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Divine Rhythm News >
Divine Rhythm News
Divine Rhythm News
May 19, 2008
IN THIS ISSUE:
*REMEMBERING TAP LEGEND, DR. JIMMY SLYDE*
*DRP ARTISTS*
- Camaradas & Divine Rhythm Productions present
OPEN FLOOR - OPEN MIC NIGHT
-Spring Tap Workshop w/ Chloe Arnold
-Kathak Master Class w/ Pandit Chitresh Das (Special Participate by Jason Samuels Smith)
- The Kitchen & The Studio Museum in Harlem present Hoofers' House
-Master Tap Workshop Series with Jason Samuels Smith &
Chloe Arnold
- Harlem Tap Studio: WEEKLY TAP CELEBRATION honors NATIONAL
TAP DANCE DAY
-Tap Extravaganza
- Don't Miss Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Omar Edwards, Eboni Edwards & Jeremiah Edwards in this Episode of MTV's MADE
- JA's Philly TAP Challenge '08"ON FIRE!" On Sale NOW!!!
*EAST COAST*
-Broadway Underground Monday, June 2nd
- PRESS RELEASE: Social Media Website DanceJam Joins Monsters of HipHop As Their
Official Dance Convention Tour Title Sponsor
-PRESS RELEASE: SILENT FIRE PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS "CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF LOVE":
-OPPORTUNITY: TAP KIDS TOUR UK/HOLLAND TAP DANCERS AGES 16-21
*MIDWEST*
-Volunteer for Career Day at John J. Pershing West Magnet School
-OPPORTUNITY: Dance2XS Auditions
*WEST COAST*
-California Tap Day w/ Roxanne Butterfly
- GROOVALOO Get In The Circle
*WORLD-WIDE*
-A message from Kathleen Cirioli: Magazine Article
*REMEMBERING DR. JIMMY SLYDE*
Jimmy Slyde, Dancer and a Giant of Rhythm Tap, Dies at 80
By CLAUDIA LA ROCCO
Published: May 17, 2008
Jimmy Slyde, one of the last great tap dancers of the big-band era, whose smooth moves carried him from swing and bebop to Broadway and the movies, died early on Friday at his home in Hanson, Mass. He was 80.
He died after a period of declining health, said Pete Peterson, a retired drummer who was a friend of Mr. Slyde’s for 51 years.
An elegant, engaging performer with a sharp wit, Mr. Slyde was one of the giants of rhythm tap, known for his great musicality, his impeccable timing and his ability to glide across the stage effortlessly. Closely affiliated with jazz, he worked with musicians like Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong during the big-band era. His strongest musical affinity was bebop; for years he worked closely with the pianist Barry Harris.
Born James Titus Godbolt in Atlanta in 1927, Mr. Slyde started tap dancing as a child in Massachusetts, where his family had relocated. While taking violin lessons at the New England Conservatory, he became interested in tap and soon decamped to Stanley Brown’s tap studio, where he was introduced to luminaries like Bill (Bojangles) Robinson. As a young man, he began performing in clubs with Jimmy Mitchell (the self-proclaimed Sir Slyde), using the name the Slyde Brothers, and soon was reborn as Jimmy Slyde, much in demand as an added attraction for the major big bands.
But as Mr. Slyde came into his own, opportunities for hoofers were drying up in America. In the 1970s he settled in Paris, where, with the help of Sarah Petronio, one of the pioneering women of tap, he helped introduce rhythm tap. He also appeared in the Paris production of the revue “Black and Blue,” which started in 1985, and performed in the production that opened on Broadway in 1989, which garnered 10 Tony nominations and 3 awards, starting something of a comeback for tap in the United States.
Mr. Slyde went on to appear in the film “Tap,” alongside Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis Jr., and also had roles in “The Cotton Club,” “ ’Round Midnight” and other movies. His numerous honors include a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1999, a Guggenheim fellowship in 2003 and a Dance Magazine award in 2005.
By many accounts a reluctant teacher, in the early 1990s Mr. Slyde was still one of several tap elders who presided over a series of legendary jam sessions at La Cave, a nightclub in Manhattan, which attracted an international array of dancers, including Savion Glover, Tamango, Max Pollak and Roxane Butterfly (the “Butterfly” came courtesy of Mr. Slyde). Tradition, lineage and community are highly prized among tap dancers; in interviews Mr. Glover and Mr. Slyde described each other as being like family.
