31st Downtown Dance Festival 2012 Performing Companies
Buglisi Dance Theatre
Buglisi Dance Theatre, a recipient of the American Dance Guild Award, was founded by Artistic Director Jacqulyn Buglisi, along with Terese Capucilli, Christine Dakin and Donlin Foreman, who performed as principal artists at the Martha Graham Dance Company. World-class production values and theatrical appeal have won BDT invitations to prestigious venues worldwide, including the Kennedy Center, Jacob’s Pillow, Dance St. Louis, River to River Festival, and to festivals in Australia, the Czech Republic, France, Israel and Italy. Educational programs are core to the company’s mission; recent residencies include Cal State University./LB; George Mason University; Ailey/Fordham, and the NYC public schools. On September 11, 2011, BDT led 120 dancers in a peace labyrinth on Josie Robertson Plaza at Lincoln Center.
Dalia Carella Dance Collective
The Dalia Carella Dance Collective (DCDC) is a global fusion dance theater company. A world-renowned fusion artist, with nearly 40 years of immersion in dances from around the world, Dalia Carella brings to the stage traditional and contemporary dance theater from the Near and Middle East (including Egypt and Turkey), India, Spain, and Latin America infused with a contemporary sensibility. She founded the DCDC in 2001 to fulfill a larger vision of fusing traditional and contemporary forms. As DCDC’s work evolves, it continues to transcend labels and forms, through theatrical staging and contemporary inspirations.
Dance Cat-alyst Company
Dance Cat-alyst is a soul-driven contemporary dance company that seeks to motivate audiences about dance, health and fitness through a style they created, HipMoJazz. HipMoJazz is a dynamic approach to movement that incorporates elements of hip-hop, modern, and jazz with a strong ballet base. The company has performed nationally and abroad for Nanjing China International School System; Albion College; University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire; Western Michigan University; Jazz Choreography Enterprises Inc. at Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theatre, Manhattan Movement Arts Center and 92nd Street Y Buttenwieser Hall; NYC'S Chelsea Piers Sports Center and Sky Rink; and The Wellspring Theatre.
Dancewave
Dancewave Company is a pre-professional dance troupe of teenagers ages 15-18, selected by audition from across New York City. The company provides a professional environment for young people that both challenges and encourages them to excel. The company works with internationally renowned American choreographers including Ron Brown, Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp, Trisha Brown, Mark Morris, Nathan Trice, Andrea Miller, Garth Fagan, David Dorfman, Doug Varone, Bill T. Jones, Donald Byrd, Meredith Monk, Susan Marshall, Donald McKayle, Carla Maxwell and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar.
The company has performed at Governor's Arts Awards, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New Museum, Bay Street Theatre, Joyce Theatre, PS 122, The Brooklyn Children's Museum, The Kitchen, DanceNOW Festival, City Park Foundation's Summerstage and on PBS.
Exit 12 Dance Company
Exit 12 is a contemporary dance company committed to creating and performing works of high cultural significance that inspire conversations about worldly differences and the lasting effects of violence and conflict on communities, families, and individuals. Founded by Sergeant Roman Baca (USMC) upon his return from a tour in Fallujah, Iraq, Exit 12 strives to educate audiences about the realities of war, advocate diversity and mutual understanding through cultural exchange, and champion the humanity and dignity of all persons. Referred to by The New York Times as “an unusual union of dance and topicality,” Exit 12 supports and advances the notion that art heals, and is devoted to serving those who have been touched by conflict by expressing their stories.
Figures In Flight
Figures in Flight is a contemporary youth dance company based in upstate New York. Since 1990, there have been four youth companies and a unique men’s company at Woodbourne Correctional facility - all of which have forwarded the mission of celebrating diversity and tolerance. The dancers are trained in the Lester Horton modern dance technique, ballet, and study a philosophy based on the practice of attention and life skills. They interface with choreographic material, which supports community building, social justice, and kindness to one another.
Jamal Jackson Dance Company
Jamal Jackson Dance Company (JJDC) was founded in 2004 with the purpose of fusing traditional African dance styles with modern and hip hop techniques and diverse contemporary music styles. The movement and storylines of JJDC choreography focus on redefining ideas of community and blurring divisive lines, while celebrating the beauty of individual cultures. Jamal Jackson Dance Company has established a strong presence in New York City, performing year round in festivals, self-produced shows, and private events. The company has performed at Mark Morris Dance Center, DanceNow Festival, Dance Theater Workshop, Battery Downtown Dance Festival, Equality Now's 20th Anniversary, and St. Marks Church. JJDC has also toured to Big Range Austin in Austin, TX, the Yard in Martha's Vineyard, MA, and Performance Spaces of the 21 Century in Chatham, NY.
