The Boston Dance Alliance and Boston Center for the Arts Boston Dancemakers Residency application period is open! And at the same time, apply for the BCA Dance Lab! Both programs are open to a range of dance genres and movement-based artists. Deadline for both opportunities is Tuesday, May 30, at 9 AM.
Congratulations to Northeast Arts in acquiring a new studio space to share and on receiving the City of Boston Cultural Council Grant! Join the celebration in their joint performance with Jo-Mé Dance Theater, Convergence on May 6, 5:30 PM and 8 PM at Integrarte.
Samantha Jones (Harvard University) presents her research on musicality in percussive dance. Focusing on the non-competitive and social styles of Old-Style Irish Step and sean-nós dancing, she examines how musical and choreographic knowledge circulates through embodied modes of transmission. Oral mnemonics, hand gestures, notation –– these transmission methods offer rich sites for examining the interaction of embodied cognition, performance aesthetics, and community. Free, no tickets required. Monday, April 10, 12 PM at the Varis Lecture Hall at Tufts University 20 Talbot Ave, Medford.
Stream Common Circus, Kimberleigh Holman’s 2021-2022 Boston Dancemakers Residency project. To celebrate six months since the work-in-progress performance at the Boston Center for the Arts, the ensemble is releasing a fully audio-described version. FREE this month with the option to make a donation that supports the work.
The students in Harvard Dance Center’s non-credit class in Kathak, led by Anjali Nath, invite you to an exciting showcase where they will share the movements, philosophies, mathematics, and stories of Kathak that they have delved into this semester. Tuesday, April 11, 6:30-7:30 PM at the Harvard Dance Center, Studio 1, 66 Garden St., Cambridge.
The Arts Administration Program at Boston University hosts Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson, Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts for the second annual Ranalli Lecture in Arts Administration. The event is free and open to the public; register in advance as space is limited. Wednesday, April 12, 6:30 PM at the Boston University Law School Auditorium, 767 Commonwealth Avenue.
Go to Your Womb explores birth, childhood, the tug-of-war of mother-child dynamics, and the particular worries that swirl around raising a daughter in a culture fraught with violence against women. And then there is the eternal tension of parenting — wanting to return our kids to the womb (i.e., protect them forever) versus our responsibility to raise them well, set them free, and manage our own grief and worries about their passage. Wednesday, April 12, 7 PM at The Rockwell, 255 Elm Street, Somerville.
Clara Ramona brings back her Flamenco Dance Workshop. The next session runs from April 13 to May 25. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30-9:00 PM at Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre, 400 Harvard St, Cambridge. For more information call (857) 285-8526.
Join the Dance Folks – Somerville Cultural Capacity Plan Community Conversation facilitated by cultural ambassadors Emily Beatie and Callie Chapman. Dance folks who live, work, or learn in Somerville, consider “how might we help dance thrive in Somerville?” Register for free and please fill out this survey so they can learn more about you and how you’ll want to stay involved. Thursday, April 13, 6-8 PM at SOMarts Space at Assembly Row, 495 Artisan Way, Somerville.
Join a student-led conversation with Madelyn Ho ’08, M.D. and professional dancer with the Paul Taylor Dance Company (PTDC). Learn about Madelyn’s dance journey, which includes graduating from both Harvard College and Harvard Medical School; how dance and medicine have continued to converge for her; and her insights on the works she will be performing in Boston that same weekend! Pizza lunch included! If you have any dietary needs or allergies, email dance@fas.harvard.edu.
Friday, April 14, 12-1 PM at the Office for the Arts, 74 Mt. Auburn St, Cambridge.
Joy, a Celebration of Dance. Celebrate the joy that dance can bring in this live performance by the United Dance Company with choreography by Erica Schwartz & Gianni Di Marco. Friday, April 14, 7:00 PM and Saturday, April 15, 1:30 PM at the Cambridge Multicultural Arts, 41 Second Street, East Cambridge.
Spring Dance Concert 2023 at Tufts University shares work by graduating students Jesse Akaa, James Elwell, William Huang, Chidilim Menakaya, Yosselin Perez Ascencio, Emma Sonnenblick, Cesar Urzua, Katelyn Young, Julia (Juju) Jaffe Zweifach and by Tufts faculty member Jenny Oliver. Friday, April 14, 7pm and Saturday, April 15, 3pm & 7pm (includes post-performance reception), at Jackson Dance Lab, 50 Talbot Avenue, Tufts Medford/Somerville campus.
Paul Taylor Dance Company returns to Boston under the leadership of former Taylor dancer Michael Novak, performing a delightful new commission from Amy Hall Garner alongside two of Paul Taylor’s beloved Company B and Brandenburgs, Friday, April 14 & Saturday, April 15 at 8 PM and Sunday, April 16 at 3 PM at the Boch Center Shubert Theatre.
DELving Mini-Workshop: Merce Cunningham & Blondell Cummings happens at Jacob’s Pillow on Saturday, April 15, 10 AM- 1 PM. This interactive movement workshop explores the work of postmodern choreographers Merce Cunningham and Blondell Cummings.Cunningham used the abstract concept of “chance” in his choreography and Cummings’ work centered around personal narrative drawing inspiration from “everyday movement.”