Mr. Slyde is survived by his wife, Donna, and a son, Daryl.
As Mr. Slyde’s health waned in recent years, he was increasingly absent from the tap festival circuit. But it was a rare tap event at which his name was not mentioned to warm applause.
“He’s the last of the Mohicans, or one of them, anyway,” said Jane Goldberg, a tap dancer and historian who recalled trekking to Massachusetts to study with him in 1982. She said she showed him all her hardest routines, only to have him tell her to do nothing but shuffles, a basic step, for the next three hours.
“His timing was impeccable,” she said, describing his ability to make the audience hear every sound in a phrase. “He was a real purist.”
The New York Times obituary is at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/17/arts/dance/17slyde.html?_r=1&ref=obituaries&oref=slogin
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*DRP ARTISTS *
NEWS UPDATES & EVENTS
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Camaradas & Divine Rhythm Productions present
OPEN FLOOR - OPEN MIC NIGHT
in Honor of National Tap Dance Day!
Hosted by Critically Acclaimed Tap Dance/Actress
DORMESHIA SUMBRY-EDWARDS
Critically Acclaimed Tap Dancer & Actress
DATE: Monday, May 26th
TIME: 8pm until 11:30pm
Enjoy an energetic evening with NYC's finest song & dance featuring tap dancers accompanied by a live Jazz band.
Cover Charge: $7
Drinks and Food for purchase...kitchen open late!
Camaradas El Barrio
2241 First Avenue & 115th street, NYC 10029
(212)348-2703
www.camaradaselbarrio.com
Directions
CAMARADAS el barrio is located on 2241 First Avenue, near
the corner of 115 Street, in the Spanish Harlem (El Barrio)
section of New York City.
By public transportation, you can take the No. 6 subway to
116 Street, or any local bus traveling on the East Side of
Manhattan (116 Street is a Limited Stop).
By car, the Triborough Bridge is usually the fastest way to
Spanish Harlem if you are coming from Queens or Long
Island. From the Bronx or Upstate, the Willis Avenue Bridge
connects directly to Spanish Harlem, just a few blocks
North of CAMARADAS. From Uptown Manhattan, the FDR Drive
has exits on 116, 106 and 96 Streets. From Downtown
Manhattan, you can take the FDR Drive North to 96 Street.
At First Avenue, you can make a right turn and continue to
travel North – CAMARADAS will be on your left as you
approach 115 Street.
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Master Classes w/
Chloe Arnold
WASHINGTON, DC - May 21st
DC Dance Collective
Chloe Arnold - Wed. May 21st
Technique/Warm Up:
7.30pm - 8.30pm
Adv.Beg/Int/Adv - Cost: $25
Technique/Choreography:
8.30pm - 9.30pm
Adv./Pro- Cost: $35
Both Classes: $50
Ayodele Casel - Thursday, May 22nd - same schedule and prices
www.dcdancecollective.com
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Divine Rhythm Productions & American Tap Dance Foundation present
Pandit Chitresh Das
Renowned master of Kathak
(Special participation by Jason Samuels Smith)
Monday, May 26th
6:00 - 8:00 pm
$30...limited space
Pre registration is suggested
This master class is specifically for Kathak and Tap students and will accommodate multiple levels, as Pandit Das makes the class accessible for beginners and challenging for more advanced students.
Jason Samuels Smith will be in attendance and he and Pandit Das will end the class by giving a demonstration of how these two great artists communicate through their deep understanding of their respective traditions.
"The Master Class with Pandit Chitresh Das will be spiritually enlightening and technically challenging for people of all walks of life."
