CPR – Center for Performance Research – will be presenting “Dance in the Hood: Williamsburg Traditions” as the final week of the their New Voices in Live Performance series, from June 15-19 2010.

This week of workshops, performances and discussions recognizing neighborhood dance traditions and expert local artists – from the late ’60 to today – is curated by Nicole Macotsis.

Full line-up:

Tuesday 6/15, 7-9pm
Choreographing The Last Layer
Workshop/Demo with CARAS El Puente Dance Ensemble

Ensemble director Rozz Nash and young dancers address and demonstrate the group’s choreographic process; how culturally specific dances and backgrounds of the troupe members inform the creation of contemporary works such as their most recent, The Last Layer.

Wednesday 6/16 6:30-9:30pm
Breakin’ and Rockin’ on Your Block: Street dance in Willy-B
Dance Workshop/Lecture with Break Easy

Spend an evening with old school b-boy and community dance historian Richard “Break Easy” Santiago as he dances you through two world-famous traditions from your neighborhood: Breaking and Rocking.  Each workshop will be intro-ed by a photo/video montage of the genres’ history in the neighborhood.

Thursday 6/17 7-9pm
BOMBA!
Dance Workshop with Melinda Gonzalez and Jose Ortiz of Los Bomberos de Brooklyn

Williamsburg born and bred dancer Melinda Gonzalez and barrel drummer Jose Ortiz teach the fundamentals of bomba, including the cultural context and basic movement and rhythms of this Afro-Puerto Rican cultural expression.

Friday 6/18 7-9pm
The Last Layer: An Embodiment of the Words We Never Get to Say
Performance with CARAS El Puente Dance Ensemble
OFF SITE: El Puente, 211 S. 4th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY

Saturday 6/19 6:30-9:30
Willy-B Bombazote
Performance and Jam with Rockers, Bomberos and B-Boys more

At 6:30 watch video documentation by Razvan “Tiny Love” Gorea of historic Brooklyn Rock dancers from Williamsburg and neighboring hoods. Tiny Love intros and discusses his clips.

At 7:30 the party starts with performances by Los Bomberos de Brooklyn (bomba), Breaking in Style (b-boy) and Master Mind Rockers (rock dance).  The night includes a neighborhood showcase and continues with the Sounds of Dynasty, represented by historic Rocker and DJ, Ralph “King Uprock” Casanova, spinning funk, hustle, salsa and other jams that shook Brooklyn from the 70s till today.