Art and Opportunities – and More Year of the Rabbit Celebrations!

BCA's Dancemakers Lab Residents photos from left to right: Wendy Jehlen, Laila J. Franklin and Audrey MacLean.

We are thrilled to share the news about Boston Center for the Arts 2023 Dancemakers Laboratory ResidentsWendy Jehlen, Laila J. Franklin and Audrey MacLean!  This residency offers choreographers and dancers the opportunity to further research and revise works that address pressing issues and reflections on humanity. Through a series of open rehearsals, the artists create a feedback loop with mentors and those impacted or involved in the addressed topic.

 

Abstract graphic of a large group of people having a picnic in outer space.

Congratulations to Monkeyhouse for receiving one of eight $6,000 Collective Imagination for Spatial Justice (CISJ) grants from NEFA. These grants support Massachusetts teams of artists, creatives, culture bearers, cultural organizers, and community-based collaborators to do the important work of imagining what public art that fosters positive social change looks, sounds and feels like in their community.

 

Illustration of a grumpy piggy bank expressing some foul language that grawlixed and a hand is putting a coin in the piggy's back.

Sam Emmond and Ian Berg provide tap dance percussion on the new album Swear Jar by jazz bass player Max RidleyCongratulations!

 

 

Colorful illustration of rabbit leaping across a starry sky.

The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem Mass celebrates Lunar New Year with in-person celebrations Saturday, January 28 from 10 AM-4PM and at 11:30 features Gund Kwok, the only all-Asian women’s Lion and Dragon Dance troupe in the United States! Gund Kwok, which means heroine in Chinese, empowers Asian women to show their creativity, power and strength through Lion and Dragon Dance.

 

Orange Ascend poster with details on event and sponsors for Lunar New Year celebration

Ascend New Englandwhich supports the Pan-Asian business community, welcomes all to a Lunar New Year Celebration at Simmons University’s Linda K. Paresky Conference Center, 300 Fenway, Boston on Saturday, January 28, 1-4 PM. Special performance by the Imperial Lion Dance Team.

 

Red and gold graphic of rabbit and Chinese text

Chinatown’s Lion Dance Parade in celebration of the Year of the Rabbit happens Sunday, January 29th  10 AM-3PM. Opening ceremony begin 10AM by Phillips Square (near the intersection of Harrison Avenue and Beach Street). Don’t forget to pack some red envelopes to feed the lions for good luck!

 

Children sit in a semi-circle while adult explains something standing beside a Chinese dragon.

As part of the Pao Arts Center’s interactive Lunar New Year celebration, Sunday, January 29, 11AM  to 3PM, there will be a special Lion Dance demonstration and workshop with Nüwa Athletic Club for ages 5-12. Space is limited but parents and siblings are welcome to watch.

 

"Lunar New Year" written in red tracing over a cream background with 3 red rabbits and a few clouds illustrated.

Korean dancer Hanna Lee and Calvin Chin Martial Arts Academy perform at the New Art Center in Newton, celebrating the Year of the Rabbit on Sunday January 29, in collaboration with the Korean Cultural Society of Boston. Other family friendly activities happen noon-3 PM. 

 

Tax Tips for Artists poster with photo of Akeem Davis smiling over a green background.

The Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI) is offering a Tax Tips for Artists,” webinar on Monday, January 23, 1-3 PM. Tax preparer Akeem Davis will present this webinar for those with a diverse mix of 1099s, W-2s, and unreported income. Akeem has firsthand experience as an actor and freelance entrepreneur and teaches artists and creatives of all backgrounds the best practices and important take-aways about the current tax code in a friendly and confidential setting. Registrants will have access to a recording for limited time.

 

Folami Prescott-Adams crosses arms and looks at camera while wearing a black top and an ombré blue shawl.

Art through an Equity Lens: An Experience The purpose of an equity lens is to help us interrupt the impact of a number of societal and systemic influences on the lived experiences and perspectives of the diverse communities. Music, visual art, poetry, film and dance will all be explored as a way to experience the arts in an expanded way to see what is ours to learn, unlearn and do. Dr. Folami Prescott-Adams presents and ASL interpretation and CART provided. Wednesday, January 25, 3-4 PM.

 

Illustration of a shadow of couple dancing ballroom over a golden patterned background.