Jason Samuels Smith
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The Kitchen & The Studio Museum in Harlem present Hoofers' House
Press Contact:
Blake Zidell & Associates
tel: 718.643.9052
fax: 718.643.9502 blake@blakezidell.com
For Immediate Release
The Kitchen and The Studio Museum in Harlem present Hoofers’ House, May 23 Hosted by Jason Samuels Smith; Featuring DJ Reborn and video artist Rashaad Newsome Evening is part of citywide weekend of events celebrating National Tap Dance Day
New York, NY, April 29, 2008—On Friday, May 23, The Kitchen and The Studio Museum in Harlem present Hoofers’ House, an ongoing quarterly series in which some of the best of New York City’s rhythm tap community come together to share and showcase their work. The evening will be hosted by performer, choreographer and director Jason Samuels Smith and will feature DJ Reborn. Film and video artist Rashaad Newsome will create unique visuals to accompany the performance. Tap dancers of all ages are invited to take the floor for a jam session. Curated by Rashida Bumbray, Hoofers’ House will take place at 8:00 P.M. at The Kitchen (512 West 19th Street). Admission is free. Among the most unique and cutting edge tap jam sessions in the city, Hoofers’ House has been propelling a rejuvenation of the genre for the last several years with the addition of live and electronic music and projected visuals. This year, Rashaad Newsome has reprogrammed a Logitec duel action video game controller to manipulate moving images live during the performance. Past hosts and performers include Chloe Arnold, Jason Bernard, Ayodele Casel, Marshall Davis, Omar Edwards, Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Michaela Lerman, Tamango and Joseph Wiggan. Tap Legends including Harold Kromer, Fayard Nicholas, Tina Pratt and Jimmy Slyde have also attended. From the 1920’s through the 1940’s, the back room of Harlem’s Comedy Club on 131st Street, owned by Lonnie Hicks, was the home of the legendary “Hoofer’s Club,” a site for the creation of, the listening to and stealing of steps. Among the rhythm tap dancers given the esteemed title of “hoofer,” celebrated performers including Legendary Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, King Raustus Brown, John Bubbles, Charles “Honi” Coles and many more graced the floor of this intimate room. In honor of this important place in Harlem’s history, The Studio Museum in Harlem and The Kitchen are proud to co-host a new home for hoofers. Jason Samuels Smith (performer, choreographer, director) is a leader in the art form of Tap. He won both an Emmy and American Choreography Award for “Outstanding Choreography” for the opening number of the 2003 Jerry Lewis/MDA Telethon—a tribute to the late Gregory Hines. Samuels Smith recently received the Gregory Hines Humanitarian Award. Past honors include a Certificate of Appreciation by the City of Los Angeles for creating the First Annual Los Angeles Tap Festival in 2003; the “Ivy of Education” from Brainerd Institute; the “President Kenny Award” from Stony Brook; an Alpert/McDowell Residency Award; and an Arts International Grant among others. Samuels Smith recently appeared as a choreographer for Grammy Recording Artist Mya on CBS’s Secret Talents of the Stars, and as a special guest on Fox’s hit series So You Think You Can Dance. He also co-starred in Dean Hargrove’s Tap Heat, an award-winning short film; Outkast’s feature film Idlewild; and Debbie Allen’s AMC television series Cool Women. Performance credits include Sammy (a tribute to Sammy Davis jr.), a leading role of the production of Soul Possessed; the Tony Award winning Broadway cast of Bring in Da’Noise, Bring in Da’Funk; and starring in the critically acclaimed production of Imagine Tap! Mr. Samuels Smith continues to tour the U.S. and beyond with India Jazz Suites, a dynamic collaboration with Kathak Master Pandit Chitresh Das, his own tap company A.C.G.I (Anybody Can Get It), JaJa Productions Band featuring jazz-influenced hip hop music, and Charlie’s Angels: A Tribute to Charlie Parker, featuring some of the best women performers today. DJ Reborn spins a mix of soul, hip-hop, reggae, house, afro-beat, nu-jazz, rock and more. A Chicago native, she now resides in New York and spins at clubs, parties, museums including The Studio Museum in Harlem and the Bronx Museum and live performances with The Roots, Common, Talib Kweli, India Arie, John Legend, Alice Smith and Goapele. Reborn is also a mentor/workshop facilitator for N.Y.C. teens. She has crafted a new workshop specifically for teen girls, which explores djing, creative writing and women’s images in music and media culture. Since 2002, DJ Reborn has been the musical