Dance Complex - Programs

Programs

Unique to the Dance Complex is the approach to and realization of programs. The ideas for programs come from within the community, addressing needs and creating opportunities. With each of our programs, the Dance Complex has been able to give riches back to the community, revitalizing the neighborhood and welcoming people from all economic, social and ethnic backgrounds. The Dance Complex has developed and deepened relationships with local businesses, the school system, artists, and government departments. These collaborations enhance not only the Dance Complex but also the strength of the community by providing accessible, quality artistic work and opportunities for local artists.

DanceMonth at The Complex

DanceMonth in the Schools

Shared Choreographers' Concerts

Dance Complex Open House

Workstudy Program

Other Programs

DanceMonth at The Complex - May is DanceMonth 2008- 15th Anniversary!

May 2008 is the 15th Anniversary of the DanceMonth celebrations! The enitre month of May is DanceMonth in Cambridge. DanceMonth is a citywide celebration of the movement arts in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Neither a festival nor a showcase, it is a way to focus on the richness of dance that is already an intrinsic part of our lives. The first DanceMonth began on the steps of City Hall in May 1993. Mayor Reeves read from the leather-bound document, officially proclaiming May to be DanceMonth in Cambridge. Massachusetts Avenue was closed to traffic between City Hall and the Dance Complex so everyone could dance down the street from City Hall to the party at 536 Massachusetts Avenue. Now in its 15th year, DanceMonth is still DanceMonth, only more....For more information & a full DanceMonth schedule visit www.DanceMonth.com.

DanceMonth Kick Off Party - First Saturday, May 3rd, 8pm-11pm: Mayor Denise Simmons and dancer Rozann Kraus will proudly host the 15th annual Kickoff Party to inaugurate DanceMonth'08, the month long, city-wide celebration of the movement arts that has become the official heralding of Spring in Cambridge. Starting at 8:00pm on Saturday, 3 May, Stan Strickland, Jerry Bussiere and Friends will fill the night with their impossible to resist dance music. The only break from dancing will be the official presentation of Cambridge City Council's DanceMonth proclamation and the awarding of this year's Dance Belt award. Delicious food provided by the International Restaurants of Central Square and the infamous cash 'Barre' of non-alcoholic beverages will keep everyone boppin' and buying raffle tickets for amazing gifts. Money from the sale of raffle tickets goes to support DanceMonth, DanceMonth in the Schools, the Tuesdays@Noon Concert Series and Dance Distractions. Dance Distractions are those much enjoyed, eagerly anticipated (or winced at) spontaneous eruptions of movement frolic, especially in a barely appropriate or choreographically challenged locale.

DanceMonth Tuesdays@Noon Concet Series - 12Noon - 1pm: May 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th - Four Tuesdays in May...Especially for the 9-to-5 crowd, the Tuesdays@Noon series at the Complex offers performances and luncheons during the lunch hour. Visit our Peformance Page for the show schedule and details.

DanceMonth Open House - FREE 20-min mini-classes - Sunday, May 11th, 1-5PM- As is tradition, The Dance Complex serves as the epicenter of DanceMonth activities offering a variety of programming only the Complex can boast. The Dance Complex offers a day of free classes as part of our DanceMonth Open House. Experience the rich diversity of dance that the Complex has to offer, FREE OF CHARGE: 20-minute mini-classes from Flamenco to Jazz, Hip-Hop to Kathak, African to Modern. Schedule for the May 2008 Open House:

1:00 - Ramon de los Reyes - Flamenco
1:20 - Dennis Goldsmith - Kick Boxing
1:40 - Carl Alleyne - Hip Hop
2:00 - Gretchen Hayden - Kathak (Indian)
2:20 - Rozann Kraus - Easy Modern
2:40 - Derrick Davis - Jazz Funk
3:00 - Danny Swain - Modern
3:20 - Anita Hevel - Modern Jazz
3:40 - AnaLinda Marcus - Tango
4:00 - Fatou N'Diaye - West African

DanceMonth Dance Distractions- An outbreak of movement in an unusual or choreographically challenged location; especially in the case of a spontaneous frolic evoking a joyous response. For more information & a schedule visit www.DanceMonth.com.

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DanceMonth in the Schools

May is DanceMonth throughout the city of Cambridge! Every May The Dance Complex facilitates DanceMonth in the Schools as part of our month-long schedule of DanceMonth events. This program encourages dance appreciation and learning for children and teens through classes taught by local artists in the public schools of Cambridge. If you are interested in bringing DanceMonth in the Schools to your school in 2007 or you are interested in teaching classes please contact Erica Sigal at 617.254.4809 or email ericasigal@gmail.com.

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Shared Choreographers' Concerts

Held three times each year, this program provides an opportunity for new and developing artists to have their work produced in concert with their peers. Mentors provide guidance and feedback for the choreographers, dancers and producers from the first showing of an idea through, and beyond, the performances. It is also a vehicle for learning all aspects of producing, publicizing, designing, budgeting and documenting a concert; two dancers share these production responsibilities, under the guidance of the program mentor. These concerts are an extension of the learning process. Outside an academic program, artists often lack the supportive feedback and nurturing that is so crucial to their growth. A discussion with the audience follows each concert, providing an educational enrichment for all involved and a proven way of building an informed and committed following.

