Philadelphia Dance Projects Presents ’09

January 31 – February 28, 2009

In PHILADELPHIA

The series, curated by Terry Fox, Executive Director of Philadelphia Dance Projects, gives fresh insight into adventurous dance trends by showcasing contemporary dance makers from Philadelphia alongside their peers from around the country. Audiences will have the opportunity to experience new work in evening-length dance programs that pair rising Philly talent with visiting dance artists, in addition to workshops and an “informance” with participating artists.

The series features Philadelphia artists Headlong Dance Theater and Zane Booker, with his company Smoke, Lilies and Jade Arts Initiative; New York-based artists Keely Garfield Dance and Jennifer Monson, Artistic Director of iLAND Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Art, Nature and Dance; Minneapolis-based trio ARENA Dances; and the 2009 SCUBA National Touring Network for Dance artists, Charles O. Anderson / dance theatre X (Philadelphia), Shinichi Iova-Koga of inkBoat (San Francisco), and Salt Horse (Seattle).

“Our aims with PDP Presents are to continue to build and sustain an audience for contemporary dance in Philadelphia and to provide opportunities for audiences to experience new work from local artists along with their national and international peers,” says Terry Fox, Executive Director of Philadelphia Dance Projects and curator of the series. “Through our work with the SCUBA National Touring Network for Dance we have seen the breadth of work and stature of companies worthy of attention and presenting support across the country that parallels many peers here in Philly. This series provides a much-needed presenting platform for independent dance artists and small companies.”

Most Philadelphia Dance Projects Presents events will be held at The Performance Garage (1515 Brandywine Street), with additional events at Temple University’s Conwell Dance Theater (Broad Street & Montgomery Avenue) and Philadanco Studios (9 North Preston Street). Tickets to all performances and workshops are $15 each. All Access Passes to the informance and all 3 performances are available for $50. Tickets to all series events are available for purchase online at www.danceboxoffice.com or by phone at (215) 546-2552.

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

INFORMANCE

• Jennifer Monson

Saturday, Jan. 31 at 7:30pm

The Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine St.

Jennifer Monson will discuss her multi-year, Bessie Award-winning epic project Bird Brain, which

explores the natural world through experimental dance practices. Artistic Director of iLAND

Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Art, Nature and Dance, Monson’s performance work illuminates

issues of migration, navigation and conservation, artistic creativity and freedom. Audiences are

invited to engage in this informance and dialogue through the lens of migration in culture.

SPECIAL EVENT – Celebrate Philadelphia Dance Projects Presents ‘09

• Party, Defrost, Meet the Artists, Greet, Dance, Drink, Nibble

Wednesday, Feb. 4 from 7:30 – 9pm

Bahdeebahdu, 1522 N. American St.

Admission: $25; $150 donation includes a pair of tickets to all series performances. All proceeds

benefit Philadelphia Dance Projects. For additional information and to RSVP, call (215) 546-2552

or email info@philadanceprojects.org.

PERFORMANCES

• Headlong Dance Theater + Keely Garfield Dance

Friday, Feb. 6 at 7:30pm

Saturday, Feb. 7 at 7:30pm

The Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine St.

Headlong Dance Theater’s The Future of the Future is a collection of dances that span the

company’s characteristically expansive palette from intricate set dances to sophisticated

improvisations, and includes the World Premiere of a new dance that pushes Headlong core

dancers Nichole Canuso and Christy Lee up against the sad-magic-righteous songs of outsider

musician Daniel Johnston. The Bessie Award-winning Philadelphia company explores

contemporary culture with a deep commitment to collaboration, humor and formal

experimentation.

Keely Garfield Dance will present the Philadelphia Premieres of two new works, Limerence and

First Attempt. Equal parts dance, drama, and devotional, both works reflect on Keely Garfield’s

examination of the current state of the union – the nature of prayer, systems of governance, sham

and drudgery, signs and wonders. Performers include the London-born Garfield, Philadelphia-

based dancer Jaamil Olawale Kosoko, Omagbitse Omagbemi and Brandin Steffensen, with

innovative lighting-design-as-performance by Jonathan Belcher.

• Zane Booker + ARENA Dances

Friday, Feb.13 at 7:30pm

Saturday, Feb. 14 at 7:30pm

The Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine St.

Zane Booker will premiere Seven Stories of Love & Other Human Mysteries, a suite of romantic

dances set on his company, Smoke, Lilies and Jade Arts Initiative. The performance is inspired

by painter Mary Heebner’s definition of intimacy and features original spoken word by guest artist

Michael Thomas, a former member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Booker is a master

lecturer at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia and has choreographed work for Philadanco

and Ballet X, among others.

The avant-garde Plastic Language, choreographed by ARENA Dances’ Artistic Director Mathew

Janczewski, is an unusual and provocative work. Based heavily on the works of artist Joan Miró,

the performance undulates and skims across a confined space as dancers attempt to establish

communication by transferring information between each other. The Minneapolis based

company’s distinctive movement draws from many schools and styles of dance, creating its own

unique signature that is a curious blend of the humorous, the classical and the quirky.

• SCUBA National Touring Network for Dance

Charles O. Anderson / dance theatre X + Shinichi Iova-Koga / inkBoat

+ Salt Horse featuring Corrie Befort, Beth Graczyk, Angelina Baldoz

Friday, Feb. 27 at 8pm

Saturday, Feb. 28 at 2pm

*Temple University’s Conwell Dance Theater, Broad St. & Montgomery Ave.

The SCUBA National Touring Network for Dance supports the growth and expansion of the

country’s next generation of contemporary dance artists through touring and the development of

relationships with other artists and presenters. This event features Philadelphia choreographer

Charles O. Anderson and his company dance theatre X presenting excerpts from two original

performances, World Headquarters and Tar; Shinichi Iova-Koga, Artistic Director of inkBoat, with

a solo performance of Milk Traces; and Seattle based company Salt Horse presenting This was a

cliff.

WORKSHOPS

• Jennifer Monson

Saturday, Jan. 31 from 1 – 3pm

Sunday, Feb. 1 from 1 – 3pm

The Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine St.

• Keely Garfield

Saturday, Feb. 7 from 1 – 3pm

Sunday, Feb. 8 from 1 – 3pm

The Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine St.

• Zane Booker & Mathew Janczewski (ARENA Dances)

Saturday, Feb. 14 from 1 – 3pm

Sunday, Feb. 15 from 1 – 3pm

The Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine St.

• 2009 SCUBA Artists Morning Class with Charles O. Anderson / dance theatre X + Shinichi

Iova-Koga / inkBoat + Salt Horse feat. Corrie Befort, Beth Graczyk, Angelina Baldoz

Friday, Feb. 27 from 10am – NOON

*Philadanco Studios, 9 North Preston St.