Organizations
Dance For Life Chicago 2011
Dance for Life Chicago Tickets are now available.
Chicago has a rich dance scene and one of the highlights of the year is always Dance For Life Chicago, a fundraiser for HIV/AIDS prevention and care that also promotes the art of dance in the city. Participating companies this year include Ron De Jesus Dance, River North Dance, The Joffrey Ballet, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and Hubbard Street Dance.
If you have the chance to come out and support this event, please consider doing so. It benefits the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and the Dance For Life Fund – both are wonderful.
4:45 PM – 6:45 PM Gala Reception
7:30 PM Performance
Learn more about Dance For Life Chicago
It Gets Better Project – A Powerful Resource For Dance Teachers
“It gets better.” These words are a necessity for every child and/or teenager feeling bullied, isolated, depressed or who is thinking about ending his or her life. These words were the inspiration for the It Gets Better Project started by Dan Savage, a political gay activist, and his husband Terry Miller. The objective of the project is to help save lives by reaching out to LGBT teens who can’t see a future for themselves; let alone a future full of amazing possibilities.
Through the It Gets Better Project adults in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi and trans) community have been sharing their life experiences (through You Tube) with teens struggling with their own sexuality and all of the intolerance and ignorance that unfortunately can come along with it. (As if growing up wasn’t hard enough.) The words that are repeated and reinforced in all of the videos are that no matter what hardships you are facing today – life will get better. No matter how bad your situation is today- it is temporary.
There is so much love and life to live. This message of love and hope has reached hundreds of thousands of lesbian, gay, bi, trans and straight people all over the world.
Information From www.itgetsbetter.org :
Dan heard about the suicides of Justin Aaberg and Billy Lucas and had a reaction so many LGBT adults had. “I wish I could’ve talked to that kid for five minutes before he killed himself,” Dan recently said. “I’d tell him that however bad it was in high school or middle school…it gets better.” The It Gets Better Project was born.
Dance Bag – Hand Silkscreened By 4dancers
Get your hand-silkscreened canvas ballet bag now–before supplies run out! I have made 7 of these unique tote bags and will be selling them for only $8 each! Get one for yourself, or as a gift for someone you know–they make a great bag to cart your dance shoes and miscellaneous gear back and forth to the studio, or even to show your love for dance and “go green” at the grocery store.
I got into silkscreening a while back and have been working on developing dance designs for the past couple of years. It’s a long process from photograph to finished product, but I now have several screens and I’ll be sharing the designs with the dance community over the summer months. The nice part about these bags is that you will never see them anywhere else–these are all my own designs.
Soon I’ll add t-shirts to the mix as well, so keep checking back. I’d love to hear what people think about the design–and I’d love for you to help me spread the word!
Here are the specs:
Canvas (cotton woven)
Navy Blue
10.5 x 12.5 inches
$8.00 (plus $2 shipping and handling – continental US prices – inquire about overseas…)
If you’d like to purchase one of these bags, drop me an e-mail at info(at)catherineltully(dot)com and we’ll work out the details.
Thanks!
0Support RE|Dance Group
Contributing writer Lucy Vurusic Riner would love your support during her dance company’s annual fundraising campaign! Get all information and updates on RE|Dance Group at www.redancegroup.com or “Like” them on Facebook. I’ve included her annual newsletter below so you can see what the company is up to and how to give!
Dear RE|Dance Group Supporter,
We hope you are having a lovely start to the spring season. With the flowers finally in bloom, RE|Dance Group is budding with new ideas and charged with the energy to push the company forward.
Our inaugural year was a huge success and we would like to thank everyone for your support. We had the privilege of presenting our work in San Francisco, CA, Minneapolis, MN and at home here in Chicago, IL. Also this year we became a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization dedicated to assisting small arts companies. RE|Dance Group is artistically thriving and in the coming year we hope to build inroads toward financial health. As we push forward into year two, we hope that you have the opportunity to see the work we are creating.
We are very excited about the beginning stages of two new dance theater works. Inhabitants of Tall Grass will premiere in January at Chicago’s historic dance venue, Links Hall. We will preview a works in progress at the Harvest Chicago Contemporary Dance Festival in September. The work will have an original commissioned music score and will be performed amidst an installation of tall reed grasses. The environment is designed to both shield and reveal the dancers as they roam through the installation searching for personal connection. This piece is being partially funded by an Illinois Arts Council Grant that we have been so fortunate to receive!