director and a live on stage DJ with Will Power on the off Broadway Hip Hop theatre hit show Flow. She partnered with Will Power again in 2007 as the musical director and sound designer for his original children’s theatre production Little Honey Bo. Reborn was the 2004- 2005 international tour DJ with Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam and she has made four appearances on BET’s Rap City. She has been featured in Trace, NRG, URB, Scratch, DJ Times and recently appeared on the cover of The Village Voice. Born in New Orleans, LA, Rashaad Newsome received a B.A. in Art History at Tulane University before studying Film at Film Video Arts in New York. He has been the recipient of several awards and grants including the 2008 Location 1 International Residency Program, New York, NY; the 2007 BCAT/Rotunda Gallery Joint Multimedia Residency, New York, NY; the 2006 Franklin Furnace grant for Performance Art, New York, NY; the 2005/2006 l’Entreprise Culturelle Artist in Residence, Paris, France and the 2005 Harvestworks Artist in Residence, Harvestworks, New York, NY. Newsome has also exhibited and performed nationally and internationally at such renewed institutions and galleries as K.U.E.L., Berlin, Germany; Glassbox Gallery, Paris, France; Rush Arts Gallery, New York, NY; Veletrzni Palace, Prague, Czech Republic; Ingalls & Associates Gallery, Miami, FL; Fondation Cartier, Paris, France as well as The Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, LA. The Studio Museum in Harlem is the nexus for black artists locally, nationally and internationally, and for work that has been inspired by black culture. It is a site for the dynamic exchange of ideas about art and society. Located on 125th Street, between Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. and Lenox Avenue in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, New York, The Studio Museum in Harlem was founded in 1968 as the first museum in the U.S. devoted to the art of African-Americans. The museum specializes in 19th and 20th century African-American art; 20th century Caribbean and African art; and traditional African art and artifacts. It has a collection of over 1,600 works including pieces by Romare Bearden, Robert Colescott, Jacob Lawrence, Norman Lewis, Chris Ofili, Betye Saar, Lorna Simpson, Kara Walker and Hale Woodruff. The museum also maintains an extensive archive of the work of James VanDerZee, photographer of the Harlem community from 1906 to 1983. Funding Credits This program is made possible with generous support from Altria Group, Inc., The Harkness Foundation for Dance, The Jerome Robbins Foundation, the Mertz Gilmore Foundation, and with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency. ABOUT THE KITCHEN The Kitchen is one of New York City’s oldest nonprofit performance and exhibition spaces, showing experimental work by innovative artists, both emerging and established. Programs range from dance, music, and theatrical performances to video and media arts exhibitions to literary events, film screenings, and artists’ talks. Since its inception in 1971, The Kitchen has been a powerful force in shaping the cultural landscape of this country and has helped launch the careers of many artists who have gone on to worldwide prominence. Box Office Information: 212.255.5793 ext. 11 Tue-Sat, 2-6pm The Kitchen 512 West 19th Street New York, NY 10011 www.thekitchen.org
>>>CHECK OUT THIS INTERVIEW ABOUT THE UPCOMING EVENT:
http://infinitebody.blogspot.com/2008/05/rashida-bumbray-body-and-soul-podcast_01.html
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The Ailey Extension and Divine Rhythm Productions present
MASTER TAP WORKSHOP SERIES with
Jason Samuels Smith
and
Chloe Arnold
IN HONOR OF NATIONAL TAP DANCE DAY!
http://www.alvinailey.org/page.php?p=arti&v=125
MAY 24th 2008
1-2pm - Intermediate Advanced Level - Chloe
2-3pm - Intermediate Advanced Level - Jason
3-4pm - OPEN FLOOR/TAP JAM
4-5pm - Advanced Beg Level - Chloe
5-6pm - Beginner Level - Jason
1- class = $20
2- classes = $35
All four = $70
*Any Class Purchase Includes Open Floor/Tap Jam with the
artists hour
*Tap Jam with Artists only - $5 entry
***STAY TUNED FOR UPCOMING REGULAR TAP PROGRAMMING AT THE
AILEY EXTENSION***
www.divinerhythmproductions.com
www.alvinailey.org
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WORLD FAMOUS WEEKLY TAP CELEBRATION
honors NATIONAL TAP DANCE DAY!
at the HARLEM TAP STUDIO
Located at:
401 West 149th street (take the A train to 145th and dance
4 blocks
north) bet St. Nick & Convent
OPEN FLOOR - LIVE MUSICIANS
FREE REFRESHMENTS FOR DANCERS
Small Donation required for FOOD
(DON'T MISS DORMESHIA'S FOUR CHEESE MACARONI & CHICKEN!)
