rasta thomas

The DREAM Celebration

June 4, 2013 by 4dancers

by Ashley David

Michaela DePrince; Photo by XMB Photography

As a native of Maryland and a dancer since the age of three, I am certainly not a newbie when it comes to going to seeing dance performances in the area—especially Washington D.C. However, D.C. is not always the first city to be regarded as a hub for dance in the U.S. While I beg to differ, I can see how high profile cities such as New York or Los Angeles steal the dancing spotlight. With that said, one performance in early May changed mine, and I’m sure many other D.C. dance viewers’ opinions on what D.C. can bring to the table for the dancing world.

This incredible show was The DREAM Celebration, held in the Historic Lincoln Theatre on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5, 2013. Presented by CityDance, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and co-produced by Rasta Thomas, the program delivered sought after, high quality professional talents from around the nation. Above all, the show was a benefit for CityDance’s DREAM program, which provides free after-school programming to hundreds of D.C. elementary school students. A 2013 Finalist for the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, the CityDance DREAM program has been established for eight years and is expanding to the critical middle and high school years to provide more serious training and performance opportunities for students interested in continuing their dance education. CityDance even took the DREAM students on a field trip to see the Saturday night show and invited them on stage to perform as the finale.

Dana Pajarilla; Photo by XMB Photography — CityDance Conservatory Dancer; Photography by XMB

Their performance came after such artists and companies as Rasta Thomas (Bad Boys of Dance), tap sensation Dorrance Dance (2013 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award Winner), Clifton Brown (Lar Lubovitch) and Michaela DePrince (Dance Theatre of Harlem). The list most certainly does not end there as the Lombard Twins, Cartier Williams and Adrienne Canterna all performed, as well as dancers from American Ballet Theatre, Lar Lubovitch, the Orlando Ballet, Washington Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theatre, KGP and Ballet X. In addition, CityDance again incorporated its own students into the show through two performances from CityDance Conservatory students. The first, Youth America Grand Prix 2012 Philadelphia Semi-Finals Junior Grand Prix Winner, Larisa Nugent, wowed the audience with Aurora Variation from Sleeping Beauty. Next, CityDance Conservatory Students turned up the energy with Carnaval, choreographed by emerging D.C. artist and CityDance Faculty, Robert J. Priore (Company E).

In a recent Huffington Post article by Caroline Gerdes, CityDance Executive Director Alexe Nowakowski hits the nail on the head when she states, “I don’t know of any other events in recent history where we had this many dance artists of this caliber in Washington, D.C. this accessible and affordable.” While I did of course feel blown away by the DREAM Celebration, my favorite moments were when non-dance audience members expressed the same sentiments. The lobby was abuzz after the show with many people in awe of the talented dancers and performers and as far as I could hear, not a bad comment was said.

Bravo to CityDance for conceptualizing this performance as well as to the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities and Rasta Thomas for their support. If you are in the D.C. area anytime this year, look out for an anticipated 2013-2014 performance season through a partnership between CityDance OnStage and Washington Performing Arts Society. Companies such as Dance Theatre of Harlem, Koresh Dance Company and Momix are scheduled to perform!

Never Stand Still – A Jacob’s Pillow Documentary

August 14, 2012 by 4dancers

by Catherine L. Tully

Never Stand Still is a documentary about Jacob’s Pillow, home of the longest-running international dance festival in the United States. Affectionately dubbed “The Pillow,” this national historic landmark has a complex and fascinating history which is illuminated quite well by Director Ron Honsa through a combination of historical photographs, videos and narrative. Interviews with dance luminaries such as Merce Cunningham, Mark Morris, Judith Jamison and Paul Taylor punctuate the documentary with interesting anecdotes and observations from their own work, adding to the breadth and depth of the film.

Viewers are expertly guided through the history of the venue through rich narration provided by a well-known figure in the dance world–Bill T. Jones. Highlights include dancer Frederic Franklin remembering his early days on the property with Ted Shawn (modern dance pioneer and founder of Jacob’s Pillow) and Suzanne Farrell reminiscing about her time there.

The footage does a wonderful job of showcasing the natural surroundings at The Pillow–163 acres of green space in the Berkshires, dotted with rustic farmhouse buildings and an outdoor stage. The property really has a “vacation getaway” feel to it, and indeed it is known as an intimate venue that some in the dance world even refer to as a “sanctuary”.

The release of this film coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Festival, and it does much to convey the diverse heritage of the annual event. Inspiration and collaboration are highlighted through interviews with Tony Award-winner Bill Irwin and dancer Rasta Thomas, and a multitude of dance clips give viewers a sampling of the range of movement styles represented throughout the Festival each year.

Never Stand Still is a tribute to Jacob’s Pillow–a testament to our tradition and roots in movement. It succeeds in its attempt to convey the mood and emotion that can exist in a physical place where so much passion, talent and excitement have come together throughout the years. There is a reverence for this piece of land in the dance world; both for its history and for what it has become today–a place for dance that really has no equal.

Here’s an extended preview for those of you who are interested in getting a glimpse of what this film looks like:

9 Questions With…Rhodie Jorgenson

June 22, 2010 by 4dancers

Today’s “10 Questions With…” is actually 9, but Rhodie Jorgenson makes for an interesting read…

She is another person who 4dancers is featuring from the 2010 International Ballet Competition. Enjoy!

1. What is your dance background?

I trained in New York City at the School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. I also performed with the ABT.

2. How did you wind up getting involved with the USA IBC Dance School?

In 1998, I was a coach for Rasta Thomas and Adrienne Canterna. In 2002, I was invited to be on the faculty. That year, I also coached Ashley Canterna and Danny Tidwell. In 2006 and 2010, I am again on the faculty.

Rhodie Jorgenson

3. What is the experience like for you?

It is wonderful! I am so happy to be here and grateful to be part of this extraordinary event.

4. What do you think the experience is like for the students?

It has to be wonderful and exciting. So many classes are taught by enthusiastic teachers who love dance and want to share. And then, they get to watch all of the beautiful competitors! What an inspiration!

5. What is unique about this schooling?

Watching the USA IBC of course! It is the most outstanding ballet competition in the country.

6. Who attends this program?

The students are age 12-23. There are 260 students from many parts of the country. The students are placed in 7 different levels.

7. What are some of the instructors like?

The faculty is all men and women who want to share their knowledge and love for dance. I find the teachers very positive and still very eager to learn.

8. What would you say the value is of this program in particular?

The value is being surrounded by dance excellence in a supportive, nurturing environment.

9. What is next for you?

I teach full time at Maryland Youth Ballet. This summer, I am also guest teaching in Long Island, New York and in Delaware. And—I’ll go to the ocean!!!

Bio: Rhodie Jorgerson received her training at the School of American Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre School. She danced professionally with ABT, as well as the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, and in summer stock musicals on stage, TV and film. She is currently on the faculty of the prestigious Maryland Youth Ballet. She is D.C. Children’s Ballet Mistress for the Joffrey Ballet, where she has set children’s roles for their Nutcracker since 1992. This year, she is also assuming the same role for the Pennsylvania Ballet’s presentation of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, at Kennedy Center. In June 2010, she will return for the third time to be dance school faculty for the USA IBC in Jackson, Mississippi. She has coached gold and silver medal winners at the International Ballet Competitions in Jackson, Mississippi and Varna, Bulgaria.

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