Dance the night away at Sammy’s “DJ SavSoul” OFFICIAL 45th Birthday Dance Party! at the Cambridge Foundry on Saturday April 15 starting at 4-7PM with a pre-party social gathering and 7-11PM for the party. This jubilee is hosted by Soul Rhythmics and will be musically programmed with the sounds of Deep-Soulful-Afro House music by DJs McKersin the Visionary, Househead Pete and SavSoul. Free before 9 PM and $10 after, must be 18+
The Northshore Swing Dance’s Annual Spring Formal reboots public swing dance nights in gorgeous Newburyport with a Shim Sham lesson, food and drinks and a lot more! All ages and abilities, singles, couples, and groups are enthusiastically welcomed – no experience necessary. Saturday, April 15, 4:30-10:30 PM at the Newburyport City Hall, 60 Pleasant Street.
Join the Cape Cod Ballroom Dancers for a fun evening, great music with DJ John Peters, a wonderful floor for dancing, and a lovely night out. Spring Fling happens Saturday, April 15, 7-10 PM at the Falmouth First Congregational Church, 68 Main St., Falmouth, MA.
Taking the Long View is shared evening show between Molissa Fenley and Pat Catterson. Both have had long careers as dancers and dance makers. As much as their work is different, they share a belief in the meaningfulness of dancing itself and the power of designed movement to change one’s perceptions. Saturday, April 15, 8:00 PM and Sunday, April 16, 7:00 PM at the Dance Complex in person and virtually.
Dance student Somer February choreographs and directs We Move, an original dance production featuring senior contemporary dance performance majors. Saturday, April 15, 8 PM at the Boston Conservatory Zack Box Theater, 8 Fenway, Boston.
JP Jitterbugs welcomes the swing band Manouche Urbain joined by Gio Albanese on accordion for an evening that recalls Django Reinhart, lindy hop, and balboa. This event includes lessons and open dancing. Masks are encouraged. Sunday, April 16, 6:30-9:45 PM at Spontaneous Celebrations, 45 Danforth Street in Jamaica Plain.
Boston Lyric Opera’s OMAR seeks male (cisgender or transgender) Black/African-American dancer to perform with a small group of dancers. Should have professional or semi-professional dance experience and be comfortable with acting as well as stage movement. As this production has premiered already the dancer will be cast to fit the existing costumes. Rehearsals between April 10 and April 26 On-Stage Tech/Dress Rehearsals on April 27-29 and May 1-2. Performances on May 4, 6 and 7. This position is hired and compensated as an independent contractor. Send an email with a photo, performance resume and basic costume measurements to auditions@blo.org with the Subject Line “Omar Dancer Casting.” Looking to hire immediately.
Looking for funds for your next dance film in either development, production, or post-production? Apply to the Dance Films Association’s Production Grant. Application deadline is May 9, 11:59 PM. Notifications will be sent out on June 19. Individual Membership to Dance Films Association is required to apply for the Production Grant. You can also check their website for information on DFA’s in-person Dance Film Lab in New York
Vermont Dance Alliance is hiring an Executive Director. The Executive Director will work with the Board of Directors in order to fulfill the organization’s mission, be responsible for the organization’s financial performance and viability, and ensure the organization’s mission and strategy are fulfilled through programming, community outreach, and organization operations. Option to work remotely to start, Vermont-based long term. Work part-time (10 hours/week) with salary of $10,000/year. Start date is June 1, 2023. Send resume/CV, cover letter and three references to vermontdancejobs@gmail.com. Applications close May 1.
The Artistic Athlete Health Collective is planning for their Movement Educator Symposium in the fall. They are currently seeking presenters. Submit your proposal by May 12.
Join the hip hop teacher training with John Comix Barrella. Open to anyone interested in expanding their knowledge, repertoire & teaching curriculum. Tuesday, August 1, 5:00-7:30 PM at the Ohana School of Performing Arts, 41 Sheridan Street, Chicopee, MA.
This summer PANDA LABS return for 2 10-day long immersions into performance and dance development. PANDA [Performance And New Dance Arrivals] LABS are some of the longest programs offered at the Field Center in Vermont and they are deep dives into living with one another as artists while training daily with established teachers in the field. Daily classes are punctuated by swims in the river, saunas, fresh food from our gardens, long naps in the library, field trips and performances at night. Limited to 28 people per session, tiered pricing, camping options, work exchange spots and scholarships available. Registration opens April 15.
As our thoughts turn to spring planting, we can be inspired by the ancient tradition of the Korean farmer drum dance, nongak (pronounced NOHNG-ock) .
This year there will be a full dinner buffet as well as the great performances, talks (with ASL interpretation), and camaraderie you’ve come to expect. Early bird pricing is still in effect so get your tickets now!
Enjoy the spring sunshine!
__________
Debra Cash, Executive Director