in Prattville at (334) 491-1192 or visit
www.centreforperformingarts.com. For more information on Valery Lantratov visit http://lantratov.blogspot.com/search/label/podcast.

 

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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.


  • Friday, July 25 & Saturday, July 26
  • Dinner at 7pm, Performance at 8pm
  • The Bluffside Dance Tent, Gorham's Bluff
  • $75 – Dinner & Performance, $100 – Dinner, Performance and Bus from Birmingham
  • Tickets – 205-975-2787
  • More information – 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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Single Tickets On-Sale August 11 for Upcoming Dance Event at Decatur’s Historic Princess Theatre Center for the Performing Arts

DIAVOLO
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 7:30 P.M.
The dynamic modern dance troupe DIAVOLO left our audience gasping for air at their show in 2001. Under the artistic direction of Jacques Heim (choreographed "KA" for Cirque du Soleil), DIAVOLO has redefined dance, redefined theater and redefined thrills. Theatergoers around the world are wondering what sort of wizardry Mr. Heim will conjure up next for his daring performers. DIAVOLO takes movement, athleticism and risk to the extreme and creates surreal tableaux in which the imagination thrives. DIAVOLO is propelling the evolution of dance and entertainment to make the arts more integrated within the mainstream of America. 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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What's coming up?

June 16-August 8, Huntsville - Community Ballet School (Official School of Huntsville Ballet Company) is pleased to announce its 2008 regular summer program for ages 3-adult. Classes offered include Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Jazz, Tap and Pilates mat. New this summer are International Latin Dance classes taught by Community Ballet's own Olga Jacobs. Faculty will include Huntsville Ballet's new Artistic Director, Phillip Otto and Community Ballet's new School Director, Rachel Butler. For more information and registration contact Community Ballet School at (256)539.0961 or visit our web site at www.communityballet.org.

June 28, Birmingham - Sevillanas Workshop taught by Irene Rimer. You must register 48 hours before class by emailing us at irenerimer@msn.com or calling 205-933-8922 (please email us or leave us a message with your name, phone number, and the number of people attending in your group.) For accommodations within walking distance to the studio, please check www.cobblanebandb.com. Learn the four Coplas of Sevillanas in one workshop! Refreshments will be provided. Beginners with other dance experience are welcome. $75 per person; $60 per person if registered before 6/20. http://www.danceir.com/Bulerias%20Workshop%20May%2024.htm.

July 7-10, Montgomery
- The Alabama Institute for Education in the Arts Announces Integrated Curriculum Design Workshop. Focus on Arts Integration: Integrated Curriculum Design Workshop, July 7-10, 2008 at the Saint James School, Leu Elementary Building, will provide a practical starting point for elementary and middle school teachers who are interested in exploring the theory and practice of arts integration. Curriculum topics and concepts will be grounded in National and Alabama state standards. Teachers will receive the new Arts Course of Study: Arts Education and the National Standards for Arts Education. Instruction will be student centered and exploratory in nature. To apply, download the application HERE and submit as soon as possible. ENROLLMENT IS LIMITED TO 25 PARTICIPANTS. Please contact AIEA if you need more information or have questions at 334-396-2432 voice, 334-271-5392 fax, rfoster@asf.net.


July 7-24, Andalusia - Andalusia Ballet’s annual summer camp program, "Dance With Us!" will be held July 7th – July 24th, 2008. Dance With Us is an action packed dance experience for dancers ages 3 and up- divided into several levels based on age and ability; the program offers something for every young dancer! Limited enrollment, please call 334.222.6620 for more information!

July 14-28, Pelham - The Stevan Grebel Center for Dance in Pelham, Alabama announces its 2nd Annual International Summer Dance Intensive in Novi-Sad Serbia. On July 14 - July 28, students, parents and guests will enjoy 2 weeks of an exciting program in beautiful Novi-Sad, Serbia. Included in the program are rehearsals and classes with international teachers and professionals, and a Gala performance on the last day of the workshop. This year, the Novi-Sad Ballet students and their classical teachers join the Grebel Workshop for an intense schedule of classical ballet training. This year’s participants are former Grebel Workshop students with professionals and teachers from America and abroad. The workshop will be conducted in English. For more information, visit www.grebeldance.com. Ages 12 & up by audition. Fees: $250 registration fee, $380 2 weeks room and board, $500 2 weeks workshop classes. Call 205-987-7234 for details.

July 16, Prattville - The Centre for Performing Arts in Prattville will host a master ballet class on July 16th with Valery Lantratov, Artistic Director of the Russian National Ballet Foundation. Two classes will be held that day and all interested ballet enthusiasts in the Prattville area are invited to attend. For more information, contact The Centre for Performing Arts in Prattville at (334) 491-1192 or visit
www.centreforperformingarts.com. For more information on Valery Lantratov visit http://lantratov.blogspot.com/search/label/podcast.

July 18-19, Montgomery - The Montgomery Ballet will launch its exciting 2008/09 season with the 33rd Annual Performance on the Green on Friday & Saturday, July 18 & 19, 2008 at 8:00pm at the Blount Cultural Park. Attended by thousands each year, this free outdoor performance has been named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society, and is one of Montgomery’s cultural highlights of the summer. This event is perfect for families, offering ballet at its finest in an outdoor, informal setting. The public is welcome to bring blankets and chairs and enjoy picnicking in the park prior to the performance. This performance will mark the beginning of a thrilling and extensive performing season throughout the Capital City and the State of Alabama. For information about the Montgomery Ballet’s Subscription Season and Performances, the Summer Intensive Seminar, Lecture Demonstrations or the Montgomery Ballet Professional Company & School, please call (334) 409-0522 or visit online at www.montgomeryballet.org.

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 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.

August 16, Birmingham -
Irene Rimer and Corazon Flamenco present Blood Wedding at Workplay on August 16, 2007 at 6:00 pm. 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.
 

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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.
 
 
Contact Us!

Rosemary Johnson, Executive Director
rosemary@alabamadancecouncil.org

Wesley Taylor, Program Development Director
wesley@alabamadancecouncil.org

The Alabama Dance Council
P.O. Box 2126
Birmingham, AL 35201
www.alabamadancecouncil.org

 
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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