2008-2009 PROJECTS
Branches
of Words: Exploring Movement and the Written/Spoken Word II (September)
Project Contact: Kim
Engel, Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company
On Friday evening, September 26, 2008, the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company (ESDC) will perform Branches of Words in the Skidmore Dance Theatre followed by an artist talk-back. 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, Zorkie Nelson and Zoe B. Zak. In conjunction with this public performance, there will also be a 10am show on the same day for middle school students that will be preceded by participatory workshops at the school focusing on movement and the spoken/written word. Master classes with the same focus will also be offered to students in the Skidmore Dance Department.
A Dance
and Video Intensive for High School Students (October - November)
Project Contact: Maureen
Pagano, Capital Region
Center for Arts in Education (CRCAIE)
The Capital Region Center for Arts in Education (CRCAIE) will partner with the UAlbany Performing Arts Center and Albany High School. The project will provide a unit of study for approximately 100 high school age students based on Bridgman/Packer's trilogy of dance and video works: Seductive Reasoning, Under the Skin and Memory Bank, created by choreographers Art Bridgman and Myrna Packer in collaboration with filmmakers Peter Bobrow and Jim Monroe, and musicians Glenn Velez (percussion), Robert Een (cellist) and Ken Field (saxophone). This will be a first time experience for the school with CRCAIE's programs.
The Dance
Theatre - Intergenerational Appreciation, Understanding and Participation (October
- December)
Project Contact: Jenn Newman, eba
This project is a program of three service organizations - Abram Lansing School in Cohoes, eba Dance Theatre in Albany and Albany County Department of Aging. It will enhance understanding of and appreciation for the art of Dance Theatre while bringing younger and older generations together through a series of Dance Theatre Workshops before the performance, a performance by Maude Baum and Company Dance Theatre and Creating Dance Theatre Workshops after the performance for elementary school students at Abram Lansing, seniors participating in the eba Reminiscence Project and seniors from the Cohoes Senior Center. The project provides opportunities for participation, observation and intergenerational sharing; so that participants may attain an understanding of the art form from their own as well as each other's vantage point.
Jazz Dance
(January - May)
Project Contact: Peter
Lesser, The Egg
This project explores the relationship between jazz and dance performance by tracing its history and demonstrating its relevance to audiences, choreographers and musicians today. A series of six performances will be preceded by a series of Jazz Dance "informances" led by dancer, choreographer and jazz dance historian Rusty Frank. At these events, the origins of jazz dance performance will be discussed, highlighting the choreographers who were most influential in the development of the art form. The informances will include historic film clips as well as demonstrations of the various techniques that comprise each dance style within the jazz idiom, as well as some audience participation.
First
Steps to Dance (January - May)
Project Contact: Jill
Rafferty, The Arts Center of the Capital Region
The Arts Center of the Capital Region is expanding the scope of its programming to include the performing arts. As part of that program, and in an effort to build an audience for professional performing artists and a constituency of students for classes, The Arts Center will partner with the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company to present the First Steps to Dance program, a series of activities including classes for children and adults, a modern dance concert and supporting programs designed to acclimate audiences and students who have never experienced modern dance. The partnership will allow both organizations to build a strong model of artistic excellence, effective audience engagement, and sustainability.
Dance
Theatre Intergenerational
Project Contact: Jenn Newman, eba
The Dance Theatre - Intergenerational Appreciation, Understanding and Participation Project is a program of three service organizations - Brighter Choice School in Albany, eba Dance Theatre in Albany, and The Albany County Department of Aging. The Intergenerational Dance Theatre Project will enhance understanding of and appreciation for the art of Dance Theatre while bringing younger and older generations together through a series of Dance Theatre Workshops before the performance, a performance by Maude Baum and Company Dance Theatre, and Creating Dance Theatre Workshops after the performance for elementary school students of Brighter Choice , seniors participating in the eba Reminiscence Project and seniors from the Albany Senior Center. The project provides opportunities for participation, observation, and intergenerational sharing; so that participants may attain an understanding of the art form from their own as well as each other's vantage point.
Keeping
Dance Alive in Scotia Glenville and Burnt Hills- Ballston Lake Schools (February
- June)
Project Contact: Kim
Engel, Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company
For many years the Scotia-Glenville School and the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School Districts have had a dance residency program for their 4th grade students. It includes a performance opportunity for participating students as well as five-day workshop residencies at each of the seven schools in the two districts. It also includes a performance sharing by the students with their own community. Both districts have a vested interest and passion in keeping this program alive for their students, but are facing challenges trying to maintain the project in these tough financial times.