The Attic Room is an intimate dance story of escape and desire. The evening length work for six dancers exists in a small attic room where the dancers, clad in fantastical owl masks, long for a way out, convinced they can find it through objects sprinkled through the space. An old map, a flock of paper cranes, a dusty antique rug, tiny glowing lamps and stacks of books offer the dancers the possibility for departure from a place now so comfortable they are unsure of their desires to escape. The Attic Room is filled with images of balance, travel and desire. Again this year, we will be presenting our work at the Minnesota Fringe Festival in Minneapolis from August 4th-14th. Hopefully we’ll see some of you there!
We hope that as you begin to enjoy the warm weather and summer months you’ll have time to consider assisting RE|Dance Group in our continued efforts to create meaningful dance theater. Our fundraising goal during this campaign is $3,000.00. This year’s funding campaign will once again help RE|Dance Group return to the Minnesota Fringe Festival and sponsor our Chicago performance season. We could not have made it this far without your support in whatever ways you have been able to provide it.
The easiest way to make a contribution to RE|Dance Group is through our website. It is easy, safe and secure. Simply click Donate Now and you will be directed to the Fractured Atlas contribution page. Thanks to our fiscal sponsorship through Fractured Atlas, all donations are now tax deductible!
If you don’t feel comfortable contributing online, you can drop Catherine an e-mail here at info (at) catherineltully.com and she’ll give you a mailing address so you can drop a check in the mail. If you can’t donate, but would like to help, spread the word!
Thank you for your generous support. We hope to see you in one of our audiences very soon!
Lucy and Michael
Artistic Directors
RE|Dance Group
RE | Dance Group is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the purposes of RE|Dance Group must be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
0Interview With Lianna Hosein-Sarro
Today we have 5 questions with Lianna Hosein-Sarro, a high school junior who has the opportunity to participate in the Rockettes Summer Intensive program, as well as being featured on “The Rockette Summer Intensive” series, which continues tonight, June 14 at 7:30 p.m. on MSG Varsity.
Take a closer look at the experience through her eyes:
Lianna Hosein-Sarro
1. Can you tell readers a bit about your dance background?
I’ve been dancing for a total 13 years, and have been studying ballet since I was four. I started dancing at Martha Graham this year, and have been active with the School of American Ballet of the New York City Ballet Company for about six years. I’ve also been tap dancing with the Tap City Youth Foundation in the Tap City Youth Ensemble for about four years.
2. What brought you to audition for the Rockette Summer Intensive?
My mother brought me to the Rockettes Summer Intensive. As soon as she told me about the camp, I knew that it was what I wanted to be as a dancer. The precision and perfection of their dancing skills attracted me instantly. I went to the audition not expecting to get in because I was the youngest—and it was my first time trying out. Luckily, I got in!
3. How do you feel about being able to participate in this?
I’m so excited to go back this year. I enjoyed my first time at the Rockettes Summer Intensive, but now that I know how the camp is run, I know what to expect. For me, this camp is like “the best thing since sliced bread.”
4. How have you been able to stay calm and focus on doing your best?
Most of the time, my nerves don’t get to me. It’s easy for me to stay calm because that’s my personality, but sometimes I get really shy and don’t let myself go full out. However, at Rockette Camp, I feel like a different person. I’m more energetic and less nervous because I know that this could be my future.
5. What is the most important thing you’ve learned about yourself through this process?
I’ve learned to not be afraid of what other people think of me. I’m really self conscious, but when I dance, a new power comes over me and I feel important and like a star. Rockette camp opened me up and improved my life as a dancer, a pro singer, and an actress. The Rockettes Summer Intensive is a dream come true.
Watch the second episode of “The Rockette Summer Intensive” three-part series which airs this evening, June 14 at 7:30 p.m. on MSG Varsity, channel 14 on Cablevision’s iO TV.
2MSG Varsity’s “The Rockette Summer Intensive”
Radio City Music Hall
I thought this might be something fun for 4dancers readers to check out. I’ve always been a fan of the Rockettes, so taking a peek into their world is something I found especially fascinating. In the dance world, they hold a very unique place.
Plus, it’s always intriguing to experience the audition process…even as an observer.
“The Rockette Summer Intensive” is a three-part television series — part two will be airing on June 14th at 7:30 pm on MSG Varsity. This means that you can still tune in to get an insider look at the final stage of the audition process that these young high-school dancers go through for a coveted spot training with the world-famous Rockettes.
This is the first time ever that cameras have captured the behind-the-scenes moments as over 600 girls audition for a place in the Rockette Summer Intensive program. You will get to see exclusive footage and one-on-one interviews with the dancers as well as the creative visionaries behind the Rockettes, including Eileen Grace, Rockettes Director and Choreographer.