ONLY $10 for SPECTATORS (includes 2 drinks)
MAY 24th 2008
8-12pm
www.harlemtap.com
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Don’t Miss:
Tap Extravaganza
May 25, 2008 at 7:00 pm
The Tap City Youth Ensemble will be performing in a line-up with Dance Alumni from Oklahoma City University, Michelle Dorrance, Rod Ferrone, DeWitt Fleming, Mable Lee and her Dancing Ladies, Michela Marino Lerman, Rhythmutation, Chris Scott Company, Jason Samuels Smith,The Peggy Spina Tap Company. Schedule Permitting: Savion Glover, Jimmy Slyde
Location:
Haft Auditorium at Fashion Institute of Technology
227 West 27th St., New York City
Tickets:
$68, $55, $45, $25
Click here to purchase!
You may contact questions@nytap.org with any questions.
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Don't Miss Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Omar Edwards, Eboni Edwards & Jeremiah Edwards in this Episode of MTV's MADE:
MTV's
MADE (Season 9) | Ep. 2 | Life After MADE 'Tap Dancer' | Interviews and never before seen clips
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1585328&vid=224235
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JA's Philly TAP Challenge '08"ON FIRE!" On Sale NOW!!!
Announcing Special rates for Jaye Allison's Philly TAP Challenge '08 "ON FIRE!"
Available 12:00am, Tuesday May 6th!
Mail-in Deadline – June 10th 2008
All Day Dance Pass Now Available
Ages 8-12 $50. Ages 13 and up $65.
This value package is available online only at behinddoors.biz (through paypal and mail in checks accepted)
You will receive the pass and the up to date schedule in the mail.
2 Special Kids classes (8-12 yrs) each day (*), plus a variety pack of dance workshops to choose.
Thursday - The Kimmel Center's Innovation Studio (KCIS) or Merck Education Studio (KCME)
KCIS - morning... 10a Stretch Class (Carla Krochak) – 10:30a Tap (Rochelle Haines) - *11:30a KidsJazz (Jaye Allison)
KCME – 11:40p Shim Sham (Corinne Karon) – 12:50pTap History discussion / lunch break
KCIS- afterlunch... *2p Hip Hop 'Campbelllocking'( Dennis Danehy)
Friday – The Arts Bank Rehearsal Hall (ABRH)
ABRH - morning... 10:15a Irish Step Dance (Corinne Karon) – 11:30a Flamenco (Anna Castellanos)
afterlunch... 2:20p Improvisation and Challenge (Robert Burden Jr.) – 3:30p African (Cachet Ivey)
Friday – Kimmel Center Innovation Studio (KCIS) or Merck Education Studio (KCME)
KCIS - morning... 10a Stretch Class (Carla Krochak) – 10:40a Tap (Jaye Allison) – 11:50 Tap (Karen Callaway Williams)
KCME – afternoon... 1pm Tap History discussion / Lunch Break – 2:10p Kids Tap (Pamela Hetherington)
KCIS- afterlunch...3:30p Tap (Dianne Walker)
Saturday – The Arts Bank Rehearsal Hall (ABRH) or Arts Bank Stage (ABS)
ABRH - morning...9:45a-Stretch Class (Darrell Waytes) – 10:25a Tap (Chloe Arnold) –11:45a Tap (Ali Bradley)
afterlunch... 1:50p Campbelllocking (Dennis Danehy) – 3p Tap (Dormeshia Sumbrey Edwards)
ABS - morning...10:30a Jazz (Jaye Allison) 11:40a GQ Step (Rennie Harris) 12:40p Tap History Roundtable / Lunch
afterlunch... 2pTap (Jason Samuels Smith) –3:30p Salsa (Buster Adams)
Peace,
Jaye Allison
Founding Director, New LEJA Dances & Philly TAP Challenge "ON FIRE!"
