PHILADANCO Ushers in the Spring with World Premiere by Christopher L. Huggins and a Company Premiere by Carmen de Lavallade
May 4, 2006
PHILADANCO performs in Perelman Theater from Thursday, May 18 through Saturday, May 20, 2006 at 7:30pm with additional 2:30pm matinee performances on Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21, 2006. In residence at the Kimmel Center, PHILADANCO celebrated its 35th Anniversary in 2005. These performances are part of the Kimmel Center Presents Dance Series sponsored by American Express Company.
Huggins said of Cottonwool, “Cottonwool deals with premise of going beyond our limits. In life sometimes we go too far with the hopes of landing softly—like on cotton wool.” A full company work, Pacing is a fusion of modern and African tones with inviting movement, forms and athleticism. Carmen de Lavallade’s Love Stories is dedicated to all those ladies who are searching and dreaming for that perfect love with a happy ending while Brown’s For Mother... celebrates a woman that has lead the way creating opportunities as blessings for the world. The dance is an attempt to embody the pride, self determination and love that allows for generosity, regardless of reward, acknowledgment or understanding.
Regular tickets for PHILADANCO Spring Season are $46 and $34, and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online or at the Kimmel Center Box Office, open daily from 10am to 6pm and later on performance evenings. (Additional fees may apply) For group sales call 215-893-5883. For PHILADANCO information call (215) 38708200.
A limited number of $10 tickets are available for every Kimmel Center Presents performance at the Kimmel Center. These tickets go on sale the day of the event and can be purchased at the Kimmel Center box office beginning 2.5 hours prior to evening performances and 11:30am for matinees.
The Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO), founded by Joan Myers Brown in 1970, is a modern contemporary dance company that tours nationally and internationally. The company has traveled the country and the world, performing before sold-out audiences of diverse people of all ages, creed, ethnicity and cultural traditions. This year, PHILADANCO has the pleasure of performing at the venues such as Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and The Joyce Theater in New York City and has just returned from a noteworthy tour, spending the entire month of March 2006 in Germany, Luxemburg and Italy.
Since its inception in 1970 PHILADANCO has had a significant impact on the dance world. As a cultural ambassador representing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the City of Philadelphia, its artistic direction and renowned national and international guest choreographers have developed a reputation of producing a dance repertory with passion, power, skills and diversity. Over 36 years, a stellar faculty has trained over 4,500 dancers in a comprehensive program achieving the highest level of technical skills in dance performance. The unique blend of dance styles of PHILADANCO, its roster of 50-60 concert performances and 45 residencies annually has made them one of the most sought after modern companies in the United States.
In 2000, the company along with eight other cultural organizations received permanent residency at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. Performances have been sold-out to date, and audiences have been educated to attend concerts for our Fall and Spring Series.
A contemporary maverick, the company was the first to own a debt-free facility. Ever culturally aware and involved in the community, the group founded the International Conference of Black Dance Companies and International Association of Blacks in Dance. Philadanco believes in providing quality arts instructions to young people with authentic learning experience that engage their minds, hearts and bodies.
PHILADANCO continues to be an oasis in its community and a welcoming refuge for all those who enter. PHILADANCO is celebrating 36 years of sensational dancing and continues to build and develop passion not only within themselves but in the hearts of others.
Kimmel Center Presents’ 2005-2006 season is supported by: Mellon Financial Corporation, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Sovereign Bank, The American Express Company, Verizon Foundation, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the National Endowment for the Arts, and The William Penn Foundation. Special Student Matinees at the Kimmel Center are generously supported by Merck & Co., Inc. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Kimmel Center Presents. Toyota is the Official Vehicle of Kimmel Center Presents Jazz and World Pop programming. In-kind support is generously provided by Deloitte and Southern Wine and Spirit. NBC-10 is a Media Partner for Kimmel Center Presents.
KIMMEL CENTER PRESENTS
PHILADANCO Sponsored by American Express.
Thursday, May 18, 2006 – Saturday, May 20, 2006 | 7:30pm
Saturday, May 20, 2006 – Sunday, May 21, 2006 | 2:30pm
Perelman Theater
Featuring: Corey Baker, Erin D. Barnett, Elisabeth H. Bell, Miko Doi-Smith, Neda Y. Ebrahimi, Miguel Edson, Bellamy F. Eure, Tommie W. Evans, Afua S. Hall, Odara N. Jabali-Nash, Gary W. Jeter, II, Mykal D. Laury, II, Ahmad M. Lemons, Erin N. Moore, Mora-Amina Parker, Devin L. Roberts, Jay Staten, Tracy Vogt
Pacing
Choreographer: Milton Myers
Reconstruction: Kim Y. Bears Bailey & Deborah Chase-Hicks
Music: Francis Bebey
Costume Design: Jolea Maffei
Costume Execution: A. Christina Giannini & Natasha Guruleva
Lightening Design/Execution: Clifton Taylor
For Mother…
Choreography: Ronald K. Brown
Assistant to Mr. Brown: Arcell Cabuag
Music: LaShaun Pace, Roberta Flack & Ian Friday
Costume Design/Execution: Natasha Guruleva
Lightening Design: Brenda Gray
Lightening Execution: Melody Beal
Intermission
Love Stories
Company Premiere
Choreographer: Carmen de Lavallade
Music: Billie Holliday
Costume Design: Geoffrey Holder
Costume Execution: Natasha Guruleva
Graphic Design: Leo Holder
Prop Master: Don Pagett
Lightening Design: Clifton Taylor
Lightening Execution: Melody Beal
Cottonwool
World Premiere
Choreographer: Christopher L. Huggins
Assistant to Mr. Huggins: Kayoko Amemiya
Music: Lamb & Original Score by Jeff Storey
Costume Design/Execution: Maria Hirschmann
Lightening Design: Clifton Taylor
Lightening Execution: Melody Beal
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