Dancing with the Stars: Berklee Edition features eight teams composed of Boston Conservatory at Berklee and Berklee College of Music community members competing on the dance floor for the coveted mirror ball trophy while raising much-needed funds for dance student scholarships. This year’s stars are Cecil Adderley, Kathy Anderson, Krystal Banfield, David Dziardziel, Ty-Juana Flores, Bridgette Hayes, Maureen McMullan and Kevin Wilson. Friday, January 27, 2 PM at the Boston Conservatory Theater, 31 Hemenway Street, Floor 2.

 

Puremovement dancers on stage wearing mostly dark baggy clothes and hopping with one arm up and one arm back.

Join Rennie Harris Puremovement in a master class with Rodney Hill. The company members are well versed in the vernacular of Hip Hop, popping, locking, stepping, breaking, house, and other styles that have emerged from the African American and Latino communities of inner-city America. Hip Hop styles are explored as sources for inspiration and vocabulary for choreography. Experience old school social party dances from the 80s, 90s & 2000s. Friday, January 27, 7:00–8:30 PM at the Dance Complex.

 

Night Life poster with a black background and details in golden and white.

Unyted Stylz Productions presents Night Life! a family-friendly, interactive dance/theater production about searching for acceptance, respect, and love for others while overcoming fear and adversity highlighting the dance styles of Popping, Locking, Jazz, Tap, House, Lindy Hop, and Salsa. Tickets can be purchased through venmo: UNYTEDSTYLZ ($20 presale, $25 door price) Friday, January 27, 7 PM and Saturday, January 28, 12 & 7 PM at the American Legion Post 44, 295 California St, Newton.

 

Jo-Me dancers lean on each others shoulders in a hinge back on each other while reaching arms forward and looking up.

Boston-based Jo-Mé Dance Theatre led by May-Lisa Chandler and Joe Gonzalez is featured on the Virtual Member program of the International Association of Black Dance conference streaming from Toronto  Friday, January 27 7:30-9:30 PM.

 

The Quickfire poster with event information displayed over a purple background

Join the Quickfire Band at the South-End Italian Club and boogie out to some classic country & rock Saturday, January 28, 7-10 PM at 44 Fowle St, Woburn, MA. Food & drink will be available for purchase.

 

Collage of nine photos of Boston Conservatory Dancers performing.

Boston Conservatory at Berklee’s senior choreographers concert, Patchwork(s), is an evening of dance exploring how individuality acts as a common thread unifying nine unique choreographic voices. Patchwork(s) premieres nine works created by senior dance student choreographers Kaiti Bachman, Rowan Casillas, Abby Fuller, Amber Gott, Andrea Gregoriades, Lila Kushner, Pete Pierantozzi, Adrian Ruiz, and Alana Stubbs. Friday, January 27 and Saturday, January 28 at 8 PM, Sunday, January 29, at 1 PM. Boston Conservatory Theater, 31 Hemenway Street, Floor 2, Boston.

 

Pride flag over purple background with "Queer Dance Workshop" and "Joyful Dance with fellow queer folks!" written in white.

Dance at a queer-only Irish Dance workshop with Jo Troll! Here is a chance for queer folks with even the vaguest interest in dance to connect and build queer dance community. All queer identities, experiences and levels of dance are welcome!  RSVP. If you are unable to attend this workshop, but still interested in getting involved, you can note that on your RSVP. Accessibility: The workshop will have automated captions available. If you have any concerns or needs, please feel free to note them in your rsvp or email jotrolldance@gmail.com before the workshop. Saturday, January 28, 1:30-2:45 PM.

 

renaissance painting of open ballroom

Music and Dance from France’s “Ancien Règime” featuring dancers Camilla Finlay and Ken Pierce. There will be ballroom and theater dances reconstructed from Beauchamps-Feuillet dance notation, as well as original choreography in period style. Sunday, January 29, 3 PM at Tufts’ Distler Performance Hall, Granoff Music Center20 Talbot Ave, Medford.

 

 

#HellaBlack poster with 8 photos of previous performances over an orange background.

Open Call for #HellaBlack Live MixTape Vol. 5: SOUL performers!  This next edition of #HellaBlack Live MixTape Vol. 5: Soul is curated by Dwayne P. Mitchell and will take place on March 2 at Boston Center for the Arts Seeking artists from the Black, African, African American, Afro Caribbean and Afro Latine diaspora– . singers, rappers, poets, dancers, musicians, and interdisciplinary artists. Artists should be local to Boston/Boston Metro Area, prepared to present a 10–12 minute performance-based set and able to attend all performances/sound checks/rehearsals. Application deadline: Monday, January 23.