From "Akeelah and the Bee", Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love (from chapter 'Personal Power') "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
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*EAST COAST *
NEWS UPDATES & EVENTS
-----------------------------------------------------
BROADWAY UNDERGROUND®
Monday June 2
8:00pm
B.B. King Blues Club and Grill-237 West 42nd Street -NYC
Promo Video: www.broadwayunderground.org
TICKETS
WWW.GOLDSTAR.COM ($12)
WWW.TICKETMASTER.COM
or
$25 at the door
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PRESS RELEASE: Social Media Website DanceJam Joins Monsters of HipHop As Their Official Dance Convention Tour Title Sponsor
P.O. Box 47425 Baltimore, MD 21244-7425
410-630-1235
Fax: 410-461-7114
Contact: Gene Burdette or Andy Funk
Phone: 410-630-1235
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2008
Baltimore, MD - Monsters of HipHop, the world's leading hip hop dance convention, today announced that DanceJam, the social network for all things dance, will be the title sponsor for the 2008-2009 Monsters of HipHop Tour.
DanceJam is quickly becoming the world's favorite venue to watch and rate dance videos. With its innovative social community features, the site offers dancers and enthusiasts the ability to create unique profiles, upload dance videos and rate performances. Videos of individual performances and dance crews can be easily uploaded from online destinations such as YouTube.com. DanceJam catalogues dances and popular street moves, and includes video instruction for a variety of dance genres.
"Our new sponsorship by DanceJam is a win-win for both parties," said Andy Funk, the founder of Monsters of HipHop. "DanceJam saw Monsters as number one in HipHop dance events, and we see DanceJam as the front runner in online dance field. Together we can expand our reach and further build our brands as leaders in the world of dance."
As the title sponsor of Monsters of HipHop conventions, with their 13 city U.S. tour through cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Denver plus new international destinations Mexico, Japan & Europe, DanceJam will showcase exclusive dance footage, competitions and contests for convention participants.
As leading innovators of hip hop dance instruction, Monsters of HipHop participants will benefit directly from DanceJam with new, online tools in development. Monsters' performance groups are able to use the community features of DanceJam for video critiques and comments to improve their performance and showmanship.
Monsters faculty are notable dance choreographers who work with Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Pink, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, The Pussycat Dolls, and many more. They have been the creative force behind blockbuster dance films such as Stomp The Yard, Hairspray and Step Up 2.
Monsters of HipHop freestyle battles will be taken online to a new arena. This new channel will increase overall participation and visibility for tomorrow's dance superstars.
According to Geoffrey Arone, the CEO of DanceJam, "Our relationship with Monsters of HipHop allows us to engage and work with the top dance talent in the world today. Monsters' access to casting agents, talent scouts, and TV show executives allows our community to literally dance their way to fame."
About Monsters of HipHop
Founded by Andy Funk, Becky Funk and Angie Servant in 2003, Monsters of HipHop is the conceptual blend of competitive dance, business and marketing. While Monsters has grown tremendously, the company strives to maintain the family environment on which it was built with its mission to bring hip hop dancers together with the industry's top dance professionals in a fun and challenging environment that fosters self-fulfillment and career development.
About DanceJam
DanceJam was founded by M.C. Hammer along with visionary Internet entrepreneurs Geoffrey Arone and Anthony Young from Flock.com. The current popularity of dance globally is evident by the success of dance television shows such as 'Dancing with the Stars,' 'So You Think You Can Dance, 'America's Best Dance Crew' and online videos such as 'The Evolution of Dance'. DanceJam's founding trio saw an opportunity to create a niche video site focused entirely on dance and dance culture. From this, DanceJam was born, created to cater exclusively to the growing community of dancers & their fans.
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Contact: Matina Banks
Phone: (571) 278-8174
Email: silentfireproductions@yahoo.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SILENT FIRE PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS "CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF LOVE":
A DANCE AND SPOKEN WORD PERFORMANCE.
(New York, NY)- On Saturday, May 31st and Sunday, June 1st, Silent Fire Productions (SFP) will present "Caught in the Act of Love," at STEPS on Broadway's Studio Theater at 8p.m. SFP is bringing together two nights of performances by both dance professionals and students from all over the world including guest presentations by Jana Hicks and The Next Stage Project, Karen Gayle and Xodus Dance Collection, Eyes of a Blue Dog, Mind Builders Creative Arts Center in the Bronx and Just East of Broadway in Queens. Also performing will be special guest spoken word artists The Marauder, Duchess, Athenaa, and Daniel Zapata from the local New York City area. Proceeds from the show will go to fund SFP's outreach programs in both New York City and in Washington, D.C.
