Hello BDA Friends,
I’m honored to become the interim Executive Director for Boston Dance Alliance (BDA) and to be working alongside a dedicated group of staff & Board members to increase access to dance, build dance audiences, and support dancers’ success.
While I’m serving on a part-time basis (Mondays-Thursdays from 9am-12pm) through May 2024, I’m keen to ensure continuity in and improvements to the organization’s services to Greater Boston’s dance community.
As BDA approaches its 30th anniversary, our aim is to evolve our support to better serve you and will be seeking your input on how we do even more in 2024 when it comes to programs, infrastructure and information on dance.
In the meantime, please consider donating to BDA this holiday season. Your support helps to sustain the vibrancy of our dance community in all of its diversity. Click here to donate today.
Thank you,
Aaron Myers, Interim Executive Director
BDA Member Events This Week
Urbanity hosts a week-long series of workshops this week. With a variety of classes lead by an all-star roster, Winter Wonder Week has a high-quality class for everyone. These classes are designed as “drop-in” for ages 17+. Registration is $20/class. Advanced registration is required; non-cash payments only. Monday, December 11-Thursday, December 14, 7:30-9:00 PM at Urbanity Central, 725 Harrison Ave. #100, Boston.
Anthony Williams‘ Urban Nutcracker — the modern, Boston-centric, holiday classic presented by City Ballet of Boston — returns to the Boch Center Shubert Theatre. This production celebrates the city with winter scenes set in present-day downtown Boston, and blending the rhythms of Duke Ellington with the classical music of Tchaikovsky. Anchored by classical ballet, the performances include a broad range of dance forms such as tap, hip hop, flamenco and jazz accompanied by an eight-piece live orchestra of local musicians. Saturday, December 16-Saturday, December 23, 270 Tremont Street, Boston. Tickets: $29-$125
Kristin Wagner’s “For you, I dream of me” explores the darker side of fairy tales, where lore and myth meet themes of love, sacrifice, and violence. Stories centering women in various cultures and traditions around the world underscore how female characters and the feminine experience are depicted. The show dissects the myths and how we can do better…giving women agency and active roles in their stories. The production is recommended for age 14+; mature themes are explored. Viewer discretion is advised. Friday, December 15 & Saturday, December 16, 8 PM at the BrickBox Theater, 20 Franklin Street, Worcester. Tickets: $19-$33.
“For Nina,” a thank-you letter to the incomparable Nina Simone for the work she has done, and a reflection on the lineage of artists she inspired, celebrates her songs through dance by Victoria Lynn Awkward, vocals by Desiré Graham, piano by Hua Ye (Jane), lighting design by Elmer Martinez, and sets by Mikayla Williams. Performance includes guest youth dancers. Saturday, December 16, 8-10 PM at the Multicultural Arts Center, 41 Second Street, Cambridge. Tickets: $35
In “qUaRtEr LiFe cRiSiS,” by Miranda Lawson, audiences go on a rollercoaster ride through the ups and downs of young adulthood. Blending dance and stand-up, Lawson explores life’s great questions and shares her own experiences. Friday, December 15, 8-10 PM at the Multicultural Arts Center, 41 Second Street, Cambridge. Tickets: $35
Bosoma’s Holiday Spectacular features a festive lineup of wintery, holiday themed tunes to inspire nostalgic memories. Saturday, December 16, 6 PM & Sunday, December 17, 2 PM at the Shore Country Day School, 545 Cabot Street, Beverly. Tickets: $20-$35
The Circus Up 2023 Benefit showcases its community troupe, Kirkos, as well as beloved local circus artists and dancers. features treats and refreshments, a raffle, and a live performance. Saturday, December 16, 7 PM at the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave #1c, Somerville. Tickets: $10-$100
Jackie Bowden teaches a Contemporary Dance Workshop. Class begin with warm-ups to build heat and strength, followed by stretching and choreography. While geared toward experienced dancers, all levels are welcome. Sunday, December 17, 6-7 PM, at Seacoast Stilletos, 47 Newbury St, Peabody. Registration $20
Open Call for #HELLABLACK Live Mixtape Vol. 6! The Boston Center for the Arts seeks rising artists from the Black, African, African American, Afro Caribbean and Afro Latin diasporas for a show curated by Amanda Shea on April 8, 2024 at the historic BCA Cyclorama. Singers, rappers, poets, dancers, musicians, and interdisciplinary artists local to Boston or the Boston metro area are invited to apply. Artists should be prepared to present a 10–12 minute performance-based set and attend all performances/sound checks/rehearsals. BCA will provide stipends for individual artists and/or groups, green room and dressing room space, access to rehearsal space at BCA before the show date and basic lighting and sound. Apply by January 7, 2024. Notification: January 29, 2024
Rose Woods Dance Collaborative seeks one or two dancers/performance artists to dive into the world of children’s story books by iconic Jewish authors in an evening-length production at the Maine Jewish Museum in Portland on Sunday, April 7, 2024. Artists of Jewish backgrounds and those of all gender and races are strongly encouraged to apply. Seeking artists excited to indulge in child-like whimsy and tap into their unserious sides. Dancers will be paid equally at the end of the project based on total donations and crowd sourcing. Must be available Wednesday nights (7-9 PM) from January-April. Apply by December 20. Callback audition will take place at the first rehearsal on January 3, 2024.
Between the new initiatives and the classic holiday shows, this week is filled with dance to makes us all merry and bright! Give the gift of dance by supporting BDA! Make a donation in honor of your favorite dancer and we’ll send a card letting them know. Just enter their name and address/email in the comments box at bostondancealliance.org/donate.
Thanks for helping to support BDA’s mission of increasing access to dance, building dance audiences, and advocating for our artform.
Warmly,
Carmen S. Rizzo, Membership and Operations Associate
Contemporary Ballet Dancers Wanted! The School at Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Ballet Program gives dancers at early-career/company-ready levels a chance to live & work alongside Jacob’s Pillow’s international artist community, discover their artistic growth, and envision the possibilities that exist within a professional dance career. Program runs from June 18–July 30, 2024 with Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Silas Farley, Anitra Keegan, Noah Gelber, & Festival Artists. The priority deadline for applications is January 29.
Midday Movement Series (“MIDDAY”) launches Rough Drafts, a process-focused program that addresses the needs of underdeveloped work by offering a platform supporting early-career (1-4 years) and mid-career (4-10 year) contemporary dance makers to deepen their choreography through a three-part approach. Up to six artists/companies will be selected to participate in this pilot program. All program components (classes, showings, and final showcase) take place at Arrow Street Arts, 2 Arrow St, Cambridge MA. Pending funding, program artists will receive high-quality photos and video from the final showcases to use for promotional materials, grant applications, and more. Application Deadline: December 29, 11:59 PM.