|
Princeton Dance and Theater Calendar
 Nov 5-6 Closed NJEA Convention Nov 24-27 ClosedThanksgiving Dec 5Nutcracker Dec 22-Jan 3 ClosedWinter Break  |
Upcoming PerformancesOne Day Only!
Dec 5
Susan Jaffe's
Nutcracker
Featuring
ABT Dancer
Tobin Eason
Performing Arts Center at Montgomery High School 3pm and 7pm Tickets on Sale Now! |
|
Give your Dead Shoes New Life!
This is a plea for old pointe and demi-pointe shoes. We extend their beauty and life
in new ways and sell works of art at our performances. The designs are very special and underscore how creative our students and parents are in other art forms besides dance!
Donations can be placed in
a box in the lobby labeled
"Pointe Shoes." |
Contact:
Pamela
Mingle at 609-203-0376 or pmingle1@gmail.com
www.balletburn.com
|
A school's merit is not justified by the fame of its teachers; rather it is defined by the success of its students.
If you'd like to share an upcoming event, celebration, etc. with the greater PDT community or if you'd like to make a comment,
please direct communications to Amy at: aeilert@gmail.com with the words Dance and Theater News in the subject header. |
|
|
|
Greetings!
For far too long in this country, dance has been associated with the female gender. While in Europe and Latin America, male dancers been more accepted in society, even in a multi-cultural hub such as Britain, boys were discouraged from dancing (just look at poor Billy Elliot!). Over the past few years, we have noticed a significant increase in boys coming to take dance at PDT, and a little research shows we are not alone in seeing an increased number of males dancing.
At The Observer Home Location you can read about the large growth in male dance students in Britain's schools - with many males choosing dance in school over football. British boys can thank shows such as BBC's Strictly Come Dancing for making dance more accessible and acceptable just as American boys can thank shows such as So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars. Finally, people in America are realizing the incredible athleticism, balance, and brain power dance requires.
Thankfully, the West Windsor-Plainsboro School District is also accepting of the importance of dance to boys and girls alike. DanceVision's D.A.N.C.E. (Dance as a Necessary Component of Education) will revisit the district this year for a four day in-school residency for all of Wicoff Elementary School's second and third graders. Marie Alonzo Snyder, PhD, D.A.N.C.E's Program Director, the instructors and we are always inspired by the voracious creating of movement exhibited by the children in the public school programs. These programs are necessary for so many reasons, not least of which is introducing dance to boys.
Please see our profile of three of PDT's young male students. Regardless of their reasons for having started dancing, watching them in boys-only ballet classes with Henri Velandia and seeing them well integrated in mixed gender classes in Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, and Ballroom is a sure sign that our culture is accepting, indeed celebrating, boys in the dance world.
With warm wishes,
Risa Kaplowitz & Susan Jaffe
Co-Directors |
|
|
Elica Suzuki Scholarship Fund
A Marathon of Support
PDT parent, Tracey Johnson, is running a marathon to benefit the Elica Suzuki Scholarship Fund.
If you are moved to support this effort, Tracey is asking for flat donations of any amount to inspire her run.
Donations are being collected in the PDT office. The race is November 22 in Philadelphia.
Thank
you, Tracey, for helping us all remember a beautiful child and dancer!
|
Faculty in the Community
 PDT Faculty: Lisa Botalico
and Marie Alonzo Snyder presented
a collaborative work En el Jardin, an outdoor site-specific work at the Grounds
For Sculptures on Oct 4. Three weeks later they transposed the work indoors at
the first YWCA Princeton DanceLab. Guest dancer for both performances was Henri
Velandia, who has danced in eight works of Ms. Alonzo Snyder's since 2005.
Ms. Alonzo Snyder is being celebrated
in the YWCA Princeton 2010 Calendar, Twelve Lives Changed. She is
being honored for her involvment in the "I'll have what she's
having...." Dance Project, an annual showcase for women dance
makers and dancers over 40.
|
|
America Dances
New York City Center
Presented by Rolex and with a star studded cast, AMERICA DANCES!
celebrates a variety of entertainment that defines our American
Culture-past, present and future, including a film montage paying
tribute to the crazes and evolution of American dance. The eclectic
evening is a fusion of styles that move from theater to concert dance,
to television and film.