Inspired by the Rachel's Challenge, which was created shortly after the Columbine tragedy, the show is meant to highlight moments when people are "caught in the act of love." "It's one thing to get revenge and justice. As a matter of fact, it's the easy way to go," says SFP dancer and spoken word artist Megan Marod. "On the other hand, it is a greater challenge to show mercy and love in spite of the anger and hurt people experience." Marod, or "The Marauder," (her stage name), in addition to dancing with the company, is performing a spoken word piece with special guest spoken word artists Duchess and Daniel Zapata. They will be using both Shakespeare and spoken word in three different languages to demonstrate the nobility of mercy.
Opening the show is SFP's premiere of "Imagine Now." This piece combines video, dance and a spoken word performance by Athenaa, a 14 year-old Harlem Junior High School student who will recite the poem, "After the Storm," as dancers perform in the background. The piece questions if Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream is still being kept alive. "I am really excited about this performance because it 's my first," says Athenaa. "And not only will it help me get into a good high school, it will help me get ready for other performance experiences."
The pieces in the program vary from a light and fun duet with two young students from STEPS on Broadway's School, to the show's title piece, a rock ballet set to the Foo Fighter's 1990's cover of Gerry Rafferty's 1973 hit song "Baker Street." "This piece is dedicated to everyone and anyone who has the known the passion and drive of being in love with what you do," says SFP Aritstic Director Matina Banks. "As a choreographer and dancer I cannot be thankful enough to have such a brilliantly creative and exciting life. This piece really goes through all the emotions of being an artist- from the passion to the competition to the loneliness and isloation. It's been a piece that I've been waiting a very long time to do."
SFP is very fortunate to have world-reknowned guest performers joining them in this weekend series. Internationally known choreographer Jana Hicks and her company, The Next Stage Project, with be presenting a piece on how in our daily lives, it is so important to support each other and when we don't, we loose our humanity. Karen Gayle and her company, Xodus Dance Collection, will be presenting a piece called, "The Waiting Room." It shows how the impatience of the 9-5 daily grind can dominate one's thinking and ability to function, rendering anyone unable to show acts of love and kindness.
Recently collaborating on SFP's last show, "Dr. King and I," Eyes of a Blue Dog will be joining this weekend series as well. Also the students of both Just East of Broadway (JEOB) in Queens and Mind Builders Creative Arts Center in the Bronx, SFP's two partner dance studios, will be performing again with SFP. "It is such a gift for my students to be able to work so closely with the Silent Fire Productions," says JEOB Artistic Director, Rysa Scibilia. "It really helps my students appreciate the dedication and passion required to pursue a career in dance."
SFP was created in 2004 in the hopes of creating a dance production company that served the needs of the communities that it was involved in, as well as remaining true to the artistic passions of all those involved. SFP has traveled all over the United States to work with students and other professional dancers to spread it's mission of freedom from intolerance. Performances and projects include work with the Kennedy Center and United Way of America. "The purpose of art is to express and communicate human experience. That is what makes it so powerful. I feel that in this day and age it's become acceptable to work for profit rather than meaning," Banks says.
With this performance, SFP hopes to show that mercy and love can be a combination of many things- all essential in order for us to function as an international community. "We need more love in this world, and it doesn't take much," Banks says. "One simple act of kindness and mercy is sometimes all it takes to change the world."
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OPPORTUNITY:
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!
TAP KIDS TOUR UK/HOLLAND TAP DANCERS AGES 16-21
New York Stage Originals is accepting resumes for current positions and future replacements for the international touring company of “TAP KIDS”. Lisa Hopkins, director/chorographer. Seeking exceptional rhythm tap dancers with jazz dance training, and great personalities who improvise. Must also be quick at learning choreography. Basketball skills and acting also a plus. All ethnicities encouraged to apply.
Dancers do not have to live in NYC area but selected dancers must be able to come to live audition in June or July.
Interested dancers please e-mail bio and pictures immediately to thetapkids@aol.com or mail to:
NYSO Casting
Att: TAP KIDS
154 Prospect Pkwy
Burlington, VT 05401
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*MIDWEST *
NEWS UPDATES & EVENTS
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Pass it on. If anyone is interested in volunteering for career day at my sister's school, Pershing West, please feel free to email her directly at cdwatkins@cps.k12.il.us. Thanks.
Antoinette Watkisn
We are looking for people for our 2008 career day. Do you know of anyone who may be interested?
