Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company Washington Heights Summer Musical Theater Dance Festival
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Encore Press Contact: Eric Hill (212) 543-1367 info@GwirtzmanDance.org
YM & YWHA Publicity Contacts: Deborah Katznelson (212) 569-6200 x 219 dkatznelson@ywashhts.org
Washington Heights Summer Musical Theater Dance Festival
July 19-August 1, 2010
Providing solid training to serve whatever style of dance a student pursues.
One-week programs July 19-July 25; July 26-August 1
Two-week Program July 19-August 1
at The YM & YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood
54 Nagle Avenue New York, NY 10040
Reach New Heights IN THE HEIGHTS! This summer, study dance in the Heights at the Washington Heights Summer Musical Theater Dance Festival, directed by Daniel Gwirtzman and his vibrant, electric company! This is the festival that’s just the size for you. The summer residency of the Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company, the Festival, is a two-week intensive dance-training program for pre-professionals and professionals as well as dancers ages 12-18. All classes are open to the public on a drop-in basis. No pre-registration is necessary. Only $13/class.
THE FESTIVAL: A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE
“The face of Broadway choreography has changed,” says Daniel Gwirtzman. “Think of the diversity of movement styles in today’s shows, the range needed and expected of dancers. As a DanceBreak finalist for 2010, I have observed first-hand the next generation of musical theater choreographers and the demands they are making of dancers. As an innovator with a concert dance background, my work asks dancers to have a full set of technical, stylistic and performance skills. This festival is about preparing the aspiring theatrical dancer for this range of choreography.”
The Festival provides a rigorous and holistic program to develop and strengthen contemporary dance and musical theater dance skills, while creating relationships with the Company and special guest artists. The Festival is geared toward students of all levels and technical abilities, from those that are passionate about a career in dance and who wish to train at an intensive level with professional teaching artists and performers, to the absolute beginner with an interest in dance and musical theater.
The Festival is an intimate program that values a low student to teacher ratio so that the emphasis of the festival is on individual growth and attention. Another primary difference that sets the Festival apart is the inclusion of composition classes. Enrolled students, in addition to developing their skills and techniques and learning repertory from the Company, will have the opportunity to work as a choreographer does, developing dances.
The festival emphasizes strong personal investment in each student’s dancing; we coach each dancer to reveal his or her individuality and we are focused on helping our students cultivate their performance qualities. The festival will provide solid, intelligent technique to serve whatever style of dance a student decides to pursue; in today’s companies, and on Broadway, versatility is key. Our philosophy is to prepare the dancer for this diversity of dance styles.
THE SCHEDULE and CURRICULUM
The festival operates Monday-Sunday, with Saturday off from all classes. All classes are open to the public on a drop-in basis. No pre-registration is necessary. Only $13/class.
9:00-9:30 Morning Meeting
9:30-11:00 Technique Class—open to the public
11:15-12:30 Repertory Class—open to the public
12:30-1:30 Lunch
1:30-3:00 Repertory Class—open to the public
3:00-4:30 Composition Class—open to the public
4:45-6:00 Master Class—open to the public—visit Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company on Facebook to see the specific schedule of guest teachers; Please note on some days, the master class and composition class times will be switched.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE ONE OR TWO WEEK PROGRAM:
- Fill out an application, which can be downloaded by accessing our website, www.GwirtzmanDance.org.
- Mail the completed application, with a check to:
Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company
720 West 181st Street, #31
New York, NY 10033
Pimento Caribbean Restaurant
4018 Boston Rd., Bronx, NY 10475
Phone: 347.964.6552
Hours: Mon. – Sat.: 6:30am – 9pm
Sun. 7am – 7pm
Pimento is a small, family-friendly, dine in or take out establishment that offers the very best quality in Caribbean food. Beyond the usual (Oxtail, Brown Stew Fish, Curry Goat, Curry Chicken, etc.), they offer innovative, mouth-watering dishes at reasonable prices (i.e. Fish Chop Suey, Callaloo Rice, Fish Run Down).
Pimento is located in the Shopwell Shopping Center at the corner of Boston Rd. & Dyre Ave. and is open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Catering is also available for events of any size.
National Dance Week-NYC 2K10 Culminating Event
Saturday, June 12, 2010
1-2pm, Film Screening
2-3pm, Cocktail Reception
3pm, Dance Performance
The Ailey Citigroup Theater
405 West 55th St. at 9th Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Get your tickets now for the performance of the summer and show up early for a film screening by the DFA (Dance Films Association). Films are as follows:
BEGUINE – Nominated for Jury Prize for Best Short
Douwe Dijkstra, Netherlands, 2009
One man’s response to losing his lover, a surreal short based on a poem by Giza Ritschl.
*CUBAN PETE, A LIFE EN CLAVE
A journey through the life of Latin dance legend, Pedro “Cuban Pete” Aguilar (1927-2009). A rhythmic pattern will thread the story, fusing the dramatic scenes with intimate conversations, vintage footage, collected photos and reenactments. In many instances, the interviewees and Pete tell the story, the dramatic scenes take us into a time warp with rhythmic transitions keeping the viewer in step with Pete’s life “en clave.” Produced by Craddock Management LLC and TVA Productions, LLC and Producer/Director/Editor Miriam Machado-Luces.
LA VIE EST BELLE
Tristan Duhamel, France, 2004
A character of street-art painted by Jérôme Mesnager is dancing and running on the walls of Paris, animated by Tristan Duhamel.
*MOVE THE FILM
Directed and produced by Melinda Songer Soderling and Kurt Soderling, this powerhouse of a documentary includes some of Hollywood and Broadways most talented and successful dancers, performers and choreographers. Be a part of this incredible journey into the amazing world of commercial dance.
Little Ease [outside the box] – Nominated for Jury Prize for Best Short
ami ipapo and matt tarr, USA, 2008
A new take on a classic piece of choreography conceived in 1985 by extreme action pioneer Elizabeth Streb. Through the use of the camera, we remove obstacles to the conversation between performer, environment and witness, taking this inspiring and athletic movement out of its typical context.
*WORLD CLASS DANCERS
Directed and produced by Frank Correa, this documentary follows the World Class Dancers, a hip hop group of dancers aged 11-22 based in NYC, led by Juan Zapata in performance and rehearsals. This introduction leads into a live performance.
TRASH DANCE Oliver Fergusson-Taylor, 2008, UK
Hip hop deconstruction of trash heap.
“ReBuilders’ Rag”
Live dance salute to environmental recycling
There will also be a special performance by
World Class Dancers.
NDW-NYC culminates with a winning performance and you’ll never guess who’s showing up? Ok, we’ll give you hints…
The performers of the evening will be:
ABAKUA Afro-Latin Dance Company
Ballet Noir
Bollywood Axion
Creative Outlet
Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company
Geo Hubela’s ICONic Boyz
Julio Jean Haitian Dance Theater
Max Pollak & RumbaTap
This evening’s event is proud to announce that proceeds will benefit NDW-NYC 2010 Front Runner, Luis Salgado’s non profit, R.Evolucion Latina. For three years, R.Evolucion Latina continues to rally the NY Artistic Community and provide free classes, workshops, Broadway events and educational programs to children and adults interested in the arts.
There will be sponsor tables at our events. If you or a fabulous company you know of is interested in getting exposure to the best dancers that NYC has to offer (and you love their products and want to see them there), tell them to email us now.
Discounted tickets are now available online.
Flyer designed by Mark Garcia of AGAR Apparel