Since the program’s inception, 42 Summer Intensive alumni have become world-famous Rockettes. “The opportunity for young dancers to study with the iconic Radio City Rockettes is invaluable, and the second episode of the series captures the intensity and emotions of these young hopefuls as they strive to train with the legendary kick line,” said Michael Lardner, Senior Vice President and Executive Producer, MSG Varsity.
MSG Varsity's Rockette Summer Intensive
What an audition that would have been to go on as a teenager! I think back to my high school days and believe that it would have intimidated me–but it would have been exciting as well. I’m sure these girls all bring their “A-Game” in terms of preparation, but I can bet there are some pretty big time nerves going on–both on the set and off.
I’m sure there will be a wide range of hopefuls there, and it should be interesting to see what the audition itself looks like–as well as who makes the cut. “Dancers that are accepted into the Rockette Summer Intensive all share a common thread in not only their love of dance, but also exude such passion and drive during this intense training program,” said Eileen Grace, Rockettes Director and Choreographer.
The episode will air on Tuesday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m. on MSG Varsity, channel 14 on Cablevision’s iO TV.
4dancers will feature an interview with one of the young ladies that is involved in the audition, so be sure and check back on the 14th to hear her thoughts on the process!
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Audition Notice: Parsons Dance
This is a courtesy post:
Photo courtesy of Parsons Dance
Parsons Dance is holding auditions for both male and female dancers this month on May 21st at 12 PM.
The audition will be held at New York City Center, Studio 5, 130 W. 56th Street in New York City. Appointments are required and all dancers need to bring a headshot and resume for consideration. The company is looking for dancers with strong ballet and modern dance technique, as well as partnering skills – and a passion for dance.
More about Parsons Dance:
Parsons Dance is committed to building new audiences for contemporary dance by creating American works of extraordinary artistry that are engaging and uplifting to audiences throughout the world. The company tours regionally, nationally and internationally. Since 1985, Parsons Dance has toured an average of 32 weeks per year, to a total more than 235 cities, 30 countries, six continents and millions of audience members. Many others have seen Parsons Dance on PBS, Bravo, A&E Network, and the Discovery Channel. Millions watched Parsons Dance perform live in Times Square as part of the internationally broadcast, 24-hour Millennium New Year’s Eve celebration. In New York City, Parsons Dance has been featured at The Joyce Theater, City Center, New Victory Theater, Central Park Summerstage, Guggenheim Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art and The World Trade Center. For more information, visit parsonsdance.org.
0Chicago Area Dance: Leopold Group Modern Dance Company
This is a courtesy post–thought this sounded interesting, so I’m passing it along for those of you in the Chicago area…
The Leopold Group’s trailblazing new work, Voyager, premieres February 17-20, 2011 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Avenue and will be simultaneously broadcast worldwide on the internet through Ustream.
Voyager is an evening length dance work inspired by Carl Sagan’s famous Golden Record time capsule. In 1977, Sagan and NASA launched two Voyager spacecrafts, affixing each with a gold-coated copper phonograph record as a “message to possible extraterrestrial civilizations.” Each record contains 90 minutes of “the world’s greatest music,” an audio essay entitled “The Sounds of Earth,” and greetings in nearly 60 human languages (and one whale language). Mr. Sagan’s musical selections provide a potent score for Artistic Director and choreographer, Lizzie Leopold, to tackle these persisting questions of communication, humanity, longevity and future.
For more information, visit their website.
0Chicago Fringe Artists Networking Night
Chicago Fringe Artists Networking Night (CFANN) is looking for dance artists to showcase their work for the annual event to be held April 9, 2011 at The Red Tape Theatre.
The event is an evening of performances, installations, and tasty treats from neighborhood eateries. Red Tape is known for its transformative space, and CFANN is no exception. Guests will find themselves in a cool, lounge-style venue surrounded by provocative intersections of visual, interactive and performance art.
CFANN 2011 will be all this and more. This years’ performance showcase is driven by dance and movement, immersed in fun, diverse and arresting visual, video and audio art, guaranteed to create an exhilarating and inspiring experience.
If you or someone you know is interested, drop by CFANN’s site to fill out an application–but hurry–they need to be in by February 11th.
0Resource: The Sacred Dance Guild
Today I’d just like to share a resource with you. Those of you who are into sacred dance may already know about it, but if not, you may want to check out the Sacred Dance Guild.
There are a multitude of reasons that people dance. Some do it as a profession. Some do it for fun. Some to it to express their spirituality.
This organization is a great community for those who view dance as a form of prayer. Governed by a volunteer board, the SDG has members all over the world. Interested in becoming a member? Visit their website for more information.
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