PDT Student Alessa Meni performed with the African Gum Boot Dance. The show was on Mon. Nov. 2nd at 7 PM
Special Appearances and Performances by, and Artists from:
Bob Fosse's Dancin',
Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, "Dancing with the Stars," DJ
Active¬phaze, Electric Boogaloo's Mr. Wiggles, Nicole Fosse, Lombard
Twins, Lori Belilove & The Isadora Duncan Dance Company, Kathleen
Marshall, Melanie LaPatin and Tony Meredith's Dance Times Square,
PopMaster Fabel, Rock Steady Crew, "So You Think You Can Dance," Sophisticated Ladies - a Tribute to Duke Ellington, Jock Soto, "Step UP 3," The Street Beats Group, Tap City Youth Ensemble, and Sonya Tayeh Dance.
|
Boys in Dance
We asked three of PDT's male dancers why they dance and how they feel when they dance. Their responses follow.
 Michael Metgang, Fifth Grader (pictured)
"I dance because dancing professionally is my dream. My mom brought it up when I was five years old because some of my friends were taking dance. Ever since, my dream is to be on Broadway. When I dance, I feel accomplished and really good about myself."
Josiah Foster, Seventh Grader
"I dance because it's fun. I enjoy seeing my friends at PDT, and I also like working with the teachers. When I dance, I have a mix of feelings. It's physically tough and hard, but it's also mentally relaxing for me.
Asher Muldoon, Fifth Grader
"I dance because I'm an actor. My mom told me that it is better to have good dance training, and that being able to dance will make it easier to make it as an actor. Right now, I take ballet two days a week, jazz and tap one day each per week. Other nights are spent at violin and voice lessons, so I am really busy. I'm getting used to dance now, and it's growing on me.
All three of the boys above are getting ready for varied performances in New Jersey. Josiah will be featured as the Nutcracker Prince in DanceVision's upcoming performances of The Nutcracker. Michael will be performing in Kelsey Theater's production of Bugsy Malone Jr. (alongside PDT student Katrina Meni) at the end of January, and Asher has acted in numerous productions in Princeton and NYC, including A Christmas Carol, The Winter's Tale, and MEDEA.. We are proud that all three of them and many other male students consider PDT their home for dance.
|
DanceVision
Halloween Fun Raiser We have a Winner!
Thank you for participating in the "Guess how many pieces of candy corn are in the jar" fun raiser. The person closest was:
Gillian Gottlieb
|
DanceVision
Nutcracker D.A.N.C.E
Save the date!
December 5th 3:00 and 7:00 at the Performing Arts Center at Montgomery High School. Please visit www.dancevisionnj.org for more information.
DanceVision's D.A.N.C.E. (Dance As a Necessary Component to Education) will be in residence at Wicoff Elementary School in the West Windsor-Plainsboro school district. D.A.N.C.E. will bring dance education to all of the school's second and third graders. The residency is made possible in part by the Middlesex Cultural Heritage Foundation and is being coordinated by Marie Alonzo Snyder Phd.
DanceVision is in need of financial assistance. Please click here to contribute to this not-for-profit organization so that it can continue to present its wonderful performances of The Nutcracker and The Secret Garden and its important outreach programs in the community.
|
|
Hot Salsa Hot
Philly Salsafest
HSH
had a great weekend at the first annual Philadelphia Salsafest. Great
performances, workshops, social dancing and the unforgettable Halloween
costume contest. We want to congratulate our friend Sonya Elmore from
La Luna Dance Studio for organizing such an amazing event !!!!
HSH
had the opportunity to open the Friday show line up with Henri and his
siter Claudia as well as the Saturday evening show with the HSH Amateur
group. And on Sunday, Henri and His partner Christy Kam placed 4th at
the very challenging Professional Competition. If you missed the
performances here are the videos enjoy!!!
|
|
|
|
|