Spring 2008 Shared Choreographers' Concert

WAVELENGTHS APART

Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10,2008 8 pm
The Julie Ince Thompson Theatre at
The Dance Complex
536 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge
$9/reservations suggested: 617.547.9363

As part of the 15th annual celebration of DanceMonth, The Dance Complex presents a performance of exciting new works in its Shared Choreographers' Concert series. Wavelengths Apart, May 9 and 10, is the latest varied program of works in the SCC series, created by talented choreographers from the greater Boston area.

This May's program features provocative solos and group pieces by an eclectic group of New England-based choreographers and dancers. From Harvard University's dance department, dancer Jodi Leigh Allen will perform a piece choreographed by Joshua Legg. Ballet dancer Kira Seamon will perform her new solo inspired by the novel and film, Memoirs of a Geisha. There will also be works by Kee Chin, Lynn Frederiksen and others.

Held three times each year, the Shared Choreographers' Concert program provides an opportunity for new and developing artists to have theirwork produced in concert with their peers. Mentors provide guidance and feedback for the choreographers, dancers and producers from the first showing of an idea through, and beyond, the performances.

Producers for this event are Joanne Kim and Samantha Wilson. Mentors for this concert are Brian Crabtree and Alissa Cardone. The program is overseen by Rozann Kraus. A question and answer session with the artists follows each performance.

All tickets are $9; please call (617)547-9363 to make a reservation. The Dance Complex is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. [A limited number of complimentary tickets are available for the Press. Please contact co-producer Samantha Wilson at (781) 424-1822 for more details.]

Need more information about how to apply to the SCC or the program? See below...

Here's how it works:

In order participate in the SCC, please submit a written description of your proposed piece by the proposal deadline. This description should include important information about your idea such as number of dancers, movement style, concepts, music, props, goals, etc.; please be as specific as you can. Be sure to include your phone number and email address. Finished dances can be up to 10 minutes long. Preference is given to never-performed pieces and to choreographers who have not recently participated in previous SCC productions. After the proposal deadline, the producers will call you to give you a showing time (if you or your dancers have any REAL time constraints, say so in your proposal). For each showing, there is usually 20 minutes to perform what there is of the dance and get feedback from the mentors. The producers will notify everyone within 2 days re: whether their piece is in this concert, not in this concert, or a maybe. If you are selected, in addition to getting produced in a concert, you get a $40 honorarium and 6 free hours of rehearsal at the Dance Complex. At the 2nd showing, which is closer to the concert date, it is expected your dance will have evolved and is another time for mentor feedback. If you're not chosen this time, there are 3 Shared Choreographers' Concerts each year. Producers are allowed to show a dance, too. Proposals should placed in the SCC mailbox located in the DC lobby or mailed to: The Dance Complex, 536 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 ATTN: Shared Choreographers' Concert.

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NEXT DANCE COMPLEX OPEN HOUSE: Sunday, May 11th, 1-5PM, part of DanceMonth 2008!

Twice a year, The Dance Complex offers a day of free classes. Experience the rich diversity of dance that the Complex has to offer, FREE OF CHARGE: 20-minute mini-classes from Flamenco to Jazz, Hip-Hop to Kathak, African to Modern. The next Open House will be May 11th, 1:00-5:00pm, as part of DanceMonth at the Complex. Schedule for the May 2008 Open House:

1:00 - Ramon de los Reyes - Flamenco
1:20 - Dennis Goldsmith - Kick Boxing
1:40 - Carl Alleyne - Hip Hop
2:00 - Gretchen Hayden - Kathak (Indian)
2:20 - Rozann Kraus - Easy Modern
2:40 - Derrick Davis - Jazz Funk
3:00 - Danny Swain - Modern
3:20 - Anita Hevel - Modern Jazz
3:40 - AnaLinda Marcus - Tango
4:00 - Fatou N'Diaye - West African

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WorkStudy Program

The Dance Complex is volunteer-based and artist-run. WorkStudy Program Members barter their time in exchange for Workstudy slips. These slips can be applied towards classes or rehearsal time (they have no cash value). More importantly, WorkStudy program members garner a close connection to the dance family of the Cambridge and Greater Boston area.

For every one (1) hour worked, the WorkStudy member receives one (1) WorkStudy slip.
Members who work an opening or closing shift receive three (3) slips per shift.
Each WorkStudy slip may be redeemed for one (1) class or towards one (1) hour of studio time for rehearsal.

Anyone who is interested in becoming involved in the WorkStudy Program is encouraged to apply! Apply in person by asking for an application from the WorkStudy Member at the front desk of the Dance Complex.

If you have any questions please contact the WorkStudy Coordinator at 617.547.9363 X11.

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Read/Dance

NOTICE: THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO LOSS OF FUNDING.

A collaborative project with the Cambridge Public Library System, it incorporates the school curriculum during the school year and the Summer Reading theme during the Summer to provide movement/reading workshops at each of the Cambridge Public Libraries. Children learn to read choreography; to understand movement as reflections of ideas and emotions; to explore ideas through their bodies and to create their own stories in more than one way. Using familiar books, stories, words and images, dance and the process of dance making become familiar and comfortable. As children explore stories and literary ideas through movement, they begin to explore their own ideas and emotions, telling their own stories through dance.