Invigorating and expanding New Haven’s contemporary dance scene November 2013


On November 15th and 16th, Elm City Dance Collective will present Elm City Dance Festival at Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School, 177 College Street, in downtown New Haven. The festival will commence with an improvisation jam, where every body is welcome to dance, on November 15th, 7-9PM. Two professional level master classes will be offered on the morning of November 16th, 9-12PM. ECDF will culminate in a performance showcasing the work of contemporary dance artists from all over the Northeast on November 16th, 7:30PM.

The Elm City Dance Festival aims to invigorate and expand the contemporary dance community in New Haven. Formerly Rebound Dance Festival, ECDF enlivens this mission by offering high-quality educational experiences and professional performance opportunities to dancers and audience members alike. EDCF upholds Rebound’s tradition of kicking off the two-day event with a dance jam for both movers and non-movers. Those interested in an open and exciting movement experience are encouraged to attend the Friday evening jam, $10 suggested donation.

Intermediate-advanced level contemporary master classes will be offered back-to-back on Saturday morning of the festival. Hartford-based dance artist Leslie Frye-Maietta will teach the first class from 9-10:30AM. Megan Bascom, a New York-based artist, will teach the second master class, 10:30AM-12PM. Classes are $17 for one or $30 for two.

The Saturday evening performance will feature the rich and diverse work of Megan Bascom and Dancers, Charli Brissey/Maeko Productions, Ali Kenner Brodsky, Tara Lee Burns, Deborah Dunn performed by Pamela Newell, Rebecca Moore and Mercedes Searer. These artists have been selected from a pool of local, regional and national applicants by a panel of neutral and established artists, arts administrators, and community members. Elm City Dance Collective will also present two choreographic works by artistic directors Lindsey Bauer and Kellie Lynch, both created in collaboration with the dancers. General admission tickets are $20, $15 for students, seniors and groups of six or more purchasing in advance, and $10 for high school students. Tickets are on sale now!

Please visit elmcitydance.org to purchase tickets and find more information about the festival.

The New England dance community is deeply saddened by the loss of the great Bette Ann Rossi. A legendary dancer, teacher, mother, and woman, who has touched hundreds, if not thousands, of lives with her knowledge, spirit, and incredible sense of humor. Through her teaching, the love of dance lives on in all of her students, many of whom have gone on to enjoy professional careers in dance.

ROSSI, BETTE-ANN, 56 of Johnston, RI passed away peacefully surrounded by family in August 9, 2013. She is survived by her two daughters, Alli and Victoria, and her husband Steven. She is the daughter of Vincent and the late Elizabeth Monti and sister to Susan Monti and the late Linda Lapierre. Bette-Ann was the owner and operator of Atwood Performing Arts Center for 36 years. She helped to inspire and shape the lives of so many, both in and out of the dance studio. Her legacy is sure to live on.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to The Bette-Ann Rossi Memorial Fund c/o APAC, 60 Walnut Grove Ave., Cranston, RI 02920.

Calling hours TUESDAY August 13, 2013 4-7 p.m. in "WOODLAWN" Funeral Home 600 Pontiac Avenue Cranston. Burial will be private. www.WoodlawnGattone.com

The Rite of Spring Turns 100 in Rhode Island! The events include; a film screening of Riot at the Rite-a BBC documentary/drama detailing the events leading up to and including the 1913 Paris debut and a series of incredible panel discussions and master classes with special guests including:


Esteemed dance critic of the Village Voice, Deborah Jowitt

Dr. Mary Davis, Dean of Graduate Studies, Fashion Institute of Technology

Dana Gooley, Professor of Music, Brown University

Dr. Marilyn Kushner, Curator at the New York Historical Society

Tamara Levitz, Professor of Musicology, UCLA

Ballet Masters from the Joffrey Ballet and Joffrey Artistic Director Ashley Wheater


This link details all of the programs, panelist’s bios and ticket info: http://www.firstworks.org/firstworks-pages/firstworks-programs-riteofspring.php


This link takes you to the Master Class registration: https://firstworks.secure.force.com/ticket


Of course, don't miss the Joffrey Ballet performing The Rite of Spring Tuesday March 19 at 7:30PM