Our 2008 Career Day will be held on May 22nd, from 12:30-2:00. It will be fairly painless for the volunteers, as the students will be researching their jobs beforehand and the visit will be more of a discussion rather than a presentation.
If you have any leads, you can send me their contact info or have them get a hold of Jeff Skocilich at pershing213@yahoo.com, 773-534-9240 or 219-801-4556.Â
ÂThese are some of the jobs that our students have expressed an interest in:
ACTRESS/ACTOR
ARTIST
ATHELETE
CHEF
CLOTHING DESIGNER
DANCER/SINGER
DENTIST/DOCTOR
ENTREPUENUER
ELECTRICIAN
FORENSIC SCIENTIST
GAME DESIGNER
HAIR STYLIST
NURSE
LAWYER/ATTORNEY
POET
POLICE OFFICER/LAW ENFORCEMENT
PRODUCER
SCIENTIST
STOCK BROKER
REAL ESTATE AGENT
THERAPIST
TALK SHOW HOST
TEACHER
VETERINARIAN
WRITER
Contact:
Cheryl D. Watkins, Principal
John J. Pershing West Magnet School
3200 South Calumet Avenue
Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: 773-534-9240
Fax: 773-534-9249
Website: http://pershingwest.cps.k12.il.us
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OPPORTUNITY:
Do you have what it takes to be part of the 2XS Bunch?
DANCE 2XS AUDITIONS
Saturday, May 17th @ 2-5P
Visceral Dance Studio
2820 N. Elston Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
773.772.1771
$5 to Audition
Come stretched and ready to dance!
See flier for info.
Contact chicago2xs@gmail.com with questions.
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*WEST COAST *
NEWS UPDATES & EVENTS
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CALIFORNIAN TAP DAY with Roxane Butterfly
Greetings everyone!
TAP DAY is bringing me back on the West Coast. It' s been a while.....
so I hope to see as much of you at THE BEAT and THE JULIAN MORGAN
CENTER!
Saturday May 24th: 10-11am: Improv class
11-12.15am: Intermediate
12.45-2pm: Advanced
2.45- 3.30pm: Tap w/ live percussion
Sunday May 25th: 10-11am: Improv class
11.15-12.30pm: Intermediate
12.45-2pm: Advanced
Location: THE BEAT, 2560 9th street, berkeley, CA 94710
thebeat@lmi.net / www.the-beat.org / 510 548 5348
Performance on Sunday May 25th at the JULIA MORGAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS,
2640 College Avenue in Berkeley. 7pm
Tix: 925-798-1300
Students: $20, General: $25, Hoofers Circle: $40
Roxane's classes are $25
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GROOVALOO Get In The Circle
June 5-8 & 12-15 Thur-Sat 7:30pm, Sun 3:00pm $25-$40
Orange County Performing ArtsCenter, Samueli Theater All ticket sales through the OCPAC box office either by phone at 714.556.2787 or at http://ocpac.org
http://groovaloos.com
http://ocpac.org/offcenter
See the press release: http://www.ocpac.org/home/Content/ContentDisplay.aspx?PressReleaseID=107&NavID=110
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!!!!
The 14-member cast, an eclectic group of the world's most renowned freestyle and hip hop dancers, reveals what it's like to "Get In The Circle". Based on true stories of struggle, hope and triumph, GROOVALOO is driven by dance music and spoken word. The Groovaloos were special guests on So You Think You Can Dance and members have appeared in movies such as Step Up 2: The Streets, You Got Served, and Stomp the Yard, and also danced with artists such as Janet Jackson, Madonna, Miley Cyrus, Chris Brown, and Gwen Stefani to name a few.
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*WORLD-WIDE *
NEWS UPDATES & EVENTS
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Hey Friends,
My studio was interviewed for a feature magazine article on our "Dancing Dadz" program that we offer.
If you would like to read it, click on the link below!
http://www.rheegold.com/1-1-06/1-1-08/May%2008/DancingDadz.htm
Thanks!
--
Kathleen Cirioli
www.justtap.com
www.kathleenacademy.com
www.danceforthecure.org
"We don't stop tap dancing because we grow old...we grow old because we stop tap dancing"
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www.divinerhythmproductions.com
EMPOWER YOUR SOLE!
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