2007-2008 PROJECTS
A Multi-faceted,
Multi-arts, Multi-grade level Storytelling Project (September-March)
Project Contact: Cliff Bird, Abram
Lansing
Abram Lansing Elementary School in
Cohoes is planning a multi-faceted, multi-arts, multi-grade level storytelling
project with the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company, storyteller Pleasant DeSpain
and percussionist Brian Melick which begins in September and culminates in March.
Kicking off with an assembly program by all the artists for the entire student
body, it then progresses to a storytelling component for 4th grade classes,
a dance component for 5th grade classes, a music component for 3rd grade classes
and a visual arts component for 2nd grade classes. With a multi-grade level
team set-up which focuses on collaboration, the project will culminate with
two performances of created works by the students - one during the day for the
entire student body and the other in the evening for parents and community members.
OASIS,
Part IV - Taking a Look at the Choreographic Process (October-November)
Project Contact: Kim Engel, UAlbany
Performing Arts Center
Taking a Look at Dance - Part IV builds upon the success of the last three Taking
a Look at Dance projects that were collaboratively planned by the University
at Albany Performing Arts Center (PAC) and the Older Adult Services and Information
Systems (OASIS). This follow-up course takes an in-depth look at the choreographic
process while previous courses have looked at dance from the vantage point of
performer, audience member, critic, collaborator, photographer and designer.
The three-part course is presented by choreographer Ellen Sinopoli and includes
attendance with her at two dance performances - Nai Ni Chen Dance Company at
the UAlbany Performing Arts Center and Iceland Dance Company at The Egg.
Branches
of Words: Exploring Movement and the Written/Spoken Word (February)
Project Contact: Ellen Sinopoli,
Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company
On February 15, 2007, the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company (ESDC) will perform Branches
of Words, its newest performance program, at Union College in Schenectady. The
show is a unique performance tapestry that threads music and dance throughout
the Persian poetry of Hafez, the 14th century Sufi poet, and features guest
artists Mahmood Karimi-Hakak and Zoe B. Zak. In conjunction with this public
performance, Ellen Sinopoli and Mahmood Karimi-Hakak will visit Schenectady
High School to conduct workshops with students in the John Sayles School of
Fine Arts on three occasions. ESDC and the guest artists will also present Branches
of Words in the school's black box theatre for the students in the Fine Arts
program.
Dance
Theatre for the Generations (March to June)
Project Contact: Jenn Newman, eba
This project enhances the understanding of and appreciation for the art of Dance
Theatre while bringing younger and older generations together through a series
of three Introductory "Let's Dance" Workshops before a performance,
attendance at a performance by Maude Baum and Company Dance Theatre and two
Dance Making Workshops after the performance for elementary school students
and seniors. The project will build dance audiences by demystifying what dance
is all about and through personal involvement in making dance. This is a collaborative
project of three service organizations - Abram Lansing School in Cohoes, eba
Dance Theatre in Albany, and Albany County Department for Aging.
Lecture/Demonstration
by Martha Graham Company (June)
Project Contact: Toni Smith
The company will give a
lec/dem at a Saratoga Springs public school. It will include a veteran soloist
from the Martha Graham Dance Company narrating a performance of "Lamentations"
danced by a current company member. Two weeks after this, the company will perform
at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. SPAC is being approached to collaborate
on discount ticket opportunities for the families of the children who attend
the lec/dem.
Providing
Performance and Workshops as part of ArtsFest (June)
Project contact: Mary
DiSanto-Rose, Skidmore Dance Department
As part of Saratoga’s
ArtsFest taking place from June 13 to 15, 2008, the Skidmore Dance Theatre will
host a dance showcase featuring the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company and Tango Fusion.
In addition, Susan Slotnick of Figures in Flight Dance will conduct two contemporary
dance workshops for youth and families at the National Museum of Dance.