Hello BDA Community,
As Thanksgiving approaches we at Boston Dance Alliance want to express our gratitude to the 150+ BDA members.
Whether you consider yourself a recreational or a professional dancer, a dance leader holding space for or providing goods & services to dancers, or simply an individual supporter of dance, we appreciate each of your unique & valuable contributions to the local dance community. We are proud to support your individual success, which helps dance to flourish in Boston & beyond.
In addition to good food & fun in the company of friends & family this Thanksgiving, we hope you find time to enjoy one of the many dance opportunities highlighted in this week’s newsletter.
With gratitude,
Aaron Myers, Executive Director
The new Doris Duke Theatre will open its doors in July 2025. This new “living lab for the future of dance” will become one of the most technologically advanced theaters in the world dedicated to dance, providing a space for artists seeking to integrate artificial intelligence, extended reality, robotics, and immersive platforms into live performance.
Jacob’s Pillow also announced the six inaugural artists: Andrew Schneider, Elle Sofe Company, Eun-Me Ahn, Faye Driscoll, Huang Yi and Shamel Pitts | TRIBE. Congratulations to the selected artists!
Urbanity Dance has announced that Anmol Mehra is retiring as Chair of the Board of Directors after 13 years of dedicated service and transformative leadership. Kristin LaRoche, a Board member since 2019 and a respected leader in the nonprofit sector, has been elected as his successor.
Mehra, a long-time resident of Boston’s South End, was first introduced to Urbanity Dance’s founder, Betsi Graves, in 2010. Throughout the following decade, Graves and Mehra together built a business model for Urbanity Dance to support its mission of making dance education and performance more inclusive and accessible to everyone and ultimately growing the organization to 20 times its operating budget and programmatic impact.
We at BDA extend our congratulations to Anmol Mehra on his retirement and to Kristin LaRoche on her new role.
BDA Member Events This Week
Gianni di Marco leads a special Thanksgiving open class with pianist Wen-Ting Ong at Northeast Arts. Enjoy cookies and coffee afterwards. Thursday, November 28, 10 AM, at 85 Seaverns Ave., Jamaica Plain.
FREE! – Join the Click in an informal showing of Feel Show Tell. This free workshop series leads to a final performance to enhance emotional awareness, supports mindfulness and celebrates embodied creativity. Community members are invited to join professional contemporary dancer artists in a workshop and performance experience that centers emotional safety and self awareness. Sunday, December 1, 6 PM at the Human Movement Lab, 98 Business St., Unit 1B, Hyde Park, Boston.
A community barn dance includes dances in circles, squares, and lines – the dancing is both easy and fun! Dances are led by a caller, who teaches every dance. It’s a community event – dancers of every age are welcome; singles, couples, and families. The next Arlington Community Barn Dance is on Sunday, December 1, (and first Sunday of each month through May) 3-5 PM at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 74 Pleasant Street, Arlington. Suggested contribution $10, $25 family maximum . Questions: jacob@jacobbloom.net or call 781-526-4721
FREE! – To commemorate International Day of Persons with Disabilities the OFA Dance Program in partnership with Harvard Art Museums and (snobs__) presents ON DISPLAY HARVARD 2024, a brief, one-hour movement installation in slowness and stillness performed by students and community members in the Calderwood Courtyard. December 3, 12-1 PM, Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge.
Boston Ballet‘s The Nutcracker runs this Friday, November 29 through December 29 at the Citizens Opera House, 539 Washington St, Boston. The Nutcracker features the full Company, Boston Ballet II dancers, and Boston Ballet School students. The 44-performance run will feature many dancer debuts in new roles, showcasing the vast talent within the Company and providing many opportunities for dancers to shine in various roles. Tickets: $25-$300. For more information, visit bostonballet.org or call 617.695.6955.
The Grand Kyiv Ballet presents The Nutcracker on an unforgettable journey into a world of dreams, magic and triumph over evil. The Grand Kyiv Ballet, including the most prestigious Ballet dancers from Ukraine, invites you to a heartwarming experience. Friday, November 29, 7 PM at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston Street, Boston. The Grand Kyiv Ballet will also present The Snow Queen, adapted from Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved fairy tale that inspired Disney’s Frozen. Set to the melodies of composers such as Edvard Grieg, Jules Massenet, Mozart, and Vivaldi, this heartwarming tale will bring an evening of unforgettable joy for all ages. Saturday, November 30, 7 PM.at the Emerson Colonial Theatre. Tickets: $39-$154.
FREE! – Urban Nutcracker performs at festive events this week! Catch them at the Roslindale Tree Lighting. Saturday, November 30, 4 PM at Adams Park, Roslindale. They will also perform at the Anderson Tree Lighting. Sunday, December 1, 3 PM, at Logan Square, Hyde Park.
Dance Prism Ballet presents The Nutcracker across MA. Picture this: swirling snowflakes, thrilling sword fights, and a majestic Christmas tree that soars to the heavens. This beloved classic promises to mesmerize audiences of all ages! Their production runs Sunday, December 1 through Sunday, December 22 in various locations including Sudbury, Andover, Fall River, Worcester and more! Tickets: $34-$47.