PHILADANCO Brings Artistry and Antics to the Kimmel Center with Seasonal Xmas Philes Performance December 13 to 16
December 6, 2007
"XMAS PHILES is a tongue-in-cheek celebration of the holidays that is decidedly non-traditional"-Philadelphia City Paper
Just in time for the holidays, local dance company PHILADANCO trailblazes through holiday traditions to perform Artistry and Antics featuring the seasonal Xmas Philes in Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center on Thursday-Saturday, December 13-15 at 7:30pm and Saturday-Sunday, December 15-16 at 2:30pm. The repertory program juxtaposes edgy dance interpretations of holiday classics in "Xmas Philes," choreographed by internationally renowned artist Daniel Ezralow, alongside two world premieres of choreographers Elisa Monte’s dramatic ballet "Light Lies Beyond" and Milton Myers’ lyrical "Violin Concerto." "Xmas Philes" includes a holiday lineup of vignettes such as the spirited "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer," hip hop laden "Twas the Night," and sentimental "White Christmas."
"PHILADANCO’s dancers are a miracle of skill and energy. They work in a range of idioms most companies don’t even try to possess…A company that can do more than just anything. It can represent the possibilities of human spirit through dance." – Dance Magazine
An Artist Chat with Founder & Artistic Director Joan Myers Brown, choreographers Milton Myers and Elisa Monte, company members of PHILADANCO, and Kimmel Center Director of Programming Tom Warner will take place following the opening night performance on Thursday, December 13, 2007.
Tickets for PHILADANCO are priced at $34 and $46 and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at www.kimmelcenter.org, 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 215-790-5883.
A limited number of $10 tickets are available for every Kimmel Center Presents performance at the Kimmel Center, through the Wachovia Gateway to the Arts Community Access Program supported by a generous grant from Wachovia Foundation. 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 curtain time and 11:30am for matinees. Limit one ticket per person.
For 38 years PHILADANCO has adhered to its mission to present the highest quality of professional dance performance, exceptional training for emerging professional dancers and choreographers, while also increasing the appreciation of dance among its many communities. 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, skill and diversity. Joan Myers Brown, founder of PHILADANCO, has compiled a stellar faculty that has trained over 4,500 dancers in its comprehensive program, and achieved the highest level of technical skills in dance and performance. She was recently honored in 2006 with a Dance Magazine Award for her work with the company. The unique blend of dance styles of PHILADANCO and 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 1986, PHILADANCO was one of only 15 organizations awarded the prestigious National Choreography Planning Grant. It organized the historic first two International Conferences for Black Dance Companies with over 75 representatives convening in Philadelphia. For the past 18 years, more than 600 people have assembled annually for the International Conference on Black Dance; headed by the International Association of Blacks in Dance, which was also founded and now chaired by Joan Myers Brown. In 2000, the company along with eight other cultural organizations received permanent residency at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. In 2006, PHILADANCO has had the pleasure of performing at venues such as Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and The Joyce Theater in New York City. The company recently returned from a rigorous tour schedule in Germany, Luxembourg and Italy. As one of fourteen companies to receive the prestigious American Masterpieces award from the National Endowment for the Arts, PHILADANCO will utilize this grant to remount Talley Beatty’s Southern Landscapes.
More importantly, PHILADANCO believes in and continues to provide quality arts instruction to young people with authentic learning experiences that engage their minds, hearts, and bodies. After 37 years, the PHILADANCO building continues to be an oasis in its community and a welcoming refuge for all.
"Light Lies Beyond" pays homage to visionary 20th Century artist Josef Albers and his theories on color. Choreographed by Elisa Monte as a ballet for eight dancers, "Light Lies Beyond" showcases "the sensualization and vibration of color" through its dramatic lighting and pure white and vibrant color costuming. Joseph Albers (1888-1976) was a major theorist on the visual efforts of color relations. A teacher at the Bauhaus, the German art school that pioneered principles of modern design, Albers came to the United States in 1933 and taught at Yale from 1950-1959.
