If you’re going to be in Pittsburgh, this looks interesting:

The Kelly Strayhorn Theater continues its commitment to contemporary dance with its second annual newMoves Contemporary Dance Festival May 13 – 16, 2010. newMoves celebrates the best of contemporary Pittsburgh dance, with invited guest artists from Philadelphia and New York. The four-day festival showcases work from fifteen choreographers — five guests and ten local — and a range of contemporary dance styles. newMoves Contemporary Dance Festival provides dance artists with increased artistic exposure and production resources, strengthening the Kelly Strayhorn’s commitment to supporting creativity and contemporary performance in the region.

The festival features three distinct evening programs. On Thursday, May 13, the festival opens with Meredith Rainey (Philadelphia), Gwen Ritchie and Megan Bridge (Philadelphia). Friday, May 14, features work by Nichole Canuso (Philadelphia) and Camille Brown (NYC). Saturday, May 15, includes work by Pearlann Porter, Staycee Pearl, Michael Walsh and Kaylin Horgan. The festival concludes with YouthMoves – a showcase of young dancers featuring performances by performances by students from Hope Academy, Alumni Theater Company, Naka Entertainment and Bodiography on Sunday, May 16, at 2 p.m. The May 13 – 16 performances are at 7:30 p.m.

In addition to supporting creativity and contemporary performance in the region, Kelly Strayhorn Theater is also striving to develop local talent. An important part of the festival is the Emerging Choreographers Platform – new talent selected from a pool of applicants. 2010 Emerging Choreographers are Andrew Blight, Jamie Murphy, Renee Danielle Smith, Keila Cordova and Bailey Bretz.

newMoves Contemporary Dance Festival is organized by Janera Solomon, of the Kelly Strayhorn Theater, in collaboration with curatorial advisor Staycee Pearl, formerly artistic director of Xpressions Contemporary Dance.

Tickets for individual performances are $5 – $25. A newMovesPass for $20 provides access to all newMoves Festival events. Each show features a pre-show mixer and post-show Q/A with choreographers and festival curators.

newMoves Contemporary Dance Festival:

Program 1: May 13, 2010 — 7:30 PM
Meredith Rainey (Philadelphia) —
Gwen Ritchie
Megan Bridge (Philadelphia)
Emerging Platform: Andrew Blight, Bailey Bretz

Program 2: May 14, 2010 — 7:30 PM
Nichole Canuso (Philadelphia)
Camille Brown (NewYork City)
Emerging Platform: Renee Danielle Smith, Keila Cordova

Program 3: May 15, 2010 – 7:30 PM
Pearlann Porter
Staycee Pearl
Michael Walsh
Kaylin Horgan
Greer Reed
Emerging Platform: Jamie Murphy