Jaikishore & Padmavani Mosalikanti
Sri Mosalikanti Jaikishore, the son of violinist Sri M.S. Rao, was trained by Padmabhushan Vempati Chinna Satyam, of the Kuchipudi Art Academy, Chennai, for 18 years. He went on to receive accolades from critics and dance lovers for his technical perfection, flexibility, character transformations, choreography, performances, and teaching. Jaikishore was awarded the title of Natya Vishaarada by Kuchipudi Arts Academy in March 1999, and the title of 'Yuva Kala Vipanchee by the Vipanchee Trust headed by Padma Vibhushan Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna in December 2004. His dances include over thirty solos, several thematic presentations, and dance dramas. Padmavani Mosalikanti Vani, wife and disciple of Sri Kishore, trained initially in Kuchipudi under Sri M.S.R. Murthy at Kuchipudi Kalakendra, Mumbai, and has a MFA in Kuchipudi dance from Telugu University, Hyderabad. She has performed all over India and is known for her portrayal of Sathya Bhama in the dance drama Sri Krishna Parijatham. Since her marriage in 2002, she has been dancing, teaching, and wielding the cymbals as an integral member of their dance team. The couple recently completed a tour in Russia.
Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers
Taiwan-born Kun-Yang Lin probes the limits of national identity, drawing upon Eastern philosophy while expanding the boundaries of Western contemporary dance. Founded in New York City, KYL/D relocated to Philadelphia, where The Inquirer has deemed it “at the pinnacle of Philadelphia's outstanding dance community.” The New York Times has said, “Lin’s dances, simultaneously abstract and specific, create and inhabit worlds of their own” and that his choreography's “distinctive blend of traditional and Western dance has the dark, bold force of a woodcut print.” KYL/D has performed across the United States and internationally, including at Busan International Dance Festival in Korea as well as in Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan and Mexico. In 2011, PBS honored KYL/D with a nationally broadcast documentary in its award-winning On Canvas series. MindTV featured KYL/D in its celebrated broadcast series “A World of Dance in Philadelphia.” In 2012, the Mayor's Office of Culture & the Creative Economy cited KYL/D's 2011 performance at The Painted Bride as one of the city's cultural highlights of the year.
Mayuri Dance Group
Mayuri Indian dance group was founded by Vera Evgrafova, in 1987, at the Railway Workers Cultural Centre of Petrozavodsk, Russia. Its purpose was to unify people interested in the culture and traditions of India. While parallel training in various dance styles is not commonly accepted in India, training at Mayuri includes Bhataranatyam and Kathak as well as folk dances and dances to filmi music. Mayuri have staged several innovative productions in Eastern Europe, India and elsewhere, and their repertoire consists of over 150 dances in different styles.
Morales Dance
Since 1997, Morales Dance has brought together a variety of artists to celebrate the diversity and beauty of dance. The company has featured dancers from companies including Martha Graham, Jose Limon, DTH, ABT, Alvin Ailey, Battery Dance Company, Connecticut Ballet, New Jersey Ballet, Staten Island Ballet, Lar Lubovitch and many others. In addition to new and original works by Tony Morales, the company has performed dances by guest choreographers including Leni Williams and Milton Myers; and has worked with musicians Lucy Shelton, The Albany String Orchestra and, Sandro Russo. Morales has set works on the Staten Island Ballet over the past two year. Morales Dance has appeared at Central Park SummerStage and will perform Contrasts at the Theater of The Riverside Church in September.
Peridance Contemporary Dance Company
Igal Perry established Peridance Contemporary Dance Company in 1984 as a professional repertory dance company. The Company is now housed within Peridance Capezio Center at Union Square, with the Salvatore Capezio Theater as its home venue. The identity of Peridance Contemporary Dance Company is shaped by original choreography, versatile dancers of diverse backgrounds, classical and contemporary accompaniment, and collaborations with live musicians. While upholding the elegance and articulation of classical ballet, Mr. Perry has structured the company to explore and experiment with innovative movement and design.