"Violin Concerto" is a work driven by articulate movements to Philip Glass’ Violin Concerto. Choreographer Milton Myers uses Concerto II and III. Concerto II is sensitive and more lyrical; Concerto III is aggressive and physical, responding to the soundscape of Glass.
Kimmel Center Presents 2007/2008 season is sponsored by Citi. Support for the Mellon Jazz Series comes from The Bank of New York Mellon. The Great Orchestra Series is supported by ARC Wheeler. Additional support is provided by the University of Pennsylvania Health System and American Express. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Kimmel Center Presents. Toyota is the Official Vehicle of Kimmel Center Presents Mellon Jazz, Mellon Jazz Up Close and World & Pop.
The Kimmel Center also receives support from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, The William Penn Foundation, The Wachovia Foundation, Verizon Foundation, PNC Foundation, The Philadelphia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and the Philadelphia Music Project and Dance Advance, Initiatives of The Pew Charitable Trust administered by The University of the Arts. In-kind support is generously provided by Deloitte. NBC-10 is a Media Partner for Kimmel Center Presents, and additional media sponsors include WDAS, WRTI, WJJZ, Afro-Pop, WXPN and WXPN's Kids Corner 20th Anniversary.
Free in the Plaza programming and subsidized tickets offered to the community and social service groups for $10 are made possible through the Wachovia Gateway to the Arts Community Access Program, supported by a generous grant from Wachovia Foundation.
KIMMEL CENTER PRESENTS
Thursday-Saturday, December 13-15 | 7:30pm
Saturday-Sunday, December 15-16 | 2:30 pm
Perelman Theater
PHILADANCO
Artistry and Antics
Featuring: Penelope J. Armstead-Williams, Erin D. Barnett, Miguel Edson Banket, Chloé O. Davis, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Brandon Glasgow, David Holland, Odara N. Jabali-Nash, Joan Kilgore, Mykal D. Laury, II, Clifford N. Lee, Teneise L. Mitchell, Mora-Amina Parker, Devin L. Roberts, Tyrell V. Rolle, Jay Staten, Tracy Vogt, Dawn Marie Watson with Tony Harris, Jr. , Jodi Pickins, Jade Greene, Minaah Stibbins, Samira Mustafa, Danielle Mathews and members of D/3
"Light Lies Beyond" (2007)
Choreographer: Elisa Monte
Music: Michael Gordon, David Lang & Julia Wolf of BANG ON A CAN
(Acoustic Aphasis, Remix One)
Lighting Design & Execution: Clifton Taylor
Costume Design & Execution: Karen Young
"Violin Concerto" (2007)
Choreographer: Milton Myers
Music: Philip Glass (Violin Concerto - Ulster Orchestra)
Lighting Design & Execution: Clifton Taylor
Costume Design & Execution: Anna-Alisa Belous
Xmas Philes (2000)
Choreographer: Daniel Ezralow
Music: Various Artists
Costume Design: Jackson Lowell
Costume Execution: Natasha Guruleva
Lighting Design: Clifton Taylor
Stage Manager: Melody Beal
Production Manager/Scenic Coordinator: Samuel-Moses Jones
White X-Mas
Rudolf
Twas…
Druids
Presents
12 Daz
Blue
Falalala
NY’s Eve
Silent Night
Pickets
Store Wars
X-Mas Thieves
Santas in Black
Zat You, Sc
Sc Is Coming to Town
FREE AT THE KIMMEL EVENT
Thursday, December 13, 2007 | Post-show
Perelman Theater
Artist Chat with PHILADANCO and Joan Myers Brown
Join us for an Artist Chat with Founder & Executive Artistic Director Joan Myers Brown, choreographers Milton Myers and Elisa Monte, company members of PHILADANCO, and the Kimmel Center Director of Programming Tom Warner.
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