 

Dancer on stage performing to live music. Drummer and guitar player are in frame facing dancer.

Eventual Dance Company seeks 1-2 professional level contemporary dancers  for a performance in late May/ early June.  Ideal candidates are comfortable with learning choreography as well as performing improvisation given a score, comfortable with character work, able to count rhythmically challenging music and odd meters, and available for weekly Weds evening rehearsals.  Jazz and/or Musical Theater training is a plus! As they are still in the fundraising stage for this show, they cannot promise financial compensation at this time. Register for audition  Wednesday, January 25 6-8 PM at the Jackson Gym, Dance Lab at Tufts University. Please email caitlinacanty@gmail.com with  questions.

 

Poster with huge disco ball on the left side and audition information displayed over the disco ball lit background

Dance Company Worcester is having auditions Sunday, January 29 and February 5 at 2 PM at the Downton Dance Center, 31 Main St, Marlborough.

 

Black and white photo of artists gathered together in a circle talking to each other.

The 2023 season of aMaSSiT, a collaboration between The Dance Complex and Monkeyhouse, will gather tools for building momentum to transform an idea into a larger project. The program will continue to promote the importance of both artistic and administrative process, with preference given to any applicant who demonstrates a clear and strong desire to shake up their creative process and prioritize their administrative savvy. This unique program, open to creators in all dance genres, is structured to both foster those early in their careers and to deeply challenge more experienced artists. Apply by Monday, January 30.

 

Two people in masks sitting in a theater taking notes.

The Bates Dance Festival internship program offers an opportunity to work with professional artists, receive mentorship from staff, participate in classes, performances, and other events, and create lasting relationships with your peer group. Internships are available in the following fields: Technical and Site-Specific Production, Video Documentation, Video Promotions, Administration, Arts Education, Community Engagement and Artist Services, Social Media, Photography, Young Dancers Intensive, Mentoring. Apply by Tuesday, January 31.

 

Call to action poster for The Flavor Continues with a creased paper background

The Flavor Continues team is expanding and they are looking for 3 volunteers:
* Project Organizer
* Executive Director Assistant
* Fundraiser Volunteer
Fill out the form to express interest.

 

Izizwe Dance Collective Call for Dancers poster with photo of 5 dancers in a deep bend of knees and arms reaching to their left side.

Izizwe Dance Collective is looking for dancers for a new work set to premiere in the spring. Rehearsals run February-March and will take place in Lawrence, MA as well as the performances. $100 travel stipend included for any Boston based dancers in addition to $1000 rehearsal stipend and performance pay. TO apply please submit your dance resume, a video of yourself doing contemporary phrase work and another video improving in any style by Monday, February 6 to amy.performingarts@gmail.com.

 

Screenshot of beginning of webinar: ob the left side an artist wearing long blue flowy sleeves and on the right ASL interpreter in all black gestures forwards with palms open up.

Interested in applying for the National Dance Project Production grantWatch this webinar (with ASL interpretation by Interpreter Now) and apply by March 1, 2023.

 

 

Nefa logo

Get ready to work with New England presenters and apply for a NEFA NEST grant by March 1. New England States Touring (NEST 1, 2, and 3).

 

Dance Church teacher flyer with photo of crowd dancing.

Dance Church is accepting applications for dance artists who would like to get Dance Church going in their communities. Dance Church is on a mission to bring the joy and release of dance to everybody, while building sustainable systems of support for dance artists.

Looking for teachers who…

  • Are or have been a dance artist

  • Live in a city where a new Dance Church class would thrive

  • Have practice building community and establishing a class or offering

  • Are a good communicator, organized, and reliable

  • Are available to complete training in the next month and start regular classes the following month

 

Learning about the Chinese lion dance with the Worcester Youth Nian Dancers (WYND) Xīnnián hǎo (新年好)!

 

Whether you’re eager to learn, invent, or just shake off mid-winter blahs, there is something for everyone in the Boston area dance community.

Share your workshops and performances with us, we pro/mote them every week, all year long! Your support makes it possible.

Best,

__________
Debra Cash, Executive Director