Phoenix Project Dance
Phoenix Project Dance was founded in 2004 under the artistic direction of Amber Perkins. The Phoenix Project has performed in the U.S. and Germany and was selected to perform as part of the Thang Dao Contemporary Dance Festival at the Ailey Citigroup Theater. Recent engagements include Colgate University's Palace Theater, View in Old Forge, NY, University of Rochester and Symphony Space in Manhattan.
Roschman Dance
Roschman Dance is an ensemble of choreographers and dancers committed to producing work that is aesthetically beautiful, technically exquisite, emotionally provocative, and socially relevant. The company aims to transcend cultural, generational, and social differences, and to expand dance into the public consciousness through dance performance, dance construction, and dance education. Roschman Dance has been commissioned by Cirque Du Soleil's non-profit ONE DROP, New York City Fashion Week, The Maritime Aquarium of Norwalk, Stuyvesant Town’s Summer on the Oval Festival and at HERE.
Sonali Skandan & Jiva Dance
Sonali Skandan, Artistic Director of Jiva Performing Arts, is a disciple of C.V. Chandrasekhar of Chennai, India, and also trains with Bragha Bessell. She had initial training with Thejeswini Raj. Skandan has presented solo and group works at the United Nations, Toronto International Dance Festival, DanceNow Festival, the Asian American Dance Festival in San Francisco, Chennai Music and Dance Festival and Natyanjali Festival in India. Her productions include Urban Kutcheri, Bharatanatyam Margam, Swarupa: Infinite Form and Trimurti-Bharatanatyam Odissi and Kathak commissioned by Sruti - Pennsylvania. Skandan is on the dance faculty at Sarah Lawrence College and has given lecture demonstrations and workshops for Young Artists and Rubin Museum of Art. She holds a Masters degree in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and has been instrumental in starting The Heritage School, in Manhattan.
Sri Warisan Som Said Performing Arts Ltd
Sri Warisan, founded in 1997 by Madam Som Said, is one of the pivotal forces in Singapore’s Malay dance scene. The company blends traditional forms with contemporary techniques, and its performers are trained in such varied disciplines as dance, music, theater and multimedia. They have performed at festivals in Belgium, Brunei, Canada, China, France, Greece, Holland, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Spain, Thailand and the U.K.
The Vanaver Caravan Dance & Music Company
The Vanaver Caravan Dance & Music Company, based in the Hudson Valley, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The Caravan is returning to the Downtown Dance Festival with excerpts from Pastures of Plenty: Tribute to Woody Guthrie, part of a yearlong series of worldwide Woody Guthrie centennial events. The Vanaver Caravan tours all over the world with programs of American and World Dance & Music and original choreography. This concert will feature 6 musicians and 8 company members including Joel Hanna (star of Riverdance), capoeirista Gustavo Caldas and hip hop dancer Edwin Fion, as well as Vanaver’s Summer Dancers on Tour.
Bageshree Vaze
Bageshree Vaze is a native of Pune, India and was raised in Canada. She trained in Bharatha Natyam, and studied vocal music with her father, Damodar Vaze. She later trained in Kathak with Pandit Jai Kishan Maharaj in New Delhi, and studied vocal music with Veena Sahasrabuddhe. Named a “rising star” by MTV India in 2004, Vaze has four CDs to her credit, including Tarana, an album of music for Indian dance, which was also released in India by Times Music. She has served as guest artist with the Niagara Symphony Orchestra, performed as a Kathak soloist in Pt. Birju Maharaj's Vasantotsav festival in New Delhi. She was awarded the 2010 K.M. Hunter Award in Dance. In 2012, her double bill Damaru/Mudra, was premiered at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. She recently completed a new album, Ragas and Rhythms.
The Trinetra Chhau Dance Company (India)
The Trinetra Chhau Dance Company from Seraikella, Jharkhand, was established in 1985 by Pandit Gopal Prasad Dubey to promote dance, music and culture, and to impart training. The Academy produces original dance works and sponsors festivals, exhibitions and workshops; supports research into rare dance forms; encourages both realistic and stylized theatre; helps poets and writers to publish their works; invites various Gurus to hold special seminars; and gives professional opportunities to budding artists. In India, The Trinetra Chhau Dance Company has performed for National Centre of the Performing Arts, Nehru Centre and for Television. Outside India, the Academy has performed at Symphony Space, under the aegis of World Music Institute and Solaris, Disneyworld, Disneyland, Springville Dance Festival, Carbon County International Festival, Bountiful Dance Festival and the University of Kansas.
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