Nash, Deborah A., 62, of Exeter, passed away November 16th , 2012 at her home with her husband and members of her immediate family at her side. She was the beloved wife of David Dougher. Born in Crystal Lake, Ohio, her family moved to Columbus, Ohio and Orono, Maine before finally settling in Kingston, Rhode Island. She was the eldest daughter of Charles and Frances (Agar) Nash.She was a graduate of South Kingstown High School and the University of Rhode Island. In her early career she championed women's rights and was asked by the authors, G. Kass-Simon and Patricia Farnes to be the Associate Editor of "Women of Science - Righting the Record." Considered a seminal work in the women's movement, it has remained in print since its initial publication in 1990, and continues to be used as a textbook by colleges and universities. An avid reader and writer, herself, she continued to assist others with their work. Her final editing project was for the just released young adult novel, "The Marble Game", by Sarah Sloane. The book was dedicated to her by the author. Her interest in writing led her to publish her own poetry and the hobby of creating miniature books. She created several books, with each double sided page being smaller than a postage stamp. Many included carefully reduced illustrations. Deborah was an ardent believer in animal rights and a strict vegetarian. She was an accomplished equestrian and engaged in many outdoor sports including ice skating, swimming, hiking, biking, and kayaking. She worked for a period of time in the corporate travel industry, specializing in complicated travel itineraries for business professionals, and travelled widely herself. In 1990 she left corporate work and turned her interest to dance. It was a transformative experience. She trained as a ballroom dance instructor at Paris Academy in Massachusetts and went on to create riDance.com, one of the largest dance websites in the country. She focused on older adult students, believing that too much attention was being directed to young and competitive dancers. She worked constantly to improve her teaching technique and taught hundreds of couples and individuals in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. She never stopped her own education, and loved all kinds of dance. She took dozens of classes from experts in jazz, tap, hip hop, ballet, lindy, and blues dance, as well as regular training to improve her understanding of ballroom technique. Recognized by her peers for her work on riDance.com and the dance field in general, she was elected to be President of Dance Alliance, the Rhode Island organization representing the interests of the professional dance community from 2004 to 2009. She was a frequent attendee of dance events: high school recitals, college performances, ballroom events such as K&S and Dancing Feeling, modern performances by Fusionworks, and classical performances by the Providence Ballet. She would promote these events and often personally review them on the website to give them additional exposure. Besides her husband and parents, she leaves two brothers, Jonathan Nash and Eric Nash; and a sister, Susan Nash, and many, many friends from all walks of life.A Graveside Service will be held Saturday, 11:00 am December 1st 2012 at New Fernwood Cemetery, Kingstown Road, Kingston.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Dance Alliance Scholarship Fund,P.O. Box 372, East Greenwich, RI 02818 or Farm Sanctuary at http://www.farmsanctuary.org/ would be appreciated. For information and condolences visit: www.FaganQuinnFuneralHome.com. Fagan-Quinn Funeral Home 401-295-5603There will be a reception at the Busy Bodies Dance Studio, in Wakefield, RI after the graveside service for those who are interested.

This winter, Urban Coastal Dance Project will be presenting Aquatic Parallels at AS220's 95 Empire Black Box Theatre on December 6th, 7th, & 8th. A cutting edge, full length program that illustrates the intricate similarities between body systems and aquatic environments. We are a group of dancers and musicians creating work rooted in our connection to the natural world. We began working together in the spring of 2012 and have kept a stream of creative ideas, musical compositions and new choreography going and flowing ever since. We look forward to bringing a new spin on contemporary dance to the beautiful city of Providence, Rhode Island. How can you help? We need support specifically to pay the artists, technicians, theatre/rental spaces and marketing costs.
Visit our project URL directly at:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1068813026/aquatic-parallels to support our growing project that is rooted in the arts and creatively raising awareness for environmental responsibility. Any amount helps! When you make a donation, you will receive a reward. You can see the list of rewards on the right hand side of the project page. Choose one today! Thank you for supporting Urban Coastal Dance!

This one day master class is an exciting opportunity to dance with Rhode Island based dancer/choreographer Melody Ruffin Ward. The 90 minute class will be focused in intermediate/advanced modern dance technique that is anchored in Melody’s love of spacious phrasing.
$10 - $15 sliding scale

Come join us!

