Pro/Motion – week of January 15

Hello BDA Community,

Late last year, I shared on social media some personal reflections on the value of dance and dancers to society – why you’re worth celebrating and supporting, as Boston Dance Alliance works to do daily.

While I imagine you feel appreciation from the students you teach and the audiences you entertain, as a dancer you have an even broader & transformative impact on our community through your artistry.

Beyond fostering creativity, empathy, and beauty, you also strengthen our communities socially, educationally, and economically as author & arts advocate Randy Cohen outlines in this blog post.

“…5, 6, 7, 8” may be our favorite numbers, but the numbers in this one-pager reflect just how big of a difference we make together with other artists. Let’s keep helping to build a better world through dance!

In partnership,

Aaron Myers, Interim Executive Director

BDA Member Events This Week

CJ Donohue leads an immersive experience where movers of all levels come together, exchanging ideas, words, and movement, culminating in an improvisational/movement score. Moving in Community sessions commence with a yoga-inspired warm-up, followed by a writing and movement meditation. Each class centers on a distinct theme, incorporating stage elements like lighting, sound, senses, props, and site-specific settings. The session concludes with an integrative meditation and sound bath, promoting restoration and embodiment. All movers welcome. Wednesday’s, January 17–March, 6-8 PM (no class February 21) at The Foundry, 101 Rogers St., Cambridge. Registration: $0-$15

FREE! – Wendy Jehlen‘s Migrations open workshops come to Somerville Friday, January 19, 6-9 PM, Saturday, January 20, 12-3 PM, and Sunday, January 21, 10 AM-1 PM at The Hive (in the Taza chocolate factory building), 561 Windsor St, 4th floor. RSVP by emailing community@anikaya.org. Following the workshops you’ll be invited to the public space performance on Sunday, January 21, 2 PM at Assembly Row next to J.P. Licks.

Edge of Aquarius, imagined by Alexandria Nunweiler, is both a “self-defining and self-defying work” as it tracks Nunweiler’s January 17th birthday, dangling on the edge of the Aquarius sign. This evening-length contemporary dance theater work features a multigenerational, multicultural cast that depicts a nonlinear coming of age story through the guise of a birthday party. Please be advised this show features loud noises such as balloon pops and party poppers, loud music at times, and limited strobe effect. The January 19 performance will be a sensory-friendly version of the show. Advanced reservations are strongly recommended. Friday & Saturday, January 19-20, 7 PM, Sunday, January 21, 2 PM, at The Foundry, 101 Rogers St., Cambridge. Tickets: $0-$50.

OnStage Dance Company returns to the stage with its Season 25 Performance on Saturday, January 20, at 2 and 7 PM at the Boston University Dance Theater. The show features brand new work in jazz, tap, contemporary, pop, and modern by choreographers: ​Emily Chang, Mykayla Cohen, Melissa deFriesse, Teresa Dominick, Emily Hong, Kellie Johnson, Jennifer Kuhnberg, Chelsea Lepkowksi, Loghan Nace, Hannah Perry, Victoria Rousseau, Allie Somers, Lizzy Thaman and Erica Thorp. The dynamic showcase premieres mostly live works, along with two new short dance films. It is performed by over 45 dancers from the Greater Boston area. Tickets: $20-$50.

Cousins in Rhythm: Bodhrán and Step Dance is a two-part workshop lead by Cara Wildman and Rebecca McGowan bridging the connection between bodhrán players and dancers. Tuesday, January 23, 7:30-8:45 PM at First Church Cambridge. Registration is pay what you can; suggested amount is $25.