Poet Tim Seibles describes Melody Ruffin Ward’s work in choreography and dance as having “the physical capacity to articulate the delights and lyrical mysteries of being human.” A graduate of Spelman College with a B.A. in English and Education with an M.F.A. from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Ward currently teaches at Roger Williams University as an Associate Professor with the school’s Dance and Performance Studies program. Ward is the founder of “The Turning House Project” which grew from her reflections on interacting in the world as an artist and is involved with The Bell House as a guest artist (www.bellhousearts.org).

Melody reflects, "My work is focused on movement that is gestural and based in a love for spacious phrases that are rooted in the earth. I love the conversations that happen with bodies in classroom settings. In this space I think of it as me and the dancers in a lab finding answers in our bodies while being transformed physically."

Location: The dance studio at 95 Empire (formally Perishable Theatre)
95 Empire Street, Downtown Providence. 3rd floor.
Facebook event link: http://www.facebook.com/events/450591388289697/

Featuring performances by: Andrew Nemr, Rocky Mendes, and Brian Jones. Lots of opportunities for EVERYONE to dance--bring your tap shoes!

Time: 3-6PM

Location: The Roots Cafe, 276 Westminster St, Downtown Providence

Tickets: $15 in advance (call MJDC 401-521-6226 or email
mjdcdance@gmail.com)
$20 at the door
Cash/checks only

Date: Saturday, May 5, 2012

Time: 1:30PM

Location: Providence College, in the Smith Center for the Performing Arts

Fees: Free to PC students. Only $5 for DA members and their students. $15 for non-members (sign up to become a member and $10 will be applied to your membership dues!)

DA membership meeting to follow the class. Everyone is welcome!

For more information please contact Tovah Bodner Muro, President of Dance Alliance of RI
Email: president@ridancealliance.org
Phone:401-497-2101


Sponsored by RI Dance Alliance and Providence College Dept of Theatre, Dance, and Film.

Date: DECEMBER 3rd, 2011 (Saturday)

Time: OLD HOLLYWOOD TAP workshop with Brian Jones (2-3pm)
Dance Alliance Meeting3:15- immediately following
class.

Location: Providence College, in the Smith Centre for the
Performing Arts

Fees: The workshop is only $5 for members and their
students ($15 for non members, but can apply $10 of
that fee to a new membership!)

For more information please contact Tovah Bodner Muro, President of Dance Alliance of RI
Email: president@ridancealliance.org
Phone:401-497-2101


Sponsored by RI Dance Alliance and Providence College Dept of Theatre, Dance, and Film.

Sunday, October 2nd,
2:30 — 3:45pm
$5 DA members $15 Non members
JMW ARTS HIGH SCHOOL
DANCE STUDIO
350 Division St. Pawtucket, RI 02910
Entrance on Ashton St.

<<<<<<<CHECK OUT OUR VIDEO FROM THIS GREAT WORKSHOP!

Erika Damiani has won Nationals in 2010 and 2011 through the American Association of Irish Dance Teachers and North American Irish Dance Federation, and has danced her way to Prizewinner level. She has experience in teaching classes with students age 3 through adults. Ms. Damiani has choreographed her own dances and is proficient in teaching both modern Irish dance and traditional ceili dances and aspires keep the tradition of Irish dance alive.


For more information please contact Tovah Bodner Muro, President of Dance Alliance of RI
Email: president@ridancealliance.org
Phone:401-497-2101


Sponsored by RI Dance Alliance and JMW High School for the Performing &amp; Visual Arts

Project Ballet Coffee Hour is a four-series, family friendly event that
takes place in the Company’s 53-year-old historic ballet studio in
Lincoln.

Saturday, March 19, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011

Reservation is required due to limited seating.
Phone: 401.334.2560 or via email at info@stateballet.com
Visit the ballet’s website at
www.stateballet.com/sbri/projectballet/coffeehour.php

A “Project Ballet in Education” Free Event.
52 Sherman Ave. Lincoln, RI
Light refreshments included

Sponsored in part by:
Farm Family-Owned, Cabot Cheese of VT &
Newport Coffee Traders, Gourmet Coffee